Glossary of Terms¶
These are common terms used throughout our documentation.
If you wish to see where a term is used, click the term name to search for it.
Access Point (AP) Mode¶
In Access Point (AP) mode, the tiny ESP-WiFi chip acts as a very basic WiFi server and provides a small IP network for your throttle or for your computer running JMRI with the WiThrottle Server enabled. It acts much like your router does to let things connect directly to it (currently up to four connections). Using the EX-CommandStation in AP mode allows you to have a separate network so you can keep your layout network separate from your home network.
Base Station, Command Station, DCC Command Station, DCC Base Station¶
See https://dccwiki.com/Command_Station
Consist1, Multiple Unit2, Multiple Unit Train, MU¶
Multiple locos hauling a single train. See https://dccwiki.com/Multiple_Unit_Consisting
DCC++ Commands, <DCC++>, DCC++ Protocol, DCC++ API¶
Old name for the DCC-EX Serial Command / DCC-EX Native Commands / DCC-EX Native Protocol. Some references to this still remain for backward compatibility. i.e. JMRI still refers to DCC++.
DCC-EX Serial Commands, DCC-EX Native Commands, DCC-EX Native Protocol, DCC-EX Native API¶
New name for the DCC++ Commands/Protocol/API. Refer to DCC-EX Serial Command List for details.
Pullup¶
The term pullup within the context of DCC-EX is commonly used when discussing inputs or sensors along with other topics such as I2C cabling. This is an electronics focused term, typically referring to the use of a resistor to ensure an input/sensor or I2C line is pulled up or held to a specific voltage (typically 3.3V or 5V).
Pulldown¶
The term pulldown within the context of DCC-EX is commonly used when discussing inputs or sensors along with other topics such as I2C cabling. This is an electronics focused term, typically referring to the use of a resistor to ensure an input/sensor or I2C line is pulled down or held to ground or 0V.
You will also see search results for using a pulldown menu, but that is a different context!
Railroad1 / Railway2¶
Railroad: The dominant term in the United States and Canada.
Railway: The preferred term across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, India, and by the International Union of Railways
Roster¶
A roster is a list of locomotives that are known in advance by the EX-CommandStation so that DCC addresses, name, and functions can be used by throttles to configure buttons etc.
SSID¶
An SSID (Service Set Identifier) is the technical term for your WiFi network's name. It is the identifier your router broadcasts so nearby devices (like phones and laptops) can find and connect to the right network.
Station (STA) Mode¶
Station Mode allows you to connect the EX-CommandStation to your existing home network. The EX-CommandStation becomes a Station or Client rather than an Access Point. That means instead of being a host that manages the IP of the smartphone that runs your Throttle, it becomes a station that connects to your existing network just like any of the other computers or devices connected to your network. The Throttle then connects to the EX-CommandStation by finding its IP address on the network.
Turnout1 (Point2/Switch)¶
In a prototypical railway, a turnout/point allows a train to diverge from one track to another. In DCC-EX terms, this term also denotes a software object that can control a physical turnout/point on your layout. A turnout/point can also be referred to as a point or a switch.
Depending on your region, turnouts/points are also commonly referred to as points or switches.
VPIN¶
A VPIN is an Arduino pin number that has been extended to include pins on external devices or expanders. Once the mapping of VPIN numbers to devices has been done, the commands that set or test pins do not have to care how the electronics works.
WiThrottle¶
- Trademark owned by Brett Hoffman
- Proprietary iOS app developed by Brett Hoffman.
WiThrottle Protocol¶
A proprietary protocol developed by Brett Hoffman
WiThrottle Server¶
A piece of software that listens and acts on WiThrottle commands EX‑CommandStation contains a WiThrottle Server, as does JMRI