Release 0.3 Rolling Thunder Technical Reference Manual
INTRODUCTION Introduction Rolling Thunder consists of one transmitter in a Paragon 3 Rolling Thunder equipped locomotive and one Rolling Thunder receiver connected to a bass sub-woofer. The transmitted sounds range from 1hz to 1khz allowing great bass response never achievable in Ho model railroading. DCC Characteristics 14 bit addressing 7 bit addressing (1-127) Operations mode support for all CV settings Configuration Variable Access Acknowledgement in Service mode Direct, Address Only, Physical Addressing and Paged CV Addressing Modes support in Service Mode including Write and Verify DC characteristics DCMaster uses Direct Mode for CV Programming All CV s Programmable and Readable General Characteristics Locomotive Mute Silences the Bass Sub-Woofer Locomotive Volume Controls the Bass Sub-Woofer Volume ThunderTune Tune you Thunder Sounds; Set the parameters best for your layout Full Graphical Display; Use Computer with Windows and USB Port Read Locomotive Track Voltage as the Locomotive Moves 2
Operation Connect your Rolling Thunder receiver to your train track power using the supplied power cable. Connect your bass sub-woofer to the rca jack on the receiver and power on the sub-woofer. Once power is supplied to the receiver, the front led will blink rapidly about 5 seconds. During this time, if service mode is detected, the receiver will accept any service mode commands. If service mode is not detected, the led lights solidly, indicating proper functioning. When a Rolling Thunder equipped locomotive reaches the vicinity of the receiver, the receiver starts to play the low frequency sounds received from the locomotive. As the locomotive moves away from the receiver, the sounds will diminish and go off until another Rolling Thunder equipped locomotive approaches the receiver. The distance of reception may be changed by varying the transmitter power CV213 in the locomotive. Each Rolling Thunder locomotive should be set to a unique transmit frequency. CV212 and CV213 allows for 58 unique locomotive transmit frequencies. Pressing the switch next to the led enters DCC programming in operations mode for the receiver. Pressing the switch causes the led to flash rapidly, indicating the receiver is ready to receive DCC commands. The bass sub-woofer is disabled during DCC programming. Several commands cause the receiver to reset (CV213, CV8=8) while all other CV writes will not cause a reset. Pressing the switch while the led is rapidly flashing in DCC programming mode exits DCC programming mode and the bass sub-woofer is enabled. 3
Operation Factory Reset Hold the switch for 3 seconds while apply power forces a receiver factory reset. Operations Mode CV Programming After the receiver is powered up using track power and stops flashing, press the button to enter DCC programming. The bass sub-woofer is disabled during DCC programming. Several commands cause the receiver to reset (CV213, CV8=8) while all other CV writes will not cause a reset. Pressing the switch while the led is rapidly flashing exits the programming mode. Multiple Transmitters Program the Rolling Thunder locomotive to a unique channel (CV212). The factory default is channel 1. Each transmitter must have a unique address. The receiver has a digital filter for the receive signal strength. As the locomotive gets closer and further away from the receiver, the signal strength increases or decreases. Once the receiver strength attains this level, the receiver locks to the locomotive. Once the signal strength reaches the signal level of CV135, the volume starts increasing at the rate specified by CV130, until the volume reaches maximum volume specified by CV131. The receiver scans the selected channels if insufficient signal strength is found. The signal strength necessary is set by CV141. The channels scanned are set by CV142 and CV143. For a single transmitter system, CV142 and CV143 are set to channel 1, the default transmitter channel. 4
Operation The receiver only scans channels in the selected frequency sub-band, which is controlled by CV213. The transmitter and receiver must both be set to the same sub-band. Default Receiver Mode: Single transmitter operating on channel one. Please Note: The CV Defaults may vary from Locomotive to Locomotive. 5
CV Initial Yours 1 Primary Address 1 7 Manufacturer Version? 8 Manufacturer ID 38 11 Packet Timeout 2 17 Extended Address MSB 192 18 Extended Address LSB 128 29 Configuration Bits 0 130 Volume Rate of Change 2 131 Maximum Volume 128 132 Minimum Volume 0 133 RSS Digital Filter Coefficient 4 135 Signal Strength Volume Increase 135 136 Signal Strength Volume Decrease 111 140 Signal Search Dwell Time 80 141 Lock Signal Strength 100 142 Start Scan Channel 1 143 End Scan Channel 1 213 Transmitter/Receiver Frequency/Power 192 6
CV1 Receiver Primary Address The Receivers Primary Address is Stored Here Bits 0-6 contain an address with a value between 1 and 127 1 None 0 A6 A5 A4 A3 A2 A1 A0 The decoder responds to all valid commands if the address matches the value in CV1 and CV29 Bit 5 is set to 0. Programming CV1 will program CV19 (Consists Address) to zero and programs CV29 Bit 5 to 0 (Extended Addressing Off). 7
CV7 Receiver Manufacturer Version Number The Decoders Read Only Type/Revision is Stored Here None D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0 This value cannot be modified. 8
