Serge NOEL
483 lines
21 KiB
Plaintext
483 lines
21 KiB
Plaintext
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<title>JMRI Hardware Support - Connecting to a Digitrax DCS240</title>
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<meta name="author" content="Bob Jacobsen">
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<meta name="author" content="B. Milhaupt">
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"Digitrax DCS Command Station DCS240 java model railroad JMRI install windows">
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<h1>Hardware Support: Digitrax DCS240</h1>
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<div class="toc">
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<ul>
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<li>
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<a href="#ConnectingDCS240">Connecting JMRI to a Digitrax DCS240</a>
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<ul>
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<li>
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<a href="#ChooseAMethod">Choosing the configuration method</a>
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<ul>
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<li>
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<a href="#Dcs240Standalone">DCS240 USB interface as a stand-alone decoder
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programmer</a>
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<ul>
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<li>
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<a href="#Dcs240SetupStandAlone">Setup for the DCS240 acting as a
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standalone programmer</a>
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</li>
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<li>
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<a href="#Dcs240StandaloneHints">DCS240 USB Interface in Standalone
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Programming Mode Usage Hints</a>
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</li>
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</ul>
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</li>
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<li>
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<a href="#Dcs240GeneralCmdStn">DCS240 USB interface as a LocoNet Interface</a>
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<ul>
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<li>
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<a href="#Dcs240SetupUsbInterface">Setup for the DCS240 acting as a LocoNet
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interface</a>
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</li>
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</ul>
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</li>
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<li>
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<a href="#Dcs240ViaAdapter">DCS240 connected via some other LocoNet
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Interface</a>
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</li>
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</ul>
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</li>
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</ul>
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</li>
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<li>
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<a href="#Dcs240Drivers">DCS240 Drivers</a>
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</li>
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<li>
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<a href="#SeeAlso">See Also</a>
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</li>
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</ul>
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</div>
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<h1 id="ConnectingDCS240">Connecting JMRI to a Digitrax DCS240</h1>
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<p>Note that the DCS240+ is quite similar to the DCS240, and probably can be used in JMRI
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as if it is equivalent to a DCS240.)
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<p>JMRI may be connected to the Digitrax DCS240 in any of a wide variety of ways. Since the
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DCS240 has a built-in USB interface, it is possible to simply plug a USB cable into the
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computer and the DCS240, and configure JMRI to suit this connection. It is also possible to
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use another LocoNet interface device, such as a LocoBuffer-USB, Digitrax PR3, or Digitrax
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PR4, to interface a computer to LocoNet, and connect that LocoNet to the DCS240. JMRI does
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not prefer any one connection method over any other method. Choose one which is suitable for
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your needs.</p>
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<p>If a USB cable is used to connect the JMRI computer to the DCS240's USB connection, JMRI
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may be configured in one of two modes. If the computer will only be used for decoder
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programming, and JMRI will not need access to LocoNet features other than the DCS240
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"programming track", then JMRI may be configured to use a "connection" where the DCS240 USB
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interface is placed into a mode where it acts as a standalone decoder programmer. In this
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mode, JMRI will access the DCS240 dedicated programming track connections. This mimics the
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"standalone programmer" configuration which the PR2 provides, and which the PR3 and PR4 can
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support.</p>
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<p>Alternately, when JMRI will be used to access LocoNet resources which go beyond simply the
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DCS240 programming track, then JMRI should be configured to act as a general-purpose LocoNet
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interface. The JMRI "connection" should be configured so that the "command station" type
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specifies the type of command station which is being used.</p>
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<p>If, instead of using the DCS240's integrated USB port, you plan to connect your computer
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to the DCS240 using a LocoNet adapter device, follow the instructions found <a href=
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"Digitrax.shtml#ConnectingAdapter">here</a>.</p>
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<p>The table below summarizes these possibilities.</p>
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<table>
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<tr>
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<th rowspan="2">Connection Type</th>
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<th rowspan="2">Usage</th>
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<th colspan="2">Settings in JMRI Connection Profile<</th>
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<th rowspan="2">Instructions</th>
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<th rowspan="2">Available JMRI Capabilities</th>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td class="ctr"><strong>System Connection</strong>
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</td>
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<td class="ctr"><strong>JMRI Command Station Type</strong>
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</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td rowspan="9" class="ctr">USB cable from computer to DCS240 USB connector</td>
