EX-CommandStation v5.0.7 Production Release

The DCC-EX Team is pleased to release CommandStation-EX v5.0.7 as a Production Release for the general public.

This release is a Bugfix release to fix various issues.

EX-CommandStation features, fixes, and enhancements

• Execute 30ms off time prior to re-JOIN of PROG to MAIN on ESP32 hosts
• Check WiFi AT firmware revisions, specifically looking for v2.2.0.0-dev as this is non-functional
• Correct command missing default roster
• Correct lost TURNOUTL description
• Correct myHal.cpp_example.txt to include PCA9555 header, and correct the HALDisplay create call
• Correct issue with command parsing
• Add list of OPCODEs for DCCEXParser.cpp

Full Changelog: v5.0.0-Prod...v5.0.7-Prod

EX-CommandStation v5.0.0 Production Release

Version 5.0.0 Release Notes

---

The DCC-EX Team is pleased to release CommandStation-EX v5.0.0 as a Production Release for the general public.

This is a Major new release, including some breaking changes as well as major new features.

Read on below, and also please ensure you revise our newly updated documentation at https://dcc-ex.com

NEW EX-Installer

NEW Please try our newly re-created EX-Installer!

We'll still provide the source archives with this release, but our newly created EX-Installer is all you should need to get up and running with EX-CommandStation, and it will also let you install some of our other new products such as EX-IOExpander and EX-Turntable.

EX-CommandStation features, fixes, and enhancements

• NEW TrackManager - Run both DC and DCC trains from the same controller and switch your tracks between DC and DCC modes live
• Beta support for new, 32 bit microcontrollers including ESP32 WROOM and some STMicroelectronics Nucleo boards
• Extensive optimisation of HIGHMEM useage to free up PROGMEM below the 64kb and increase the useful life of the AVR Mega2560 platform
• Add option to disable programming to allow limited platforms such as the Arduino Uno to run limited EXRAIL scripts
• Add support for our new fast clock EX-FastClock
• Add support for our new I/O expander EX-IOExpander
• Add support for our new turntable controller EX-Turntable
• Add support for duinoNodes
• Add support for a rotary encoder
• Add support for PCF8575 and PCA/TCA9555 GPIO devices
• Enhanced overcurrent detection, including enhancing the behaviour to deal with inrush current issues
• Moved startup of the HAL earlier in the boot sequence
• Improved performance for ADC (analogue to digital) reads
• Enhancements to I2C bus retries and timeouts
• Support for I2C multiplexers to help with devices with static or limited address ranges
• Support for multiple I2C displays
• Improved handling of conflicting I2C addresses and Vpin allocations
• Enhanced DFPlayer error handling
• Add <JG> and <JI> for multi-track gauges to support TrackManager
• Improved stability for the VL53L0X ToF sensor
• Bugfix for signals being inverted (active high was actually active low and vice versa)
• Bugfix for Ethernet allowing a static IP address to be set

Known Issues

• We have one known issue in version 5 where DFPlayer doesn't work correctly in some circumstances, which we are investigating and will fix soon

EXRAIL enhancements

For details on these changes and new commands, refer to the documentation.

• BREAKING CHANGE Removed implicit AUTOSTART from myAutomation.h, simply add AUTOSTART to the beginning of the file to restore this
• Enhance SPEED command to respond to external direction changes
• Add DCC_SIGNAL command to control DCC Accessory based signals
• Add VIRTUAL_SIGNAL command to enable user-defined signal sequences
• Add ONGREEN, ONAMBER, and ONRED signal event handlers to respond to signal changes
• Add TURNOUTL command to enable using a linear DCC address for DCC Accessory turnouts
• Add MOVETT command to enable controlling an EX-Turntable
• Add IFRE command to test the position of a rotary encoder
• Add ONCHANGE event handler to respond to a position change of a rotary encoder
• Add ONCLOCKTIME and ONCLOCKMINS event handlers to respond to EX-FastClock times
• Add IFLOCO command to test if the provided loco ID is used in the sequence
• Add FORGET command to drop the provided loco ID from reminder tables
• Add SET_TRACK command to configure TrackManager in sequences
• Add SERIAL4, SERIAL5, and SERIAL6 to support newer microcontrollers with more/different interfaces
• Add SCREEN command to display messages on multiple displays
• Add POWERON and POWEROFF commands to control track power

Answer to the frequently asked question

We've been asked a lot about the new Arduino Uno R4 and Arduino Giga. These aren't just a "new revision" of existing platforms and are significantly different, meaning we have no immediate plans to support these.

Read our news article No support planned for the Uno R4 or Giga

Version 4.2.54 Devel release

Download Links:

CommandStation-EX.zip

CommandStation-EX.tar.gz

Changes since last tagged devel version:

• EX8874 shield in config.example.h
• Fix: Better warnings for pin number errors
• Fix: Default roster list possible in Withrottle and
• Fix: Pin handling supports pins up to 254
• Fix: Fault pin handling made more straight forward
• Experimental support for sabertooth motor controller on ESP32
• Add DISABLE_PROG to disable programming to save RAM/Flash
• Fixes: estop all, turnout eeprom, cab ID check
• Exrail SPEED take notice of external direction change
• BROADCAST/WITHROTTLE Exrail macros
• Correct response to <JA 0>
• Support boards with inverted fault pin

Version 4.1.6 release note

The DCC-EX Team is pleased to release CommandStation-EX v4.1.6 as a Production Release for the general public.

• Contains motor shield definition for the DRV8874 based EX8874 motor shield.
• Bugfix for WiThrottle turnout command.

EX-CommandStation v4.1.5 Production Release

Version 4.1.5 Release Notes

---

The DCC-EX Team is pleased to release CommandStation-EX v4.1.5 as a Production Release for the general public.

This release is a Bugfix release to fix the initialization order to benefit Ethernet boards, to fix GitHub issue #299 related to TurnoutDescription, and to fix command parsing for LCN (the Layout Control Nodes Accessory Network).

The team continues improving the architecture of the DCC-EX Command Station to make it more flexible and optimizing the code to get more performance from the Arduino (and other) microprocessors. This release includes all of the Point Releases from v4.0.1 to v4.1.5.

Note that there is also a newer release of the Comprehensive DCC-EX 4.1 and JMRI DecoderPro 5.2+ Getting Started Guide

Downloads (zip and tar.gz) below. These are named without version number in the folder name to make the Arduino IDE happy.