CV8 Receiver Manufacturer ID The Decoders NMRA Assigned Number is Stored Here. Broadway Limited is assigned ID 38. 38 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 Setting CV8 to 8 resets all CVs back to their original manufactured values Receiver Note: The receiver will automatically reset when this CV is changed. 9
CV11 Receiver Packet Time-Out Value Maximum Time in Seconds Between Valid DCC Packets. 0-255 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 This value determines the maximum time elapsed in receiving a valid DCC packet. 10
CV17 and CV18 Receiver Extended Address This Value Contains the Decoders Extended Address and is Valid Only if CV29 Bit 5 is 1 From 0 to 10239 are Valid 1100 0000 1000 0000 (Engine 128) CV29 Bit 5 Bit 15 Bit 8 1 1 A13 A12 A11 A10 A9 A8 CV17 Extended Address MSB A7 A6 A5 A4 A3 A2 A1 A0 CV18 Extended Address LSB CV17 Valid are 1100 0000 thru 1110 0111 CV18 Valid are 0000 0000 thru 0000 0000 11
CV29 Receiver Configuration Bits Decoder Configuration Feature Bits 0 (Primary Address) CV1, CV17, CV18 0 0 EA 0 0 0 0 0 Bit 5: Bit 4: Bit 2: Bit 1: Bit 0: EA (Extended Address Mode Enable) 0 = Decoder Responds to Primary Address CV1 1 = Decoder Responds to Extended Address CV17, CV18 Not Used Not Used Not Used Not Used 12
CV130 Receivers Volume Rate of Change Rate Volume Increases or Decreases with Signal Strength 2 CV131, CV132, CV133 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 This value sets the rate of change of volume once the receiver detects the Rolling Thunder Equipped Locomotive. The volume is increased by this value. A larger number means the volume increases much quicker. 13
CV131 Receivers Maximum Volume Volume at Maximum Signal Strength 128 CV130, CV132, CV133 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Once sufficient signal is found, the volume increases to this maximum value. 14
CV132 Receivers Minimum Volume Volume at Minimum Signal Strength 0 CV130, CV131, CV133 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Once the signal falls to an insufficient value, the volume decreases by CV130 until this value (CV132) is reached. 15
CV133 RSS Digital Filter Coefficient Digital Filter Coefficient for the Receiver Signal Strength 0-16 4 CV130, CV131,CV132 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 The receiver has a digital filter for the receive signal strength. As the locomotive gets closer and further away from the receiver, the signal strength increases or decreases. The signal level needs filtering. The filter coefficient determines the effect of change on the existing filtered level. As the value is increased, the filter changes slower. As this value is decreased, the filter changes faster. 16
CV135 Signal Strength Volume Increase Required Receiver Signal Strength to Increase Sub-Woofer Volume 0-255 135 CV130, CV131,CV132, CV136 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 The receiver has a digital filter for the receive signal strength. As the locomotive gets closer and further away from the receiver, the signal strength increases or decreases. Once the receiver strength reaches this level, the volume starts increasing at the increment in CV130. Note: This value must be greater than CV136. 17
CV136 Signal Strength Volume Decrease Required Receiver Signal Strength to Decrease Sub-Woofer Volume 0-255 111 CV130, CV131,CV132, CV135 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 The receiver has a digital filter for the receive signal strength. As the locomotive gets closer and further away from the receiver, the signal strength increases or decreases. Once the receiver strength falls below this level, the volume starts decreasing at the increment in CV130. Note: This value must be less than CV135. 18
CV140 Signal Search Dwell Time Channel Scan Signal Dwell Time 0-255 80 CV141, CV142, CV143 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 The receiver has a digital filter for the receive signal strength. As the locomotive gets closer and further away from the receiver, the signal strength increases or decreases. A delay is necessary, allowing the signal strength to build so the strength can be read. Increasing this value allows more time, but will slow down the scan time, resulting in a delay to lock upon an approaching locomotive. Too small a value may not allow any signal lock. 19
CV141 Lock Signal Strength Required Receiver Signal Strength to Lock a Transmitter 0-255 100 CV140, CV142, CV143 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 The receiver has a digital filter for the receive signal strength. As the locomotive gets closer and further away from the receiver, the signal strength increases or decreases. Once the receiver strength attains this level, the receiver locks to the locomotive. Once the signal strength reaches the signal level of CV135, the volume starts increasing at the rate specified by CV130, until the volume reaches maximum volume specified by CV131. 20
