|
MIMIC-panel Trackplan with LED`s |
|
||||
![]() |
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
A MIMIC panel project |
||||||
Regardless you are running
analog or DCC with or without a computer program a MIMIC panel with a track
plan and LEDs for various indications is both stylish and practical.
Personally I use a PC for DCC control and have all the information on the
PC-screen, but have nevertheless chosen to build a MIMIC panel with LEDs to
hang on the wall. The PC-screen images quickly becomes "messy"
when the layout is growing and a lot details are displayed. If a MIMIC panel contains LEDs for occupied blocks, routes, signals, etc., it is easy to come up for over 100 LED `s or more. Traditional cabling which is very extensive and difficult to manage for such panel. An alternative is to use the DCC communication with stationary decoders in the panel to drive the LEDs, but what will this cost? Totally unrealistic from an economic point of view. A Model railroad organization in England - "MERG" (Model Electronic Railway Group) has developed a solution that is very cost effective where you can transfer a large number of distributed signals just using two wires. Transmit modules installed at the block sensors, various switches, etc. and receivers in the MIMIC panel. All connected by two wires and without amplification the communication signal works on cable lengths even for club premises. MERG sells to non-members but I recommend to become a member of MERG and free to take part of a huge amount of construction tips and finished products in terms of Model railroad electronics. Membership gives free support and access to a large library of Model railroad documentation and a distributed newspaper "MERG Jourmal". A very useful Forum is included. |
||||||
|
||||||
Panel construction | ||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
"PTP Lite" communication modules from MERG | ||||||
The English Model railroad organization
MERG has produced a large amount of electronics solutions for
model railroading. This includes the "PTP Lite" -
communication modules able to transfer a large number of signals on just
two wires. This in itself is not unique in any way but what is
interesting is the low cost compared with other similar solutions.
PTP Lite consists of 3 basic modules. Transmitter (PEEK), receiver (Poker) and control module (Poller). These modules are identical regarding both hardware and software. Function is determined by a jumper on the boards (transmitter / receiver) and the controller module (Poller) is identified by unique address = 0. The receiver and transmitter module for exchanging data are given the same address. This means that the data from switches or other sources is placed on the transmitter module inputs and immediately presented on the receiver outputs. The control module (poller) will see all events on the sending module and mirror thist to the corresponding receiver module over the two wires. Each module can transfer 8 data signals. Maximum number of modules is 63 which gives a max transfer of 504 signals a replacement of a cable including 504 wires +ground. If more is needed you can build additional networks of PTP Lite with a poller in each network . The control module (poller) can be placed arbitrarily along the network. The MIMIC panel is just an example of applications of the PTP-Lite system and can be used in any context where you want to transfer many signals on two wires. Additional 2 wires are needed for power supply (+5 V) if power only is available in one end. PTP-Lite is not limited to a point to point service. A multidrop type network can be built up.
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
Receiving modules on the backside of the MIMIC panel Transmit modules attached to the blocksensors | ||||||
|
||||||
Functional test of PTP Lite | ||||||
Before the PTP-Lite modules are finally mounted, it is appropriate to perform a functional test and to program addresses for the modules in a separate set up. The following test card acts both as a function test and address programming device. Following is just to explain how easy it is to prepare the modules for address and function.
|
||||||
|
Address
programming Note: Modules mounted in Poker or Poller pos. does not have any effect to the address programming procedure 2.
Function
settings
4.
Poller
- JP1 mounted |
|||||
The picture shows the set up for a test procedure for transmitting data from Peeker to Poker controlled by the Poller (left). Setting the DIP-switches on the carrier board will set the corresponding LED at the Poker pos. on the carrier. | ||||||
|
||||||
![]() |
Per-Ake Jansson,
email: ![]() |