FILE: README.TXT (complete version for PC/MAC/Linux s/w developers) Beta Testers: Here is a new version of command station code. There are quite a few new features and bug fixes. Comments? Suggestions? jscorse@aol.com ****************************** BUG FIX 1/2/2025 Under the Set cmd station->Locos->Function Refresh Enable menu if refresh was enabled many or all horns would blow continuously. This appears to be fixed. ****************************** BUG FIX 1/2/2025 If under the SET CMD STA->CABS menu if any of the items were set to less than 31 the entire menu system was disabled and would lock up cabs if access was attempted. A system reset was required to clear the problem. This is now fixed. ****************************** BUG FIX 5/13/2024 AIUs returned zeros via USB connection because the cab address was calculated wrong withing the system thus storing the values returned by the AIU in the wrong location which was way up in unused high memory. ****************************** BUG FIX 5/13/2024 When pressing EMERGENCY STOP three times that cab address displayed was 26 too high. This has been fixed ****************************** BUG FIX 12/01/2023 A 276mS delay at power up has been added to accomodate a timing race where the SRAM may not be available when first powering the system on. ****************************** BUG FIXES 11/26/2023 When using the program track with JMRI the status light on command station would turn off when exiting program mode. ****************************** CHANGE 11/25/2023 The Revision returned by binary command 0xaa is now 8.0.0 ****************************** BUG FIXES 11/19/2023 A bad pointer in the 0xd binary command caused erroneus. Reading of single bytes of RAM. The 0x8f looks to be correct. THis has been fixed. ****************************** BUG FIXES 11/12/2023 The top line of the LCD when reviewing macros was corrupted. This has been fixed. When setting Cab Purge Time in the SET CMD STATION menu there was no way to escape. This has been fixed Using STD programming on the program track and setting the short address. The existing address was shown with leading zeroes. This has been fixed. Pressing SHIFT+7 brought up the F60-F68 function control screen instead of SHIFT+6/ THis has been fixed ****************************** CHANGE 10/18/2023 The PACKETS menu onder SET CMD STA had the wrong LCD top line after NUMBER OF STOP PACKETS. This has been corrected ****************************** CHANGE 5/29/2023 The system memory map has changed. As separate document called Dataarea.txt has the details. ****************************** ADDITION 5/30/2023 An option to delete a macro has been added to the PROGRAM MACROS menu the options are now: "1=REVIEW " "2=PROG 3=DELETE" ****************************** CHANGE 5/29/2023 The order of menus when pushing PROG/ESC has changed to the following order. 1st push: Operations mode programming of loco 2nd push: Use program track 3rd push: Set Cab Parameters 4th push: Command station setup 5th push: Browse consists 6th push: Set system fast clock and ratio 7th push: Setup macros 8th push: Operations mode programming of accesssories 9th push: Operations mode programming of signals 10th push: Swap loco on our cab with another cab's loco (Assign Loco) Short cuts such as PROG/ESC followed by a digit will take you to the menu corresponding to that number of pushes of PROG/ESC ****************************** CHANGE 5/29/2023 On the program track menu the recovery programming as been changed to DECODER RESET. Selecting this feature will program the following CVs: CV1=3, CV2 thorough CV6=0 CV19 = 0 CV29 = 2 CV8 = 8 CV30 = 2 Just in case a decoder does not support either of the two common reset CVs (8 and 30) we first program the most important CVs to at least get a decoder running with a known address. The last two CVs will reset decoders that support full reset to factory settings. These are programmed last just in case the factory default address is different than 3. ****************************** DELETION 5/22/2023 'Sticky-shift' (key value 122) typically accessed via SHIFT+0 to control F10-F28 has been deleted (see two items below) ****************************** DELETION 5/22/2023 The EXPN key no longer shows function status of F0-F28. This feature was not available via radio. A new feature (see next item below) allows status of functions higher than 6 to be displayed when on radio. ****************************** ADDITION 5/22/2023 Support for Functions F29-F68 has been added . All functions can now be toggled by pressing SHIFT+Function_Decade followed by the desired function number in that decade. Example: F37 is accessed by SHIFT+3 then 7. The status of functions in the selected decade are displayed on the bottom row of the LCD as such: F30:--2--5-78- This display indicates F32,35,37, and 38 are on with the rest off. If any button other than a number after SHIFT+decade is pressed no function will be changed. This way you can check on the function status with out changing anything ADDITION - Control of functions 29-68 is now available via the 0xa2 binary computer commands OP codes 0x1a through 0x1e Command Format: 0xA2 Similar to addition of commands 0x15 and 0x16 on 4/9/06 op_1 data_1 Operation description 1a 0-255 Function 29-36 control (bit 0 of data_1 = F29) 1b 0-255 Function 37-44 control (bit 0 of data_1 = F37) 1c 0-255 Function 45-52 control (bit 0 of data_1 = F45) 1d 0-255 Function 53-60 control (bit 0 of data_1 = F53) 1e 0-255 Function 61-68 control (bit 0 of data_1 = F61) ****************************** CHANGE 5/10/2023 - The organization of the SET CMD STA menu has changed. There were 37 settings that had to be gone through one by one until you got to the one you wanted. I have broken it up into 4 different areas after to press enter at SET_CMD_STA. This is the display you will get. "1=SYSTEM 2=LOCOS" "3=CABS 4=PACKETS" Under System: Version Reset (factory defaults) Clear consists Clear all cabs Cab purge time ESTOP enable Update system (software) Revert to previous (software) Under Locos: Function refresh on/off Send functions to consist Set speed=0 and functions off upon select loco (on/off) Consist momentum button enable Momentum button enable Momentum Multiplier Momentum deceleerate = 1 or 1/2 times multiplier Test for loco in use Under Cabs: Highest cab number to: Assign Loco to cab Set Clock Use Prog track Set Cmd Sta Set its own cab parameters Program accessories (OPs mode) Program macros Program signals (OPs mode) Setup Consists Under Packets: Number of Stop packets Numner of System Time packets Number of Temp packets Number of Accessory packets Number of POM packets Number of Horn Off packets REMOVED: BACKUP MACROS BACKUP SYS MEMORY BACKUP CONSIST MEMORY RESTORE MEMORY ****************************** CHANGE 5/8/2023 - Long loco addresses are displayed the same as before with leading zeroes and an asterisk preceeding any address <=127. Short addresses are now displayed with leading zeroes suppressed This shoud help prevent confusion as the address is displayed in the same manner it is entered. ****************************** CHANGE 5/7/2023 - Brute force consisting has been reduced from 4 locos to 2. This is replacted in the Cab Context page memory map locations 40-51 and 60-61 (decimal) This is to make way for