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+====== GCA51 2 x RFID + 8 input ports ======
+[[english|{{  rocrail-logo-35.png}}]]
+[[english|Content]] -> [[hardware-en|Hardware]] -> [[hardware-en#locoio|GCA]]
+  *  [[mgv-overview-en|The GCA Modules]]
+    * [[:lnsv-en|Setup dialog]] | [[:loconet:lio-sw:lio-sw|Setup protocol]]
+{{ :gca:gca51_proto_pict08.gif?200}}
+\\
+^^^^By Peter Giling ^^^^
+===== Description =====
+Using the ID-12 or ID-20 RFID sensor, based on the idea of MERG, RFID in GCA units was first only possible with CAN-GC4, so for CBUS only.\\
+Thanks to Rob, who opened the option to use it in RocNet as well.\\
+But this ID-12 is a rather expensive solution, and also the used frequency of 125 kHz could be disturbed\\
+too easy by the lokdecoder itself.\\
+ID-12 together with one other sensor ID-20 were also pretty slow.\\
+But for LNet there was no solution yet\\
+Thanks to the large amount of time that several enthousiastic Railroaders invested in this matter, \\
+the use of the much cheaper and better RC522 came in view.\\
+Special thanks to Viktor, Robert, Liviu and last but not least Gerard, we thank them this very nice solution.\\
+As mentioned before, this RFID solution is based on the RC522 sensor, which is widely available for a good price.\\
+Also the transponder to be fixed in or under the locs and, eventually, also under the waggons and pullmans, is very cheap.\\
+The unit as described here is made for LNet specially.\\
+It is based on a Atgmega processor , and to make programming easy for almost anybody, without the need for\\
+special programmers, the Atmel is traded for an Arduino Uno.\\
+Now the Ardiono Nano, if bought by yourself, can be programmed using the on board USB connection.\\
+There is no need here for special programming devices.\\
+See below under firmware.\\
+GCA51 contains two inputs for RC522 sensor, and 8 x input ports like it's standard brother GCA50.\\
+Also GCA51 has connections for standard RJ12 LNet connectors, as wel as GCA-LNet with the much more reliable SUB-D solution.\\
+GCA51 can also be used for adapting between both connection options, but only for the LNet communication.\\
+Supply is not transferred between RJ12 connectors and SUB-D connectors,\\
+due to the rather strange situation that Railsync in LocoNet is used to supply the LocoNet modules,\\
+Railsync itself is yet transferred.\\
+Rocrail is 100 % ready for RFID, so now you have a perfect system, capable of indicating each moving part on your railroad separately.\\
+The transponders are passive in a way, that they do not need any power, which makes it specially easy for waggons.\\
+The unit is made to fit in standard LTD-01 box.\\
+===== Supply =====
+The board needs 5 V supply.
+The total demand for the GCA51 when all I/O and RFID sensors are connected, exceeds easy 200- 300 mA.\\
+This is a bit too much for a standard linear regulator like the good old 7805, since we have a supply form LocoNet or GCA LNet of 12V or even more.\\
+It means that regulator should have a cooling for the 7 x 0,3 = 2,1 Watt.\\
+Slowly the switching regulators are getting cheaper.\\
+So the choice was now made to use a RECOM R-78E 5V type wich can easily handle 1 Amp, without any addional cooling at all.\\
+This also means that the total consumption load from the LocoNet or GCA LNet supply is less than half, compared to a linear regulator.\\
+But if you like to use the linear type with a cooling , it fits anyway and can replace the Recom.\\
+The RC522 sensors need 3,3 V which is coming from the Arduino Nano unit.\\
+\\
+GCA51 has two ways of connection:\\
+- via GCA-LNet D-connectors\\
+- via standard RJ12 connectors.\\
+In both situations the power is connected between the two connectors (Railsync + / - in case of RJ12)\\
+Between D-Connector and RJ12, only Ground and LNet signal is passed through.\\
+This is done to avoid any railsync problems.\\
+High speed diodes D1,D2 and D3 take care of that.\\
+===== Connection Hall sensors =====
+Hall sensors can be connected directly to GCA51 connectors H1..H8.\\
+Ports 9 to 16 are available for that, which are also used for interface boards like GCA93,GCA94, GCA107 and many others.\\
+The connection wires between Hallsensor and GCA51 can be up to approx 2 meters.\\
+Please be careful not to feed those wires parallel with rails and rail wires.\\
+If that is inevitable, keep a distance of 10cm  (approx 4'').\\
+Straight angle crossing is no problem.\\
+A bit of twisting these wires (also the rail wires) will inprove protection to any distorsion.\\
+Be sure to install RP1 and RP2 with a value of 4 x 470 Ohm each for best performance.\\
+Below, a drawing is downloadable of how to connect hallsensors.\\
+{{:mgv:hardware:connection_tle4905.pdf|Connection TLE4905 hallsensor}}\\
+\\
+===== Connection of driver boards =====
+All driver boards for input and output like GCA76, GCA77, GCA93, GCA94, GCA107, GCA173  etc, can all be used to connect to J1.\\
+Programming of the these I/O ports can be done in Rocrail using menue's Programming > GCA > GCA50\\
+Ports 9 to 16 are available for that, which are also used for hall-senor connection\\
+Up until now, only pulse outputs are not supported.\\
+Maybe in the short future, that will also be available.\\
+We are still looking for somebody to take up that programming task.\\
+\\
+===== Pull-up resistors for input signals. =====
+If connector J1 is used for inputs like GCA93 and GCA94, it is better to use pull-resistors.\\
+RP1 and RP2 are used for that.\\
+A standard value of 10 KOhm is usually sufficient.\\
+They are deliberately inserted in sockets, so they can be adapted in value for best performance, or removed when outputs are selected.\\
+For hall-sensor use, these resistor arrays should be between 470 Ohm and 1 Kohm, to guarantee a\\
+most reliable and distorsion free functioning.\\
+\\
+===== Schematic drawing and pcb =====
+|  {{:gca51_sch.pdf|The schematic drawing}}  |
+|  {{:gca:gca51_pcb.pdf|The pcb with parts positions}}  |
+|  {{:gca:gca51_partslist.pdf|The bill of materials}}  |
+\\
+\\
+===== Firmware =====
+|  {{:gca:gca51.zip|The .hex for Arduino Nano}}  |
+\\
+**For Window users only! (as far as I know)**.\\
+To make it simple for programming the Nano.\\
+The zip file above also contains a //GCA51.hex// file.\\
+Download, install and execute the program Xloader here {{:http://www.hobbytronics.co.uk/arduino-xloader}}\\
+Then use it to program the hex. file via USB, no Arduino program needed.\\
+\\
+===== PCBoard and Kit =====
+Expecting end of april 2016\\
+===== Possible connector setup. =====
+Two main setup options are available in this unit.\\
+**These are all prototypes.!! Professional made pc-board are available now.**\\
+|  SUB-D male and female for GCA LNET and  \\  1 x RJ12 for standard LocoNet  \\  in LTD-01 box.  |  Same without the box  |   2x RJ12 for standard LocoNet compatibility  \\  in LTD-01 box.  |
+|  {{:gca:gca51_pict03.jpg?200}}  |  {{:gca:gca51_pict04.jpg?200}}  |  {{:gca:gca51_pict05.jpg?200}}  |
+===== How to connect and use RC522 RFID sensor board =====
+[[RC522-sensor-board.en|Click here for the RC522 page]]
+{{ :gca:rc522_with_pss254-8w_connector.gif?150}}

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