DCC++ EX Model Railroading¶
Welcome! DCC++ EX is an easy to use, do-it-yourself and affordable, open source DCC CommandStation and suite of supporting products for running your complete model railroad layout. Based on Arduino technology, DCC++ EX is supported by many controllers and applications like JMRI, Engine Driver, WiThrottle, Rocrail and more.
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Mission¶
Our mission is to make the world of digital model railroading universally accessible.
To achieve that, DCC++ EX provides the model railroad community with a complete, open source DCC (Digital Command Control) system - one that is simple, affordable, and expandable, to control model trains and accessories. Further, it is our goal that this project be organized, documented, and maintained so that it can continue far into the future.
What is DCC++ EX?¶
DCC++ EX is the organization developing and maintaining several products that together represent a fully open source DCC system. Currently, this includes the following:
CommandStation-EX - the latest take on the DCC++ command station for controlling your model railroad. DCC-EX runs on Arduino boards, and includes advanced features such as a WiThrottle server implementation, turnout operation, general purpose inputs and outputs (I/O), and JMRI integration.
WebThrottle-EX - a simple web based controller for your DCC++ and DCC-EX command station.
Installer-EX - an installer that takes care of downloading and installing DCC++ or DCC-EX firmware onto your hardware setup.
BaseStation-Classic - the original DCC++ software, packaged in a stable release. No active development, bug fixes only.
A basic DCC++ EX hardware setup can use easy to find, widely available Arduino boards that you can assemble yourself. Both CommandStation-EX and BaseStation-Classic support much of the NMRA Digital Command Control (DCC) standards, including:
simultaneous control of multiple locomotives
2 and 4 byte locomotive addressing
28 and 128 throttle speed steps
Activate/de-activate all accessory function addresses 0-2048
Control of all cab functions F0-F28 and F29-F68
Main Track: Write configuration variable (CV) bytes and set/clear specific CV bits (aka Programming on Main, or POM)
Programming Track: Same as the main track with the addition of reading CV bytes
What’s new in CommandStation-EX?
WiThrottle server built in. Connect Engine Driver or WiThrottle clients directly to your Command Station
WiFi and Ethernet shield support
No more jumpers or soldering!
Direct support for all the most popular motor control boards
28 speed steps in addition to 128
I2C Display support
Improved short circuit detection and automatic reset from an overload
Current reading, sensing and ACK detection settings in milliAmps instead of just pin readings
Non-blocking ACK processing - Main track signal is not interrupted when programming on the service track
Advanced CV programming diagnostics and tuning
Improved adherence to the NMRA DCC specification
Complete support for all the old commands and controllers/front-ends like JMRI
New DCC-EX features and integrations built into JMRI, EngineDriver, DCCppCAB and more
Simpler, modular, faster code with an API Library for developers for easy expansion
New direct throttle support from apps like EngineDriver, DCCppCAB
Ability to JOIN operations and service track as one “main” track with 2 power districts when not programming
New features and functions in JMRI, like a new current meter
Simple address read and set without understanding long/short CVs
Function reminders - Function commands are repeated to ensure changes are read by your decoder
Ability to run many more locos
Emergency Stop commands
Forget locos command - Stops reminders for locos no longer on the track
Built-in Automation!
Lively community online, and active feature development
Note
DCC-EX is a major rewrite to the code. We started over and rebuilt it from the ground up! For what that means to you, click on our Rewrite Article.
Next see the Get Started section or click next below.