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<td rowspan="2" class="ctr">Decoder Programming</td>
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<td rowspan="2" class="ctr">"<em>DCS240 USB Interface</em>"</td>
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<td rowspan="2" class="ctr">"<em>DCS240 Standalone Programmer</em>"</td>
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<td rowspan="2" class="ctr">
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<a href="#Dcs240Standalone">Configuration help</a>
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</td>
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<td>Program decoder CVs on the dedicated programming track</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Operate one loco on the dedicated programming track</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td rowspan="7" class="ctr">LocoNet Interface, Decoder Programming</td>
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<td rowspan="7" class="ctr">"<em>DCS240 USB Interface</em>"</td>
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<td rowspan="7" class="ctr">"<em>DCS240 (Advanced Command Station)</em>"</td>
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<td rowspan="7" class="ctr">
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<a href="#Dcs240GeneralCmdStn">Configuration help</a>
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</td>
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<td>Program decoder CVs on the dedicated programming track and/or the main track</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Control one or more locos on the main track</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Control and monitor LocoNet-connected Switches, Sensors, and Transponding</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Configure some LocoNet devices</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Control or monitor the LocoNet Fast Clock</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Update firmware on some LocoNet devices</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>etc.</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td rowspan="7" class="ctr">LocoNet Interface, Decoder Programming</td>
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<td rowspan="7" class="ctr">Computer Connection to something other than the DCS240 USB
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connector</td>
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<td rowspan="7" class="ctr">Something other than "DCS240 USB Interface"</td>
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<td rowspan="7" class="ctr">"<em>DCS240 (Advanced Command Station)</em>"</td>
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<td rowspan="7" class="ctr">
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<a href="#Dcs240ViaAdapter">Configuration help</a>
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</td>
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<td>Program decoder CVs on the dedicated programming track</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Control one or more locos on the main track</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Control and monitor LocoNet-connected Switches, Sensors, and Transponding</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Configure some LocoNet devices</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Control or monitor the LocoNet Fast Clock</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Update firmware on some LocoNet devices</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>etc.</td>
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</tr>
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</table>
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<p>Note that it is possible to use the DCS240 in a "booster" mode, and rely upon some other
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command station. If this configuration is used, the "command station" specified for the JMRI
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connection should match the device which is actually acting as the command station.</p>
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<h2 id="ChooseAMethod">Choosing the configuration method</h2>
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<p>When setting up a JMRI "connection profile", which "command station" should you use when
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configuring JMRI? That depends on what you intend to do with JMRI.</p>
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<ul>
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<li>If you will <em>only</em> use JMRI to program decoders on the dedicated programming
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track, then configuring the connection for the "command station" type of "DCS240 Standalone
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Programmer" mode is a good choice. In this mode, JMRI will be able to read and write
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decoder CV values. In this mode, you may also use a JMRI throttle to select and control the
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locomotive on the dedicated programming track, subject to the ability of the DCS240 to
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supply sufficient current to the decoder. JMRI will <em>not</em> be able to access LocoNet
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peripherals and JMRI throttles will <em>not</em> be able to control decoders via the "main
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track".</li>
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<li>
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<p>If you wish JMRI to be able to control decoders via the DCS240 main track outputs, and
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access LocoNet devices, then configuring the connection for the "command station" type of
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"DCS240 USB Interface" mode is a good choice. In this mode, JMRI is able to control
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decoders connected via the main track outputs and access LocoNet devices. JMRI may also
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perform decoder programming via the dedicated programming track, but JMRI throttles will
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<em>not</em> be able to run decoders which are on the dedicated programming track.</p>
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</li>
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<li>If you think that both modes may be useful to you, you should consider setting up
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<em>two</em> configuration profiles. Then, when you start JMRI, you may select the
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configuration profile which suits the way you want to use JMRI. And to switch to the other
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mode, you may simply quit JMRI and re-start it, and select the other profile, so that you
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may perform the other type of work.</li>
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</ul>
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<h3 id="Dcs240Standalone">DCS240 USB interface as a stand-alone decoder programmer</h3>
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<p><img src="images/DCS240StandaloneProgrammerConnections.png" alt=
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"Typical connections for DCS240 for use as standalone programmer" width="300">
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</p>
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<p>When the DCS240 USB interface is configured to act as a programmer, it acts upon the
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dedicated programming track via the "programming track" connections on the DCS240. When JMRI
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is properly configured, JMRI can use the DCS240 programming track to access decoder CVs when
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the decoder is connected to the programming track.</p>
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<p>This JMRI configuration may also be used to download sound information into Digitrax sound