support of functions 29-68. Brute force consisting with more than 2 locos is (relatively) little used based on examination of the memory of many systems that have been sent in for repair over the years so it likely will no be missed. ****************************** CHANGE 3/16/2023 - The system memory map has changed significantly. ROM can no longer be read and RAM has moved now starts at 0x0000 instead of 0x8000 - Binary commands 8e,8f,97,98,99,9a and 9d now return a memory out of range error "5" if the requested RAM address is 0xc000 or higher. ****************************** ADDITION 2/18/2023 - There are two copies of the system software in Flash ROM. the primary version starts at 0x0000 and the backup copy is at 0x10000. The recovery jumper will pull the A16 line to the ROM high enabling the backuup copy. A RECOVER FROM BAD UPDATE feature has been added to the SET CMD STA menu. Only if the RECOVERY JUMPER is in place will the user be prompted "RECOVER FROM BAD" "UPDATE 1=YES " Pressing 1 copies the backup copy to RAM (overwriting all system settings) then the following prompt is displayed "PLEASE REMOVE " "RECOVERY JUMPER " When the jumper is removed the backup copy of system software at 0x10000 will be copied to the primary flash ROM location at 0x0000 and the system will reboot. This will take about 1.25 seconds. All system settings will be reset to factory defaults. ****************************** ADDITION 2/16/2023 - Added SYSTEM UPDATE via USB to the SET CMD STA menu. User is prompted "SOFTWARE UPDATE" "ENTER=NO 1=YES". Pressing 1 the user is asked for the update baud rate. "BAUD RATE 1=9600" "2=38400 3=128000" This baud rate is only for the update, NOT normal USB operations. After baud rate selection the user is told "CONNECT USB " "PRESS 6 TO START". Pressing PROG/ESC will abort at any time up to the actual file transfer start. Any terminal program that can send an ASCII file can be used. All baud rates are N,8,1. I recommend Bray's Terminal program, also called Google Terminal. The program requires no installation on Windows (Win XP,7,8,10,11) Just unzip and run. https://sites.google.com/site/terminalbpp/ Once file transfer starts the system will buffer the entire file into RAM and check its integrity before actually programming the flash memory with the new code. (see transfer times below) If an error in file format or a data transfer error is detected the system will return to normal operation without changes. The system STATUS LED will toggle on/off every 256 bytes transferred. After file transfer it will take only 1.2 seconds to actually write to the flash memory. The system will then reboot. All system settings will probably be reset to factory defaults Transfer times: 9600 baud 90-120 seconds 38400 baud 25-35 seconds 128000 baud 10-12 seconds ****************************** CHANGE 1/14/2023 - As always system reset to factory defaults can be accomplished from the SET CMD STA menu. The old jumper method has been removed. Now pressing the FACTORY RESET button while powering up the system will cause factory reset. ****************************** CHANGE 1/12/2023 - Changed CPU crystal speed to 24.576MHz. ****************************** CHANGE 8/6/2022 - Ported code to Z84C15. Changed to coderstart warmboot and init.asm, I/O address changes plus changes to pin assingments to PIO port B and related code. ****************************** ADDITION 3/22/2021 - Memory location 0xdc17 is the Cab Purge Time. Valid Entries are 0-9(0-9 minutes) Factory default is 0 (disable purging). - Memory location 0xdc29 is day of the week for purposes of sending DCC time packets. Valid entries are 0-6 (0=Monday). CHANGE 3/22/2021 - The fast clock now works (internally) with 24 hour time. The time on the cabs is still displayed in 12 or 24 hour format. Users will not notice the difference other than it is now possible to enter 0 hours in the SET SYSTEM CLOCK menu. Pereviously you had to enter 23 hours and wait for the 12 hour clock to roll over - a real pain the neck. This greatly simplified internal code as well as fixed the time set bug. ****************************** ADDITION 3/17/2021 - The day of the week has been added to the time packet as the 3 MSBs of the hour byte - In the SET CLOCK menu a setup parameter for the day of the week has been added after the SET RATIO menu item. Valid entries are from 1 to 6 minutes with 0=Monday, 2=Tuesday etc. The menu looks like this: "SET TIME " "WEEKDAY(0=MON):1" ****************************** ADDITION 3/8/2021 - The (currently controversial) DCC time packet has been added. A DCC packet containing the current time (hours, minutes and clock ratio) is sent every 1 minute of fast clock time and when the clock is stopped. Packet format: 00000000 Broadcast loco address 11000001 Indicates time packet conaining current fast clock time 00mmmmmm minutes dddhhhhh day of the week (0=monday) and hours (in 24 hour format) 00rrrrrr clock ratio (0=clock stopped) cccccccc ckecksum - A setup parameter for the DCC time packet has been added to the SET CMD STA menu. It is after the AIU BROADCAST entry. The entry looks like this: "DCC TIME PACKET " "ENABLE 1=T 0=N " BUG FIX - If 0 was entered for the fast clock ratio the system would hang. This has been fixed. ****************************** ADDITION 3/2/2021 - The previously (2/25/2021) mentioned cab timeout timer has now been implemented. If a cab does not answer a ping for between 1 and 9 minutes it will be removed from the mormal polling rotation. If the cab then answeres again later it will again be added to the regular rotation. Granularity of this feature is 32 seconds. ADDITION 3/2/2021 - A setup menu is added for the cab purge time in the SET_CMD_STA menu settings. Valid entries are from 1 to 9 minutes with 0 to disable the feature. The menu looks like this: "CAB PURGE TIME " "1-9 MIN 0=OFF: 9" ****************************** INTERNAL ADDITION 2/25/2021 - a new free running 16 bit timer called TIMER_C_L and TIMER_C_H has been added to the ICTC0 interrupt. This extends the interrupt service time by 6.56uS to 24.6uS total. TIMER_C will be used to add a timeout feature for cabs that haven't answered a ping for a programmable time period of between 1-9 minutes. Any cab that exceeds this timeout will be removed from the regular polling sequence and placed back in the 'dynamic discovery' sequence until it answers a ping then it will be placed back into the gular sequence. This will reduce cab bus latency due to radio cabs that have automatically powered down or operators that have stopped operating (taking a break or gone home?). The user will likely never notice delay. ****************************** BUG FIX 2/25/2021 - The type C 'select loco' command (OP Code 0x00, data 0x00) inadvertently set loco speed to 0 and turned off all functions. This could cause problems with the WFD30 from WifiTrax and likely with JMRI. This has been fixed. This command retains the new feature of being able to select a consist stored in the command station by either the lead loco or rear loco address. ****************************** CHANGE 2/24/2021 - The RS232 baud rate is now limited to 9600. The 19.2K has been deleted for reliabiility ****************************** CHANGE 2/22/2021 - Binary Command 0xAA now returns 6.2.3 for this version ****************************** BUG FIX 2/22/2021 - When using the program track the system wouldn't program CVs above 256. This is now fixed. CHANGE - The upper limit of CV numbers has been raised from 999 to 1024 in the following modes: program track loco OPs mode accessory OPs mode signal OPs mode Also the corresponding LCD message has changed from "ENTER CV NUM:" to "PROG CV NUM" to accomodate the 4th digit ****************************** ADDITION 10/17/2020 - A new cab bus command has been added that is primarily used to set/change the cab type in the command station. The first byte of the command is 0x6d followed by cab type a,b,c, or d (in lower case ASCII). Bits 0 and 7 of (IX+FLAGS1) in the command ststion are set accordingly. ****************************** CHANGE 10/1/2020 - When just ENTER is pressed at the normal display screen RPT_CAB_VAR is called after NORM_DISPLAY. This way Cab06s can have their display refreshed ****************************** CHANGE 6/19/2020 - Type C 'Select Loco' (OP Code 0x00, data 0x00) commands now sets speed mode (28/128) and ALIAS if loco is in a consist in addition to just loading IX+ADDR_L/IX+ADDR_H. ****************************** ADDITION 6/17/2020 - A new cab bus command has been added primarily for type 'b' cabs. If the cab sends 0x6e for the first byte of the reponse the command station will expect 5 more bytes in the type'c' format. This will speed up Cab06 SELECT LOCO and SELECT ACCY processes. ****************************** DELETION 6/11/20 - Broadway Limited special programming mode has been removed. It has changed several times over the years and has become too difficult to support. ****************************** CHANGE 8/31/11 - The "Repeat LCD" routine in the command station (triggered by the 0x7e cab bus command) now checks to see what type of cab it is talking to (LED or non-LCD) and sends only the appropriate information to the cab over the cab bus. THis significantly speeds up operation of smaller "engineer" cabs via radio and provides faaster overall system operation. ****************************** ADDITION 8/25/11 - In the SET CMD STA menu there is now a setting to disable the Momentum button. DELETION - Radio Fix has been removed from the SET CMD STA menu. ****************************** BUG FIX 12/31/10 - If Recalls were set to 1 a cab06 would not react properly. This has been fixed ****************************** BUG FIX 12/24/10 - The Cab bus 0xDB command only returned loco addresses 0-4095 correctly. Addresses in the range 4096-8191 were reported too low by 4096 and addresses in the range 8192-9999 were reported too low by 8192. The speed mode was always reported as 28 and there was no differentiation between long and short addresses. This affected how the Cab06 and Cab07 reported the selected loco address. ****************************** BUG FIX 3/21/10 - When using Program on the Main if a loco with a long address below 128 was selected the asterisk was not placed in front of the address on the LCD display. This has been fixed. ****************************** CHANGE 1/17/10 - When entering broadcast OPs broadcast programming mode (option 0) is selected you are now asked if you are sure. Pressing "6" continues - all other keys exit. ****************************** CHANGE 8/25/09 - A delay of (approx) 150uS has been added between the reception of the last byte of a two byte cab ping response and the command station asserting its TX enable line to the RS485 chip. This should reduce the chance of bus contention. The same 150uS delay has been added after a cab doesn't respond to a ping for the same reason. ****************************** CHANGE 4/6/09 - The menu selection "PROG ACCY ON MAIN" has been changed to read "OPS PROG ACCY CV" - The menu selection "PROG SIG ON MAIN " has been changed to read "OPS PROG SIG CVS" These changes have been made to clarify what the menu actually does. ****************************** BUG FIX 11/10/08 - 28 speed mode commands from type C cabs (mini panel, etc) were only sent to the TEMP Queue. This resulted in the speed commands being sent only 4 times. If a loco derailed or otherwise lost power it would not know what speed to go when power was restored. This is fixed ****************************** BUG FIX 7/10/08 - It was possible for two cabs to simultaneously setup an advanced consist with the same consist address. This has been fixed. In advanced consist setup when you accept the suggested consist address (or any other consist address that you enter) that address is temporarily marked as in use. This will cause another cab accessing the consist setup menu to get the next lower available consist address. If you cancel the setup process before a LEAD or REAR loco is entered the consist address is released. Thanks to Don Mitchell for reporting this bug ****************************** ADDITION 2/2/08 - At the request of Ken Cameron: A new binary command has been added to enable/disable echo of binary commands back to the computer. The echo of the command can be used to distinguish between an AIU broadcast command and the response to a computer command. Command Format: 0xB2 0=no echo, 1=echo 1st byte of command, 2=echo entire command - Four additional binary commands have been added but are not used by the RS232 interface on the PH-PRO. These commands are reserved for use by the USB cab bus interface. Command: 0xAE OPs program loco CV Command Format: 0xA2 Command: 0xAF OPs program accessory/signal Command Format: 0xA2 Command: 0xB0 Reserved for USB test (Expects 4 data bytes) Command: 0xB1 Set cab bus address of USB board Command Format: 0xB1 CHANGE - The 0xaa binary command returns 6.2.2 for this version ****************************** BUG FIX 1/24/08 - System, Macro and Consist backup would hang the system. This has been fixed. CHANGE - The 38.4 Baud option for the serial port has been removed. ADDITION - A new setup parameter in SET CMD STA has been added to disable issuing of speed and function packets when a new loco has been selected. ****************************** BUG FIX 8/3/07 - At system power up the fast clock was always set to AM. This is now fixed. Thanks to Doug Berger for pointing out the error. ****************************** DELETION 6/30/07 - Reporting success/failure of the first verify packet in service mode (program track) has been deleted. It is not possible for a conforming decoder to verify a single programming track packet, therefore it is not necessary to check for a response. This may improve the number of false reports by decoders that have different packet timing/ack response. Those decoders are not necessarily in violation of RP-9.3.3 it's just that the RP timing has a lot of "slop" necessitating addition of "magic" delays and other software gymnastics for proper operation. ****************************** DELETION 6/12/07 - Sound decoders have finally standardized on F2 for the Horn. The Horn button mapping in the SET CAB PARAMS menu has been removed to make room for more features in the future ****************************** BUG FIX 5/28/07 - OPs programming of locos or accessories using special "back door" type C cab bus packets would only program CV1,5,9,13,17, etc. This has been fixed. There are no problems with commands issued by DecoderPro, KAM, or RR&Co