The components fordigital control at FREMO
A brief system description
One of the most important criteria when selecting a digital control system for operating at FREMO was that it should be accessible to all and not only offered by one supplier. That one leaned on the DCC-Norm from NMRA (National Model Railroad Association, USA) made it possible to use many typical commercial components, thus creating also a basis for own developments from various FREMO members.
Here a review of the key components of the digital train control by FREMO.
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Central Unit
Its task is to gather messages from the hand controllers, to process these messages and through Rail sync over the booster (amplifier) and Decoder, send these messages to locomotives. Central units "Chief" from company Digitrax and Intellibox from company Uhlenbrook are widespread in FREMO.
LocoNet + Rail sync = LocoNet-Cable
LocoNet is Input bus and developed by the company Digitrax. Besides the already described functions of the system unit with a collection of messages for drive controller (such Loknumber 4711, Running Step 66 and Lights on) and forwarding overhead messages to the system unit to Deco alleging, cable also tasked to provide the driving controls with the appropriate voltage. For LocoNet cable is used a 6-pin flat ribbon cable associated with so-called Western connector.
LocoNet-boxes (LN-boxes)
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LN-box has besides functioning as a cable also connects the important function here connected to our Handheld Control for control of locomotives. Erected on the open strecth with about 5 meters apart and in abundant number of stations / establishments so that the working locomotive driver always has a connector available to their hand control in the vicinity of the events. Particularly important is that at places where there are shunting with caution, for example by decoupling of wagons with original clutch.
There are constantly collecting orders and construction activities for the LN-boxes.
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FRED
A major reason for MNRA DCC big success in FREMO is FRED, FREMO simple Rotary Control. By FRED could benefits of Digital Model Railway Control really be used: Trains can be operated independently from any location on the layout. In addition, the train when removing and reinserting the FRED simply continues with the last settings. With FRED, speed and 3 functions are controlled. The current development goes beyond that and is currently in the testing phase, which is not yet complete. In Hp1, Issue 3 / 1998, principle of operation of the product to FRED is described, building plans are on the web. Of the pooling orders within FREMO, the one who got the most attention, was FRED orders. Occasionally, a total of over 100 pieces were build in regional chambers.
What is new, is Fredi (01/2008), more about it later.
A selection of articles from FREMO-HP1 from the rubric FREMO-Digital