CommandStation-EX.zip

CommandStation-EX.tar.gz

New Command Station & EX-RAIL Features

• ACK defaults are now set to LIMIT 50mA, MIN 2000uS, MAX 20000uS for more compatibility with non NMRA compliant decoders

• Automatically detect and run a myFilter add-on (no need to call setFilter)

• New Commands for the Arduino IDE Serial Monitor and JMRI DCC++ Traffic Monitor

  • </RED signal_id> to turn a individual LED Signal On & Off
  • </AMBER signal_id> "
  • </GREEN signal_id> "
  • </KILL ALL> command to stop all tasks, and Diagnostic messages when KILL is used
  • < t cab> command to obtain current throttle setting

• Allow WRITE CV on PROG

• Updated CV read command . Equivalent to <V cv 0>. Uses the verify callback.

• Allow WRITE CV on PROG <W CV VALUE)

• Change callback parameters are now optional on PROG

• New JA, JR, JT commands availabe for Throttle Developers to obtain Route, Roster and Turnout descriptions for communications

• New EX-RAIL Functions to use in Automation(n), ROUTE(N) & SEQUENCE(N) Scripts

  • ATGTE & ATLT wait for analog value, (At Greater Than or Equal and At Less Than a certain value)
  • FADE command now works for LEDs connected on PCA9685 Servo/Signal board Output vpins
  • FORGET Forgets the current loco in DCC reminder tables saving memory and wasted packets sent to the track
  • "IF" signal detection with IFRED(signal_id), IFAMBER(signal_id), IFGREEN(signal_id)
  • KILLALL command to stop all tasks, and Diagnostic messages when KILL is used
  • PARSE <> commands in EXRAIL allows sending of DCC-EX commands from EX-RAIL
  • SERVO_SIGNAL Servo signals assigned to a specific servo turnout
  • SIGNALH High-On signal pins (Arduino normally handles active LOW signals. This allows for active HIGH)
  • HIDDEN turnouts (hide a REAL turnout and create a VIRTUAL turnout to handle actions that happen BEFORE a turnout is thrown)
  • VIRTUAL_TURNOUT definition

EX-RAIL Updates

• EXRAIL BROADCAST("msg") sends any message to all throttles/JMRI via serial and WiFi
• EXRAIL POWERON turns on power to both tracks from EX-RAIL (the equivalent of sending the <1> command)

** Other Enhancements**

• UNO Progmem is optimize to allow for small EXRAIL Automation scipts to run within the limited space for testing purposes.
• PCA9685 Servo Signal board supports 'Nopoweroffleds', servo pins stay powered on after position reached, otherwise the new FADE would always turn off.
• Position servo can use spare servo pin as a GPIO pin.

4.1.5 Bug Fixes

• Fixed LCN number parsing

4.1.4 Bug Fixes

• Fixed issue #299 TurnoutDescription NULL

4.1.3 Bug Fixes

• Ethernet init order

4.1.2 Bug Fixes

• Fixed Ethernet shield W5100 support since it does not report HW or link level like the W5200 and W5500 chips.

4.1.1 Bug Fixes

• Preserve the turnout format
• Parse multiple commands in one buffer string currectly
• Fix </> command signal status in EX-RAIL
• Read long loco addresses in EX-RAIL
• FIX negative route IDs in WIthrottle

See the version.h file for notes about which of the 4.1.5 features were added/changed by point release.

Known Issues

• Wi-Fi - Requires sending <AT> commands from a serial monitor if you want to switch between AP mode and STA station mode after initial setup
• Pololu Motor Shield - is supported with this release, but the user may have to adjust timings to enable programming mode due to limitations in its current sensing circuitry

All New Major DCC++EX 4.0.0 features

• New HAL Hardware Abstraction Layer API that automatically detects and greatly simplifies interfacing to many predefined accessory boards for servos, signals & sensors and added I/O (digital and analog inputs and outputs, servos etc).
• HAL Support for;
  • MCP23008, MCP23017 and PCF9584 I2C GPIO Extender modules.
  • PCA9685 PWM (servo & signal) control modules.
  • Analogue inputs on Arduino pins and on ADS111x I2C modules.
  • MP3 sound playback via DFPlayer module.
  • HC-SR04 Ultrasonic range sensor module.
  • VL53L0X Laser range sensor module (Time-Of-Flight).
  • A new <D HAL SHOW> command to list the HAL devices attached to the command station

New Command Station Broadcast throttle logic

• Synchronizes multiple WiThrottles and PC based JMRI Throttles for direction, speed and F-key updates

New ‘Discovered Servers’ on WiFi Throttles

• Our New multicast Dynamic Network Server (mDNS) enhancement allows us to display the available WiFi server connections to a DCC++EX Command Station. Selecting it allows your WiThrottle App to connect to and load Server Rosters and function keys to your throttle from the new DCC++EX Command Station Server Roster.

New DCC++EX 4.0.0 with EX-RAIL Extended Railroad Automation Instruction Language

• Use to control your entire layout or as a separate accessory/animation controller
• Awesome, cleverly powerful yet simple user friendly scripting language for user built Automation & Routing scripts.
• You can control Engines, Sensors, Turnouts, Signals, Outputs and Accessories that are entered into your new myAutomation.h file, then uploaded into the DCC++EX Command Station.
• EX-RAIL scripts are automatically displayed as Automation {Handoff} and Route {Set} buttons on supported WiFi Throttle Apps.

New EX-RAIL ‘Roster’ Feature

• List and store user defined engine roster & function keys inside the command station, and automatically load them in WiFi Throttle Apps.
• When choosing “DCC++EX” from discovered servers an Engine Driver or WiThrottle is directly connected to the Command Station.
• The EX-RAIL ’ROSTER’ command allows all the engine numbers, names and function keys you’ve listed in your myAutomation.h file to automatically upload the Command Station's ‘Server Roster’ into your Engine Driver and WiThrottle Apps.

New JMRI 4.99.2 and above specific DCC++EX 4.0 features

• Enhanced JMRI DCC++ Configure Base Station pane for building and maintaining Sensor, Turnout and Output devices, or these can automatically be populated from the DCC++EX Command Station's mySetup.h file into JMRI.

• JMRI now supports multiple serial connected DCC++EX Command Stations, to display and track separate "Send DCC++ Command" and "DCC++ Traffic" Monitors for each Command Station at the same time.
  For example: Use an Uno DCC++EX DecoderPro Programming Station {DCC++Prg} on a desktop programming track and a second Mega DCC++EX EX-RAIL Command Station for Operations {DCC++Ops} on the layout with an additional <JOINED> programming spur or siding track for acquiring an engine and ‘Drive Away’ onto the mainline (see the DriveAway feature for more information).

