User Tools

Site Tools


rocnet:rocnetnode-en

RocNetNode

RocNet system with Raspberry Pi microcomputers

Overview

The RocNetNode with its boards is a complete DIY Control System based on commonly used hardware standards.
It can be used for controlling:

  • Mobile decoders; Trains.
  • Switches, Multi aspect signals, FiddleYards, Turntables, Servos, Daylight…
  • Feedback, Occupancy, Inputs…

Standards

  • The well known I2C standard is used as bus between all GCA-Pi boards.
  • A standard Ethernet LAN is used as connection between Rocrail and the RocNetNodes.
  • The Open Source RocNet Protocol is used to communicate with Rocrail.

Boards

Node Interface 32-I/O 16-Servo Throttle G-Decoder Power Supply Transformer Sensor Relay Board
upload.wikimedia.org_wikipedia_commons_thumb_3_3d_raspberrypi.jpg_300px-raspberrypi.jpg gca-pi01_pict03.jpg gca_pi02_pict03.jpg gca_pi03_pict01.jpg pict5613.jpg gca_pi06_pict_02.jpg gca_pi07_pict03.jpg gca107_jumpers.jpg
RasPi GCA-Pi01 GCA-Pi02 GCA-Pi03 GCA-Pi04 GCA-Pi05 GCA-Pi06 GCA-Pi07 GCA107

Raspberry Pi

The popular 'credit-card-sized' computer is used as base of the RocNetNode.

Supported Boards
  • Raspberry Zero
  • Raspberry Pi 1, 2 and 3

The Raspberry Pi 4 is currently not supported.

It can be used as software command station too, using DCC232 or SPROG.
“Raspberry Pi" is a trademark of the Raspberry Pi Foundation.

GCA-Pi06 5V Power Supply

5V 3A Power supply and patch panel. (Preferred over power adapters.)

GCA-Pi01 Interface

The interface between the Raspberry Pi and the I2C bus.

GCA-Pi02 32 I/O

32 programmable I/O ports with MACRO support for signal aspects.
It is compatible with all GCA interface boards.
The GCA-107 Multi purpose Relay board can be used for frog polarization.

GCA-Pi03 16 Servo

16 PWM ports for controlling servos, LEDs…
The GCA77 can be connected for max 24V 500 mA dc per port.
Even higher values in dc are possible with GCA76
Both buffer boards are each able of dimming 8 independent outputs.

GCA-Pi04 Throttle

A hand held throttle with 28 functions at hand.

GCA-PI07 Transformer Sensor

Zero loss current detection.
Due to some no longer available parts, this unit is no longer available, see GCA94 instead.

Ordering information

Cables

All boards are accepting RJ45 and/or RJ12 connectors.
The RJ45 connector can be used with CAT-5 patch cables.
The RJ12 compatible cables are commonly used by Digitrax LocoNet® and Lenz Xpressnet systems.

Max cable length

i2c-topologie.jpeg
The data cable should not be connected to the 5V+.

Configuration

A very comfortable Configuration utility is provided in Rocrail.
Updating a RocNetNode is done with just a single mouse click.


Features

  • No firmware needed, just plain Linux-C and Rocrail libraries.
  • RocNet UDP Multicast
  • 128 I/O ports.
  • Delayed off inputs for occupancy detectors.
  • Pulse timed outputs with off event.
  • Blink function for outputs.
  • Loco and Function commands.
  • POM
  • Command Station support:
  • Shutdown event on kill; Rocrail will power off and stop all trains.
  • Send every second an identification message until it is acknowledged. This procedure is restarted after the host reported a shutdown.
  • Start of Day support. After an identify acknowledge the current input status will be broadcasted.
  • Sensor acknowledge; Ten times retry every 500ms.
  • Save the output state on "global power off" for restoring them at restart of the RocNetNode.
  • Nodes which identify itself with ID 65535 receive automatically an ID in the normal range: 2…65534.
  • 128 macros with max. 8 commands each.
  • One click software update.
  • 128 PWM channels for servos, signals and lighting.
  • RocMouse support.
  • A RasPi/RocNetNode can be mounted in a large scale locomotive when using a USB-WiFi stick for reporting the RFID tags, controlling the decoder with a S-Nano and offers 128 I/O.


Addressing

The addressing is linear: FADA
Only the Bus(ID) and the Address(RasPi Port) fields are used.

Loco

  1. DCC232 / SPROG
    • Bus → RocNetID (Or default Loco Bus.)
    • Address → addrH + addrL
    • Bus → 0
    • Address → RocNetID

Accessories

Default

  • Bus → RocNetID
  • Address → Port (1…128)

DCC

  • Bus → RocNetID
  • Address → Address (FADA)
  • Type → DCC, MM, …

Servos

  • Bus → RocNetID
  • Address → Port (1…128)
  • Single gate
  • Port type:
    • Digital port: Switch or Accessory
    • PWM channel: Servo

Sensors

  • Bus → RocNetID
  • Address → Port (Pi02: 1…128, Pi07: 129-160)

Signal Aspects

Signal aspect numbers are mapped to Macros:

  • Bus → RocNetID
  • Address-1 → Macro port offset
  • Aspect → Macro number (1…32)

Output Macro Type

  • Bus → RocNetID
  • Address → Macro number (1…32)
  • Parameter → Macro number (1…32) for the Off command in case set > 0

Output Light Type

  • Bus → RocNetID
  • Address → PWM Channel (1…128)
  • Value → Brightness (0…255), this value will be multiplied by 16 in RocNetNode.

Output Color Light Type

  • Bus → RocNetID
  • Address → Not used
  • Color channel RGBWW → PWM Channel (1…128); Both white channels are optional and can be set to zero to disable them.
  • Value → Brightness (0…255), this value will be multiplied by 16 in RocNetNode.


Example(s)

Switch

Signal

Turntable

rocnet/rocnetnode-en.txt · Last modified: 2023/04/29 16:43 by rjversluis