Hi Richard
QUOTE (RichG @ 1 May 2005, 12:09)Have you, or anyone else, enthusiasm for a SSD compatible mode for CarDCC.I think it's a good idea.
I haven't given it a lot of thought, because I don't know very much about the SSD dataformat.
I agree though, that the only difference would be software. We're planning to build a software download facility into the CarDCC track controller. This could also be used to load new functionality into both track controller and car controller.
QUOTE Alternatively the CarDCC car controllers could be used with the existing SSD Powerbase with the benefit of better performance and control.That should not be a problem seen from the hardware point of view. You'd only need to adopt the SSD protocol and add the transmission of the IR-LED identification sequence.
QUOTE What do you think, could be a best of both worlds way forward?It certainly could.
I'm currently working on the CarDCC protocol, but a SSD compatibility mode would be a nice feature to add. It should be possible to make software versions for both CarDCC, SSD and Pro-X compatibility. That way every user has full flexibility from the same hardware.
QUOTE On the cct is the PWM signal for the rear lights generated in the microcontroller, and then brake from the motor driver?Correct, but the the motor driver brake signal is generated in the microcontroller and fed to the motor through the motor driver.
The only motor PWM signal that is automatically generated in the motor driver hardware, is the automatic overload protection system. It has priority over the PWM controls from the microcontroller.
QUOTE I realise you can add a lighting controller to the car if more inputs and outputs are needed but I feel that more inputs / outputs in the base controller would be of benefit.I agree.
With the current design I have tried to balance functionality, size and cost. As the Signal Controller (former Light Controller) is really small (6x34mm), and will easily fit into a car, I thought it was an acceptable compromise. You can also add more than one car controller to a car.
The current car controller has two light control outputs that can be used for various control functions such as brake lights, rear/brake lights, exhaust flames, glowing brake discs and safetycar flash lights.
The downside of adding more outputs are:
-The size of the car controller will be bigger than 15x22mm, and difficult to fit inside an F1 car.
-All the cars that don't need more than two light control functions, will be unneccesarily expensive because of added functionality they're not using.
Extreme example (slight exaggeration ahead) ... You have 20 ordinary cars and a Coca-cola truck
:
It would be cheaper to put a lot of light controllers in the truck, and keep the cost of the ordinary cars down.