DCC++EX 4.0.0 additional product enhancements

• Additional Motor Shields and Motor Board {boosters) supported
• Additional Accessory boards supported for GPIO expansion, Sensors, Servos & Signals
• Additional diagnostic commands like ‘D ACK RETRY’ and ‘D EXRAIL ON’ events, ‘D HAL SHOW’ devices and ‘D SERVO’ positions, and ‘D RESET’ the command station while maintaining the serial connection with JMRI
• Automatic retry on failed ACK detection to give decoders another chance
• New EX-RAIL ’/’ slash command allows JMRI to directly communicate with many EX-RAIL scripts
• Turnout class revised to expand turnout capabilities and allow turnout names/descriptors to display in WiThrottle Apps.
• Build turnouts through either or both mySetup.h and myAutomation.h files, and have them automatically passed to, and populate, JMRI Turnout Tables
• Turnout user names display in Engine Driver & WiThrottles
• Output class now allows ID > 255.
• Configuration options to globally flip polarity of DCC Accessory states when driven from <a> command and <T> command.
• Increased use of display for showing loco decoder programming information.
• Can disable EEPROM memory code to allow room for DCC++EX 4.0 to fit on a Uno Command Station
• Can define border between long and short addresses
• Native non-blocking I2C drivers for AVR and Nano architectures (fallback to blocking Wire library for other platforms).
• EEPROM layout change - deletes EEPROM contents on first start following upgrade.

4.0.0 Bug Fixes

• Compiles on Nano Every
• Diagnostic display of ack pulses >32ms
• Current read from wrong ADC during interrupt
• AT(+) Command Pass Through
• CiDAP WiFi Drop out and the WiThrottle F-key looping error corrected
• One-off error in CIPSEND drop
• Common Fault Pin Error
• Uno Memory Utilization optimized

...

EX-CommandStation v4.1.2 Production Release

Version 4.1.2 Release Notes

---

The DCC-EX Team is pleased to release CommandStation-EX v4.1.2 as a Production Release for the general public.
This release is a Bugfix release to add back support for Ethernet boards based on the W5100 chip. W5200 and W5500 chips were already supported.
The team continues improving the architecture of DCC++EX to make it more flexible and optimizing the code to get more performance from the Arduino (and other) microprocessors. This release includes all of the Point Releases from v4.0.1 to v4.1.2.

Downloads (zip and tar.gz) below. These are named without version number in the folder name to make the Arduino IDE happy.

CommandStation-EX.zip

CommandStation-EX.tar.gz

New Command Station & EX-RAIL Features

• ACK defaults are now set to LIMIT 50mA, MIN 2000uS, MAX 20000uS for more compatibility with non NMRA compliant decoders

• Automatically detect and run a myFilter add-on (no need to call setFilter)

• New Commands for the Arduino IDE Serial Monitor and JMRI DCC++ Traffic Monitor

  • </RED signal_id> to turn a individual LED Signal On & Off
  • </AMBER signal_id> "
  • </GREEN signal_id> "
  • </KILL ALL> command to stop all tasks, and Diagnostic messages when KILL is used
  • < t cab> command to obtain current throttle setting

• Allow WRITE CV on PROG

• Updated CV read command . Equivalent to <V cv 0>. Uses the verify callback.

• Allow WRITE CV on PROG <W CV VALUE)

• Change callback parameters are now optional on PROG

• New JA, JR, JT commands availabe for Throttle Developers to obtain Route, Roster and Turnout descriptions for communications

• New EX-RAIL Functions to use in Automation(n), ROUTE(N) & SEQUENCE(N) Scripts

  • ATGTE & ATLT wait for analog value, (At Greater Than or Equal and At Less Than a certain value)
  • FADE command now works for LEDs connected on PCA9685 Servo/Signal board Output vpins
  • FORGET Forgets the current loco in DCC reminder tables saving memory and wasted packets sent to the track
  • "IF" signal detection with IFRED(signal_id), IFAMBER(signal_id), IFGREEN(signal_id)
  • KILLALL command to stop all tasks, and Diagnostic messages when KILL is used
  • PARSE <> commands in EXRAIL allows sending of DCC-EX commands from EX-RAIL
  • SERVO_SIGNAL Servo signals assigned to a specific servo turnout
  • SIGNALH High-On signal pins (Arduino normally handles active LOW signals. This allows for active HIGH)
  • HIDDEN turnouts (hide a REAL turnout and create a VIRTUAL turnout to handle actions that happen BEFORE a turnout is thrown)
  • VIRTUAL_TURNOUT definition

EX-RAIL Updates

• EXRAIL BROADCAST("msg") sends any message to all throttles/JMRI via serial and WiFi
• EXRAIL POWERON turns on power to both tracks from EX-RAIL (the equivalent of sending the <1> command)

** Other Enhancements**

• UNO Progmem is optimize to allow for small EXRAIL Automation scipts to run within the limited space for testing purposes.
• PCA9685 Servo Signal board supports 'Nopoweroffleds', servo pins stay powered on after position reached, otherwise the new FADE would always turn off.
• Position servo can use spare servo pin as a GPIO pin.

4.1.2 Bug Fixes

• Fixed Ethernet shield W5100 support since it does not report HW or link level like the W5200 and W5500 chips.

4.1.1 Bug Fixes

• Preserve the turnout format
• Parse multiple commands in one buffer string currectly
• Fix </> command signal status in EX-RAIL
• Read long loco addresses in EX-RAIL
• FIX negative route IDs in WIthrottle

See the version.h file for notes about which of the 4.1.2 features were added/changed by point release.

Known Issues

• Wi-Fi - Requires sending <AT> commands from a serial monitor if you want to switch between AP mode and STA station mode after initial setup
• Pololu Motor Shield - is supported with this release, but the user may have to adjust timings to enable programming mode due to limitations in its current sensing circuitry

All New Major DCC++EX 4.0.0 features

• New HAL Hardware Abstraction Layer API that automatically detects and greatly simplifies interfacing to many predefined accessory boards for servos, signals & sensors and added I/O (digital and analog inputs and outputs, servos etc).
• HAL Support for;
  • MCP23008, MCP23017 and PCF9584 I2C GPIO Extender modules.
  • PCA9685 PWM (servo & signal) control modules.
  • Analogue inputs on Arduino pins and on ADS111x I2C modules.
  • MP3 sound playback via DFPlayer module.
  • HC-SR04 Ultrasonic range sensor module.
  • VL53L0X Laser range sensor module (Time-Of-Flight).
  • A new <D HAL SHOW> command to list the HAL devices attached to the command station

New Command Station Broadcast throttle logic

• Synchronizes multiple WiThrottles and PC based JMRI Throttles for direction, speed and F-key updates

New ‘Discovered Servers’ on WiFi Throttles

• Our New multicast Dynamic Network Server (mDNS) enhancement allows us to display the available WiFi server connections to a DCC++EX Command Station. Selecting it allows your WiThrottle App to connect to and load Server Rosters and function keys to your throttle from the new DCC++EX Command Station Server Roster.

