4/4/2020
Mail delivery failed: returning message to sender
In March, only three people made a donation for the project. At the same time, the number of letters requesting to send a free sample of URB, write sketches for the project, provide advice and requirements for free testing of my applications was about a hundred.
But there are still absolutely irresponsible people who write letters to the address, while they themselves have either blocked the possibility of an answer, or even worse... Today I received a letter from a certain Paul. His address simply does not exist!
So hello to the trolls! The new rule: From now on, I will respond only to those letters whose authors will make a Donation of $ 1.
This rule does not apply to my friends and members of the URB Club.
3/30/2020
Hobbies of my friends
3/29/2020
Final
3/28/2020
Progress 4
Original sliding contacts
3/27/2020
Progress 3
3/24/2020
Progress 2
3/23/2020
Progress 1
3/18/2020
Demo platform
3/15/2019
The turntable testing completed successfully.
I had to radically change the design of the rotating platform. For a week I could not understand why the movement of the platform occurs with constant jerks, instead of smooth rotation. The problem turned out to be precisely in the design from Kibri. I have not seen a more terrifying design! It is the articulation of the four parts through plastic clip-clips at different heights and an oval shape with an offset (instead of the declared circular shape) of the plastic circle that led to this result.
As a result, I developed my own platform. Do not use anything from this model company. Agggrrr...
3/5/2020
Assembling big Turntable
2/29/2020
DIY gearbox for Turntable
2/22/2020
Test bench for stepper motor
Before starting the assembly of the turntable, I put together a simple test stand. On it, I will adjust the rotation speed, accuracy and smoothness of the turntable stop.
2/20/2020
Soon new original turntable
I had an idea to make a turntable with IR sensors. I even reserved buttons for this in the DUO application. And now my friend Erik sent me a set of Kibri. The rest of the details, continuing the tradition of level crossing, are as affordable and cheap as possible. Wait for a series about making this device on my YouTube channel.
Thanks again, Erik!
2/16/2020
Thanks all my subscribers on YouTube!
2/5/2020
I'm very thankful Donators for new monitor
I began to see poorly. Each new video, a new version of PCB or updating sketches and the site became painful. My old Lenovo monitor was very good nine years ago, but now it was becoming impossible to look at it even with glasses.
Very thankful to the donors Heather, Per Arne, Jørn, Ken, Philip, Imre, Gerwin, Alain, Hugues and Sven Erik – your donations paid for me half the cost of a new monitor. Now I can do much more.
1/28/2020
Track plan of the winner of the 2020 competition
1/20/2020
Original track plans for Contest 2020
1/16/2020
Big respect
Many thanks to Tore L. Tangen for participating in the development of the project. Brilliant idea with tokens!
1/2/2020
URB Club updated
12/30/2019
New app for Android Tablets is released. Only for Donators.
12/28/2019
Soon at 2020. Your own automatic train control.
12/26/2019
Share your hobbies with loved ones! Happy New Year!
12/12/2019
How installation URB system
Soon the video instruction.
12/10/2019
Future of URB project
After talking with a lot of modellers interested in Arduino, I made several conclusions:
- The users of my project are not comfortable the concept of multiple files for one sketch.
- Plug-in external libraries are a problem for beginners.
- Many users overestimate their knowledge and their experience and immediately make a complex project, instead of breaking it into several parts and implement it into their railway system gradually.
- People (and I, too) ALWAYS make mistakes when creating a circuit and connecting wires.
- The most unexpected thing for me is that modellers are afraid to experiment with sketches and Arduino, and that’s why they cannot find and fix errors.
- Most users perceive the URB project as a wireless console for controlling one train, although it is a flexible control system for any railway layouts with capabilities superior to most proprietary systems.
To fix this, I’ll make a few changes on the site and create some new tutorial videos. This is important, also, because next year I will introduce a wireless URB unit. Sketches for which will be more difficult than existing ones. The remaining components of the system will remain unchanged – you can still use your applications. There will remained also be a choice between a classic URB 2.X unit and a wireless one.
12/9/2019
Protocol updated to verson 2.3.1
Before the release of the DUO 5 application version, the list of automatic control commands has been expanded. No protocol changes will affect your sketches. No worries.
12/5/2019
DUO updated to version 4.1
Friends! I need feedback on my applications. If you have ideas or comments, write me a message. In the DUO update, the direction selection method has been improved and the AUTORUN1 button has been changed. Soon a video – how running AUTODRIVER scripts function using these buttons.
11/27/2019
Interlocking Games
11/14/2019
Soon scenarios
The last video from series "Arduino for modelers" will contain an example of a game with a script. An example in the figure. For your donations, I ordered a rail kit for new videos. Thanks you. After receiving these rails, a new series of videos with detailed scenarios with automatic and mixed control will be launched.
