Project Diary

http://DansDepot.railfan.net

Last Update

July

week 5

• Project wrap up and documentation
• Proposed solution for next attempt
• UHF bi derectional coms MAXIM and PIC chips to be investigated

week 4

Technical problems and lack of time before the Open Day deadline has unfortunately caused the demise of this project. Details to be released as time permits.


• mds. PGC woes working but too late
• mds. PGC driven H bridge installed in loco. (Loco driver)
• ajh. simulator to send simple serial port commands to change points
• ajh. simulator to send loco speed commands
• njh. photo shoot for open day posters

week 3

• mds. hardware for PGC
• njh. linux program to send serial coms in sync with PWM pulse from PC LPT port.
• Use hardware CTS handshaking to sync data.
• replaced with PIC hardware. see rail driver
• mds. PIC loco driver firmware
• mds. PIC rail driver firmware
• mds. converted H bridge driver to single nor gate package

week 2

• mds. Rail line driver to interface PGC to Rail
• mds. make smart point modules
• bmo. points out a possible soloution to the IR sensor

week 1

• mds. interlace serial with power on track(we have decided to do this in the PC)
• mds. simple UHF serial commands to PIC in loco. Basicly control locos motor speed
• mds. minature robust h bridge for loco. uP(PIC) driven
• mds. IR sensor sleeper detector. In situ results

June

week 4

• mds. trial UHF ASK coms from train for debugging
• mds to test H bridge drive circuit for loco
• ERROR. problem struck on ID IR sensor.

Dynamic range on bar code reading techniques exceeded!!
• mds to test sleeper counting sensor

New loco has limited internal room. Sleeper sensor to be positioned in rolling stock carriage.
Rolling stock car requires mod to allow power pickup. Results.
• 1st layout now has points, a siding and an uncoupler.

New loco was swapped for better performer and inclusive of kadee couplers.
Loop layout wood was cut.

week 3

• mds to test car ID using IR sensor
• mds to build test loop and add 2nd set of points to 1st layout
• mds decides to finish 1st test layout and also make new loop layout
• mds tests new track and gear with old layout. All works fine.(results)
• njh starts on project simulation software using python
• njh and mds purchase track,points,point motors,loco and 5 carriages
• we decide to build a circular loop and single point test board that can be easily transported between testing grounds
• mds restores 2nd hand layout for use as initial tests

week 2

• mds tests IR sensor over track with good results
• project requires initial release of funds to test IR sensors

week1

• mds produces a IR prototype on test bench




May

• njh meets with others to determine budget constraints and clarify expected project results
• mds starts working on IR detection sensors for ID and location system
• njh approaches mds and starts to produce a mental picture of the project