New DCC++EX 4.0.0 with EX-RAIL Extended Railroad Automation Instruction Language

• Use to control your entire layout or as a separate accessory/animation controller
• Awesome, cleverly powerful yet simple user friendly scripting language for user built Automation & Routing scripts.
• You can control Engines, Sensors, Turnouts, Signals, Outputs and Accessories that are entered into your new myAutomation.h file, then uploaded into the DCC++EX Command Station.
• EX-RAIL scripts are automatically displayed as Automation {Handoff} and Route {Set} buttons on supported WiFi Throttle Apps.

New EX-RAIL ‘Roster’ Feature

• List and store user defined engine roster & function keys inside the command station, and automatically load them in WiFi Throttle Apps.
• When choosing “DCC++EX” from discovered servers an Engine Driver or WiThrottle is directly connected to the Command Station.
• The EX-RAIL ’ROSTER’ command allows all the engine numbers, names and function keys you’ve listed in your myAutomation.h file to automatically upload the Command Station's ‘Server Roster’ into your Engine Driver and WiThrottle Apps.

New JMRI 4.99.2 and above specific DCC++EX 4.0 features

• Enhanced JMRI DCC++ Configure Base Station pane for building and maintaining Sensor, Turnout and Output devices, or these can automatically be populated from the DCC++EX Command Station's mySetup.h file into JMRI.

• JMRI now supports multiple serial connected DCC++EX Command Stations, to display and track separate "Send DCC++ Command" and "DCC++ Traffic" Monitors for each Command Station at the same time.
  For example: Use an Uno DCC++EX DecoderPro Programming Station {DCC++Prg} on a desktop programming track and a second Mega DCC++EX EX-RAIL Command Station for Operations {DCC++Ops} on the layout with an additional <JOINED> programming spur or siding track for acquiring an engine and ‘Drive Away’ onto the mainline (see the DriveAway feature for more information).

DCC++EX 4.0.0 additional product enhancements

• Additional Motor Shields and Motor Board {boosters) supported
• Additional Accessory boards supported for GPIO expansion, Sensors, Servos & Signals
• Additional diagnostic commands like ‘D ACK RETRY’ and ‘D EXRAIL ON’ events, ‘D HAL SHOW’ devices and ‘D SERVO’ positions, and ‘D RESET’ the command station while maintaining the serial connection with JMRI
• Automatic retry on failed ACK detection to give decoders another chance
• New EX-RAIL ’/’ slash command allows JMRI to directly communicate with many EX-RAIL scripts
• Turnout class revised to expand turnout capabilities and allow turnout names/descriptors to display in WiThrottle Apps.
• Build turnouts through either or both mySetup.h and myAutomation.h files, and have them automatically passed to, and populate, JMRI Turnout Tables
• Turnout user names display in Engine Driver & WiThrottles
• Output class now allows ID > 255.
• Configuration options to globally flip polarity of DCC Accessory states when driven from <a> command and <T> command.
• Increased use of display for showing loco decoder programming information.
• Can disable EEPROM memory code to allow room for DCC++EX 4.0 to fit on a Uno Command Station
• Can define border between long and short addresses
• Native non-blocking I2C drivers for AVR and Nano architectures (fallback to blocking Wire library for other platforms).
• EEPROM layout change - deletes EEPROM contents on first start following upgrade.

4.0.0 Bug Fixes

• Compiles on Nano Every
• Diagnostic display of ack pulses >32ms
• Current read from wrong ADC during interrupt
• AT(+) Command Pass Through
• CiDAP WiFi Drop out and the WiThrottle F-key looping error corrected
• One-off error in CIPSEND drop
• Common Fault Pin Error
• Uno Memory Utilization optimized

Summary of Release 3.1.0 key features and/or bug fixes by Point Release

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.16

• Ignore CV1 bit 7 read if rejected by a non NMRA compliant decoder when identifying loco id

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.15

• Send function commands just once instead of repeating them 4 times

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.14

• Add feature to tolerate decoders that...

EX-CommandStation v4.1.1 Production Release

Version 4.1.1 Release Notes

---

The DCC-EX Team is pleased to release CommandStation-EX v4.1.1 as a Production Release for the general public.
This release is a Minor release with many significant EX-RAIL enhancements and new automation features in addition to some bug fixes.
The team continues improving the architecture of DCC++EX to make it more flexible and optimizing the code to get more performance from the Arduino (and other) microprocessors. This release includes all of the Point Releases from v4.0.1 to v4.1.1 rc13.

Downloads (zip and tar.gz) below. These are named without version number in the folder name to make the Arduino IDE happy.

CommandStation-EX.zip

CommandStation-EX.tar.gz

New Command Station & EX-RAIL Features

• ACK defaults are now set to LIMIT 50mA, MIN 2000uS, MAX 20000uS for more compatibility with non NMRA compliant decoders

• Automatically detect and run a myFilter add-on (no need to call setFilter)

• New Commands for the Arduino IDE Serial Monitor and JMRI DCC++ Traffic Monitor

  • </RED signal_id> to turn a individual LED Signal On & Off
  • </AMBER signal_id> "
  • </GREEN signal_id> "
  • </KILL ALL> command to stop all tasks, and Diagnostic messages when KILL is used
  • < t cab> command to obtain current throttle setting

• Allow WRITE CV on PROG

• Updated CV read command . Equivalent to <V cv 0>. Uses the verify callback.

• Allow WRITE CV on PROG <W CV VALUE)

• Change callback parameters are now optional on PROG

• New JA, JR, JT commands availabe for Throttle Developers to obtain Route, Roster and Turnout descriptions for communications

• New EX-RAIL Functions to use in Automation(n), ROUTE(N) & SEQUENCE(N) Scripts

  • ATGTE & ATLT wait for analog value, (At Greater Than or Equal and At Less Than a certain value)
  • FADE command now works for LEDs connected on PCA9685 Servo/Signal board Output vpins
  • FORGET Forgets the current loco in DCC reminder tables saving memory and wasted packets sent to the track
  • "IF" signal detection with IFRED(signal_id), IFAMBER(signal_id), IFGREEN(signal_id)
  • KILLALL command to stop all tasks, and Diagnostic messages when KILL is used
  • PARSE <> commands in EXRAIL allows sending of DCC-EX commands from EX-RAIL
  • SERVO_SIGNAL Servo signals assigned to a specific servo turnout
  • SIGNALH High-On signal pins (Arduino normally handles active LOW signals. This allows for active HIGH)
  • HIDDEN turnouts (hide a REAL turnout and create a VIRTUAL turnout to handle actions that happen BEFORE a turnout is thrown)
  • VIRTUAL_TURNOUT definition

EX-RAIL Updates

• EXRAIL BROADCAST("msg") sends any message to all throttles/JMRI via serial and WiFi
• EXRAIL POWERON turns on power to both tracks from EX-RAIL (the equivalent of sending the <1> command)

** Other Enhancements**

• UNO Progmem is optimize to allow for small EXRAIL Automation scipts to run within the limited space for testing purposes.
• PCA9685 Servo Signal board supports 'Nopoweroffleds', servo pins stay powered on after position reached, otherwise the new FADE would always turn off.
• Position servo can use spare servo pin as a GPIO pin.

