DCC++ HAT (Raspberry Pi)

[dcutting]

The DCC++ HAT is here!!! Should be available in June from CESM (www.cescalemodels.com/dcc)




Features:

- 5 Amps on both main and programming track, with 6A peak current (I designed a huge heat sink into both the top and bottom copper layers). A lot of members of the DCC++ FB group have expressed interest in this feature because of the current 2A limitation of the L298.

- ATmega328P running at 16MHz 3.3V (because I didn't want to have to level shift 5V for the Pi). This will act as the DCC++ side of things because I don't want to have to port all of the code to the Rpi. The Rpi in this case will either serve as the JMRI controller in most cases.

- EEPROM chip that stores info about the HAT as specified by the Rpi foundation HAT Spec. It will allow the Rpi to detect the presence of the shield and verify that it is the correct one.

- Communicates with Rpi over Serial (UART). Basically the USB interface from before, but without all of the USB bits that make USB boards expensive.

- Programming requires external ICSP programmer (you can use your arduino). Programming directly from the Rpi would have been challenging and risky, with different voltages and connected hardware.

- 100% compatible with existing DCC++ Code, as it uses the same pins and microcontroller

If you have any questions or suggestions, I'd love to hear them below.

[peteski]

Runs at 8 milli Hertz? That's wicked slow!  You probably meant 8MHz (small "m means" milli while large "M" means Mega).   

[dcutting]

  My bad... and I'm actually running at 16MHz because the libraries are written for that speed.

[John]

David .. your website says sold out --- thats good ...   

[Philip H]

So for Us non-computer- nerds what does this thing do? What would I use it for with my NCE powercab system?

[C855B]

So for Us non-computer- nerds what does this thing do? What would I use it for with my NCE powercab system?

https://sites.google.com/site/dccppsite/home

Ostensibly, it replaces your NCE system. DCC++ is command station software designed to run on inexpensive microcontrollers like Arduino and RaspberryPi. The tricky part (for the user building the command station) is the hardware converting all the bits and bytes to DCC-modulated power to put on the rails, which is what David is offering here in his new board.

IOW, it's a way to get to a pretty cheap DCC command station - under $100 - with built-in JMRI interface. Adding to the cost is requring an external computer, although many of us have an old PC gathering dust in a closet, and the PC side doesn't need the latest and greatest.

It's an interesting solution for low-cost DCC which would appeal to the robotics and neo-tinkerer crowd already familiar with the Arduino, etc., or somebody wanting to explore that world. Definitely "geek" territory, although David's board moves it slightly closer to plug-n-play.

[dcutting]

David .. your website says sold out --- thats good ...   

Wait until June and there will be stock. I'm also looking into distributors.

https://sites.google.com/site/dccppsite/home

Ostensibly, it replaces your NCE system. DCC++ is command station software designed to run on inexpensive microcontrollers like Arduino and RaspberryPi. The tricky part (for the user building the command station) is the hardware converting all the bits and bytes to DCC-modulated power to put on the rails, which is what David is offering here in his new board.

IOW, it's a way to get to a pretty cheap DCC command station - under $100 - with built-in JMRI interface. Adding to the cost is requring an external computer, although many of us have an old PC gathering dust in a closet, and the PC side doesn't need the latest and greatest.

It's an interesting solution for low-cost DCC which would appeal to the robotics and neo-tinkerer crowd already familiar with the Arduino, etc., or somebody wanting to explore that world. Definitely "geek" territory, although David's board moves it slightly closer to plug-n-play.

Well said - I plan to offer a pre-flashed SD card and a case with the power supply too so that it becomes a truly plug-and-play system - all you would then need is a keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

[jagged ben]

What does HAT stand for? 

[nkalanaga]

I doubt that it's what I usually think of - names for planets around other stars.  "Hungarian-made Automated Telescope" (network), HATnet, names their discoveries HAT-P#.

"Homemade Automated Throttle", maybe?

I have no idea, and am just guessing...

[C855B]

Guys, here you go: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/introducing-raspberry-pi-hats/

"Hardware Attached on Top" 

[u18b]

So......
This is a Raspberry Pi computer board with a DCC control unit married to it?

Then I assume this can run Linux operating system?

If the questions above are all yes, then I am very interested.

[C855B]

Yes and yes. Normal Raspberry Pi OS is a Debian Linux variant called "Raspbian".

[dcutting]

So......
This is a Raspberry Pi computer board with a DCC control unit married to it?

Then I assume this can run Linux operating system?

If the questions above are all yes, then I am very interested.

As C855B said, this device runs linux. I'm also working on its ability to run the Wondows 10 IoT core, we will see how that goes. I'm working on the next version of the board, will post in next few days with details. I'm including some really exciting new features... think locnet-esque system but modernized and open-sourced.

Guys, here you go: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/introducing-raspberry-pi-hats/

"Hardware Attached on Top" 

Right you are... at least the acronym sounds cool... maybe I should offer some DCC++ bowler hats 

[Philip H]

Nah - for the hipsters you need DCC ++ trilby's

[nkalanaga]

Mike:  Thank you.  I never would have guessed that one...