software. They all use the proper commands (that's why I don't tell anybody about "hidden" new features until I know they work). ****************************** ADDITION 5/25/07 - When using a long address and programming a new long address in OPs mode a second program packet group is sent to program CV18. This solves a problem with newer Blueline locomotives. ****************************** BUG FIX 5/22/07 - In the accessory position database - bits 0 and 4 of each byte always showed the same turnout position. Eaxmple: Setting accy #1 to normal would show a normal position for both accessory addresses of 1 and 5. Also the memory mapping of the bits was wrong. This has been fixed. Thanks to Dan Boudreau for reporting this bug. - CHANGE The 0xaa binary command returns 6.2.1 for this version ************************************************************************* ************************************************************************* * * * Production release of version 3.1.2007 3/1/07 * * * ************************************************************************* ************************************************************************* ****************************** CHANGE 1/1/07 - The following menus have had their names slightly changed for a better descroption of what they do. PROGRAM ON MAIN has changed to PRG LOCO ON MAIN PROG ACCESSORIES has been changed to PRG ACCY ON MAIN PROG SIGNALS has been chaged to PROG SIG ON MAIN ****************************** ADDITION 12/7/06 - Broadcast OPs programming has been added to the PROGRAM ON THE MAIN menu. Option 0 forces the OPs programming address to short address 0. This *WILL* program all decoders on the layout at once. The system will force you to have a valid loco address selected before you can enter PROGRAM ON THE MAIN. When you select option 0 the top line of the LCD will display "LOC: 000" indicating you are now in broadcast programming mode. Use caution ALL ops mode options are available to you at this point. When you exit PROGRAM ON THE MAIN short address 0 will still be selected so you must enter a valid address to perform any systems tasks. NOTICE: - When a new EPROM is placed a system that has a software version prior to 12/21/2004, all system RAM will be reset to factory defaults. If the system has 12/21/2004 or newer only the cab RECALL slots will be cleared. This is because the memory map of the cab 'recall' area has changed since 2004. ****************************** CHANGE 11/30/06 - When programming accessories or signals (OPs mode) you had to exit the programming mode and re-enter if you wanted to program CVs of an accessory/signal with a different address. This has been changed to allow entry of a different address. ****************************** CHANGE 11/24/06 - FUNCTION REFRESH (in the SET CMD STATION menu) has been changed from a numeric value to ON or OFF. ****************************** ENHANCMENT 11/23/06 - OPs mode CV programming now allows programming of CV numbers 1-999. If CV0 is entered CV1024 will be programmed. CVs 1000-1023 are not programmable due to space limitations on the LCD. BUG FIX 11/23/06 - An error was found in the binary commands for Enter and Exit program track mode (0x9e and 0x9f). A flag that indicated "computer" program track mode was accidentally cleared causing failure of commands 0xa0, 0xa1 and 0xa6-0xa9. This has been fixed. The "status" on the right half of the PH system box lights steadily when using the program track via binary mode commands. ****************************** ADDITION 11/21/06 - The command station now keeps a database of the last accessory (turnout) command sent for all accessory addresses. The bottom line of the cab for the SELECT ACCY prompt has been changed to reflect the current status of the accessory. The database is updated for every accessory packet issued by the SEL ACCY button, macros, macro panels, or computer control of turnouts with the 0xAD command (but NOT via the 0x93 command) . Pressing SEL ACCY twice at the normal display will toggle the position of the current accessory. ****************************** ADDITION 11/20/06 - You can now set the highest cab number to setup, kill or modify consists. This is found in the SET CMD STA menu as the item following HIGHEST CAB TO PROG SIGNALS. As always a value of 0 allows all cabs access. ****************************** BUG FIX 11/10/06 - The "new" accessory OPS mode programming packets had a bit wrong in the 2nd byte, this has been fixed. ****************************** UPDATE 9/5/06 - The version returned by binary command 0xaa is now 6.2.0 BUG FIX - Control of F21-F28 corrupted the status of F13-F20 and vice versa. This has been fixed. ADDITION - Pressing EXPN key will now show the status of functions 1-28 The top line of the LCD has functions 1-14, '-' means the function is off a digit (1=F1, 2=F2, etc.) means the function is on. the 2nd LCD line shows functions F15-F28 in the same manner. Pressing EXPN a second time returns the cab to the normal display. I'm not overly pleased with this display but it is a first cut at expressing the status of all 28 functions (F0 is not displayed) ****************************** BUG FIX 9/4/06 - When using the 0xA2 or 0xA4 binary commmands for locomotive control, speed updates for the locomotive controlled by the computer were displayed on ProCabs attached to the cab bus. Which cab displayed the speed was random due to stack corruption. This has been fixed. ****************************** CHANGE 7/20/06 - When Function Refresh is enabled no refresh packets are issued for function "groups" where all functions are off. There are 3 function groups: FG1 = F0-F4, FG2 = F5-F9, and FG3 = F9-12. Functions 13-28 do not need to be refreshed because RP9.2.1 requires that decoders remember function states for functions F13 or higher. ****************************** BUG FIX 6/10/06 - F9->F12 did not work, or sent the wrong data when the function was activated. This has been fixed. ****************************** ADDITION 6/3/06 - You can now clear out all advanced consists without resetting the whole system. Under the SET_CMD_STA menu press "1" at the CLEAR ADV CONSIST prompt. A broadcast command will also be sent 25 time to clear the consist CV in all locos on the track (CV19=0) - You can clear all cab memory information in the command station. Under the SET_CMD_STA menu press "1" at the CLEAR ALL CAB MEMORY prompt. All selected locos, all recalls, current speed, old style consists and function status info will be cleared. All other system memory will be preserved. ****************************** SPECIAL TEST VERSION 4/20/06 - This version has all ASCII commands disabled. Only binary commands will work from this version on if the test is successful. Removal of the Programming Track ASCII commands frees up over 2K bytes of code. This should extend the life of the current CPU hardware/memory design for about 3-5 more years. Please test this version with Panel Pro and Decoder Pro to verify that I haven't broken any binary commands. If all binary commands seem to be working right then this version can be used to update the NCE drivers for Decoder Pro. ****************************** ADDITION 4/20/06 - When a loco or consist is selected speed zero, function group one and function group two packets