Difference between revisions of "Support - RailCom®"

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RailCom is a bi-directional data communications technology found in The NMRA Recommended Practices RP S-9.3.1 and S-9.3.2. RailCom enables bi-directional communication between the command station and decoders, unlike in traditional DCC where the communication is done exclusively in one direction (from the Command Station to the Decoder). The inclusion of RailCom opens up significant opportunities for future features and expansion. For example, the use of RailCom allows for real-time read-back of CVs while programming on the mainline. In traditional DCC, you would only be able to write to a CV, whereas with RailCom, writing and reading on the mainline are both possible.
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== Overview ==
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RailCom is a highly-responsive system as well, allowing up to ~126 individual operations per second (depending on the available DCC bandwidth) at a bitrate of 250Kbps by introducing a very brief interruption to the DCC track power. During this interruption, the RailCom detector on the Command Station will send or receive information to and from the decoder.  
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RailCom is a bi-directional data communications technology found in The [https://www.nmra.org/index-nmra-standards-and-recommended-practices NMRA Standards & Recommended Practices] 9.3.1 and 9.3.2 (currently under revision). RailCom enables bi-directional communication between the command station and decoders, unlike in traditional DCC where the communication is done exclusively in one direction (from the Command Station to the Decoder). The inclusion of RailCom opens up significant opportunities for future features and expansion. For example, the use of RailCom allows for real-time read-back of CVs while programming on the mainline. In traditional DCC, you would only be able to write to a CV, whereas with RailCom, writing and reading on the mainline are both possible.  
  
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RailCom is a highly-responsive system as well, allowing up to ~126 individual operations per second (depending on the available DCC bandwidth) at a bit-rate of 250Kbps by introducing a very brief interruption to the DCC track power. During this interruption, the RailCom detector on the Command Station will send or receive information to and from the decoder. 
  
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== Requirements ==
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In order to make use of RailCom, the following requirements have to be met:
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* The Command Station must provide a RailCom cutout and have a way to handle RailCom traffic.
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* RailCom Cutout must be enabled. You can find this in the CS-105 settings - DCC System Settings > Advanced > RailCom Cutout > Enabled.
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** If you are using a RailCom-enabled booster such the B-106, the RailCom data transmission over LCC must be enabled - DCC System Settings > Advanced > Drive LCC Boosters > Enabled must be set (as opposed to Enabled with no RailCom)
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* The decoder must support RailCom.
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** Supporting hardware is physically on the decoder (Check your decoder literature or refer to the chart below to see which TCS decoders support RailCom.)
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** RailCom enabled in CV29 (see below)
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* RailCom- addressed feedback must be enabled in the decoder. CV28 bit 2 must be set. (Typical values are CV28=3 or CV28=131) If you’re unsure, you can place the locomotive on the Programming Track to read the value of CV28. A TCS UWT will show you which bits are set.
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* The locomotive must be…
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** on the track directly connected to the CS-105’s Mainline track output  OR
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** on track powered by a RailCom-enabled booster connected to the LCC port (such as the B-106).
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=== TCS Decoders with Supporting Hardware ===
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The list below shows all decoder hardware types and Versions which support RailCom in hardware. RailCom is a continuously-evolving technology, so in some cases even a decoder with supporting hardware may not operate on a command station using the latest RailCom spec due to incompatibility issues. If you believe you are experiencing this particular issue, please contact our technical support staff to see how we can help you get up and running with TCS decoders and RailCom.
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== Configuration Options ==
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To enable RailCom on a TCS decoder, start by reading the value of CV29. Compare the value to the chart shown below
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<br />
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====== Trademark Note ======
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RailCom® is a registered trademark of Lenz Elektronik GmbH
 
[[Category:Support]]
 
[[Category:Support]]

Revision as of 00:16, 23 June 2022

Overview

RailCom is a bi-directional data communications technology found in The NMRA Standards & Recommended Practices 9.3.1 and 9.3.2 (currently under revision). RailCom enables bi-directional communication between the command station and decoders, unlike in traditional DCC where the communication is done exclusively in one direction (from the Command Station to the Decoder). The inclusion of RailCom opens up significant opportunities for future features and expansion. For example, the use of RailCom allows for real-time read-back of CVs while programming on the mainline. In traditional DCC, you would only be able to write to a CV, whereas with RailCom, writing and reading on the mainline are both possible.

RailCom is a highly-responsive system as well, allowing up to ~126 individual operations per second (depending on the available DCC bandwidth) at a bit-rate of 250Kbps by introducing a very brief interruption to the DCC track power. During this interruption, the RailCom detector on the Command Station will send or receive information to and from the decoder.

Requirements

In order to make use of RailCom, the following requirements have to be met:

  • The Command Station must provide a RailCom cutout and have a way to handle RailCom traffic.
  • RailCom Cutout must be enabled. You can find this in the CS-105 settings - DCC System Settings > Advanced > RailCom Cutout > Enabled.
    • If you are using a RailCom-enabled booster such the B-106, the RailCom data transmission over LCC must be enabled - DCC System Settings > Advanced > Drive LCC Boosters > Enabled must be set (as opposed to Enabled with no RailCom)
  • The decoder must support RailCom.
    • Supporting hardware is physically on the decoder (Check your decoder literature or refer to the chart below to see which TCS decoders support RailCom.)
    • RailCom enabled in CV29 (see below)
  • RailCom- addressed feedback must be enabled in the decoder. CV28 bit 2 must be set. (Typical values are CV28=3 or CV28=131) If you’re unsure, you can place the locomotive on the Programming Track to read the value of CV28. A TCS UWT will show you which bits are set.
  • The locomotive must be…
    • on the track directly connected to the CS-105’s Mainline track output OR
    • on track powered by a RailCom-enabled booster connected to the LCC port (such as the B-106).

TCS Decoders with Supporting Hardware

The list below shows all decoder hardware types and Versions which support RailCom in hardware. RailCom is a continuously-evolving technology, so in some cases even a decoder with supporting hardware may not operate on a command station using the latest RailCom spec due to incompatibility issues. If you believe you are experiencing this particular issue, please contact our technical support staff to see how we can help you get up and running with TCS decoders and RailCom.

Configuration Options

To enable RailCom on a TCS decoder, start by reading the value of CV29. Compare the value to the chart shown below

Trademark Note

RailCom® is a registered trademark of Lenz Elektronik GmbH

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