July Update

July has been a quiet month as I have been off colour with some bug that drained my energy for around three weeks.  I had to cancel the scheduled scenery construction day. The newest member of the operating team Pierre has been over for two training sessions.  Derek has also been over and had his first training session on working the upper level main control panel. Wayne has also been over for a discussion about using the LaunchPad for some projects on his layout. Apart from thinking and doing a bit about my signalling concept not much has happened. Planning for the Ops Session on Monday 4 August has commenced. I am sorry to report that the video of the Grand Opening promised for this month will not be completed until next month as the author has been dealing with a family bereavement.

Signaling concept design

Last month I gave you this link  to look at the concept details. This month I have been developing the full use of the MSP430G2553 chip, selecting components, testing components, proving detection concepts, building a trial project and testing the completed concept project. This was followed by developing the Junction signalling module design further and commencement of building the board to test the design. I am also deveolping a board to isolate the MSP430G2553 rnning on 3.3V DC from the inputs (DC 12 V & Frog DCC) and the outputs (12V DC).

Full use of the MSP430G2553

In all the LaunchPad projects that I have seen to date only part of the chip has been used.  The four PINS used for various communications links have been avoided. Signalling is input/output intensive so I researched the use of these pins.

Two good reference sites were found Energia and ARGENOX and my concept designs have been modified to make use of the four additional pins.

PIN numbers and corresponding Logical PIN designations

Component Selection

I experimented with various ambient light photodiodes and phototranistors and have found the ones which seem to work well is the ambient light version (Osram SFH 309 5/6) of the IR ones used for the Grade Crossing Project. I have discovered that the degree to which components vary the voltage and current between off and on states affects compatibility with the MSP430G2553 (MCU) chip.  to obtain a "high" the voltage applied to the MCU PIN needs to be within 0.3V of VCC and I am using +3.3V.  The first three components I tried gave a maximum of +2.7V and did not work.

Testing the selected components

The ambient light detector test..

Proving the detection concept

The direction sensing at each end of an electrical detection block using pairs of detectors.  It uses an idea developed by Hoffy in his speed trap project.

The completed pilot project

The design...

The operating pilot...

Junction Development

The five tracks at the junction result in seven routes that can be set.  The design calls for the first MCU to analyse the turnout states and identify the available routes for use by the East>West and West>East signal controlling MCU's.

The theory is that the MCU's will provide a "Red" inputs to the 3 aspect signal modules for all routes that are NOT available.  The signal modules with then work the normal R-Y-G logic.

Integration of Route states and block occupancy to establish "Red" signal conditions for trains heading West.

Integration of Route states and block occupancy to establish "Red" signal conditions for trains heading East.

The work on the hobby board has commenced.

When completed I will post the LaunchPad code for other to copy and adapt should they so desire.

Isolating the inputs and outputs

All of the Signal inputs and outputs are at different voltage potential so I will be isolating the circuits with Optocouplers.  I will need several banks for the concept trial..This board will have three sets of four banks of five.  The male header pins were secured using Superglue (ACC).

This board will be home to 60 Optocouplers!

Two styles of female headers Input and Output

Input side of the Optocouplers taking the frog DCC power state (Normal = no circuit Vs Reverse = power on) the 1k0Ω 1/4 W resistors to limit current to approx 20 mA.

Output or LaunchPad side of the Optocouplers using a 330Ω 1/8 W resistor to limit current to 10 mA Red wire is VCC (3.3 V) and the Green wires will connect to the input pins for Blocks 1 - 5.

Both female headers installed on the Vero board male headers.

Ops Session Next Monday

Invites sent and confirmation of attendance requested.  I am thinking of having a less complex session unlike the grand opening.  I have offered operators to do something different this time around. I think I will schedule more yard work and less mainline movements this time.

I made some cheat sheets to assist with checking where things are on the layout.

That's it for this month.


Thanks again to those that continue to help me achieve my ambitions and hello once again to all my followers!


Till the end of August.

-ooOOOoo-

June Update

June has been pretty busy with the Grand Opening immediately followed by the death of Pam a day later, holiday with Peter from Traralgon, dealing with some family matter then a nice finish to the month when some old workmates came for a BBQ and look at the layout.  This left some time to start the concept design for using TI LaunchPad's for signal controls.

Grand Opening

The day went a treat, everybody who came were either early or on time. Thanks again to the Operators Chris, Barry, Rossco (Ros from Oz), Pierre, Bob, Des, Wayne, Andre, Ross, Dave G, Andrew, Dave P & Peter. Thanks to the support team Don (video), Dave W (Camera) Catering team Kaye, Dave W, John & Carol.

2 1/2 hours of running running 15 of the available 18 mainline train movements despite a few unexpected happenings.  The video has been delayed as Don lost his Mother so production has been unavoidably delayed.  All being well it may be available for next months update.

Group Photo at commencement

Ribbon cutting ceremony

Open for business!

Despite commencing at 09:00 celebrations continued into the evning

BBQ Round 2 as the evening progresses!

In summary a great day and the "pressure" is now Off!

Vale Pamela Jane Shields 

The day after the Grand Opening Pam collapsed at home and could not be revived.  She was 71 years of age and was part of our modelling community and will be sadly missed.

Model Rail Radio Host Tom Barbelet had this to say on the MRR Facebook Group:

Tom Barbalet

4 June at 23:38

It is with sadness that I announce the passing of Pam Shields. As part of Jim Gifford's crew, Pam featured in the South Australian Take-Over show, called in to Show 55 and was part of many Jim Gifford updates. Pam and Ros planned on coming to the US shortly and discussion associated with their trip featured heavily in the show I am about to put out. I am going to dedicate the show to Pam and leave the sections of trip discussion in as a testament to Pam's love of the the hobby. My condolences to Ros Flint, Jim Gifford and the rest of their crew.

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Holiday with Peter

National Railway Museum

Peter, Dave from Sydney & I spent some time at the museum.

Dave, Peter & I have a ride...

Trip to Pt Augusta - Stop-over at Clare

Well first a wind down with a couple of days visiting the delightful wineries and restaurants in the Clare Valley.

Our "Peace with Love" guide - Garry
Enjoying Lunch at Mintaro (Peter's wallet took a hammering at Mintaro Wines)

Morning starters Light Ale, Dark Ale, Light Stout & Cider!

Trip to Pt Augusta

Afghan Express

I surprised Peter with a trip on the Pichi Richi Afghan Express from Pt Augusta to Quorn via Woolshed Flat. Unknowingly it was a special day as we had a combined train with double headed steam from Woolshed flat to Quorn.

Here is a link to a video that runs for about 9 1/4 minutes.

Rail-fanning at Pt Augusta

Old workmates visit

We had a lovely BBQ with a number of "Old Reds" Thanks Steve for bring my favorite Shiraz "Henschke Mt Edelstone" it was a pity the 1980 bottle had seen better days - oh well.

Thanks for the visit guys!

Signaling concept design

I have started documenting the design parameters and ideas for the use of microprocessors utilised by the TI LaunchPad.  I have a pilot project to allow the development of the building blocks.

Here is a link for those inclined to look at the details.

That's it for this month.


Thanks again to those that continue to help me achieve my ambitions and hello again to all my followers!


Till the end of July.

-ooOOOoo-