4.1.1 Bug Fixes

• Preserve the turnout format
• Parse multiple commands in one buffer string currectly
• Fix </> command signal status in EX-RAIL
• Read long loco addresses in EX-RAIL
• FIX negative route IDs in WIthrottle

See the version.h file for notes about which of the 4.1.1 features were added/changed by point release.

Known Issues

• Wi-Fi - Requires sending <AT> commands from a serial monitor if you want to switch between AP mode and STA station mode after initial setup
• Pololu Motor Shield - is supported with this release, but the user may have to adjust timings to enable programming mode due to limitations in its current sensing circuitry

All New Major DCC++EX 4.0.0 features

• New HAL Hardware Abstraction Layer API that automatically detects and greatly simplifies interfacing to many predefined accessory boards for servos, signals & sensors and added I/O (digital and analog inputs and outputs, servos etc).
• HAL Support for;
  • MCP23008, MCP23017 and PCF9584 I2C GPIO Extender modules.
  • PCA9685 PWM (servo & signal) control modules.
  • Analogue inputs on Arduino pins and on ADS111x I2C modules.
  • MP3 sound playback via DFPlayer module.
  • HC-SR04 Ultrasonic range sensor module.
  • VL53L0X Laser range sensor module (Time-Of-Flight).
  • A new <D HAL SHOW> command to list the HAL devices attached to the command station

New Command Station Broadcast throttle logic

• Synchronizes multiple WiThrottles and PC based JMRI Throttles for direction, speed and F-key updates

New ‘Discovered Servers’ on WiFi Throttles

• Our New multicast Dynamic Network Server (mDNS) enhancement allows us to display the available WiFi server connections to a DCC++EX Command Station. Selecting it allows your WiThrottle App to connect to and load Server Rosters and function keys to your throttle from the new DCC++EX Command Station Server Roster.

New DCC++EX 4.0.0 with EX-RAIL Extended Railroad Automation Instruction Language

• Use to control your entire layout or as a separate accessory/animation controller
• Awesome, cleverly powerful yet simple user friendly scripting language for user built Automation & Routing scripts.
• You can control Engines, Sensors, Turnouts, Signals, Outputs and Accessories that are entered into your new myAutomation.h file, then uploaded into the DCC++EX Command Station.
• EX-RAIL scripts are automatically displayed as Automation {Handoff} and Route {Set} buttons on supported WiFi Throttle Apps.

New EX-RAIL ‘Roster’ Feature

• List and store user defined engine roster & function keys inside the command station, and automatically load them in WiFi Throttle Apps.
• When choosing “DCC++EX” from discovered servers an Engine Driver or WiThrottle is directly connected to the Command Station.
• The EX-RAIL ’ROSTER’ command allows all the engine numbers, names and function keys you’ve listed in your myAutomation.h file to automatically upload the Command Station's ‘Server Roster’ into your Engine Driver and WiThrottle Apps.

New JMRI 4.99.2 and above specific DCC++EX 4.0 features

• Enhanced JMRI DCC++ Configure Base Station pane for building and maintaining Sensor, Turnout and Output devices, or these can automatically be populated from the DCC++EX Command Station's mySetup.h file into JMRI.

• JMRI now supports multiple serial connected DCC++EX Command Stations, to display and track separate "Send DCC++ Command" and "DCC++ Traffic" Monitors for each Command Station at the same time.
  For example: Use an Uno DCC++EX DecoderPro Programming Station {DCC++Prg} on a desktop programming track and a second Mega DCC++EX EX-RAIL Command Station for Operations {DCC++Ops} on the layout with an additional <JOINED> programming spur or siding track for acquiring an engine and ‘Drive Away’ onto the mainline (see the DriveAway feature for more information).

DCC++EX 4.0.0 additional product enhancements

• Additional Motor Shields and Motor Board {boosters) supported
• Additional Accessory boards supported for GPIO expansion, Sensors, Servos & Signals
• Additional diagnostic commands like ‘D ACK RETRY’ and ‘D EXRAIL ON’ events, ‘D HAL SHOW’ devices and ‘D SERVO’ positions, and ‘D RESET’ the command station while maintaining the serial connection with JMRI
• Automatic retry on failed ACK detection to give decoders another chance
• New EX-RAIL ’/’ slash command allows JMRI to directly communicate with many EX-RAIL scripts
• Turnout class revised to expand turnout capabilities and allow turnout names/descriptors to display in WiThrottle Apps.
• Build turnouts through either or both mySetup.h and myAutomation.h files, and have them automatically passed to, and populate, JMRI Turnout Tables
• Turnout user names display in Engine Driver & WiThrottles
• Output class now allows ID > 255.
• Configuration options to globally flip polarity of DCC Accessory states when driven from <a> command and <T> command.
• Increased use of display for showing loco decoder programming information.
• Can disable EEPROM memory code to allow room for DCC++EX 4.0 to fit on a Uno Command Station
• Can define border between long and short addresses
• Native non-blocking I2C drivers for AVR and Nano architectures (fallback to blocking Wire library for other platforms).
• EEPROM layout change - deletes EEPROM contents on first start following upgrade.

4.0.0 Bug Fixes

• Compiles on Nano Every
• Diagnostic display of ack pulses >32ms
• Current read from wrong ADC during interrupt
• AT(+) Command Pass Through
• CiDAP WiFi Drop out and the WiThrottle F-key looping error corrected
• One-off error in CIPSEND drop
• Common Fault Pin Error
• Uno Memory Utilization optimized

Summary of Release 3.1.0 key features and/or bug fixes by Point Release

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.16

• Ignore CV1 bit 7 read if rejected by a non NMRA compliant decoder when identifying loco id

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.15

• Send function commands just once instead of repeating them 4 times

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.14

• Add feature to tolerate decoders that incorrectly have gaps in their ACK pulse
• Provide proper track power management when joining and unjoining tracks with <1 JOIN>

**Summa...

CommandStation-EX v4.0.0 Production Release

Version 4.0 Release Notes

---

The DCC-EX Team is pleased to release CommandStation-EX-v4.0.0 as a Production Release. Release v4.0.0 is a Major release that adds significant new product design, plus Automation features and bug fixes. The team continues improving the architecture of DCC++EX to make it more flexible and optimizing the code so as to get more performance from the Arduino (and other) microprocessors. This release includes all of the Point Releases from v3.2.0 to v3.2.0 rc13.

Downloads (zip and tar.gz) below. These are named without version number in the folder name to make the Arduino IDE happy.

