Controlling trains off a PC
09 June 2002, 09:26 PM
#2
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Si - Why break the habit - and get a project in early 
What sort of control do you need.. e.g.
Simple pre-programmed control of the voltage - so the Train can just be left to run without crashing
Interactive control via the PC (e.g. from Custom App or Web interface).
Some sort of intelligent feedback learning so it controls the train as fast as possible ?
Not an expert but I'm sure most can be achieved via the pll port and a basic D/A circuit. www.maplins.co.uk usually has some interesting pc based "project" kits which may help.
Deano
What sort of control do you need.. e.g.
Simple pre-programmed control of the voltage - so the Train can just be left to run without crashing
Interactive control via the PC (e.g. from Custom App or Web interface).
Some sort of intelligent feedback learning so it controls the train as fast as possible ?
Not an expert but I'm sure most can be achieved via the pll port and a basic D/A circuit. www.maplins.co.uk usually has some interesting pc based "project" kits which may help.
Deano
09 June 2002, 11:07 PM
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Location: Leeds - It was 562.4bhp@28psi on Optimax, How much closer to 600 with race fuel and a bigger turbo?
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Ive got a zero 1 made by hornby, this lets you run 18trains off 1 pair of wires... find out how this works and then go from there... would be very easy to do I would have thought..
David
David
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10 June 2002, 08:38 AM
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Had words with the old man! he's said need a Input output card cos hes an electrical engineer but a muppet at pcs! he can do laser, robots etc but can he hell fix theses
Si
Si
10 June 2002, 10:10 AM
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Location: Leeds - It was 562.4bhp@28psi on Optimax, How much closer to 600 with race fuel and a bigger turbo?
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no you dont... You can do it via the parallel port, you need to isolate it somehow though as you dont want to accidently send high voltages (as little as 12v) back in...
David
David
10 June 2002, 03:28 PM
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I would be interested in seeing what you do with this
/ or what you find out.. as the control could be modified for other things!
David
/ or what you find out.. as the control could be modified for other things!
David
11 June 2002, 04:52 PM
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I certainly dont think you need to go that far... you could talk read the inputs and outputs from the parrallel port...
or a max232 on the com port??
David
or a max232 on the com port??
David
06 October 2002, 05:24 PM
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Well I reckon You could use one of these Maplin Parrallel port cards...
http://www.maplin.co.uk/products/det...an&modulecode=
If you lookup the Specs on the Velleman site it can do....
Features
optically isolated from computer
16 optically isolated digital connections
9 analogue outputs, of which one is high precision and 4 analogue inputs
a simple way of controlling using Turbo Pascal, Turbo C, Qbasic, Visual Basic
printer bypass connector on board
simple connection with printer port
Specifications
digital outputs : optocoupler, open collector output : 50mA - max. 30VDC
digital inputs : optocoupler input : 5V/5mA, max. 20V/40mA analogue outputs :
8 outputs DAC1 to DAC8, resolution : 64 steps
minimum output voltage : 0.1V at 2mA
maximum output voltage : 11.5V adjustable at 2mA
resolution per step from 0.1 to 11.5V : 160mV +/- 90mV
1 precision output DA1, resolution : 256 steps
minimum output voltage : 0V
maximum output voltage : 4.5V adjustable at 0.5mA
resolution per step from 0 to 4.5V : 17.5mV
analogue inputs :
4 analogue inputs AD1 to AD4, resolution : 256 steps
minimum input voltage : 0V
maximum input voltage : 5V
input impedance : 50Mohm
resolution : 19.5mV
communication protocol : I²Cbus
LED indication for each I/O
25 pin D series connector for computer
25 pin D series connector for printer
supply voltage : 230Vac
PCB dimensions : 237 x 133mm (9.3" x 5.2")
Which should give you the voltage reqd. Not usre what current a train pulls but if 2mA is not enough you could combine it with the dimmer module which with a bit of tweaking (you have to do some work ) should control as many amps as you line on 12v ?
Being able to control the parrallel port from some web scripts should be easy. Then you can add bells and whistles - like a webcam on the front of the train - and control of a few signals.
Am I getting carried away now ?
[Edited by dsmith - 6/10/2002 5:25:56 PM]
http://www.maplin.co.uk/products/det...an&modulecode=
If you lookup the Specs on the Velleman site it can do....
Features
optically isolated from computer
16 optically isolated digital connections
9 analogue outputs, of which one is high precision and 4 analogue inputs
a simple way of controlling using Turbo Pascal, Turbo C, Qbasic, Visual Basic
printer bypass connector on board
simple connection with printer port
Specifications
digital outputs : optocoupler, open collector output : 50mA - max. 30VDC
digital inputs : optocoupler input : 5V/5mA, max. 20V/40mA analogue outputs :
8 outputs DAC1 to DAC8, resolution : 64 steps
minimum output voltage : 0.1V at 2mA
maximum output voltage : 11.5V adjustable at 2mA
resolution per step from 0.1 to 11.5V : 160mV +/- 90mV
1 precision output DA1, resolution : 256 steps
minimum output voltage : 0V
maximum output voltage : 4.5V adjustable at 0.5mA
resolution per step from 0 to 4.5V : 17.5mV
analogue inputs :
4 analogue inputs AD1 to AD4, resolution : 256 steps
minimum input voltage : 0V
maximum input voltage : 5V
input impedance : 50Mohm
resolution : 19.5mV
communication protocol : I²Cbus
LED indication for each I/O
25 pin D series connector for computer
25 pin D series connector for printer
supply voltage : 230Vac
PCB dimensions : 237 x 133mm (9.3" x 5.2")
Which should give you the voltage reqd. Not usre what current a train pulls but if 2mA is not enough you could combine it with the dimmer module which with a bit of tweaking (you have to do some work
) should control as many amps as you line on 12v ?Being able to control the parrallel port from some web scripts should be easy. Then you can add bells and whistles - like a webcam on the front of the train - and control of a few signals.
Am I getting carried away now ?
[Edited by dsmith - 6/10/2002 5:25:56 PM]
06 November 2002, 04:48 PM
#19
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Do you need to go anywhere near that complex?
Totally forgotten everything in my degree, but what about using the Transmit line of the serial port in a duty ratio type thing. Use this as the input for a transistor sinking the power, and smooth the resulting DC with a fat capacitor. Bung it all on a breadboard for £5
EDIT, Here we go - just to show I wasn't talking gibberish.
http://www.national.com/ms/LB/LB-18.pdf
[Edited by MrDeference - 6/11/2002 4:53:37 PM]
Totally forgotten everything in my degree, but what about using the Transmit line of the serial port in a duty ratio type thing. Use this as the input for a transistor sinking the power, and smooth the resulting DC with a fat capacitor. Bung it all on a breadboard for £5
EDIT, Here we go - just to show I wasn't talking gibberish.
http://www.national.com/ms/LB/LB-18.pdf
[Edited by MrDeference - 6/11/2002 4:53:37 PM]
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