Next Generation of DCC systems

Has anyone seen this yet? http://openlcb.org/ The next generation of DCC in an open source format. All systems would share a common CAN network based bus to talk on, same as any modern car, locomotive or railcar today. Controllers would no longer be locked to a specific system. No more cab addresses etc, stuff would just plug and play. Since it is open source anyone can make a command station or controller it just has to be compatible with this one main bus. The command stations would all still output DCC track signals and have expanability to current DCC boosters (NCE, Lenz, Digitrax etc.)

What is everyones thoughts on this? A company called Railstars already has their own systems which are DIY. You buy the board, get the components and build it yourself. Check it out. http://railstars.com/

Hello! I'm glad to see your interest in OpenLCB and in Railstars's products. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about them, either here, or via email: [email protected]


Don Goodman-Wilson
Railstars
http://railstars.com

Glad to see you joined in here! I am always open to seeing new technologies etc emerge for the hobby and share them with others.

ApproachMedium,

You might like to know that, in conjunction with the OpenLCB team, Railstars is currently preparing turn-key OpenLCB / NMRAnet hardware. We're very excited about our new board, the Railstars Io, which will permit connecting control panels and layout features using OpenLCB / NMRAnet. More details are available on our blog here, with more to come in the coming weeks:

http://railstars.com/2011/12/23/introducing-io/

Don
Railstars

Sounds neat but what will it cost?

ApproachMedium wrote:Sounds neat but what will it cost?

Still working on determining that, but there will be a limited number of "kits" containing 3-4 of the boards (to be determined) subsidized by the NMRA and available for a low cost (we're aiming for about $50/kit). I'll post more details here when they're available, probably mid-January, or you can follow our blog at http://railstars.com/blog

This particular board is meant as an all-purpose unit, to demonstrate NMRAnet, and to support the DIY community. In the coming couple of months, Railstars will have more specialized boards available for order (i.e., boards specifically for turnout control, or occupancy detection, or fascia panel input).

The message boards are a great way to get info out there. Alot of us users are here watching. I for one always like to see new products, features and advancements in technology.

I dont know what the success may be in todays market for a build it yourself input/output. Most people with small layouts want to open a box and install it. I have been using the CMRI system on my clubs layout and enjoy its ultimate flexibility. While it does not communicate directly with my DCC system, I frankly dont need it to. A board like that though is a great place to start and something that can be used as an example of what the OpenLCB stuff can do.

An update!

The Railstars Io Developer's Board is now available for sale. This is board is a versatile way to add OpenLCB to your layout.

http://railstars.com/hardware/io/io-developers-board/

Currently, there are two ways to get one.

Single boards are available for $150, fully assembled.

Or, you can apply for one of a limited number of subsidized NMRAnet Developer's Kits, which contain 3 Io boards for less than $100 (!!!), by sending application to [email protected]