OpenLCB Development Board (AT90CAN ver.) REV B

Posted by on 26 Feb, 2011 in Devices and Software | 0 comments

Update 09 March 2011: Of course, one should always order parts and try placing them on a printout of the PCB before one ever commits to a layout. Naturally, that’s what I did, and indeed I found mistakes in some of the footprints (for example, in the AT90CAN128 footprint—that would have been a problem!). So, please note, I’ve just now uploaded an updated PCB and schematic file; check the date on the schematic, it should read “2011-03-09″. Schematics and PCB layout for my latest project, the OpenLCB Development Board, are now available. I expect to have these off for...

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Introducing the OpenLCB Development Board (AT90CAN ver.)

Posted by on 5 Feb, 2011 in Devices and Software | 6 comments

I’ve cast my lot with OpenLCB. Having designed a booster, the next logical step is to design a command station (which generates the DCC signal) and a cab (which provides the human interface to the layout). The command station and cab have to talk to each other, and there are a number of possibilities. These include (but are not limited to): Digitrax LocoNet Lenz XpressNet NCE Cab Bus MERG CBUS OpenLCB …&c. LocoNet is particularly popular in North America, being the product of industry giant Digitrax. They even offer a royalty-free license for a usable subset of the protocol....

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