CV142 Start Scan Channel Channel Number the Receiver Starts Scanning 1-29 1 CV143 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 The receiver is capable of scanning channels 1 through channel 29, searching for a Rolling Thunder locomotive that is withing range. This scan range can be limited from one locomotive to 29 locomotives. If this value is set to zero, the receiver is disabled. Any change from zero or to zero requires a reset before the receiver recognizes the change. If CV142=CV143 no scanning is done. The receiver is fixed to one locomotive (Default). Note: This value must be less than or equal to CV143. 21
CV143 End Scan Channel Channel Number the Receiver Starts Scanning 1-29 1 CV142 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 The receiver is capable of scanning channels 1 through channel 29, searching for a Rolling Thunder locomotive that is within range. This scan range can be limited from one locomotive to 29 locomotives. If CV142=CV143 no scanning is done. The receiver is fixed to one locomotive (Default). Note: This value must be greater than or equal to CV142. 22
CV213 Transmit and Receive Frequency and Power This Value Sets the Receiver Frequency Band and Sensitivity 0-255 128 f 0 p p 0 0 0 0 This value sets the frequency sub-band and sets the receiver sensitivity. 0db is the maximum power. Value f is the frequency sub-band, pp is the receiver sensitivity. fxppxxxx f = 1 f = 0 915 mhz 868 mhz pp = 11-20db (248) pp = 10-14db (240) pp = 01-6db (232) pp = 00 0db (224) 23
Rolling Thunder Tuner Figure One 24
Rolling Thunder Tuner Installation Install ThunderTune on your PC. Plug in the USB cable and install the drivers following the operating systems install procedures. Use the supplied drivers when asked. Now connect the cable s other end to the receiver. Power on the receiver and your Rolling Thunder equipped Locomotive. Run the software program. Figure One should now be displayed. Placement of the receiver will greater very the response. Try different locations as you attempt to tune for your preference. Version Information The Rolling Thunder Receiver Version as well as the Software Version is given here after the USB connection is enabled. Power LED The Power LED mirrors the receivers front red LED. Receiver Receiver revision, Rolling Thunder Tuner software revision, the current receiver frequency band and receivers ID or CV1 (Short Address) is displayed here. 25
Signal Meter Rolling Thunder Tuner Signal. The Rolling Thunder Receivers Signal Meter displays four needles. The Black needle is the signal strength needle, indicating the received strength of the transmitting Locomotive. Before bass sounds are played, the black needle must be to the right of all the other needles. Lock Point (CV141). The Lock Point needle (Red needle) indicates the necessary signal strength needed by the receiver to lock on to the Current Channel Scanned. Changing the Lock Point Slider changes the receiver s value temporarily. To save the change to the receiver, press the Update Receiver Button. This button causes the receiver to save all the temporary values. This value should always be higher than the background noise. Determine the maximum noise by running Diagnostics with no train transmitters. Determine the largest signal and click the mouse on that channel. The maximum signal strength is displayed. Make sure the Lock Point is greater than this value. If the lock point were lower, a scan would force a false lock onto a nonexistent transmitter. Volume Up Point (CV135). Once the signal strength needle reaches and passes the Volume Up needle (Violet Needle), the bass volume starts increasing. The Volume indicator s blue bar will rise. The Volume Up needle must be positioned to the right of the Volume Down needle. The bass volume will remain at its current level when the signal needle is in the space between the Volume Up needle and the Volume Down needle. The Volume Maximum may be set with the Maximum Volume slider. The Volume indicator indicates the maximum volume set to by the Maximum Volume slider. The Volume Change Rate Slider may control the rate of change of the increasing volume. Volume Down Point (CV136). Once the signal strength needle falls below the Volume Down needle (Blue needle), the bass volume starts to decrease and is indicated by the blue Volume indicator. The Volume Down needle must be positioned to the left of the Volume Up needle. The bass volume will remain at its current level when the signal needle is in the space between the Volume Up needle and the Volume Down needle. The Volume Minimum may be set with the Minimum Volume slider. The Volume indicator indicates the minimum volume set to by the Minimum Volume slider. The Volume Change Rate Slider may control the rate of change of the decreasing volume. 26
Current Channel Rolling Thunder Tuner Current Channel LED When the receiver is locked, the Current Channel LED displays green and the Current Channel that the receiver is locked is displayed. When the receiver is searching for a transmitter (Locomotive), the Current Channel will change from Start Channel Scan (CV142) to End Channel Scan (CV143) and stop and turn Green if a channel within range is found. Mute LED If the transmitter that the receiver is locked onto is muted, the mute LED will light, indicating a muted condition. Volumes Minimum Volume (CV132). This value sets the lowest volume level heard when the signal level is below the Volume Down needle. Maximum Volume (CV131). This value sets the highest volume level heard when the signal level is greater than the Volume Up needle. Volume Change Rate (CV130). This value determines the rate at which the volume changes when the signal is greater than the Volume Up needle or less than the Volume Down needle. Power and Filters Receiver Power (CV213). The receiver s power amplifier may be decreased which will diminish the range of reception. Decreasing the power level will decrease the area of reception to a smaller track area. RSS Filter (CV133). The receiver signal strength s digital filter may be altered. A higher value slows the response, which is better for slow moving trains. However, fast moving trains should use a lower value, so the track area the bass starts playing is not over shot. 27
