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Author Topic: Digital signals on decoder function outputs  (Read 947 times)

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Iain

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Digital signals on decoder function outputs
« on: September 16, 2019, 11:34:33 AM »
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Are there any decoders that let you send a digital signal on the function outputs? 
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wvgca

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Re: Digital signals on decoder function outputs
« Reply #1 on: September 16, 2019, 01:33:35 PM »
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yes, functions that support digital dimming ..
actually the functions are inputs to ground ..
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Sdynamo

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Re: Digital signals on decoder function outputs
« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2019, 01:48:49 PM »
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The "unpowered"functions on ESU decoders are digital outputs.  In terms of running data out of them (versus high/low) I don't think that's possible by us regular users.  I do know Scale trains has used multiple ESU boards in the HO Turbine, and they are connected via a digital bus between them.
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peteski

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Re: Digital signals on decoder function outputs
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2019, 04:15:25 PM »
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What exactly are you asking for when you say "digital"?  Example?

ZIMO decoders also have a digital  interconnect bus to communicate with expansion boards.  I have never looked into this (since those are too bulky for N scale models I run).  IIRC, it is a form of a CAN bus.

But standard NMRA defined function outputs (whether high power or logical) are usually designed to provide on/off control of the devices attached to them.   They do use PWM for voltage control/dimming.  Some (again, ZIMO) function outputs can also be configured to control RC servos using the standard servo control protocol.

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Iain

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Re: Digital signals on decoder function outputs
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2019, 05:31:42 PM »
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I might have found some LEDs that are addressable by a adding a digital pwm signal on top of a 1.5v dc rail.  They can have their color changed (options being red, green, white, and blue), and each can have a different address. 
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peteski

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Re: Digital signals on decoder function outputs
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2019, 05:37:07 PM »
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Quote from: Iain on September 20, 2019, 05:31:42 PM
I might have found some LEDs that are addressable by a adding a digital pwm signal on top of a 1.5v dc rail.  They can have their color changed (options being red, green, white, and blue), and each can have a different address.

Um, PWM is usually a square wave (where the duty cycle mimics a variable DC voltage), but I would not call it "digital" or "addressable".  AFAIK, no decoder can actually send digital packets in some unknown protocol, with address information from the function output.  Also 1.5v is nowhere near enough to light up any LED.   Red need around 1.7-2V and True Green and Blue LEDs need about 2.8-3.2V.

So, I'm still confused.
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