SignalMan Manual-b - RR
Contents
1. a LocoNet bus and the layout The LocoBuffer USB Rev n may be connected at any convenient point on the LocoNet LocoNet is a registered trademark of Digitrax www digitrax com LocoBuffer USB Rev n 1 0 Features USB Rev 1 1 and 2 0 compliant with type B input 96 bytes of data buffering in each direction Digitrax LocoNet certified Linux Mac Windows XP Vista Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 8 1 32 64 bit Drivers VCP Virtual Com Port Drivers support the RS232 Serial interface used by popular Model RR software 2 500 VAC digital isolation between LocoNet and computer Automatically powers down with the host computer to conserve battery power on laptops Boot Loader allows firmware upgrades over USB connection 57 600 Baud interface speed with hardware flow control Compact size with no power adapter required 1 1 2 x 2 1 4 x 3 4 LocoBuffer USB Rev n 2 0 Getting Started The LocoBuffer USB operates at 57 6K baud speed Connect the included USB cable to an unused USB port on your computer and to the LocoBuffer USB Your computer should detect the new unit and open a driver installation dialog Mac Windows 8 users see below Windows users with Internet service to their RR computer should allow Windows Update to search for software automatically Windows XP Vista and Windows 7 will locate the drivers automatically Two drivers will install One appears under USB the other under Ports COM amp LPT2. an update to your LocoBuffer USB Rev n firmware is ever required a program such as Download Firmware in JMRI version 3 9 1 or later will be required and specific instructions will be posted on the RR CirKits web site www rT cirkits com Error codes During boot loading several possible error codes are shown by the red led 1 blink manufacturer code or product code mismatch 2 blinks hardware version mismatch 3 blinks hex file software version equal or lower 4 blinks unused no LocoNet data 5 blinks internal programming error detected 5 0 Digital Isolation The LocoBuffer USB provides 2 500 VAC electrical isolation between the computer and the LocoNet by using a high speed digital isolator This prevents possible ground loop problems between the LocoNet and your computer For example many systems are installed without properly grounding the booster to power ground Some interface devices connect the LocoNet ground directly to the USB cable ground This provides a ground path from the power line through your computer and its USB cable to the LocoNet and then to the booster and all the railroad wiring At best this indirect grounding causes electrical noise At worst it could create a fault path via the small gauge LocoNet wiring to ground Properly ground your boosters and your desktop computer through a 3 wire grounded cable and isolate the two from each other via the LocoBuffer USB 5 0 Digital
3. Isolation 7 6 0 Trouble shooting 6 1 Basic Sanity Test To do a very basic LocoBuffer USB sanity test perform the following steps 1 Unplug the LocoNet cable 2 Power up the LocoBuffer USB by plugging it into the computer 3 The right hand green power LED should come on 4 Plug in the LocoNet cable The left hand green power LED should light 5 Unplug the LocoNet cable The red activity light should blink very briefly as the cable is removed 6 2 Activity Test The right hand green power LED will not come on unless some driver connection is made from your computer Unfortunately for our trouble shooting there are normally two drivers installed and the LED will light once the first one is in place No light usually means that there is no driver installed but a green light does not guarantee the drivers are OK The LocoBuffer USB s input circuit and code sends data directly to the unit s processor so if both green power LEDs are on and you send any command on the LocoNet it should immediately be seen on the red activity LED The simplest test is to observe the red activity LED while sending commands to a Locomotive from a hand held throttle This test does not rely on any correct port settings If there is activity at the LocoBuffer USB red LED but there is no activity shown in the LocoNet monitor window check that you have the correct interface selected in the JMRI preferences LocoBuffer USB and that you have th
4. RR Cirkits Inc Affordable Electronics for Model Railroads Installation Guide Revision a LocoBuffer USB Rev n USB 2 0 to LocoNet Interface This PDF is designed to be read on screen two pages at a time If you want to print a copy your PDF viewer should have an option for printing two pages on one sheet of paper but you may need to start with page 2 to get it to print facing pages correctly Print this cover page separately Copyright This document is Copyright October 2014 by RR CirKits Inc You may distribute it under the terms of either the GNU General Public License version 3 or later http www gnu org licenses gpl html or the Creative Commons Attribution License http creativecommons org licenses by 3 0 version 3 0 or later All trademarks within this guide belong to their legitimate owners Authors Dick Bronson Feedback Please direct any comments or suggestions about this document to dick rr cirkits com Contact Information RR CirKits Inc http www rr cirkits com 7918 Royal Ct sales rr cirkits com Waxhaw NC 28173 service rr cirkits com USA 1 704 843 3769 Fax 1 704 243 4310 Publication date and software version Published October 2014 Based on LocoBuffer USB User s Guide WARNING This product contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer birth defects or other reproductive harm Do not ingest You can download an editable version of this do