are sent to the locomotive. This will serve to "wake up" sound decoders and cause the transponding (bi-directional) decoders to provide feedback for locomotive location identification. ****************************** BUG FIX 4/17/06 - New type accessory OPS programming packets were sent with bit 7 of byte 2 clear instead of set. This has been fixed. ****************************** ADDITION 4/13/06 - Control of functions F13-F28 has been added. To access these function numbers program the OPTION key to a value of 122. Pressing OPTION will display "F10-F19" on the bottom line of the ProCab LCD. Pressing a digit will then toggle that function number plus ten. For example pressing 6 will issue an F16 command. Pressing OPTION a second time will display "F21-F28" on the LCD. Pressing a digit with this display will toggle that function number plus twenty. Pressing OPTION a third time will return to the F10-F19 display. Pressing PROG/ESC at any time will abort the operation. ****************************** ADDITION 4/9/06 - Control of functions 13-28 is now available via the 0xa2 binary computer commands OP codes 15 and 16 Command Format: 0xA2 op_1 data_1 Operation description 13 0-255 Reserved 14 0-255 Reserved 15 0-255 Function 13-20 control (bit 0 of data_1 = F13) 16 0-255 Function 21-28 control (bit 0 of data_1 = F21) - The button works again. When (the default value of the ProCab OPTION button) is pressed the current loco's speed is set to zero. This was broken in the 2004 version. Apparently no one noticed. ****************************** NEW FEATURE 4/7/06 - It is now possible to drop the lead or rear loco from an advanced consist. If you drop one of these locos you will be prompted for a new lead (or rear) loco. The new lead (or rear) loco MUST already be a member of the same consist. The mid-consist loco is "promoted" to lead or rear status and the consist can be selected by that address just as it could be selected by the old lead loco. Pressing will clear the lead (or rear) address. If you drop both the lead and rear locos without adding at least one in the lead or rear, any mid-consist locomotives will remain in the consist. The consist then can only be selected by the consist address as no lead or rear loco is in memory to identify it. The locomotive that was dropped will be selected for operation. We assume that if you drop the loco you will want to move it away from the remaining consist. If the same consist is in a cab recall slot that was selected by the dropped locomotive address, the cab will still operate the consist but the cab display will still show the dropped loco's address as the lead loco. Reselecting the consist will correct the problem. ****************************** ENHANCEMENT 4/6/06 - The command station no longer prints redundant speed zero messages to the ProCab LCD every time the thumbwheel is moved downward when the speed is already at 0. This helps with radio performance. - Type C cabs have 2 new OP codes (0x13, 0x14). These OP codes will store the current packet loco address into one of 8 "slots" Type C packet addresses of 0x2710-0x2717 indicate to use the loco address stored in one of the 8 slots with the OP code and data fields of the packet. See Cab Bus Protocol extensions document. This note is only to document (for NCE purposes) the inception date of the new extensions. Beta testers have no way test this feature. ****************************** ENHANCEMENT 3/16/06 - The clock is now updated (almost) immediately when you plug in a cab. This eliminates the "AB V1.3" message on the top line of the display until the clock changes time when the cab is plugged in. ****************************** BUG FIX 3/14/06 - It is no longer possible to enter OPS programming mode with short address 0 as the loco to program. ****************************** ADDITION 3/13/06 - Accessory OPs programming now issues both the old "legacy" (5 byte) OPS command for accessories plus the "new" accessory OPS command (6 byte). The old command could only address accessory decoders in groups of four. The new command can address one single decoder address. For the new ocmmand to work your accessory decoder must support the new packet. (NCE SWITCH8 and SWITCH-IT Ver C support the new packet) ****************************** BUG FIX 2/14/06 - When changing the loco address on the program track any consist address in cab memory was not cleared if the loco address was changed. This has been fixed ****************************** BUG FIX 2/6/06 - Assign-loco-to-cab swapped too many bytes between cab context pages (since 6/19/05). The cab context pages were shortened by 2 bytes on 6/19/05. This has been corrected for proper RECALL operation. ****************************** CORRECTION 12/29/06 - Normal "digital" horn function commands are now are sent at the same time as analog horn commands are sent. This allows a cab to control both analog playable whistles and a normal on/off whistle with the same cab. Original beta versions of the Tsunami decoder would get confused if both commands were sent. Production decoders do not seem to have a problem with the mixed commands. This has not been tested with ESU or Digitrax decoders. NOTE: As of 3/05/06 it works OK with Digitrax (and Tower 55) decoders BUG FIX Analog HORN (and analog AUX) commands are now also sent to the consist address of a locomotive if that loco is in a consist AND if you have "SEND FUNCTION TO CON?" set to yes in the SET CMD STA menu. ****************************** ADDITION 9/25/05 - A new binary RS-232 command sends an accessory or signal packet. Command Format: 0xAD Addr_h and Addr_l are the accessory/signal address as a normal binary number (NOT in DCC format). Ex: Accessory Address 1 = 0x00 0x01 (hi byte first) Ex: Accessory Address 2 = 0x00 0x02 (hi byte first) Ex: Accessory Address 513 = 0x02 0x01 (hi byte first) NOTE: accy/signal address 0 is not a valid address Op_1 Data_1 Operation description 01 0-255 NCE macro number 0-255 02 0-255 Duplicate of Op_1 command 01 03 0 Accessory Normal direction (ON) 04 0 Accessory Reverse direction (OFF) 05 0-1f Signal Aspect 0-31 06-7f reserved reserved Returns: ! = success 1 = bad accy/signal address ****************************** BUG FIX 9/9/05 - OPS programming packets may have had intervening speed or function packets in the previous version of code. This is fixed ********************************************************************** ********************************************************************** NEWS: 9/1/05 OFFICIAL NMRA CONFORMANCE TESTING HAS BEEN PASSED FOR VERSION 12/21/2004. I'm not sure I understand why it took them almost 10 months to get around to actually doing the tests. It was submitted on November 10, 2004. ********************************************************************** ********************************************************************** ****************************** ENHANCEMENT 6/20/05 - A delay was found in one of the most important cab bus transmit routines. The delay has been removed. ****************************** BUG FIX 6/19/05 - Pushing the HORN or OPTION button when set for analog channel operation now properly sends the bias value as the initial starting point for horn pitch. Previously it sent a value of 0. This caused a lag until you turned