Channel Scanning Rolling Thunder Tuner The Channel Scanning feature is used only if it is enabled. The default is disabled, that is, Start Channel Scan equals End Channel Scan. If multiple transmitters are on a layout and the layout is sufficiently large, the scanning feature may be used satisfactorily. As each locomotive enters the receiver s reception area, the receiver will lock to it (assuming the other locomotive is sufficiently away from the reception area and the receiver unlocked), allowing the bass sounds from different locomotives heard in the area of reception. Start Channel Scan (CV142). The receiver is capable of scanning channels 1 through 29, searching for sufficient signal strength. The Lock Signal Strength (CV141) determines the signal strength that a lock occurs. Once the receiver locks, it remains locked until the signal strength falls below the Lock Signal Strength and the Minimum Volume (CV136) is reached. The Start Channel Scan determines the start channel in the search for active transmitters. The Start Channel Scan must be less than or equal to the End Channel Scan. If the receiver is locked to non-existent transmitter channels, the Lock Point is set to low. See Lock Point, (CV141) or Diagnostics. End Channel Scan (CV143). The receiver is capable of scanning channels 1 through 29, searching for sufficient signal strength. The Lock Signal Strength (CV141) determines the signal strength that a lock occurs. Once the receiver locks, it remains locked until the signal strength falls below the Lock Signal Strength and the Minimum Volume (CV136) is reached. The End Channel Scan determines the last channel in the search for active transmitters. The End Channel Scan must be greater or equal to the Start Channel Scan. If the receiver is locked to non-existent transmitter channels, the Lock Point is set too low. See Lock Point, (CV141) or Diagnostics. Scan Dwell Time (CV140). The receiver must select a channel and listen for a moment to see if a transmitter is transmitting on the selected channel before testing the next channel in the scan. The amount of time the receiver waits and listens is the Scan Dwell Time. If the Scan Dwell Time is too short, a lock may not occur, if the time is too long, a delay may be noticed before a lock occurs on a transmitter entering the receiver s reception track area. 28
Rolling Thunder Tuner Configuration Management Update Receiver. All parameter changes are updated within the receiver immediately. But the changes are only temporary unless the Update Receiver button is selected. Once selected, the parameters are saved and will become the new settings even after power down. Factory Reset. Pressing this button will change all parameters to the factory default conditions. All changed parameters will be lost. Load/Save Parameters. The changed parameters may be saved for later use. The parameters may be saved to a file name of your choice. In addition, the parameters may be restored from a file that was previously saved. This feature allows restoration of different configurations. The parameter file could be loaded and then saved as the new power on defaults. Transmission Rate. Once the receiver locks to a transmitter, all valid receptions are tracked. Transmissionr rates should be over 90% for acceptable operations. Clicking your mouse in the Transmission Rate Box resets the rate to 100%. Exit. Pressing this button terminates the software interface. 29
Rolling Thunder Tuner Diagnostics During Diagnostics, the bass sounds are disabled. The diagnostics indicates the receiver voltage and shows the signal strengths of all channels. Make sure all transmitters are off or ignore the Channel Signal Levels for the transmitters that are on. Set the Start Scan for 1 and the End Scan for 29. Note the highest signal level (Figure Two). Position the mouse cursor on the highest signal level(channel 10 for Figure Three). Note the Signal Max: 848 (Figure Three). The Lock Signal Strength (CV141) must be larger than this value. This signal strength is the noise floor. Set CV141 or the Lock Point Slider to a larger value than the noise floor. Again, this value is applicable if scanning is enabled. Figure Two 30
Rolling Thunder Tuner Figure Three 31
Rolling Thunder Tuner Locomotive Track Voltage. Each locomotive s transmitter may be configured to send the track voltage read by the locomotive. This ability allows diagnosis of any track areas that may have a voltage problem or allow a block voltage read. This feature must be enabled on the transmitter. Set CV213 bit d=1 or the default value would increment by one. Select the transmitter channel (See Figure Four). The bass sounds are disabled for this feature. Figure Four 32