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decoders and, within its limited current capability, run one locomotive to test it. When used
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with Digitrax SFX decoders, "neutral mode" allows you to vary the speed without the motor
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moving the decoder, so you can hear how the locomotive sound reacts to varying speeds.</p>
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<p>In this mode of operations, JMRI will not have access to LocoNet-based devices.</p>
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<h4 id="Dcs240SetupStandAlone">Setup for the DCS240 acting as a standalone programmer</h4>
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<p>To use the DCS240 programming track, connect the DCS240 to its power supply and connect a
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dedicated piece of track which you'll use as the programming track to the DCS240 "programming
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track" terminals. Finally, connect a USB cable between the DCS240 and your computer.</p>
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<p>To set up JMRI to use the DCS240 via the dedicated decoder programming track mode:</p>
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<ul>
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<li>Start the program.</li>
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<li>Open the Preferences window from the Edit menu and configure the connection by:
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<ul>
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<li>For the "<strong>System Connection</strong>" setting, select "DCS240 USB
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Interface"</li>
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<li>Under "<strong>Serial Port</strong>", select the serial port that's connected to
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the DCS240</li>
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<li>In the "<strong>Command station type</strong>" option, select the type of command
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station you've got on your LocoNet. Typically, this will be "<code><strong>DCS240 USB
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Interface as standalone programmer</strong></code>".</li>
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<li>In the advanced settings, the speed will be fixed at 57,600 baud.</li>
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<li>In the advanced settings, the "Flow Control" option defaults to "Use Hardware Flow
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Control", which is the preferred setting for the DCS240. You should try that first, as
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it is the most reliable mode. Only if you can't reliably program decoders using that
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choice, and only after checking that you're using the right port, should you select
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"None" for this preference and try again.</li>
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</ul>
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</li>
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<li>Click Save at the bottom of the preferences window, quit the program and restart.</li>
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</ul>
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<p>The "connection" preferences should look similar to this image:</p>
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<img src="images/DCS240StandConnProfile.png" alt=
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"Sample configuration profile with DCS240 USB interface as a standalone programmer" width=
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"500">
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<h4 id="Dcs240StandaloneHints">DCS240 USB Interface in Standalone Programming Mode Usage
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Hints</h4>
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<ul>
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<li>You can use a JMRI throttle to control the locomotive connected to the DCS240
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Programmer track. Use the JMRI Power Control or the "Power" menu item on the Throttle's
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menu bar to turn on track power, and then you can operate the locomotive normally via a
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JMRI throttle.</li>
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<li>The DCS240 can only provide very limited current to the programming track, so Digitrax
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has built a "neutral mode" into their sound decoders. When JMRI and the DCS240 is running a
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Digitrax sound decoder, the motor is disconnected to reduce the current load. You can still
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ramp the speed up and down with the throttle and listen to how the sound responds, but the
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motor won't move the locomotive.
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<ul>
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<li>To implement that "neutral mode" described above, the DCS240 automatically writes
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CV128 to 0 or 1. This happens when a JMRI throttle is used to run the locomotive on the
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DCS240 programming track, and there's nothing JMRI can do to prevent it. Unfortunately,
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this can interfere with the CV programming on some non-Digitrax decoders. For example,
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it will set the "Master Volume" CV128 on some SoundTraxx decoders to a very low
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volume.</li>
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<li>If you are working with a decoder that uses CV128 for something, you should either
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not use a JMRI throttle to run the locomotive on the DCS240 programming track, or
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remember to rewrite CV128 with the right value just before removing the locomotive from
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the track.</li>
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</ul>
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</li>
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<li>Other decoders, including decoders from other manufacturers, may draw enough motor
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current to trip the DCS240 internal circuit breakers. This will cause JMRI to mark track
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power as "off". Just wait a couple seconds and turn the track power back on to
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recover.</li>
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<li>It is possible run trains via LocoNet-based throttles when JMRI is programming a
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decoder on the DCS240 programming track.</li>
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</ul>
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<h3 id="Dcs240GeneralCmdStn">DCS240 USB interface as a LocoNetInterface</h3>
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<p><img src="images/DCS240LocoNetInterfaceConnections.png" alt=
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"Typical connections for DCS240 acting as a LocoNet interface" width="300">
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</p>
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<p>When acting as an interface, the DCS240 USB connection allows JMRI to interact with
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devices connected to LocoNet. This includes programming decoders on a programming track
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attached to a LocoNet command station. Where the LocoNet command station supports