11/8/2019
Soon update DUO
More efficient and convenient UI. Scroll vertically instead of menu tabs. Changing the vertical position of the lever with a single swipe of the finger.
10/30/2019
More ideas about hide IR sensor
10/24/2019
Arduino IR Sensor Module as Relay Cabinet
For a week I invented, assembled draft samples and tested a new final design of IR sensor module. The result was even better than I intended!
9/26/2019
My thinking about users skill of Arduino
For several days I corresponded with modellers who are trying my project for the first time. And it turned out to be the most difficult to explain the method of applying the URB project. Ready-made examples with sketches are very popular, but it is they that block the possibility of adapting the project to the specific needs of the modeller and his unique railway layout. The main advantage of the URB management system – adaptability and flexibility remains unclear when applied to ANY ideas of a modellerby using ready examples.
This is a normal situation for beginners of the project, but a very big problem for me. Since after several successful attempts at repeating examples from the site, the modeller makes an error in the sketch or connection diagram and refuses the project. Thanks to the user Peter, in the dialogue with him I understood a simple thing: most do not associate the coding of sketches in my project with the Arduino programming language itself.
Therefore, I will nevertheless make a series of videos for beginners about programming sketches with links to official documentation of Arduino.
9/18/2019
New hardware for Donators
9/7/2019
Realistic sound – expalnations
9/4/2019
Update Arduino Train TNT for Donators is ready
The new interface, as in the DUO application. A app Train TNT implemented all functions of the Protocol 2.3. A new thing of the updated application is the vertical scroll of the screen. I really enjoyed managing my layout in this new way. Now you can set the rudder in a position convenient for you. Really cool!
9/2/2019
How to migrate to Protocol 2.3
Firstly change the speed array in the COMM sketch header:
// 24 speed
byte speedArrayA [] = {20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100,110,120,130,140,150,160,170,180,190,200,210,220,230,240,255};
byte speedArrayB [] = {20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100,110,120,130,140,150,160,170,180,190,200,210,220,230,240,255};
// Set default direction to FORWARD
digitalWrite(IN1_PIN, HIGH);
digitalWrite(IN2_PIN, LOW);
digitalWrite(IN3_PIN, HIGH);
digitalWrite(IN4_PIN, LOW);
Another way – use updated sketches from my site.
9/1/2019
All apps upgraded to Protocol 2.3
Unfortunately Google Play again delays the publication of updates to Junior apps series. At the same time, the DUO update is already available. It's little strange...
Soon there will be a lot of interesting things, since Protocol 2.3 has added many new features. Train sounds and turntable support and so on will be added.Applications for the tablet and TNT are now being tested. After completing the tests, all venerable URB club members will receive applications updated to Protocol 2.3
8/31/2019
Site content updated to Protocol 2.3
The amount of interesting information on the site has increased. As I promised, some of the materials from the URB club are now available on the main site – thanks to those who subscribed to my YouTube channel. That is my gratitude. Please support my project informationally, share it.
8/20/2019
App DUO supporting Protocol 2.3 is complete
8/18/2019
More simple power solution for an idea about use a Tablet instead indicate and control panel
8/17/2019
Idea for railway layout Tablet Indicator with wireless charger
Especially for Alain and Peter:)
8/16/2019
Final edition...
8/15/2019
Process
8/12/2019
For guru UI - set DUO elements before coding
8/11/2019
User Interface Study Result and Implications...
8/10/2019
Soon DUO - new UI like loco cabin, bigger buttons, inertia and classic control modes, Protocol 2.2 and more... DNT also will be refreshed.
And new icon for DUO app
8/8/2019
All new icons
8/6/2019
AI have four questions:
1. I’m uncomfortable with the vertical position of the acceleration / braking lever. The phone must be held with both hands! Return horizontal slider to bottom of screen?
2. Since I can now determine the status of the train in the application, you can add sounds. That is, the phone (tablet) will simulate sound through its speakers.
3. To Android, you can program the vibration of the phone for various events. There is an idea to add a one-time vibration when reaching speed 100. What other events (AWS signal, maximum braking, etc.) do you read important for such an indication?
4. Inertial motion ratios are now quite conservative. Acceleration and braking have a linear characteristic. I will change these settings in the future.
For example, in the next test version of the application, I will change the HEAVY settings to more extreme, that is, the acceleration of the train will be very slow. I need your feedback on this!
8/6/2019
How to use. 4-mode of drive. LOW, MIDDLE and HEAVY the inertia toggle.
Club members can test 24 speeds and inertial control now. The sketch file and a test application updated. Username and password as earlier.
8/4/2019
24 speed control. Protocol 2.3 complete.
Ok! Test App working fine! The new type of control running excellent, very similar to a real train. Some changes - the protocol will be expanded to 20-25 speeds, the neutral position of the directional lever will be canceled and by default the direction of movement will be forward.
