DCC and/or ANALOGIC Railway Controller

pc computer

Arduino Nano

500w generic pc power supply

Arduino Mega 2560 Rev3

CURRENT SENSOR ACS712

Motor Driver L298 

processing

Arduino IDE

<html><body>DCC and/or ANALOGIC Railway ControllerPresentationThis work is based upon the Gregg E. Berman'works and Steve Massikker’works.Thank you for yours works and sharing.We all have old locomotives in our drawers.Unfortunately, it is often difficult, if not impossible, to convert them with the new electronics and DCC drivers.The objectives of this project were therefore to control these old analog locomotives (without DCC) and thus to complete the developments of Greeg E. Berman with new functionalities.The first part of these developments was realized between 2021 AND 2022 by EMA (mbmngt@gmail.com).They include:1. - The design of a new circuit compatible with my railway installation:1.1. - This installation is composed of 3 main circuits and 2 secondary circuits.1.2. - Some blocks “cantons” structure these circuits. Each main circuit is divided into 4 blocks. Each secondary circuit is divided into several blocks.2. - Additional software functions:2.1. - On Processing2.1.1. - A visualization on the PC screen of the movements of the locomotives on the circuits.2.1.2. - The control of old analog locomotives (without DCC equipment).2.1.3. - Automatic locomotive control via current sensors2.1.4. - Adding viewing windows for switches, traffic lights and accessories2.2. - On Mega2.2.1. - I2C communication with 5 Nano2.3. - About Nano2.3.1. - Direct control of locomotives.3. - Complementary electronics3.1. - Commands are supported by one Arduino Mega and 5 Arduino Nano3.2. - The circuits are controlled by the Nano completed with L298 and ACS7124. - The communications used are:4.1. - Serial communication between Processing and Mega4.2. - I2C communication between Mega and NanoThe next planned developments are:1. - The complement of electronics to control the hands, railway traffic lights and accessories2. - Software add-ons:2.1. - Ordering needles from Processing and with Mega2.2. -Rail traffic light control from Processing and with Mega3. - Ordering accessories from Processing and with Mega and one of the Nanos4. - The modification of the Autopilot function on Processing to adapt it to my railway installation.Structure of the electronicsView File Railway Controller Elect SynopticUseThese developments can be adapted to all railway networks.The structure of these networks must be defined in the “controllerConfig” sheet under Processing.The controls of the electronics with the Mega and the Nano can be adapted to your peripherals.Note• In this project the Processing and Mega applications have been modified and supplemented.• In the application under Processing, keyboard commands have been modified (see Help window) and in the "Main", the command "read operation track current function" has been deactivated.• However, the initial functionalities using the DCCs have been retained.It is therefore possible to control locomotives and other devices (switches, traffic lights, etc.) with the NMRA standard and the DCCs, but also in analogue, etc.If these developments are useful to you, you can contact me here or on my email mbmngt@gmail.com.</body></html>

DCC and/or ANALOGIC Railway Controller

The objectives of this project were therefore to control old analog locomotives (without DCC) and new DCC locomotive on the same tracks with Processing, Arduino Mega and Nano.