CS-105 Release Notes

Instructions for Updating

The CS-105 can be updated using several methods. TCS recommend using the TCS Depot or the Integrated Web Interface to apply the update, but it is also possible to use JMRI to update the CS-105.

When using TCS Depot, it is not necessary to download copies of the firmware files for this device. To use the other methods, first visit our Firmware page to find and download the correct firmware file. TCS Depot will automatically download the firmware files as long as you are connected to the internet. If you need to change WiFi connections from your home internet to the CS-105, start the depot program before changing WiFi connections so that the program can download the firmware files correctly.

It is necessary to put the CS-105 into bootloader mode to apply a firmware update. To put the CS-105 into bootloader mode, follow these steps:

1. Unplug the power from the CS-105.
2. While the CS-105 is powered down, press and hold the tactile button on the side.
3. While holding the tactile button, reconnect the power supply.
4. Continue to hold the button until you see the LEDs on the LCC jack start blinking in an alternating pattern (like a grade crossing), then release the button.
5. Connect your PC to the same WiFi as the CS-105 - this may be the CS-105's own WiFi when using Access Point mode, or your home or layout WiFi if using Client Mode.

From here, follow the steps as described in the links above for updating via whichever method you have chosen. For the Web Interface and JMRI methods, make sure you have the firmware file downloaded to your PC first.

Release 2.2.1

New Feature Additions

• Adds support for XpressNet throttles in the AUX Cabs port. Enable it via the DCC System Settings >  AUX Cabs > Mode. Cab Bus and XpressNet cannot be used simultaneously. More details on the supported and unsupported features can be found here: https://docs.tcsdcc.com/wiki/XpressNet
• When two or more different throttles on the AUX Cab port in Cab Bus mode have the same locomotive selected, the screen will now update from each others’ changes. The screen will also update from macros executed.
• Adds support for backup and restore of the entire internal database of the CS-105. Use the LCC Memory Tool in JMRI (Version 5.4 or newer required) to “get” and “put” memory space 80. Get will create a backup, Put will restore a backup onto the CS-105. Warning: performing a write to this memory space will overwrite all of the consists and roster entries in your CS-105 with the backup you are restoring! For detailed instructions, CLICK HERE.
• Adds support for controlling DCC extended accessories using the LCC Well-Known event identifiers 01.01.02.00.01.<addr>.<addr>.<aspect>, with the two address bytes being 0..2047 (MSB-first), and aspect being 0..255. Example: to set Signal address 1123 (binary address 0x460) to aspect 99 (binary 0x63), send Event 01.01.02.00.01.04.60.63.
• Adds Program On Main (POM) support for accessory decoders. To use this feature, currently you must perform an LCC memory config protocol write to memory space 0xf8. To compute the address, use formula 0x04C00000 + (turnout binary address (0..2047) << 10) + cv_number. This is addressed using output numbers. Example: to program CV 515 (binary representation 0x202) for turnout 650 (binary address 0x287), use address 0x04CA2A02 (which is 80357890 in decimal).  For DCC Extended accessories, use 0x04A00000 + (accessory binary address (0..2047) << 10) + cv_number. The accessory binary address is denoted by A₁₀A₉…A₁A₀ in the DCC and RCN standards.
• Adds support for the draft LCC Stream protocol. This is considered experimental.

Bug Fixes and Misc. Changes

• Fixes a bug in macro creation where the configuration display for “Normal” and “Reverse” on a DCC accessory turnout were mistakenly flipped. The bug fix aligns the displayed text for "Normal" and "Reverse" in the Command Station’s macro configuration with the UWT-100’s "Normal" and "Reverse" buttons, as well as the DCC & LCC standardized commands. This is a display-only change in the configuration window. Stored macros will continue to send the same DCC packets and LCC messages, and thus do not need to be updated.
• This release optimizes the roster storage in the CS-105, which fixes issues with locomotive selection after the CS-105 has been in use for an extended period of time. Existing locomotive roster entries will be optimized when the CS-105 is first turned on after updating the software.
• Adjustments have been made to the Program Track to improve the reliability when reading CVs, particularly with locomotives with large capacitance on board. These changes now better support the case when a (second) locomotive is placed on the program track when the programming track is already in operation.
• To improve safety and standards compliance, the “high current” mode of the Program Track will only be in effect only until the next power cycle of the command station, at which time the setting will automatically revert to the normal 250mA limit.
• Fixes issue with UWT throttles in LCC mode, where a function configured to be "Momentary" on a roster entry would not operate as momentary if the function's name was not also configured.
• Shows a "splash screen" on AUX Cabs in Cab Bus Mode. This fixes the issue where a NCE PowerCab would sometimes start up in command station mode when connected to the CS-105.
• Improvements have been made to the response in Cab Bus mode when many AUX Cabs are in use.
• The CS-105 will now ensure that auxiliary boosters such as the B-106 are shut down if the CS-105 encounters a software failure.

LCC-Related Changes and Bug Fixes

• Changes the LCC “Custom Short Event” producer to simply indicate whether the track output is ON or OFF. Now the CS-105 produces events that indicate the reason why the track was turned off (see LCC Events Information for details).
• Minor fixes for LCC standards compliance in the CDI XML: added a trailing zero, removed non-compliant empty groups, and fixed a case where min/max was not matching the map values. Updated capitalization of menu items.
• Updates to the built-in LCC WiFi Hub: Adds newlines after the individual frames. Optimizes latency for memory configuration transfers.
• Avoids crashes on non-compliant LCC messages that have a zero source alias.
• Fixes crash when invalid Time values were entered in the fast clock configuration.
• Fixes to the LCC initialization steps: removes spurious “Track voltage brownout” and “Track Fault” events at startup. Removes unneeded duplicate initialization messages at startup when the LCC cable is already plugged in. Adjusts incorrect Producer Range Identified message.

Download Release 2.2.1

Download CS-105 R2.2.1 (06-06-2024)

Note on Downgrading to R1.X from R2.X

TCS does not recommend downgrading the software from Version 2+ to any earlier version. Such a downgrade, as well as any following upgrade, will cause loss or inconsistency of Consist and Roster information. A computer backup of Roster information is strongly advised.

For Instructions on how to back up your CS-105 database and configurations/settings CLICK HERE.

Release 1.0.1

Release 1.0.1 fixes an issue with compatibility and communication with a LCC Hub when run using JMRI.

Release 1.0 is the first production release for the CS-105, including pre-orders, and should be updated to 1.0.1 to fix this issue if you encounter it.

Download Release 1.0.1

Download CS-105 R1.0.1 (12-29-2022)