8/3/2019
Special for Alain!
Thanks for photos your URB 3.3. Pins connections for your unit.
Link to download test app: https://arduinorailwaycontrol.com/dev/
Login: Friend
Pass: saw35685478dsa
8/2/2019
To test the application, I need a fast-assembled rail track. Cardboard and rails for start.
Cardboard rail side
Non-collapsible test rail track complete. Soon video.
Collapsible test rail track complete.
An update of the Arduino Trani DEMO application with a new type of inertial control has been published on Google Play. It is possible to change this mode to standard. To test the inertial method of train movement, I needed a test track, which I made with a cardboard backing. The result was a convenient collapsible design.
After completing the tests, the inertial control type will also be implemented in all my other applications, but with advanced customization options. Soon video about it!
8/2/2019
Test App available only for friends. Send me message.
8/1/2019
Start refreshed my apps.
Full compatibility with the URB project and Protocol 2.1 sketches. First app with new features is available. Soon free update paid versions.
8/1/2019
Try Inertia mode. Free app Arduino Train DEMO2 updated to eperimental Inertia Drive Mode.
There will be several inertional options in the versions of DUO, DNT and Table applications. There are only two options in the DEMO application: ON/OFF. And only 10 speeds. All sketches are compatible.
7/31/2019
Soon Inertia Mode!
I came up with a code for making inertia and successfully implemented it. I'm done. Really cool new feature!
7/30/2019
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees! I did it!
7/28/2019
You need inertia drive?
I start realize old idea about other way train control, like an accelerate pedal on car. Code for this working like this
Introduce Inertia for Thrust and Brakes
7/25/2019
My new strange idea... Train Cab interior for UI my apps. Need your opinion!
This is not just a tablet app. This is a completely different control system, similar to a real locomotive cab. And yes, now there will be inertia ...
The transition to wireless URB allowed to increase the speed of data transmission. After that, it became possible to replace the thrust slider to the braking and acceleration rudders. In this configuration, the control system does not fit on the area of a small screen of a mobile phone, and for this reason alone I am writing a tablet application.
7/24/2019
Introduce Tablet App.
It's leaks. Separate control of acceleration and braking. Three modes of inertia. Only for friends... Under construction.
7/22/2019
I take offense :) Arduino Garden Trains app
The application performs the role of a wireless remote control to control the locomotive of the garden railway. Unique features and user-friendly interface. The ability to switch between trains by simply changing the MAC address of the Bluetooth module. Any equipment Arduino and open API. Adapts to any microcontroller-based control system.
Link to page Arduino Garden Train app.
Old style video.
7/20/2019
Wireless URB 3.3 and URB 4
7/18/2019
My parcels arrived.
I received a new parcel from China. Now I have all the details for the start of tests of the wireless URBs system.
7/17/2019
App Garden Train complete!
7/10/2019
Modernised chassic of a passenger car
7/10/2019
Start massive restoration my old passenger cars
7/2/2019
Problems with the interface of my applications
I watched a video in which my demo application is used to control a large train for a garden rail. The author of the video asked to make a special application for his hobby. The idea is interesting, and probably I'll do it.
But on the video, I noticed problems with the interface elements. A quick check showed the presence of this problem in all my applications on device screens with a resolution of xxhdpi. All applications will be updated to resolve this issue. Also, the processing of pressing the Android key back with the application closing dialog will be added. If you have comments then send me message.
7/1/2019
Loco lighting fail :(
Work solution - adding capasitors
Bad solution
All LEDs glow at the same time. DC motor produced impulses, and this causes the LEDs to glow at reverse current...
P.S. Video about it.
6/30/2019
Smart LEDs for Loco
6/14/2019
Mesh Bluetooth - next step of URB project
If use NRF24, then more 60% Arduino NANO hardware resources is free! By comparison with the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth manypoint mode network, in this case hawing problem with resourses. Docs NRF24
6/10/2019
URB Project completed
MASTER PLAN OF URB PROJECT
- Android app for DC train control
- Protocol 1.0 — manage junctions and tracks
- Hardware device based on Arduino UNO and Bluetooth
- URB 1.0 — first working concept of Universal Railway Bus
- Adding control for any railway layout devices
- URB 2.0 — change hardware to Arduino NANO and HC-05
- Arduino Train App apps and Protocol 1.2
- Integrating to the project modules and sensors
- Creating rules and documentation for build any railway
- Global testing
- First release (URB 2.2 and ArduinoTrain BTControl)
- Opening site arduinorailmaket.ru
- Presented full functional example of Big Layout
- Adding snippets and the mulifiles sketch
- Migrate from arduinorailmaket.ru to arduinorailwaycontrol.com
- Protocol 2.0
- Updated Arduino’s network concept (URB 2.4 – URB 2.9)
- Presented app line Arduino Train
- Adding extended thrust control
(18-speed to DUO, DNT and 9-speed to other apps) - Decreasing PWM frequency to 122 Hz for smooth motion of trains
Last versions DEMO, Junior Lite, Junior Pro, DUO, TNT, DNT apps are full support these thrust features - Protocol 2.1 & URB 2.X.122
There will be no more changes. The project is fully ready for use.
