Digital Direct for Linux
| Digital Direct for Linux
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| Basic data
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| developer | Vogt-IT |
| Current version | 1.5.1 |
| operating system | Linux |
| category | Model railway |
| License | GNU General Public License (GPL) |
| www.vogt-it.com/OpenSource/DDL | |
Digital Direct for Linux or DDL is the name for an open source project under the GNU General Public License (GPL) that is created and maintained by Vogt-IT . It allows the digital control of a model railway system with a PC with standard interfaces . There is now also a port for Windows called Digital Direct for Windows or DDW .
The DDL software
A DDL system consists of at least two parts:
- a server program and
- one or more client programs .
The server
The Electric Railroad Digital Direct Command Daemon ( erddcd ) called the SRCP server is the main component of the system. It runs under the free Linux operating system ; any common Linux distribution is suitable. This server abstracts the hardware - that is, it offers the clients a uniform interface via the TCP / IP protocol, regardless of hardware details. The server can forward the control commands received from the clients to the system as well as read in feedback and forward them to the clients. However, it does not maintain a system status, which means that it does not memorize any data, but only forwards it between the system and clients.
The clients
The clients are control programs that communicate with the server via TCP / IP and provide the user with a user interface . There are many different versions, from a simple command line such as ddsh and rcsh to graphical interfaces that are heavily based on the layout of real interlockings . Some clients, such as J-Man or Electrip , also allow the use of joysticks and gamepads for control purposes. The clients contain the actual intelligence for controlling the model railway layout.
The clients can run on the same computer as the server; but also on another computer because of the network capabilities of the DDL project. There are already clients for Windows that communicate with the SRCP server via a TCP / IP network.
The hardware required
The computer
The server can be operated with low resources. So erddcd is satisfied with a 386 . The graphic interfaces of some clients, which are recommended for more complex model railway systems, should run on more modern hardware ( Pentium or better), since a screen resolution of at least 800 × 600 pixels seems to be advisable for this.
The booster
The booster is the link between the PC and the model railway system . It amplifies the digital control signal sent by the PC and supplies the output current. Almost all boosters available on the market can be used for the DDL project, be it ready-made devices, kits or do-it-yourself projects.
The connection cable
The connection between PC and booster is established via a special cable at the serial interface . It must fit the - non-standardized - connections of the booster used and is therefore usually to be made by yourself. On the Internet, however, there are construction plans for various boosters available on the market and the most common kits.
The feedback bus
The DDL server supports the six-pin S88 feedback bus, which is connected to the computer via the printer port and can report system data to the computer. It is also possible to connect several such modules to one interface and upgrade with several printer connections that are assigned multiple times, since several servers can be started at the same time.
The function
The server runs on the PC that is directly connected to the booster. Clients can be operated on the same PC as the server as well as on other computers in the same network . Several servers can be controlled by one client or several clients can communicate with the same server.
The DDL system enables digital driving and switching when using locomotive and switching decoders. The server is multi-protocol capable d. H. A parallel operation of Märklin Digital and NMRA-DCC in the same digital circuit is possible. When using several feedback modules, almost 2000 feedback contacts can be read in, and with the support of a programming track, the fine adjustment and programming of locomotive decoders can be achieved in a convenient way.
See also
- Rocrail - adapted DDL sources for Linux and Windows
swell
Web links
- Vogt-IT DDL website with packages to download
- http://samulat.de/DigitaleBahn.html - detailed information about installation and configuration
- http://www.bogobit.de - DIY projects using Märklin accessories
- M. Grafe's DDW website about the Windows version
literature
- Peter Samulat in the magazine Mibaextra Modellbahn digital , issue 3.