DCC command station for model trains controled via Android application

When I started with making my own model railroad, I was making decision about control all pieces of my model railroad. I selected digital control DCC. First I studied lot of about DCC and then I was looking for in e-shops DCC components. When I saw prices for this components and functions, then I decided, that I will make own DCC command station named Train Control Station.

Hardware

The hardware should be very simple and chep, but resistant and clever. I effort made the best command station and the hardware is a base of the project.

Now, it is hardware version 2.0, with this features:

CPU: ARM Cortex-M4 120MHz
Power: 15 – 24 V, (min current 1A)
Max output current: 3,1A (current protection)
Connection to LAN network (and internet), atomatic discovery (it is provided by TCP/IP stack FNET)
Switch DCC output when write to CV registers
XpressNet
Set the output voltage in range 10 – 25 V

This board can be updated by extensions compatible with Arduino UNO.

The board was made in China (www.allpcb.com).

Product

The product is boxed now!

Control

The main control of the DCC command station is via Android application over LAN or WiFi network. The next way, how to control the command station, is use XpressNet throttle (for example ROCO MultiMAUS).

Android application
XpressNet (Roco MultiMAUS, …)
All applications using protocol Z21

Key features of TCS

Control over IP network + automatic detect network and assign IP address
Discovery command station in network and connect from the application
Control via Android Application
Control via XpressNet throttle (ROCO MultiMAUS, …)
Control via all applications using protocol Z21
Infromation about command station state by RGB LED
Generating DCC signal by hardware DMA
Read and write to SD card (saving trains, accessories, photos and preferences)
Adding trains and accessories into database + photos
Categories of trains and accessories
Control via up to 10 Android devices
Control via up to 10 XpressNet devices
Check for the control train only by one user
Control two and more trains from one device
Update command station by Android application
Notifications – changed state of accessory is show on the all connected devices
Protocol for receiving data from trains and whole railroad (S88, …)
Assigns trains to devices with user permission

TCS features in plan

WiFi instead of cable
Use crypto for TCS protocol
Communication with commercial command stations
Comfortable and easy control
Statistics – for example distance
Show map of whole railroad model and control from it
Detection trains positions and show it
Detection of turnouts state and show it
Make train way (all turnouts and signals set right for train)
Automatic train control
Collision detection of trains
Show video from cameras

If you have any ideas, please contact me.

Price

Please, contact me.

Donation

If you like this project and you want donate it, you can do it on the right side on this web (Donation). You can donate via PayPal or credit card in Czech currency (Kč), dollar ($) or euro (€). If you want donate anything else for this project, you can Contact me.