the thumbwheel. The initial bias value is now sent 2 times to ensure the command is not missed on dirty track. CHANGE - The setting of analog channels and analog bias has been moved to the SET_CAB_PARAMS menu. You can now have different analog channels on each cab. Each cab can also have its own bias point. - The OPTION button (when programmed for AUX analog operation) has had the number of analog steps increased from 8 to 16. - There have been some internal housekeeping changes to the operation of the RECALL button. The user will see no changes but it will require testing with a full load of 6 recalls and old style consists to ensure proper operation. DELETION - The SET CAB ADDR feature has been removed from the SET_CAB_PARAMS menu. THis feature was little used and is actually easier to set by holding down SEL_LOCO and plugging in the cab. ****************************** ADDITION 6/15/05 - There is a new option under the SET CMD STA menu to provide a starting 'bias' point for analog function commands. Valid values range from 0-15. This value is divided in half when the HORN button is used for analog function commands. ****************************** ADDITION 6/6/05 - The OPTION button now sends 8 levels instead of 16 when used to control analog functions - The HORN button can also send analog commands. Analog commands are sent only if the analog channel is non-zero (see below). This button is currently set up to send 16 levels. When sending analog commands no "digital" horn function packets are sent - The analog channel for the OPTION button can now be chosen under the SET CMD STA menu. Values from 0-255 are valid. If 0 is chosen no analog commands will be sent. - The analog channel for the HORN button can now be chosen under the SET CMD STA menu. Values from 0-255 are valid. If 0 is chosen no analog commands will be sent. ****************************** ADDITION 5/30/05 - It is now possible to send an analog command to sound decoders for the purposes of 'playing' the whistle. You must program the OPTION button of the ProCab to 123 for this feature to work. You can play the whistle if hold the OPTION button while operating the thumbwheel. When you release the thumbwheel you will be returned to speed control. The ballistic tracking of the thumbwheel has been allpied to the whistle. If you move the thumbwheel fast it will reach maximum faster. You may want to adjust the ballistic tracking in the cab for a better feel. Programming the OPTION button: -unplug the procab -hold down the SEL LOCO button while plugging it in -press ENTER (about 5 times) until you are prompted for the OPTION button value -put in 123 and press ENTER -press PROG/ESC to get back to operations mode - Previously the HORN button would repeat after 4 seconds causing an interruption in the sound. This has been fixed (a Band-Aid but a fix nevertheless - the problem really lies in the cab) ****************************** BUG FIX 4/3/05 - The AIU broadcast mode was always on regardless of the BROADCAST ENABLE setting in the SET CMD STA menu. This has been fixed. ****************************** BUG FIX 2/17/05 - Function group 2 commands sent to the consist address did not have bit 4 set resulting in a function group 3 command being sent. This is now fixed - 128 speed commands sent were 1 step lower than the display on the cab indicated. Speeds 1 and 2 sent the same 128 speed step 1 (0x02) command. Speed 126 on the LCD sent speed 126 (0x7e) to the decoder This is now fixed. ********************************************************************** ********************************************************************** VERSION 12/21/2004 is RELEASED on 12/21/2004 ********************************************************************** ********************************************************************** ****************************** ADDITION 12/20/04 - It is now possible to issue momentum commands using the 0xA2 computer command. The omission was an oversight. The command format is 0xA2 <0x12> - When the system first boots (usually at the factory) or when a full system reset is performed, all cabs now display the following message: 'POWERPRO BY NCE ' '--PRESS ENTER-- ' The 'press enter' message will help avoid confusion with newbies about the first thing they are supposed to do when they reset the system. After pressing ENTER the normal operation display is put up. Also loco 3 is selected on cab address 2 only. - Previously when the system was reset the default address for accessories was 1789, it is now 1. - The factory default for the "RADIO FIX" is now "ON" - ****************************** IMPROVEMENT 12/4/04 - When pushing SETUP consist the system would put you into OLD STYLE consisting if you pressed any key but ENTER (even PROG/ESC). THis has been fixed. ****************************** BUG FIX 12/1/04 - If the message SHORT CIRCUIT DETECTED showed when the progamming track was selected the message 1= PROGRAM ANYWAY was displayed. If you pressed 1 you could never get a successful read or write to any CVs. This is now fixed. ****************************** ADDITION 11/22/04 - You can now program signal decoders in OPS mode. This is accessed by pressing PROG 10 times or PROG followed by '0' (zero) There is a corresponding setup parameter in the SET CMD STA menu to limit the highest cab number allowed to program signals. ****************************** ADDITION 11/21/04 - When browsing consists if you press while a consist is displayed the mid consist locos will be displayed (if any). If you press that consist will be selected running. It will be selected by the lead loco. If there is no lead lcoc the rear loco will be selected. ****************************** BUG FIX 11/19/04 - Deleting a mid consist locomotive would cause only half the locomotive address to be deleted from the consist. This has been fixed ADDITION - "Computer" cabs are now supported with a new binary mode command (NOTE: the computer cab feature of 11/12/04 has been removed) Command Format: 0xA2 Addr_h and Addr_l are the loco address in DCC format. If a long address is in use, bits 6 and 7 of the high byte are set. Examples: Long address 3 = 0xc0 0x03 Short address 3 = 0x00 0x03 op_1 data_1 Operation description 01 0-7f Reverse 28 speed command 02 0-7f Forward 28 speed command 03 0-7f Forward 128 speed command 04 0-7f Reverse 128 speed command 05 0 Estop reverse command 06 0 Estop forward command 07 0-1f Function group 1 (same format as DCC packet for FG1 08 0-0f Function group 2 (same format as DCC packet for FG2 09 0-0f Function group 3 (same format as DCC packet for FG3 0a 0-7f Set reverse consist address for lead loco 0b 0-7f Set forward consist address for lead loco 0c 0-7f Set reverse consist address for rear loco 0d 0-7f Set forward consist address for rear loco 0e 0-7f Set reverse consist address for additional loco 0f 0-7f Set forward consist address for additional loco 10 0 Del loco from consist 11 0 Kill consist 12 0-9 Momentum command (works just like momentum button on cab) 13-7F reserved reserved Returns: ! = success 1 = bad loco address ****************************** ADDITION 11/18/04 - Reading a CV in PAGED mode on the programming track can take up to 14 seconds. The system now puts up a message on the LCD telling the user that the decoder is