Serge NOEL
166 lines
6.5 KiB
Plaintext
166 lines
6.5 KiB
Plaintext
<!DOCTYPE html>
|
|
<html lang="en">
|
|
<head>
|
|
<meta name="generator" content="HTML Tidy for HTML5 for Apple macOS version 5.8.0">
|
|
<title>JMRI Hardware Support - CTI Acela System</title><!--#include virtual="/help/en/parts/Style.shtml" -->
|
|
</head>
|
|
<body>
|
|
<!--#include virtual="/help/en/parts/Header.shtml" -->
|
|
|
|
<div id="mBody">
|
|
<!--#include virtual="../SidebarUp.shtml" -->
|
|
|
|
<div id="mainContent">
|
|
<h1>Hardware Support: CTI Acela System</h1>
|
|
|
|
<ul class="snav">
|
|
<!-- TOC -->
|
|
|
|
<li>
|
|
<a href="#hardware">Hardware</a>
|
|
</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>
|
|
<a href="#limitations">Limitations</a>
|
|
</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>
|
|
<a href="#connecting">Connecting</a>
|
|
</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>
|
|
<a href="#tools">Tools</a>
|
|
</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>
|
|
<a href="#documentation">Documentation</a>
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ul>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="hardware">Supported Hardware</h2>
|
|
|
|
<h3>CTI Modules</h3>
|
|
As described in the Acela documentation on the <a href=
|
|
"https://www.cti-electronics.com/app_sw.htm">CTI website</a>, several CTI modules are
|
|
available:
|
|
<ul>
|
|
<li>A CTI Acela module (currently only released with a serial interface) that performs most
|
|
of the low-level CTI network management.</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>A CTI SmartCAB module which when used on a non-DCC model railroad, controls the trains
|
|
in a traditional CAB system. The CTI SmartCAB module is not supported by JMRI.</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>A CTI TrainBrain (4 output relays and 4 input circuits).</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>A CTI Dash-8 (8 output relays, no input circuits).</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>A CTI Watchman (8 input circuits, no output circuits).</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>A CTI SignalMan (16 output circuits, no input circuits).</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>A CTI SwitchMan (16 output circuits, no input circuits).</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>A CTI YardMaster (16 output circuits, no input circuits).</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>A CTI Sentry (no output circuits, 16 input circuits).</li>
|
|
</ul>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="limitations">Limitations</h2>
|
|
|
|
<ul>
|
|
<li>A CTI network is usually connected to a computer via a CTI to serial (or CTI to USB)
|
|
interface. In this configuration all of the CTI network management must be performed by the
|
|
computer. CTI also offers an Acela module (currently only released with a serial interface)
|
|
that performs most of the low-level CTI network management. JMRI only supports the CTI
|
|
Acela interface (it does not support the direct serial -- nor USB interface).</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>A CTI network can be used on either a non-DCC or a DCC model railroad. When used on a
|
|
non-DCC model railroad, CTI uses SmartCAB modules to control the trains in a traditional
|
|
CAB system. JMRI only supports the CTI system when used on a DCC railroad and does not
|
|
support SmartCAB modules.</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>CTI input sensor modules (Train-Brain, Watchman, Sentry) support five different types
|
|
of input sensors: Infrared, Current Detection, Push-Button, Magnetic Reed Switches, and
|
|
Photocell. JMRI now supports all of these sensors.</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>CTI input sensor modules support unique configuration of each sensor (inverted,
|
|
debounce, threshold). JMRI now allows you to <a href=
|
|
"../../../package/jmri/jmrix/acela/nodeconfig/NodeConfigFrame.shtml">configure</a> this.
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ul>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="connecting">Connecting</h2>
|
|
|
|
<h3>Creating Nodes</h3>
|
|
|
|
<p>If the hardware is connected, nodes (CTI modules) are found automatically at startup.
|
|
Nodes can also be defined manually with the <a href=
|
|
"../../../package/jmri/jmrix/acela/nodeconfig/NodeConfigFrame.shtml">Configure Nodes</a>
|
|
tool. Either way, don't forget to save them with the "Save" button on the <a href=
|
|
"../../../package/apps/AppConfigPanel.shtml">Preferences window</a> (under Edit in the main
|
|
menu).</p>
|
|
|
|
<h3>Wiring</h3>
|
|
|
|
<p>The CTI Acela network is a true token passing ring network. Each module has two "four wire
|
|
phone jacks". One labelled with a RED circle and the other labelled with a GREEN circle. To
|
|
complete the ring, you should connect a straight through four wire cable from the GREEN jack
|
|
in one module to the RED jack in the next module. The last cable should connect the GREEN
|
|
jack in the last module back to the RED jack in the first module.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>The CTI Acela module has the same RED and GREEN jacks as well as a third YELLOW jack. The
|
|
CTI Acela module should be placed somewhere in the ring just as any other CTI module.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>For the CTI Acela module a special four wire cable should be connected from the YELLOW
|
|
jack into the serial port of the controlling computer (or a serial to USB converter).</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Once powered on and started, if the red LEDs on each module are not flashing then the ring
|
|
is broken (either no power to one or more modules or a bad cable or the cables are daisy
|
|
chained wrong or a cable has become loose).</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>For completeness, on power up, each CTI module has a solid RED led lighted.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Once the Acela network is up, the red LED on each module will flash as a packet passes by
|
|
(so you basically see all of the nodes flashing rapidly -- almost in sync).</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>The Acela module itself is different in that it always flashes a green LED to indicate
|
|
that it is happy (whether the ring is happy or not).</p>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="tools">JMRI Acela Tools</h2>
|
|
|
|
<ul>
|
|
<li>Acela network traffic can be viewed with <a href=
|
|
"../../../package/jmri/jmrix/acela/acelamon/AcelaMonFrame.shtml">Acela Monitor</a>
|
|
</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>Messages can be sent to Acela devices with <a href=
|
|
"../../../package/jmri/jmrix/acela/packetgen/AcelaPacketGenFrame.shtml">Send Acela
|
|
Packets</a>
|
|
</li>
|
|
|
|
<li>Inputs and Outputs can be configured with the <a href=
|
|
"../../../package/jmri/jmrix/acela/nodeconfig/NodeConfigFrame.shtml">Configure Nodes</a>
|
|
tool
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ul>
|
|
|
|
<h2 id="documentation">Documentation</h2>
|
|
|
|
<h3>JMRI Help</h3>
|
|
|
|
<p>Naming of CTI Acela inputs and outputs is described on a <a href="Names.shtml">separate
|
|
page</a>.</p>
|
|
|
|
<h3>Third Party info</h3>
|
|
|
|
<p>More information on the Acela hardware can be found on the <a href=
|
|
"https://www.cti-electronics.com/app_sw.htm">CTI website</a>.</p>
|
|
<!--#include virtual="/help/en/parts/Footer.shtml" -->
|
|
</div>
|
|
<!-- closes #mainContent-->
|
|
</div>
|
|
<!-- closes #mBody-->
|
|
<script src="/js/help.js"></script>
|
|
</body>
|
|
</html>
|