CommandStation-EX.zip

CommandStation-EX.tar.gz

Known Issues

• Wi-Fi - Requires sending <AT> commands from a serial monitor if you want to switch between AP mode and STA station mode after initial setup
• Pololu Motor Shield - is supported with this release, but the user may have to adjust timings to enable programming mode due to limitations in its current sensing circuitry

All New Major DCC++EX 4.0.0 features

• New HAL Hardware Abstraction Layer API that automatically detects and greatly simplifies interfacing to many predefined accessory boards for servos, signals & sensors and added I/O (digital and analog inputs and outputs, servos etc).
• HAL Support for;
  • MCP23008, MCP23017 and PCF9584 I2C GPIO Extender modules.
  • PCA9685 PWM (servo & signal) control modules.
  • Analogue inputs on Arduino pins and on ADS111x I2C modules.
  • MP3 sound playback via DFPlayer module.
  • HC-SR04 Ultrasonic range sensor module.
  • VL53L0X Laser range sensor module (Time-Of-Flight).
  • A new <D HAL SHOW> command to list the HAL devices attached to the command station

New Command Station Broadcast throttle logic

• Synchronizes multiple WiThrottles and PC based JMRI Throttles for direction, speed and F-key updates

New ‘Discovered Servers’ on WiFi Throttles

• Our New multicast Dynamic Network Server (mDNS) enhancement allows us to display the available WiFi server connections to a DCC++EX Command Station. Selecting it allows your WiThrottle App to connect to and load Server Rosters and function keys to your throttle from the new DCC++EX Command Station Server Roster.

New DCC++EX 4.0.0 with EX-RAIL Extended Railroad Automation Instruction Language

• Use to control your entire layout or as a separate accessory/animation controller
• Awesome, cleverly powerful yet simple user friendly scripting language for user built Automation & Routing scripts.
• You can control Engines, Sensors, Turnouts, Signals, Outputs and Accessories that are entered into your new myAutomation.h file, then uploaded into the DCC++EX Command Station.
• EX-RAIL scripts are automatically displayed as Automation {Handoff} and Route {Set} buttons on supported WiFi Throttle Apps.

New EX-RAIL ‘Roster’ Feature

• List and store user defined engine roster & function keys inside the command station, and automatically load them in WiFi Throttle Apps.
• When choosing “DCC++EX” from discovered servers an Engine Driver or WiThrottle is directly connected to the Command Station.
• The EX-RAIL ’ROSTER’ command allows all the engine numbers, names and function keys you’ve listed in your myAutomation.h file to automatically upload the Command Station's ‘Server Roster’ into your Engine Driver and WiThrottle Apps.

New JMRI 4.99.2 and above specific DCC++EX 4.0 features

• Enhanced JMRI DCC++ Configure Base Station pane for building and maintaining Sensor, Turnout and Output devices, or these can automatically be populated from the DCC++EX Command Station's mySetup.h file into JMRI.

• JMRI now supports multiple serial connected DCC++EX Command Stations, to display and track separate "Send DCC++ Command" and "DCC++ Traffic" Monitors for each Command Station at the same time.
  For example: Use an Uno DCC++EX DecoderPro Programming Station {DCC++Prg} on a desktop programming track and a second Mega DCC++EX EX-RAIL Command Station for Operations {DCC++Ops} on the layout with an additional <JOINED> programming spur or siding track for acquiring an engine and ‘Drive Away’ onto the mainline (see the DriveAway feature for more information).

DCC++EX 4.0.0 additional product enhancements

• Additional Motor Shields and Motor Board {boosters) supported
• Additional Accessory boards supported for GPIO expansion, Sensors, Servos & Signals
• Additional diagnostic commands like ‘D ACK RETRY’ and ‘D EXRAIL ON’ events, ‘D HAL SHOW’ devices and ‘D SERVO’ positions, and ‘D RESET’ the command station while maintaining the serial connection with JMRI
• New EX-RAIL ’/’ slash command allows JMRI to directly communicate with many EX-RAIL scripts
• Turnout class revised to expand turnout capabilities and allow turnout names/descriptors to display in WiThrottle Apps.
• Build turnouts through either or both mySetup.h and myAutomation.h files, and have them automatically passed to, and populate, JMRI Turnout Tables
• Turnout user names display in Engine Driver & WiThrottles
• Output class now allows ID > 255.
• Configuration options to globally flip polarity of DCC Accessory states when driven from <a> command and <T> command.
• Increased use of display for showing loco decoder programming information.
• Can disable EEPROM memory code to allow room for DCC++EX 4.0 to fit on a Uno Command Station
• Can define border between long and short addresses
• Native non-blocking I2C drivers for AVR and Nano architectures (fallback to blocking Wire library for other platforms).
• EEPROM layout change - deletes EEPROM contents on first start following upgrade.

4.0.0 Bug Fixes

• Compiles on Nano Every
• Diagnostic display of ack pulses >32ms
• Current read from wrong ADC during interrupt
• AT(+) Command Pass Through
• CiDAP WiFi Drop out and the WiThrottle F-key looping error corrected
• One-off error in CIPSEND drop
• Common Fault Pin Error
• Uno Memory Utilization optimized

Summary of Release 3.1.0 key features and/or bug fixes by Point Release

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.16

• Ignore CV1 bit 7 read if rejected by a non NMRA compliant decoder when identifying loco id

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.15

• Send function commands just once instead of repeating them 4 times

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.14

• Add feature to tolerate decoders that incorrectly have gaps in their ACK pulse
• Provide proper track power management when joining and unjoining tracks with <1 JOIN>

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.13

• Fix for CAB Functions greater than 127

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.12

• Fixed clear screen issue for nanoEvery and nanoWifi

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.11

• Reorganized files for support of 128 speed steps

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.10

• Added Support for the Teensy 3.2, 3.5, 3.6, 4.0 and 4.1 MCUs
• No functional change just changes to avoid complier warnings for Teensy/nanoEvery

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.9

• Rearranges serial newlines for the benefit of JMRI
• Major update for efficiencies in displays (LCD, OLED)
• Add I2C Support functions

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.8

• Wraps <* *> around DIAGS for the benefit of JMRI

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.7

• Implemented support for older 28 apeed step decoders - Option to turn on 28 step speed decoders in addition to 128. If set, all locos will use 28 steps.
• Improved overload messages with raw values (relative to offset)

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.6

• Prevent compiler warning about deprecated B constants
• Fix Bug that did not let us transmit 5 byte sized packets - 5 Byte commands like PoM (programming on main) were not being sent correctly
• Support for Huge function numbers (DCC BinaryStateControl) - Support Functions beyond F28
• <!> ESTOP all - New command to emergency stop all locos on the main track
• <- [cab]> estop and forget cab/all cabs - Stop and remove loco from the CS. Stops the repeating throttle messages
• <D RESET> command to reboot Arduino
• Automatic sensor offset detect
• Improved startup msgs from Motor Drivers (accuracy and auto sense factors)
• Drop post-write verify - No need to double check CV writes. Writes are now even faster.
• Allow current sense pin set to UNUSED_PIN - No need to ground an unused analog current pin. Produce startup warning and callback -2 for prog track cmds.