being read. BUG FIX - When browsing consists the thumbwheel now rolls over going both ways (up AND down). - Escaping out of function mapping on the programming track displayed an erroneous OPS programming menu and caused the system to hang. I believe this is now fixed. ****************************** BUG FIX 11/15/04 - If you tried to delete a non-consisted loco from an advanced consist the system would hang. This has been fixed ****************************** BUG FIX 11/14/04 - When setting the loco address in OPS programming mode An extra keypress was required to get to a usable display. The system now returns to normal operations after programming the address because I feel that most users will want to try out the new adddress to see if it 'took' before doing more OPS programming ****************************** BUG FIXES 11/13/04 - When reviewing macros with 10 entries the system displayed an erroneous 11th entry. This has been fixed - You can now use the baud rate of 38400 to backup and restore Macro, System or Consist memory. Be sure the line delay in the SETTINGS->ASCII setup of Hyperterminal is set to 10(ms) or more. ****************************** ADDITION 11/11/04 - In the SET CMD STA menu: You can now backup and restore the battery backed command station RAM to a computer. This has been tested (so far) with PCs runnning Hyperterminal on WIN XP and WIN98se There are three backup options: Macro backup saves all 256 macros 5120 memory locations from 0xC800 to 0xDBFF System backup saves the system setup (SET CMD STA menus stuff) 80 memory locations from 0xDC00 to 0xDC4F Consist backup saves the advanced consist tables 1536 memory locations from 0xF500 to 0xFAFF ------------------------------------------------------ The data is sent as an ASCII file to the terminal program Format for the data is: :aaaa dddd dddd dddd ..... dddd (macro and consist data) or :aaaa dd dd dd dd dd dd ..... dd (system data) :aaaa = RAM address in hex (high byte first) dd or dddd = 8 or 16 bit data (high byte first if 16 bit) The data is formatted for easy(?) modification with a text editor. Well, easy if you know how the data in RAM is setup and understand hex. Basically each line of the Macro data contains one macro there are ten 2 byte macro commands on each line. Macro 0 is at memory location C800. Addresses are in DCC format (Refer to RP-9.2.1) Each line of the system data has 16 bytes of individual system setup 'flags'. (see partial memory map below) Each line of the Consist data holds 8 locomotive addresses locations F500-F5FF hold lead loco addresses the first two bytes are consist address 0 (not used) addresses are in DCC format (bits 6,7 of high byte set if long address) locations F600-F6FF hold rear loco addresses the first two bytes are consist address 0 (not used) addresses are in DCC format (bits 6,7 of high byte set if long address) locations F700-FbFF hold mid consist loco addresses the first 8 bytes are up to 4 locos in consist address 0 (not used) addresses are in DCC format (bits 6,7 of high byte set if long address) ----------------------------------------------------------------- System Setup memory map below ----------------------------------------------------------------- ;battery backed System Setup variables org 0xDC00 TIME_SCALE .RMB 1 ;DC00 Fast clock ratio (1-15) TICK_CNT .RMB 1 ;DC01 1 scale second has elapsed when = 4 ; TICK_CNT is incremented every time ; TIMER_A expires SECONDS .RMB 1 ;DC02 seconds counter for fast clock MINUTES .RMB 1 ;DC03 minutes counter HOURS .RMB 1 ;DC04 hours counter HOUR24 .RMB 1 ;DC05 'A' = AM, 'P' = PM HOURS12_24 .RMB 1 ;DC06 flag for 12/24 hour clock, 0=12 hours PROG_TIMES .RMB 1 ;DC07 number of times to send programming packet TMP_TIMES .RMB 1 ;DC08 number of times to send TEMP_Q packet ACC_TIMES .RMB 1 ;DC09 number of times to send accessory TEMP_Q packet STOP_TIMES .RMB 1 ;DC0A number of times to send speed zero packet HORN_OFF .RMB 1 ;DC0B number of "horn off" packets to send RECALL_NUM .RMB 1 ;DC0C depth of recall buffer, 6 max STOP_CLK .RMB 1 ;DC0D flag for clock stoppage, 0=run BCAST_MSG .RMB 1 ;DC0E flag for Cab 0 broadcast message available TST_IN_USE .RMB 1 ;DC0F flag to test for loco in use in SEL_LOCO, 1=don't test CON_FUNC .RMB 1 ;DC10 1=send function commands to consist address, 0=don't not_used_dc11 .RMB 1 ;DC11 not_used_dc12 .RMB 1 ;DC12 ESTOP_ENABLE .RMB 1 ;DC13 1=enable 3x ESTOP test for global stop RADIO_FIX .RMB 1 ;DC14 1=enable testing bit 2 of IX+FLAGS1 to skip pot value of cab AIU_BCAST_EN .RMB 1 ;DC15 1=enable AIU event driven RS-232 broadcast, 0=disable PING_REFRESH .RMB 2 ;DC16 accessory packet refresh rate SYS_FLAGS .RMB 1 ;DC18 system flags (these are temporary) ; bit 0 - 1=use direct service mode, 0=use paged ; bit 1 - not used ; bit 2 - not used ; bit 3 - not used ; bit 4 - not used ; bit 5 - not used ; bit 6 - not used ; bit 7 - not used LAST_CS_CAB .RMB 1 ;DC19 highest cab allowed to access SET CMD STA menu LAST_AS_CAB .RMB 1 ;DC1A highest cab allowed to access ASSIGN LOCO menu LAST_CLK_CAB .RMB 1 ;DC1B highest cab allowed to access SET CLOCK menu LAST_PRG_CAB .RMB 1 ;DC1C highest cab allowed to access USE PROGRAM TRK menu LAST_OP_CAB .RMB 1 ;DC1D highest cab allowed to access PROG ON MAIN menu LAST_CP_CAB .RMB 1 ;DC1E highest cab allowed to access SET CAB PARMS menu LAST_OPA_CAB .RMB 1 ;DC1F highest cab allowed to access PROG ACCESSORY menu LAST_MAC_CAB .RMB 1 ;DC20 highest cab allowed to access PROGRAM MACROS menu BAUD_RATE .RMB 1 ;DC21 baud rate divisor CON_MOMENTUM .RMB 1 ;DC22 1=enable momentum to consists, 0=disable MOM_MULTIPLIER .RMB 1 ;DC23 multiplier for momentum button, range 0-25 MOM_DEC_RATE .RMB 1 ;DC24 momentum decel rate. 1=full, 0=half LAST_CON_CAB .RMB 1 ;DC25 highest cab allowed to access CONSIST buttons SEL_LOC_REF .RMB 1 ;DC26 1=send speed/func commands upon selection of loco unused_6 .RMB 1 ;DC27 unused_7 .RMB 1 ;DC28 unused_8 .RMB 1 ;DC29 unused_9 .RMB 1 ;DC2A Bytes DC27 to DC4F are unused (for now) ------------------------------------------------------ HYPERTERMINAL setup: CONNECT TO->CONFIGURE menu 9600 or 19200 baud (38400 isn't working right yet) No partiy 8 data bits 1 Stop bit Flow Control - none SETTINGS->TERMINAL MODE ANSI SETTINGS->ASCII setup Echo typed characters locally Append line feeds to incoming line ends Line Delay: 10mS ------------------------------------------------------ Use Capture Text to backup data Use Send Text File to restore it The memory address is included with eack back up so only one restore command is needed. ****************************** ENHANCEMENT 11/8/04 - The momentum button now works with up to 6 locomotives in an advanced consist. It also works with old style consists. If there are any advanced consists in an old style consist all locos in the advanced consist will have the momentum set. ****************************** BUG FIX - Binary mode programming track commands now return '0' 11/5/04 if the program track is not enabled., ****************************** ADDITION 11/1/04 - The number of macros has now been increased to 256 The entire range of 0-255 is now enabled. ****************************** ADDITION 10/31/04 - The momentum deceleration rate (CV4) can now be set in the SET CMD STA menu. You can choose FULL (same as CV3) or HALF (1/2 the value