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"programming on the main", JMRI is able to make use of that feature.</p>
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<h4 id="Dcs240SetupUsbInterface">Setup for the DCS240 acting as a LocoNet interface</h4>
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<p>To use the DCS240 USB connection as a LocoNet interface, connect a LocoNet cable to a
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LocoNet connector on the DCS240. Connect an appropriate power supply to the DCS240, per the
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Digitrax instructions for the DCS240. The DCS240 USB interface will not be able to
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communicate with LocoNet unless the DCS240 is properly powered. Finally, connect an
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appropriate USB cable between the DCS240 USB connector and your computer.</p>
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<p>To set up a JMRI application to use the DCS240 as an interface to a LocoNet which includes
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a LocoNet command station:</p>
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<ul>
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<li>Start the program.</li>
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<li>Open the Preferences window from the Edit menu and configure the connection by:
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<ul>
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<li>For the "<strong>System Connection</strong>" setting, select "DCS240 USB
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Interface"</li>
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<li>Under "<strong>Serial Port</strong>", select the serial port that's connected to
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the DCS240</li>
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<li>In the "<strong>Command station type</strong>" option, select the type of command
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station you've got on your LocoNet. Typically, this will be "<code><strong>DCS240
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(Advanced)</strong></code>", but, if you have configured your DCS240 to act only as a
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booster, you should select the command station option which matches the active command
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station.</li>
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<li>In the advanced settings, the speed will be fixed at 57,600 baud.</li>
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<li>In the advanced settings, the "Flow Control" option defaults to "Use Hardware Flow
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Control", which is the preferred setting for the DCS240. You should try that first, as
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it is the most reliable mode. Only if you can't reliably program decoders using that
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choice, and only after checking that you're using the right port, should you select
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"None" for this preference and try again.</li>
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</ul>
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</li>
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<li>Click Save at the bottom of the preferences window, quit the program and restart.</li>
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</ul>
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<p>The "connection" preferences should look similar to this image:</p>
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<img src="images/DCS240LocoNetInterfaceConnProfile.png" alt=
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"Sample configuration profile with DCS240 USB interface as a LocoNet interface" width="500">
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<h3 id="Dcs240ViaAdapter">DCS240 connected via some other LocoNet Interface</h3>
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<p><img src="images/DCS240LocoNetInterfaceViaAdapter.png" alt=
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"Typical connections for DCS240 when connected to computer via a LocoNet Interface Adapter"
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width="300">
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</p>
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<p>JMRI may connect to the LocoNet via a LocoNet interface other than the DCS240 USB
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connector. When connected in this fashion, <a href="Digitrax.shtml#ConnectingAdapter">these
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general instructions</a>, or, where available, the JMRI documentation associated with the
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LocoNet interface which is being used.</p>
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<h2 id="Dcs240Drivers">DCS240 Drivers</h2>
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The DCS240 USB interface needs to have a driver installed when used with any Microsoft
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Windows Operating System. See the Digitrax <a href=
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"https://www.digitrax.com/downloads/">"Downloads"</a> page for drivers. At the time this help
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page was written, Digitrax provides Windows drivers for the PR3 device. Those drivers are
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suitable for use with the DCS240 USB interface. Make sure to follow any instructions,
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particularly any instructions about the order of installing the drivers and plugging in the
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device.
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<p>You don't need to install a separate driver when using current versions of Mac OS X or
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Linux.</p>
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<p>If you choose to use JMRI with some other interface than the DCS240's integrated USB
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connector, the driver requirements for the DCS240 do not apply for JMRI purposes, but
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other driver requirements <em>may</em> apply</p>
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<h1 id="SeeAlso">See Also</h1>
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|
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<ul>
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<li>
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<a href="Digitrax.shtml">JMRI's general Digitrax support page</a>
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</li>
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<li>The JMRI <a href="../../apps/DecoderPro/Roster.shtml">Rosters</a> page.
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</li>
|
|
|
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<li>The JMRI <a href="CommandStationConfig.shtml">Command Station Configuration</a> page
|
|
describes how to configure command station OpSw settings.
|
|
</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>For more information on the DCS240 itself, please consult the Digitrax website:
|
|
<ul>
|
|
<li>The Digitrax <a href=
|
|
"https://www.digitrax.com/products/retired/command-stations-boosters/dcs240/">DCS240</a> product
|
|
page.
|
|
</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>The Digitrax <a href="https://www.digitrax.com/tsd/product/DCS240/">DCS240
|
|
Support</a> page.
|
|
</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>Drivers for Windows-based machines may be found at the Digitrax <a href=
|
|
"https://www.digitrax.com/downloads/">Downloads</a> page. Note: Use the Digitrax PR3
|
|
drivers when connecting via the DCS240 USB interface.
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ul>
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ul>
|
|
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|
<p>LocoNet® is a registered trademark of <a href="https://www.digitrax.com">Digitrax,
|
|
Inc.</a></p>
|
|
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