Bruce Chubb s Computer/Model Railroad Interface (C/MRI) 101- The Basics By Jay Beckham http://jaysoscalelayout.blogspot.com/ james@thebeckhams.us Visit the layout Sunday Afternoon 1
My presentation is based in part on Bruce Chubb s presentations used with his permission. I am grateful that he not only agreed to my use of his presentations but furnished me the presentations which I have modified and adapted. First I would like to briefly present some electronic/electrical fundamentals that confused me when I first got into building and using the C/MRI system. Then I will cover the basic parts that makeup the signaling system and CTC. 2
Basic Electronics 101 In C/MRI grounding a circuit turns it on and no ground turns it off. This is just the opposite of what we would normally think. This method is called Current-Sinking and it the default method used by C/MRI devices. In house wiring we put the wall switch on the hot side of the circuit. In C/MRI we would ground an LED to make it light or ground the terminal on the switch machine circuit (SMC12) to make it throw the turnout to the diverging route. And the occupancy detector grounds the pin on an Input board to tell the computer that a electrical block is occupied. 3
Example C/MRI application areas: Optimized occupancy detection (OD and DCCOD) Signaling systems (very simple, ABS, APB and CTC) Interface with Command Control including DCC Staging track control (manual to fully automated) Grade crossing warning systems (PGCC) Turnout control (including software diode matrix) Junction and terminal interlocking Fast time clocks and layout-room lighting Driving real-time engine/dispatcher simulators Automated operations Reducing layout wiring 4
A very extensive series of articles about C/MRI can be found in Railroad Model Craftsman starting with the December 2015 issue. This series consists of 14 parts concluding with the April 2017 issue. Signaling in general and C/MRI is covered in great detail in this series. Well worth the time it will take to read all the parts. 5
Signaling Basics covered in a 4-part series: Signaling Made Easier January through April 2004 Model Railroader Magazine This series is an excellent source for getting started in Signaling and the C/MRI Copies are available directly from Kalmbach and from NMRA s Kalmbach Memorial Library 6
32 pages in the March 2007 issue of Scale Rails covering: State-of-the-Art Electronics to Enhance Operations Sunset Valley Oregon System My Life with Bruce and the Sunset Valley by Janet Chubb 7
An updated V3.1 User s Manual now available If you have V3.0 then you do not need V3.1 8
During this presentation we will cover: Interfacing made easier Block occupancy detection Signaling and turnout control Centralized Traffic Control Systems System assembly and simplified wiring 9
Interfacing your railroad to a computer is as easy as connecting a single super mini-node card (SMINI) to your computer s serial port 48 outputs for driving signals, switch motors and panel LEDs 24 inputs for reading block occupancy detectors, switch position and pushbuttons Can use USB port with USB to RS232 converter cable 10
SMINI CARD 11
Simply connect each signal, switch motor, detector, etc. to the SMINI 12
Distributed serial: Up to 128 nodes Devices connect to nearest node Use maxi-node for concentrated I/O Everything connects w/single 4-wire cable 72 I/O per SMINI 2048 I/O capacity per MAXI-node 262,144 total I/O capacity 13
Need more I/O, simply plug in another I/O card Each card adds 32 inputs or outputs up maximum of 64 cards per node (2480 I/O lines) 14
Each input card provides 32 added inputs 15
Handling C/MRI inputs is straightforward Input open circuited is hardware logic 1 (+5Vdc) Input grounded is a hardware logic 0 (0 volts) 16
Example C/MRI input connections: 17
Each output card provides 32 added outputs 18
Every C/MRI output can be considered to be a simple SPST toggle switch Software simple turns the toggle switch on or off When the toggle is on it is grounded Each SMINI provides 48 output lines (switches) Each DOUT32 provides 32 output lines (switches) 19
Drive almost any devices directly from C/MRI output line Within.3A, 40volt limit 20
Each output can drive multiple devices 21
Programming the C/MRI is straightforward: - like using the English language: An extremely active User s Group is available to help you in every step: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cmri_users 22
All C/MRI programs follow the same logic flow diagram 23
During this presentation we will cover: Block occupancy detection 24
For best possible performance: use the DCCOD for DCC railroads use the OD for DC railroads 25
Advantages provided by DCCOD are numerous: Transformer isolated High 150K ohm pot adjustable sensitivity Turn-on turn-off delay Monitor LED for setting sensitivity Open collector output (.3A, 40Vdc) Track current up to 20A Small modular unit for easy plug-in and system debug Priced very reasonable - $9 for medium size layout 26
Everything is out in the open with the C/MRI Including full schematics, parts lists and assembly instructions as well as extensive application information 27
A Mother Board (ODMB) is available to further simplify wiring and system debugging 28
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During this presentation we will cover: Signaling and turnout control 30
Signaling can add so much interest, beauty and operational realism to a model railroad and it is so easily and cost effectively accomplished using the C/MRI 31
Five great reasons for using a computer to signal your railroad: 1. Simplicity 2. Flexibility 3. Prototypical fidelity 4. Easy expandability 5. Low cost (See www.jlcenterprises.net or separate handout provided for details expanding upon each benefit) 32
Using the C/MRI makes prototype signaling easy to accomplish: Straightforward application Well proven technology Available as boards only, complete kits or fully assembled and tested Everything out in the open - full schematics, parts lists and abundant software Total flexibility to accomplish every need Very cost effective solutions 33
