Turnout control from
a Throttle, CTC panel and Fascia panel
General
Operation:
This scheme provides for turnout control from a
dispatcher using a Centralized Traffic Control (CTC)
panel with Team Digital SRC16(s) and MotoD(s) in a DCC
system. Turnout control is also available via a throttle.
It also demonstrates the concept of an accessory bus.
An accessory bus also called serial bus is defined as an
independent serial bus separate from the throttle bus.
This can provide several advantages for a DCC system. One
of the big advantages of an accessory bus is that it
provides a "two way street" for accessories to
communicate with each other. With regard to accessories
DCC is a "one way street". That is, control information
is sent from the command station in the form of DCC
packets on the track bus. Accessories monitor this
information and respond to instructions with their
address. There is no provision for accessories to "talk
back" to the command station via DCC. Also, an accessory
bus can expand the selection of devices available for
applications and can aid in trouble shooting.
The SRC16 is an accessory decoder and can be powered from
DCC track power. Since it can be controlled via DCC
commands it's gateway feature provides a very convenient
way to pass turnout (switch) commands to the accessory
bus. This allows DCC turnout commands to control devices
connected to the accessory bus. Thus, turnouts can be
controlled either from the throttle, the dispatcher and
local panel. Later versions of the SRC16 provide local
control lockout so the dispatch can have complete
control.
Turnouts:
SRC16(s) are used to control turnouts and optionally
indicate turnout status. They can drive stall motor type
switch machine with 5 volts or with a higher voltage
using MotoDs. With MotoDs the SRC16 control up to 16
stall motors.
Fascia Panel:
A fascia panel can contain push buttons for local control
of turnouts. Optionally it could have LED indictors for
turnout status. A SRC16 make a very convenient interface
as it can be used to issue turnout commands and update
status indicators.
CTC Panel:
The CTC panel is depicted on a computer screen using
software like JMRI. It allows the dispatcher to control
turnouts and the display of layout status via the
accessory bus.
JMRI is capable of having more than one interface. In
this case the computer is shown connected to the NCE
command station via RS232 and connected to the accessory
bus via a USB cable and a LocoBuffer USB. JMRI must be
configured for a NCE interface and LocoNet® interface
since the accessory bus is compatible with Digitrax's
LocoNet® .
Power:
The SRC16(s) may be powered from a dedicated power supply
or the track. Using the rail sync lines in a separate
accessory bus provides easy power connections for
multiple devices. The Locobuffer can also be powered from
rail sync
NCE DCC system with dispatcher control
