1. System for Engine Location Of a Web Train
Paul Wimmer and Adam Weintrop
Dr. Irwin and Dr. Schertz
2/20/06

2. Outline Current position on time line Accomplishments of last week
Goals for next week

3. Time Line

4. Outline Current position on time line Accomplishments of last week
Goals for next week

5. Last Week Recoded all DCC generation software
Much more efficient and useful
3 Tier Menu:
Select Train (Blue/White)
Select Direction (Foreword/Backward)
Select Speed (0-9)
Problems with White Train
Tested the new transformers
Organized software program flow

6. Results The results of the transformer circuit
(200 turn sensor and 1 MOhm terminating resistor)
-With Train off track ~30 mV
-With Train idle on track ~130 mV
-With Train running ~upwards of 1 V
Could use resistor in engine to increase off / idle voltage range
-May not be necessary with 100mV difference

7. Program Flow 7 Primary modules/functions Main Compare positions Dx Dt
Velocity
Basic Collision Avoidance?
Relay to PC?

8. Main Change MUX inputs Test each MUX ouptut
Determine if the train is on a given section of track
Code is written, not done troubleshooting

9. Compare Compares the new position to the previous position
Further action is only taken if the position has changed
No relevant info if position is the same

10. Dx Distance traveled by the train Based on: New track section
Old track section
Direction (when necessary)
Table? Set of loops and if statements?

11. Dt
Determine the time that the train took to cross the last track section
Stop a timer upon entrance of a section
Extract the values
Start up the next timer
A certain amount of overflow = idle train

12. Speed Dx/Dt determined in C in floating point
Conversion to an 8 bit integer (char)
An averaging algorithm may be implemented (time permitting)

13. Collision Avoidance If a train is approaching another:
Send out an e-stop (if on same processor as the DCC signal)
Warn user (if a GUI is setup in Java)
Kill the power --> the most practical method

14. Back to PC Time permitting: Transfer values from EMAC to PC
Create a GUI in JAVA

15. Outline Current position on time line Accomplishments of last week
Goals for next week

16. Problems to Address for Next Week
Finish hardware (comparators, multiplexers)
Interface with software
Test hardware and software I/O
Write more independent software functions
Divide them up between us
Latch or Sample and Hold hardware?