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Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are basic elements to designing most signal systems 36
Preferred (most common) method of wiring color light signals Uses outputs configured for standard current sinking Applies when signals are wired with common anode 37
Driving a searchlight signal using a 3-lead bi-color LED 38
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Two color signaling a small railroad 41
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Three color signals with 2-headed signals leading into passing sidings In each example, C/MRI documentation leads you step-by-step through the complete interfacing project 45
Connecting switch motors directly to C/MRI outputs Requires 2 outputs per switch motor 46
Alternatively, only a single output is required when incorporating an SMC12 card Also, interface cards are available for connecting to twin-coil switch machines 47
Easiest to implement local panel for emulating the operation of a dualcontrol power switch motor Additional options provided in Handbook include adding padlock function and using separate toggles for the Selector Lever and Hand-Throw Levers 48
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During this presentation we will cover: Centralized Traffic Control Systems 51
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CTC machines can be great additions to any size railroad Dirk Start using a GRS style machine modeling the C&O operating on the former PM between Holland and Grand Rapids Michigan
A small size CTC machine covering the east end of UP s Albina Yard in Portland OR on the SVOS
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Wiring switch and signal levers and code button is easy with the C/MRI 57
Wiring the switch and signal indication lamps is just as easy 58
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CSX Clinchfield Dispatching Center is quite applicable to a C/MRI based club size system Some C/MRI users are already interfacing to five monitors within computerized dispatching centers 61
Monitoring operational status is readily available by studying the graphics display 62
Modern dispatching with C/MRI 63
During this presentation we will cover: Additional applications 64
Automated room and scenic lighting control tied to fast clock simulating 24-hour day-night operation easily accomplished using the C/MRI 65
Night operation can be dramatic and including sunrise and sunset effects can be spectacular 66
New Prototypical Grade Crossing Control (PGCC) Drives gates, flashers (w/fade-in and fade-out), real grade bell digitally recorded sound and 4-prototypical bell control options and all exactly like the prototype 68
Automate scenic lift-up to totally eliminate duckunders 69
Two new Railroader s Applications Handbooks are availiable Together these totally replace single Volume V2.2 70
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During this presentation we will cover: System assembly and simplified wiring 73
You can easily take advantage of the C/MRI Several options available: bare board from JLC Enterprises complete kits fully assembled and tested from Don Wood. 74
The C/MRI documentation is extremely thorough and follows a step by step everything explained process: User s Manual V3.1 Application Handbook Volume 1 Application Handbook Volume 2 75
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My CTC board. It is based on US&S type board. Each panel is 30 inches wide so the CTC is 120 inches wide. My board also includes a screen display. The screen also provides a number of trouble shooting routines. 82
To add in wiring and reduce the number of printed circuit boards required, I have developed two small boards that are helpful. These boards are available from me. They are bare boards but I provide a list of parts and where they can be obtained. Currently the cost is $2 for either board plus postage. The boards use the standard network CAT5/6 cable (8 wires) to help with wiring. It has an RJ45 connecter for that cable on one end and either a Molex connector or a screw terminal block on the other end. The Molex fits all the standard C/MRI boards. The Molex option and the screw terminal option. 83
The second board I call my Signal Control Circuit or SCC for short. It also has the CAT5/6 connector at the right and 15 screw terminals across the bottom. Also 2 screw terminals for 5+ Volts and Common connections. It allows 4 pair of wires to control a total of 12 LEDs in signals. Previously you saw a diagram of a standard OS section which had one double head three color signals and two single head three color signals. That is a total of 12 LEDs to light. Rather than use 12 outputs from a SMINI board we only need 8 outputs thus saving on boards, wire, and effort. The 12 resistors can be matched to the particular LEDs you use. Currently these boards are also $2 each plus shipping. 84
In summary You have seen that a computer will add a new dimension and even more enjoyment to your model railroading hobby 85
The C/MRI is easy to apply It is an educational project It is a fun project Include the C/MRI on your railroad I know that you will love it! 86
I would like to thanks a number of people who have been helpful with my understanding of C/MRI, with the building of the 100+ printed circuit boards, wiring my CTC panel, creating over 5,000 lines of Visual Basic 6.0 code, running several thousand feet of wire, and building almost 100 temporary signals that we are using till I have time to build detailed PB&JRY and PRR signals. They are: Bill Carr, Gail Carr, Bruce Chubb, Jim Withrow, Don Wood, and the members of the C/MRI Users Yahoo Group. A question and answer session will conclude my presentation. 87
THANK YOU For Attending C/MRI 101- The Basics By Jay Beckham http://jaysoscalelayout.blogspot.com/ james@thebeckhams.us Visit our layout: Sunday Noon to 6:00 88