prorgammed into CV3). ****************************** ADDITION 10/31/04 - The RS232 baud rate is now configurable in the SET CMD STA menu. There are three rates available: 1 = 9600 2 = 19.2K 3 = 38.4K ****************************** CHANGES 10/30/04 - The momentum button now has a programmable multiplier Previously (see 10/28/04 below) the entered value was multiplied by 8. You can now set a multiplier value from 0-25 in the SET CMD SAT menu. BUG FIXES - momentum button 10/30/04 - In the 10/28/04 version the develeration rate of the momentum was not 1/2 the acceleration rate. This is fixed in this version - CV4 was programmed immediately after CV3. In testing I found that some decoders (brands L and T) ignored the CV4 value in some cases. There is now a 400mS delay between programming CV3 and CV4 ****************************** BUG_FIXES 10/30/04 - The SET_CMD_STA menus have been cleaned up so that you can escape at any time. The current state of most "yes or no" values is now shown. - The FUNCTION REFRESH RATE was not working correctly and could send the system into a bizarre state. This has been fixed. A re-cap of how Function Refresh works: Functions are refreshed only to the active loco on an active cab (not locos in recall or cabs that are no longer plugged in) Functions are only refreshed if the loco is moving (speed not 0). All functions (F0-F12) are now refreshed. Previously only F0-F4 was refreshed Three function packets are sent to each locomotive: Function group one (F0-F4). Function group two (F5-F8). Function group three (F9-F12). If you set the refresh rate to 500 the functions will be refreshed about once every two seconds. If you set it to 0 no functions will be refreshed (as always) The recommended setting is 0 for large layouts. Otherwise the function commands can easily be more numerous than speed commands is 30 or more locomotives are running. ****************************** ADDITION 10/28/04 - The momentum button now works (kinda). When you press the button you will be prompted for a momentum level from 0 to 9. Pressing a digit button will program CV3 (acceleration) of the current locomotive with 12 times the value entered and CV4 (deceleration) will be programmed with 6 times the value entered (1/2 the acceleration rate). Momentum rates (per RP-9.2.2) Rate 1 = 7 seconds to full speed, 3 seconds to stop Rate 2 = 14 seconds to full speed, 7 seconds to stop Rate 3 = 21 seconds to full speed, 10 seconds to stop Rate 4 = 28 seconds to full speed, 14 seconds to stop Rate 5 = 35 seconds to full speed, 17 seconds to stop Rate 6 = 42 seconds to full speed, 21 seconds to stop Rate 7 = 49 seconds to full speed, 24 seconds to stop Rate 8 = 54 seconds to full speed, 27 seconds to stop Rate 9 = 61 seconds to full speed, 30 seconds to stop If a consist is active when the button is pressed the button will do nothing unless "CONSIST MOMENTUM" is enabled in the SET CMD STA menu. Warning: If you enable CONSIST MOMENTUM only the lead and rear locomotives will heve the momentum programmed. The command station is only aware of these two locos. I've added the option to enable/disable it for consists. Some modelers only run two locos in a typical consist so they will likely enable the feature. Others run several locos in a consist. They will want to disable the feature. There are commands for setting momentum in a consist but many decoders do not support these CVs. CV3 and CV4 are required in RP-9.2.2 but support for the consist CVs (CV23 and CV24) is not required. ****************************** ADDITION 10/25/04 - new binary mode RS232 commands CMD FORMAT DESCRIPTION # OF BYTES POSSIBLE RETURNED RESPONSES -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0x9E Enter Programming track mode (1) ! = success 3 = short circuit -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0x9F Exit Programming track mode (1) ! = success -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0xA0 aa xx Program CV aa with data xx in (1) ! = success paged mode (CV address range in paged 1-256) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0xA1 aa Read CV aa in paged mode (2) !,3 NOTE: register data followed by != data ok, 0xff followed by '3' =can't read -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0xA6 rr xx Program register rr with data xx (1) ! = success in register mode (Register range 1-8) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0xA7 rr Read register rr in register mode(2) !,3 NOTE: register data followed by != data ok, 0xff followed by '3' =can't read -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0xA8 aaaa xx Program CV aaaa with data xx (1) ! = success in direct mode. CV address range 1-1024 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0xA9 aaaa Read CV aaaa in direct mode (2) !,3 NOTE: register data followed by != data ok, 0xff followed by '3' =can't read ****************************** ADDITION 10/21/04 - The command station can now be setup to send Event driven RS-232 output data for changes to AIU inputs. Each change of an AIU nput is an AIU "event". A 3 byte RS-232 message is generated for each event listing the AIU input number that changed and what polarity it changed to. The format for the data is: 1st byte = 0x60 ("a" for AIU event) 2nd byte = 0x30 + AIU cab address (addresses start at ASCII '0') 3rd byte = 0x3F + input number for input high (input 1=A, 2=B, etc) = 0x5F + input number for input low (input 1=a, 2=b, etc) Each input change of the AIU is reported separately. 14 messages are sent at power up for each AIU to update your computer as to status of all AIU inputs. The reason for the oddball reporting of AIU data is so you can test AIU installations and read the results in ASCII with Hyperterminal using a simple PC connection. This feature can enabled/disabled in the SET_CMD_STA menu. ****************************** ADDITIONS 10/20/04 - In the SET CMD STA menu there is now a selection called "RADIO FIX 0=N". By default steps taken in the command station to prevent runaways when using radio cabs. You may need to disable the fix in the rare circumstance that are using a CAB04e with both "halves" of the cab set to the same cab address AND one is set to yard mode while the other is set to normal mode. Pressing ENTER or PROG/ESC skips changing it. Pressing 0 will disable the fix. Any other key will enable it. The following is big news but you will not be able to test these features until the associated products are released - Support for Analog fast clocks is now included - Support for Signal decoders is now included - Support for Macro Panels is now included - Support for Single direction radio cabs is now included - Support for CAB02r and CAB03r is now included - Support for CAB07 and CAB08 is now included ****************************** ADDITION 10/18/04 - A macro can now be linked to another macro by entering an accessory address of 9999 when programming the macro. You will then be prompted for the macro number to link. You can chain as many macros together as you like but use caution. If you chain macros in a 'circular' fashion the system will appear to crash (it is busy sending macros) until you press PROG/ESC. ****************************** ADDITION 10/12/04 - You can use the PROCAB to send signal aspect commands. Program your Procab