5. Windows 8 users must manually install the drivers for your system from the included driver disk See http www rr cirkits com win 8 driver install html for more info Mac users choose the IMAC folder and run the included dmg file The right hand green status indicator should illuminate as soon as your drivers are installed and they recognize the LocoBuffer USB Connect the unit s LocoNet jack to any point on your system s LocoNet The left hand green status indicator should illuminate and the red activity indicator should now indicate all LocoNet activity Set your software s settings to match the communications port You should now be able to control your Railroad from your software See http www rr cirkits com manuals LB USB manual Rev n pdf for further help 3 0 Connections and Indicators The LocoBuffer USB has two connectors and three status indicators 3 1 USB Connector The computer connection is made using the provided USB type B extension cable to connect from the LocoBuffer USB to your computer 3 2 Power Connections The LocoBuffer USB Rev n does not use any external power source The LocoBuffer USB Rev n processor is powered by the USB connector It only draws power when the USB driver is active and the computer is not in suspend or sleep mode This allows the LocoBuffer USB Rev n to remain connected to a laptop computer and not drain the battery when the computer is in low power mode 3 0 Connections
6. and Indicators 5 The LocoNet receiver and driver circuits receive their power from the Rail Sync lines and draw only a few milliamperes 3 3 LocoNet Bus Connector The LocoNet connection is made to the LocoBuffer USB via the provided cable connected to the RJ 12 6 pin modular jack LocoNet cables are wired straight through not reversed like phone cables Pin outs for the RJ 12 connector Pin Description Color Rail_Sync white Signal Ground black 3 LocoNet red i LocoNet green 5 Signal Ground yellow Rail_Synct blue LocoNet pins 2 and 5 and pins 3 and 4 are connected together internally 3 4 Status Indicators The LocoBuffer USB has three status indicators located either side of the RJ 12 connector The two green status indicators each show power status The left hand green indicator shows the power status of the LocoNet Rail Sync power input The right hand green indicator shows the power status of the USB connection The red status indicator normally flashes to show any LocoNet activity It also shows any activity error status during a boot loader firmware upgrade LocoBuffer USB Rev n Status indicators 6 LocoBuffer USB Rev n 4 0 Boot Loader Used for LocoBuffer USB firmware upgrades only The LocoBuffer USB is designed to be field upgradable but due to clock speed and other differences between hardware versions not all firmware will match all hardware If
7. cument from http www rr cirkits com manuals LB USB manual Rev n odt Contents CODY Aleo a OR NNS 2 OVENI a eee ee eee eo emne mn Nene EEE EE ant e aE rrr rer Fer e me mr rmNTn tn Cr Tre 4 OU een es sos secs ce wat se saan em T E EEEE 4 20 Getting Sa ssa cae ores ccaniadaiooeandadoxbennd AA A aad tienen 5 3 0 Connections and Polskie 100 gt een ne ee meres errr E RRO RET 5 3 1 USB CONNEC oo sca Ss cessed aie see ee anand a E E O 5 32 BET CISC IE 522 cncaccesdunesesnecreusieensccddiedeaadebnas abacdunnnheidecimaselentenmnmieawadedlonsnne 5 3 3 LocoNet Bus Connector ctasesnscassaaassssasacanagennaetetasdacaninnvonsqneresbnuambbenleqaseasadwess 6 34 Status Indicato Sesion EE ee 6 4 0 Boot Loader Used for LocoBuffer USB firmware upgrades only 0csec000 7 90 Digital TSOP 95454beiaadaadedesedsicende E nE R Ra aT bated 7 OO Trouble SHOOLNO erian Ea TE 8 6 L Basic veer cseat osciscteet sees ecaaccccac anes macacaneuqaeconccossacecoaeteuaneeneniccaceaess 8 O2 ACUVIUy TOSUN E EE EEEE aE 8 8 0 Warranty PO Anos snxennssasnsccneesasqnsnisisverinadedniaanipscecanssasseetarnenteaknenioasedesaneaees 8 o0 FCC Morna Oisean evap E E ERE NEE 9 RR CirKits Inc http www rr cirkits com 7918 Royal Ct sales rr cirkits com Waxhaw NC 28173 service rr cirkits com USA 1 704 843 3769 Fax 1 704 243 4310 LocoBuffer USB Rev n 3 Overview The LocoBuffer USB Rev n LocoNet interface provides a simple and easy way to connect between
8. e correct COM port selected 8 0 Warranty Information We offer a one year warranty on the LocoBuffer USB Rev n This device contains no user serviceable parts If a defect occurs please contact RR CirKits at service rr cirkits com for a replacement 8 LocoBuffer USB Rev n 9 0 FCC Information This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules Operation is subject to the following two conditions 1 This device may not cause harmful interference and 2 this device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation Note This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions may cause harmful interference to radio communications However there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna Increase the separation between the equipmen
9. t and receiver Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected Consult the dealer or an experienced radio TV technician for help Any modifications to this device voids the user s authority to operate under and be in compliance with these regulations The actual measured radiation from the LocoBuffer USB is much lower than the maximum that is permitted by the FCC Rules so it is unlikely that this device will cause any RFI problems RR Cirkits Inc http Awww rr cirkits com 7918 Royal Ct sales rr cirkits com Waxhaw NC 28173 service rr cirkits com USA 1 704 843 3769 Fax 1 704 243 4310 9 0 FCC Information 9
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