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can-gcln-en

CAN-GCLN

Firmware Programming

Kits will be delivered with pre-programmed chips.
Self programming of firmware is easily done with the right equipment,
and is not realy difficult.
There are many ways to achieve that :

and many others.


Introduction

The CAN-GCLN is a CBUS-LocoNet® Bridge for sharing specific hardware modules not available on the other side of the bridge or just for migrating from LocoNet® to CBUS without loss of investments.

LocoNet® is a trademark of Digitrax, Inc.


The Bottle Neck

The bottle neck is the big difference between the CBUS and the LocoNet transfer rate.
CBUS uses 125KBit/s and LocoNet 16KBit/s.
This implicates that a burst on the CBUS side can't be broadcasted to the LocoNet side.
The goal is to make a buffer as large as possible to deal with this, but filtering will be the best option to prevent overflows.


LocoNet CS with CAN-GC3

Together with CAN-GC3 this Bridge can be used as LocoNet Command Station with service track.
All needed commands are translated into CBUS and visa versa.
To keep sessions alive at the CAN-GC3 side it automatically send every 10 seconds idle time a keep alive request for all active slots.
This is needed because the default purge time in LocoNet Command Stations is much longer then the session timeout in the CAN-GC3.


Features

  • Support for Digitrax Transponding.
  • Support for Uhlenbrock Lissy(IR) and MARCo(Railcom®) Receivers.
  • Support for Wheel counter GCA141.
  • Fast clock from CBUS to LocoNet
  • Jumper to enable power on the RJ12 connectors.
  • Loconet throttle support; Dispatch from Loconet and CBUS.
  • Loco 8 functions and lights.
  • Start of Day LocoNet → CBUS.
  • Service track: R/W CVs.
  • Programming on the main: PoM.
  • Slot ping after 10 sec idle.
  • Extra feature : Just assembled with connectors, this board is very well suitable as a LocoNet hub.


Dispatching a Loco

Before the dispatch command the loco must have a valid CBUS session which can be forced by a zero speed command in Rocview.
Without a CBUS session it is not possible to dispatch a loco for a FRED(i) or other LocoNet throttle.


Filtering

Filtering is needed from CBUS to LocoNet because CBUS makes no distinction between input and output accessory events.


Address mapping

Setup

LocoNet

Read only

Only LocoNet packets are translated to CBUS, not visa versa.

CBUS sensor events

Enable the CBUS sensor filter.

Start of day

Translate "CBUS Start of Day" to LocoNet to get the actual LocoNet sensor status.

CBUS

CANID

The ID on the CAN bus.

SoD

Start of Day event number.

Switch filter

Filter definition for the event number range to be translated from CBUS to LocoNet as switch requests.

Sensor filter

Filter definition for the event number range to be translated from CBUS to LocoNet as sensor reports.


Jumper settings

Jumper Purpose
JP1 jumper set 120 Ohm terminator to Can bus connected
JP2 jumper 1-2 +12V to RJ12 connector railsync + line
JP2 jumper 2-3 Railsync+ from central unit to RJ12 connector railsync+ line
JP3 jumper set 15 mA Current source Loco-I/O line


LocoNet current source, what is that?


Click __here__ for a brief explanation about it.

Hardware

The schematics
The PC-baord and parts positions
The bill of materials
Gerber files
N.B. Only complete ordered kits will be supported!

The final board

Connectors, LEDS and Jumpers

Connector Description
J1 CAN-GCA
J2 CAN-GCA
J3 MERG
J4 GCA LocoNet
J5 GCA LocoNet
J6 RJ12 LocoNet
J7 RJ12 LocoNet
ICSP1 PIC Programming


Jumpers

Jumper Description Remark
JP1 CAN Termination
JP2 LocoNet 12V on RailSync Remove if any LocoNet central unit or CAN-GC3 is connected !!!!!
JP3 15 mA source to LoocNet signal line Not needed if any LocoNet central unit or CAN-GC3 is connected


Led signalling

LED Description
1 CBUS read activity
2 CBUS write activity
3 LocoNet read activity
4 LocoNet write activity
5 Run
6 FLiM Programming, LocoNet traffic (R/W), LocoNet buffer overflow


Files

can-gcln-en.txt · Last modified: 2020/07/06 14:51 by phg