The current version of URB project provides full control of all devices for any railway layout. The universality of the project allows its adaptation to any external management systems and any railway periphery of any scale and manufacturer.
My Android apps will work properly with wireless units.
FUTURE. NEXT PROJECT.
- Wireless URB concept
- Hadware for migrate to wireless — URB 3.3
- New very cheap unit with minimal hardware set
- Testing concept
- URB 4.0
Protocol 3.0
Documentation and Arduino software
New feature — smart Loco
New feature — scripted motion
Other new features…
Online train location sensors
Mixed train dispatch
Full automated railway layout
AI & "Live" layout
6/9/2019
Wireless connection between URB3.3 and URB 4.0 units was successful
6/9/2019
Wireless URB 4.0
6/8/2019
Interesting device
https://www.amazon.com/Keywish-Integrate-ATmega328P-Micro-Controller-Compatible/dp/B07N2P8FCD
5/29/2019
Starting new series about using the URB Project
The first episode tells about the method of building the system on the example of the layout of my friend from Hungary. The second episode shows how to use a byte variable to transfer the state of the railway lines to local URB units, and how to make an Indication Panel in practice.
This series will continue...
5/28/2019
Wireless future of URB Project
For the past few months I have been testing wireless URB units. As a result, unit version 4.0 was created. It is incompatible with the previous ones and most likely the code for the wireless project will also be somewhat different. Therefore, the project will be divided into two parts. The first part — the URB versions 2.X and the transitional model URB 3.3 will remain as the URB project. The wireless part will be available only to the members of the URB Club.
5/20/2019
All tests wireless URB 3.3 passed!
The system of wireless units turned out to be very convenient. I was afraid to use the SPI interface, since it is complex for modellers. But everything turned out to be simpler, for NRF24 there is an excellent library with network support. Now I am gradually writing software and examples for using new units.
But maybe 3.3, this is not the latest version of the URB unit. There are some new ideas.
PCBs for the wireless unit URB 3.3 arrived. Thanks to Torben and Eric for donating.
5/12/2019
Soon updating all sketches with code for a motor-driver L298 to 122Hz
I will set the frequency to 122 Hz for Arduino pins 9 and 10. This means that timer 1 with divider 256 will be used. It is obvious to me that if most DCC decoders use a frequency of 100 Hz and this is the most recommended PWM frequency by manufacturers of miniature DC motors, then it is necessary to use exactly 122 Hz.
This is not a problem for the project itself, as it is possible to use any settings and any frequencies. That is, you can use 490 Hz and do not change anything in the sketch. It is also possible not to change the design of the existing URB units at 122 Hz. Just in this case it can't to simultaneously use the servos and the motor-driver on the same unit. No more problems for transferring to 122 Hz.
4/29/2019
Introduce to Electricity for modellers
Another mission of the modellers described below is warmly supports of mythical devices and their magical properties. Mostly these people discuss decoders DCC and sensors. I don’t want to be Gulliver in the eternal war between supporters and opponents of various DCC systems, but I’ll make some remarks about infrared sensors.
Most of the video by these "proficient" modeller recommend the installation of the module from the infrared LED and the receiver under the rails. At the same time, only one tenth of them mention that for correct triggering IR-sensor need be glued to the bottom of each locos and cars the stripe foil. And practically no one gives correct working examples with different speeds and number of cars on trains passing on such a sensor. Also silent about the effect on infrared sensors of sunlight and other side effects leading to false positives. And there is absolutely no information on how to process and use signals from sensory systems to automate the railway layout.
As a result of activities of these guys, a normal modeller, after several failures, either refuses to use sensors or is forced to invent very strange constructions. For example, I saw a very good modeller who invented the sensor from the wire dragged under the locomotive and the contact pads placed between the sleepers. This is certainly an interesting solution, this was applied at the end of the 19th century on real railways, but now no one does these constructions. And this is a very precarious and potentially problematic solution.
However, I am not writing this post for criticism of authors offering false information. I have another suggestion - I will make on my channel a series of videos about the basic electrical solutions of railway automatic and control for modellers. And all these examples will be supported by a full description. If you have a plot for such videos, then sent me message.
And I will begin with the simplest concepts, such as current, voltage, polarity, Ohm and Kirchhoff's laws - from all that you have forgotten from school times.
Older posts see on my FB.