Connecting your computer to DCC
DCCWiki, a community DCC encyclopedia.
Connecting your computer to your DCC layout will provide many benefits. The first, and perhaps fastest noticable benefit is programming of decoders. After your computer is connected to your layout, you will need some DCC Software to do anything.
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[edit] Benefits
There are many benefits of to connecting your computer to your DCC system. Perhaps the most noticable, and fastest to do is to use it for programing decoders, mobile and stationary. With software, such as the free JMRI software suite, you can quickly, and easily program decoders without learning all the complicated configuration variables of your decoder.
You can also perform automation of your layout, control signals automatically, as well as a display of your layout with train locations.
Of course, this does involve more wiring, and slightly more costs. For example, you will need to connect your DCC to your comptuer (see below). You will also need to setup up block detection so that your computer will know where trains are. If you are using a DCC system with transponding, some software applications can not only tell that a block is occupied, but with what rolling stock.
[edit] Connecting your computer
You will need to connect your DCC system to your computer through an interface (find your system below). To do this, you will need to follow your systems documentation on data bus wiring.
Most computers with a USB or serial connection will be adequate. JMRI software is available for Apple's OS X, Linux and Microsoft's Windows operating systems. Some interfaces may be USB only, and if the computer lacks a USB port, a Serial to USB adapter may be the answer, or if possible, installing a USB interface card. There are some issues surrounding older versions of Windows and USB, so some research may be needed prior to moving toward interfacing a computer to your DCC system.
[edit] Manufacturers
Various manufacturers provide various methods for getting you a computer connected to the DCC layout.
[edit] Digitrax
Digitrax uses LocoNet for communiction between throttles, stationary decoders, as well as computers (yes, you can have multiple computers connected to a Digitrax layout).
Currently, the best LocoNet interface device to use is the Locobuffer-USB, see this section for full list of devices available. The Locobuffer-USB interfaces between the LocoNet and your computer using a USB port. Details of the Locobuffer-USB are available from the manufacturer in PDF format.
[edit] EasyDCC
EasyDCC needs a cable to connect the command station to your computer's serial port. The cable needs to be custom made or a special EasyDCC serial cable. Instructions to make the cable are included in the EasyDCC documentation from easily available parts. Commands and syntax are also included in the EasyDCC system manual.
[edit] NCE
NCE needs a regular serial cable to connect the PH-Pro command station to your computer's serial port. Do not select a 'Null-modem' cable. Commands and syntax are also included in the NCE system manual.
[edit] Roco
You can use Rocomotion software and adapter to connect computer. Details of rocomotion are (only in German) here [1]
[edit] See also
- DCC Software - Software which talks to DCC layouts