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.5

• Fix Fn Key startup with loco ID and fix state change for F16-28
• Removed ethernet mac config and made it automatic
• Show wifi ip and port on lcd
• Auto load config.example.h with warning
• Dropped example .ino files
• Corrected .ino comments
• Add Pololu fault pin handling
• Waveform speed/simplicity improvements
• Improved pin speed in waveform
• Portability to nanoEvery and UnoWifiRev2 CPUs
• Analog read speed improvements
• Drop need for DIO2 library
• Improved current check code
• Linear command
• Removed need for ArduinoTimers files
• Removed option to choose different timer
• Added EX-RAIL hooks for automation in future version
• Fixed Turnout list
• Allow command keywords in mixed case
• Dropped unused memstream
• PWM pin accuracy i...

CommandStation-EX v3.1.0 Production Release

The DCC-EX Team is pleased to release CommandStation-EX-v3.1.0 as a Production Release. Release v3.1.0 is a minor release that adds additional features and fixes a number of bugs. With the number of new features, this could have easily been a major release. The team is continually improving the architecture of DCC++EX to make it more flexible and optimizing the code so as to get more performance from the Arduino (and other) microprocessors. This release includes all of the Point Releases from v3.0.1 to v3.0.16.

Downloads (zip and tar.gz) below. These are named without version number in the folder name to make the Arduino IDE happy.

CommandStation-EX.zip
CommandStation-EX.tar.gz

Known Issues

• Wi-Fi - works, but requires sending commands from a serial monitor if you want to switch between AP mode and STA station mode after initial setup
• Pololu Motor Shield - is supported with this release, but the user may have to adjust timings to enable programming mode due to limitation in its current sensing circuitry

Summary of key features and/or bug fixes by Point Release

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.16

• Ignore CV1 bit 7 read if rejected by a non NMRA compliant decoder when identifying loco id

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.15

• Send function commands just once instead of repeating them 4 times

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.14

• Add feature to tolerate decoders that incorrectly have gaps in their ACK pulse
• Provide proper track power management when joining and unjoining tracks with <1 JOIN>

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.13

• Fix for CAB Functions greater than 127

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.12

• Fixed clear screen issue for nanoEvery and nanoWifi

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.11

• Reorganized files for support of 128 speed steps

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.10

• Added Support for the Teensy 3.2, 3.5, 3.6, 4.0 and 4.1 MCUs
• No functional change just changes to avoid complier warnings for Teensy/nanoEvery

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.9

• Rearranges serial newlines for the benefit of JMRI
• Major update for efficiencies in displays (LCD, OLED)
• Add I2C Support functions

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.8

• Wraps <* *> around DIAGS for the benefit of JMRI

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.7

• Implemented support for older 28 apeed step decoders - Option to turn on 28 step speed decoders in addition to 128. If set, all locos will use 28 steps.
• Improved overload messages with raw values (relative to offset)

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.6

• Prevent compiler warning about deprecated B constants
• Fix Bug that did not let us transmit 5 byte sized packets - 5 Byte commands like PoM (programming on main) were not being sent correctly
• Support for Huge function numbers (DCC BinaryStateControl) - Support Functions beyond F28
• <!> ESTOP all - New command to emergency stop all locos on the main track
• <- [cab]> estop and forget cab/all cabs - Stop and remove loco from the CS. Stops the repeating throttle messages
• <D RESET> command to reboot Arduino
• Automatic sensor offset detect
• Improved startup msgs from Motor Drivers (accuracy and auto sense factors)
• Drop post-write verify - No need to double check CV writes. Writes are now even faster.
• Allow current sense pin set to UNUSED_PIN - No need to ground an unused analog current pin. Produce startup warning and callback -2 for prog track cmds.

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.5

• Fix Fn Key startup with loco ID and fix state change for F16-28
• Removed ethernet mac config and made it automatic
• Show wifi ip and port on lcd
• Auto load config.example.h with warning
• Dropped example .ino files
• Corrected .ino comments
• Add Pololu fault pin handling
• Waveform speed/simplicity improvements
• Improved pin speed in waveform
• Portability to nanoEvery and UnoWifiRev2 CPUs
• Analog read speed improvements
• Drop need for DIO2 library
• Improved current check code
• Linear command
• Removed need for ArduinoTimers files
• Removed option to choose different timer
• Added EX-RAIL hooks for automation in future version
• Fixed Turnout list
• Allow command keywords in mixed case
• Dropped unused memstream
• PWM pin accuracy if requirements met

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.4

• "Drive-Away" Feature - added so that throttles like Engine Driver can allow a loco to be programmed on a usable, electrically isolated programming track and then drive off onto the main track
• WiFi Startup Fixes

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.3

• Command to write loco address and clear consist
• Command will allow for consist address
• Startup commands implemented

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.2:

• Create new output for current in mA for <c> command - New current response outputs current in mA, overlimit current, and maximum board capable current
• Simultaneously update JMRI to handle new current meter

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.1:

• Add back fix for jitter
• Add Turnouts, Outputs and Sensors to <s> command output

CommandStation-EX V3.0.0:

Release v3.0.0 was a major rewrite if earlier versions of DCC++. The code base was re-architeced and core changes were made to the Waveform generator to reduce overhead and make better use of Arduino. Summary of the key new features added in Release v3.0.0 include:

• New USB Browser Based Throttle - WebThrottle-EX is a full front-end to controller to control the CS to run trains.
• WiFi Support - AP and station modes supported. Auto-detection of an ESP8266 WiFi module with AT firmware on a Mega's serial port. Connection to JMRI and WiThrottle clients.
• Withrottle Integrations - Act as a host for up to four WiThrottle clients concurrently.
• Add LCD/OLED support - OLED supported on Mega only
• Improved CV programming routines - checks for length of CV pulse, and breaks out of the wait state once it has received an ACK, now reading one CV per second.
• Improved current sensing - rewrote current sensing routines for safer operation. Current thresholds based on milliamps, not magic numbers
• Individual track power control - Ability to toggle power on either or both tracks, and to "JOIN" the tracks and make them output the same waveform for multiple power districts.
• Single or Dual-Pin PWM output - Allows control of H-bridges with PH/EN or dual PWM inputs
• New, simpler function command - <F> command allows setting functions based on their number, not based on a code as in <f>
• Function reminders - Function reminders are sent in addition to speed reminders
• Functions to F28 - All NMRA functions are now supported
• Filters and user functions - Ability to filter commands in the parser and execute custom code based on them. (ex: Redirect Turnout commands via NRF24)
• Diagnostic <D> commands - See documentation for a full list of new diagnostic commands
• Rewrote DCC++ Parser - more efficient operation, accepts multi-char input and uses less RAM
• Rewritten waveform generator - capable of using any pin for DCC waveform out, eliminating the need for jumpers
• Rewritten packet generator - Simplify and make smaller, remove idea of "registers" from original code
• Add free RAM messages - Free RAM messages are now printed whenever there is a decerase in available RAM
• Fix EEPROM bugs
• Number of locos discovery command - <#> command
• Support for more locomotives - 20 locomotives on an UNO and 50 an a Mega.
• Automatic slot management - slot variable in throttle/function commands are ignored and slot management is taken care of automatically. <-> and <- CAB> commands added to release locos from memory and stop packets to the track.

