LocoNet: The Digitrax Difference
My choice for DCC
Digitrax was my choice of DCC for mrwain because of their proprietary LocoNet.
It is a networking technology used in their digital command control (DCC) system and accessories.
LocoNet’s transmission protocol is similar to Ethernet “Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detect” (CSMA/CD) optimised for model railway layout control.
I spent a lot of my employment working within the computer networking arena and I am very familiar with the Ethernet protocol.
Pricom DCC Pocket Tester
What Is It?It tests the DCC Signal from an electrical, protocol and data content perspective. This allows verification of signal timing, voltages and other electrical parameters.
It can verify packet protocol adherence, preamble bits, checksum errors, packet timing, packet update rate, and gaps between packets. The DCC Pocket Tester also monitors address utilisation, broadcast counts, and how many addresses (and types) are used. Mobile and accessory data packets can be monitored, captured, decoded, and viewed.
This can be a very useful piece of test equipment if one day you are experiencing weird, unexplained problems in the running of your trains.
The below comment was copied from https://tonystrains.com
As you can see by the date it was 10 years ago, I don't think it's coming back.
You may be able to pick one up second hand.
JUNE 24 2015
PRICOM Pocket Tester Discontinued
BY TONYSTRAINS.COM
The venerable Pocket Tester from PRICOM has been discontinued due to unavailability of parts. PRICOM plans to do a revision of the board that will replace the obsolete parts but does not yet have a release date for the new version.
LocoNet Technical Specification
If you are interested in the in-depth technical specification of LocoNet, you can either read or download a copy below.
Not only will it enhance your technical understanding of LocoNet and make you a more well rounded human being, it may also help you overcome your insomnia.
Graphical representation of LocoNet (brown line) and its interconnection between devices.
LocoNet is Digitrax's communications protocol used to connect devices including computers, BDL168 LocoNet Occupancy Detectors, SE8C Signal Decoders etc in a wired or wireless network.
MRWAIN will have LocoNet split into two separate networks, ThrottleNet & BoosterNet.
My DCS100 command station was never used as a booster, only had ThrottleNet plugged into it.
I had three separate boosters (DB150) arranged throughout the layout.
There are three reasons for this functionality.
1. It makes it easier to isolate a fault when chasing a problem hidden within what is a complex electronic environment.
2. If a problem occurs with a RJ12 connection within ThrottleNet it won't affect BoosterNet or vice versa.
3. Having 3 separate power districts means if a fault occurs in one then the other 2 will remain unaffected.
