Just read this on the Atlas site so thought I'd post it here. Here is the future control system for our layouts that utilises a wireless network. For more information click on this link The Industry's First Truly Wireless NMRA DCC System! Would be interested to get some feedback on whether this is truelly a ground breaking discovery
From the diagram, surely that just provides wireless throttles rather than being completely wireless. You still need the layout-side wiring to run the train? Or am I reading that wrong? Does look like a cool bit of kit though.
So basically, it's just wireless throttles then. But a clever use of the PDA's nonetheless. Now the next big thing I would think would be to remove the bus wiring and work that wirelessly, leaving traction power only feeding to the tracks.
Hey Paul I think the primary difference here is that they are using existing wireless technology to provide true wireless throttles. The only difference here is that the throttle is a PDA rather than a standard controller, but the software that KAM industries provides allows for full functionality of the system. Personally, I have Lenz 100, a CTI system and it all links via an LI101 computer interface. It would be easy to add a PDA and the Kam industries software. I think its important to remember that Lenz is European and that has some special requirements to ensure its systems can be used world-wide and not just in North America. Although happily ignored by many, it is, actually, illegal to use Digitrax radio throttles in the UK (and I believe the rest of Europe) for example, as the radio frequencies used are reserved for the mobile phone network (I think it is). This was also the basis behind Lenzs' XPA telephone wireless adaptor rather than a specific throttle, so it could be used anywhere in the world. Likewise different countries use different frequencies for different things, so by using existing wireless technologies, Lenz are building a system that has world wide availability, not just North America. The wireless technology does work well. Because of the systems I have here at home, I can.. if I want, actually use a wireless network at home to drive my layout from another room in the house (although why I would want to is another question entirely) I think its a fine idea to re-use existing technologies to cut down on development costs, and produce something that is universal and has world-wide availability as opposed to just concentrating on one specific area. I see this as just a next step in combining existing technologies to give us, the user, the most proven, most reliable route forward for our control systems Regards
Basic PDA's are still a reasonable cost, though. But the added advantage of customisable (if the option is available) screens.... I wonder if the system will support transmission of train orders to the remote PDA throttles from a dispatcher (at the PC, say)? Possibly a third-party programme?
What I envision to be a cool feature is a "hot key" to toggle to a live video feed of your train in hidden trackage such as staging. The throttle overlay would still be there on-screen to control the speed, etc. Also, you could toggle to track diagrams that would aid in throwing turnouts using the stylus. (this feature alone would be HUGE!) And of course the train orders/switch lists could also be included.
What is so new about this? Digitrax has offered basically the same product for a couple of years now. http://www.digitrax.biz/prd_compint_lpm100.php David
As mentioned already, it's not quite new. A variation on wireless throttles. Seems more like a playtoy for those few with more excess cash than the rest of us........ Boxcab E50
I can see having a wireless PDA (or even plain old wired) with a color screen that gives a track plan and a way to control the turnouts would be very cool. My friend brought his Palm over to our mutual friend's layout and couldn't get it to control the locos for some reason. Work to be done, but loco control and turnout control (via maps) I can see.
Hi all ermmm nope.. Digitrax system is not wireless, and it is a very specific subset of palm units.. it is not the same system at all. Lenz unit is any unit running Windows CE and is a true wireless system, usuable in any country in the world utilising a full TCP/IP network interchange format. As to having track displays and turnout control on the palm unit for the Lenz system then that is possible. Using an ancilliary system such as CTI or any of the others, using the Windows CE VB interface, or the CTI Acela programming card, all of the layout control could be done.. my only concern is that the screen display could be too small. It may be we still need a piece of control software written to do this, but with the advances made by KAM technologies and CTI, I think its just a matter of time, and not that much Thats basically what I have on my computer screen, although not PDA. I have a wired system that controls all the layout, switches, power routing, signalling and all ancilliary functions such as building lighting etc etc. Means I can change my control panel anytime I like and not have to change any wiring It also replaces my fading memory in so far as if I am running on the layout and approach a switch set against me it resets the switch to prevent a short, and if I run a signal at red, the system takes control and brings my train to a halt to prevent a cornfield meet. Hey, it may not be everyones idea of playing trains, but I like it Regards [ 19. November 2004, 22:39: Message edited by: Graham Evans ]
I'm still trying to figure out why any one would want a Microsoft product working their hobby or running their trains? This sounds like a recipe for disaster. What happens when the windows CE product crashes or locks up?