Key Contributors

Project Lead

• Fred Decker - Holly Springs, North Carolina, USA (FlightRisk)

CommandStation-EX Developers

• Chris Harlow - Bournemouth, UK (UKBloke)
• Harald Barth - Stockholm, Sweden (Haba)
• Neil McKechnie - Worcestershire, UK (NeilMck)
• Fred Decker - Holly Springs, North Carolina, USA (FlightRisk)
• Dave Cutting - Logan, Utah, USA (Dave Cutting/ David Cutting)
• M Steve Todd -
• Scott Catalano - Pennsylvania
• Gregor Baues - Île-de-France, France (grbba)

Engine Driver and JMRI Interface

• M Steve Todd

exInstaller Software

• Anthony W - Dayton, Ohio, USA (Dex, Dex++)

Website and Documentation

• Mani Kumar - Bangalor, India (Mani / Mani Kumar)
• Fred Decker - Holly Springs, North Carolina, USA (FlightRisk)
• Dave Cutting - Logan, Utah, USA (Dave Cutting/ David Cutting)
• Roger Beschizza - Dorset, UK (Roger Beschizza)
• Keith Ledbetter - Chicago, Illinois, USA (Keith Ledbetter)
• Kevin Smith - Rochester Hills, Michigan USA (KC Smith)

WebThrotle-EX

• Fred Decker - Holly Springs, NC (FlightRisk/FrightRisk)
• Mani Kumar - Bangalor, India (Mani /Mani Kumar)
• Matt H - Somewhere in Europe

Beta Testing / Release Management / Support

• Larry Dribin - Release Management
• Kevin Smith - Rochester Hills, Michigan USA (KC Smith)
• Keith L...

CommandStation-EX v3.0.0 Production Release

The DCC-EX Team is pleased to release CommandStation-EX-v3.0.0 as a Production Release. This release is a major re-write of earlier versions. We've re-architected the code-base so that it can better handle new features going forward. Download the compressed files here:

Downloads (zip and tar.gz) below. These are named without version number in the folder name to make the Arduino IDE happy.

CommandStation-EX.zip
CommandStation-EX.tar.gz

Known Bugs:

• Consisting through JMRI - currently does not work in this release. A number of testers were able to develop a work around. If interested enter a Support Ticket.
• Wi-Fi - works, but can be challenging to use if you want to switch between AP mode and STA station mode.
• Pololu Motor Shield - is supported with this release, but the user may have to play around with some timings to enable programming mode due to limitation in its current sensing circuitry

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.0:

• WiFi Support - AP and station modes supported. Auto-detection of an ESP8266 WiFi module with AT firmware on a Mega's serial port. Connection to JMRI and WiThrottle clients.
• Withrottle Integrations - Act as a host for four WiThrottle clients concurrently.
• Add LCD/OLED support - OLED supported on Mega only
• Improved CV programming routines - checks for length of CV pulse, and breaks out of the wait state once it has received an ACK, now reading one CV per second.
• Improved current sensing - rewrote current sensing routines for safer operation. Current thresholds based on milliamps, not magic numbers
• Individual track power control - Ability to toggle power on either or both tracks, and to "JOIN" the tracks and make them output the same waveform for multiple power districts.
• Single or Dual-Pin PWM output - Allows control of H-bridges with PH/EN or dual PWM inputs
• New, simpler function command - <F> command allows setting functions based on their number, not based on a code as in <f>
• Function reminders - Function reminders are sent in addition to speed reminders
• Functions to F28 - All NMRA functions are now supported
• Filters and user functions - Ability to filter commands in the parser and execute custom code based on them
• Diagnostic <D> commands - See documentation for a full list of new diagnostic commands
• Rewrote DCC++ Parser - more efficient operation, accepts multi-char input and uses less RAM
• Rewritten waveform generator - capable of using any pin for DCC waveform out, eliminating the need for jumpers
• Rewritten packet generator - Simplify and make smaller, remove idea of "registers" from original code
• Add free RAM messages - Free RAM messages are now printed whenever there is a decerase in available RAM
• Fix EEPROM bugs
• Number of locos discovery command - <#> command
• Support for more locomotives - 20 locomotives on an UNO and 50 an a Mega.
• Automatic slot managment - slot variable in throttle/function commands are ignored and slot management is taken care of automatically. <!> command added to release locos from memory.

Key Contributors

Project Lead

• Fred Decker - Holly Springs, North Carolina, USA (FlightRisk)

CommandStation-EX Developers

• Chris Harlow - Bournemouth, UK (UKBloke)
• Harald Barth - Stockholm, Sweden (Haba)
• Fred Decker - Holly Springs, North Carolina, USA (FlightRisk)
• Dave Cutting - Logan, Utah, USA (Dave Cutting/ David Cutting)
• M Steve Todd - - Engine Driver and JMRI Interface
• Scott Catalanno - Pennsylvania
• Gregor Baues - Île-de-France, France (grbba)

exInstaller Software

• Anthony W - Dayton, Ohio, USA (Dex, Dex++)

Website and Documentation

• Mani Kumar - Bangalor, India (Mani / Mani Kumar)
• Fred Decker - Holly Springs, North Carolina, USA (FlightRisk)
• Dave Cutting - Logan, Utah, USA (Dave Cutting/ David Cutting)
• Roger Beschizza - Dorset, UK (Roger Beschizza)
• Keith Ledbetter - Chicago, Illinois, USA (Keith Ledbetter)
  -Kevin Smith - (KCSmith)

Beta Testing / Release Management / Support

• Larry Dribin - Release Management
• Keith Ledbetter
• BradVan der Elst
• Andrew Pye
• Mike Bowers
• Randy McKenzie
• Roberto Bravin
• Sim Brigden
• Alan Lautenslager
• Martin Bafver
• Mário André Silva
• Anthony Kochevar
• Gajanatha Kobbekaduwe
• Sumner Patterson
• Paul - Virginia, USA

Downloads (zip and tar.gz) below. These are named without version number in the folder name to make the Arduino IDE happy.

CommandStation-EX.zip
CommandStation-EX.tar.gz