As promised and due to the fact that the previous thread has quite a bit been "infected" by discussions about other topics here is my update.
A. Hardware:
First of all I'd like to share with you a picture of the changed hardware as it will expose to users after their CS's have been upgraded.
It contains connectors for the first s88 decoder, 6015/6017 boosters and 6020/6021 control lines.
6017 boosters will continue to be manufactured and sold; they can easily be connected to the new "box"; thus the booster adapter #60129 is not needed there (if you have it already that's no problem either).
B. Software (changed/new functionality):
B.1. Startup and main screen
The startup and screen sequence is not any different from the current one, but once up and running the main screen and a number of other screens will look different. Due to confidentiality reasons and since the official release has not yet taken place I will not show them here yet, but will instead use the current screens for explanations as deemed suitable.
The keyboard screen will now be displayed separate from the (main) loco control screen; keyboard control areas have been expanded from 18 to 74; also with numerous new functions and symbols.
An extensive, context sensitive help facility has been added to the system and can be called up at any instance (
indicated on the picture below by the red ?).
The main screen looks then approx. like this (more space for speed control than today and the possibility to display either speed steps or speed (max. speed can be defined) and some more indicators.
The previous lengthy messages indicating the absence of a mfx loco have simply been replaced by a specific mfx logo (similar to the one that is shown on the main screen when a new mfx loco registers - see also 3.3.1 of the handbook).
A new loco selection menu has been added (including a numeric keypad) which will show up to possible 10 locos matching the selection criteria (many customers apparently still set up
the loco user name being the same as the MM loco address).
The bottom area field will still show the battery status, MS-Update icon and will contain
new icons to easily switch between the loco and keyboard control screens.
B.2. Setup - general, network and access settings
The current latest CS versions before the update is 1.6.134 with a loaded loco database version 1.5 (the latest CS handbook version is 03/06).
The first CS version after the update will be 2.0.1. or above (depending upon further bux fixes if found). The loco database will be as current as of June 2007 and regularly updates will be made available for download as new models (w/o mfx decoders)
features and bugfixes are released.
As well indicated on that screen will now be the CS serial# (i.e. its own mfx address, which is currently only labeled on the CS rear side).
A new item has been added which will allow to change and show the max. booster current (2.0/2.4/2.8A).
Spanish is planned to be included as language too
(maybe not available with the update).
Network setting will include a field for the gateway IP and a masking field.
An additional entry field will be provided to enter a code
for the locking of certain functions.
B.3. Components in the System
After the update, the following three new items will show up besides any possible MS entry:
- Sniffer (i.e. 6021 connection)
- s88 Control
- Booster Control (with a field to set and display the short circuit delay time)
B.4. setting up locos
The loco setting/modify screen has been expanded to include now the sniffer address (i.e. address under which the loco is controlled by the 602x/603x).
The decoder type field has been expanded by the following data formats: MM14, MM27, MM28 and fx14
a description of these data formats can also be found in the ECoS handbook (section 7.1.1.).
MM Loco addresses up to 256 are now allowed (sniffer will still be limited to 80, due to the 6020/6021 limitation).
Many loco type and function icons have been added, including for example the digital crane or a double traction; the mapping to the corresponding (limited) MS display is unchanged
(i.e. steam-, diesel- or E-loco and those known hardcoded MS icons).
Numeric search of a loco from the database works now with all digits and makes any selection much easier and faster (i.e. "1" lists all locos starting with 1xxxx; "14" narrows it down to all locos starting with 14xxx, etc.)
Programming of a decoder has been expanded to allow bit representation of the selected CV's and finding the address of a particular loco (on the programming track).
Locos in multitraction are now indicated
by a corresponding icon; when setting up locos in MT, their preferred driving direction can be set individually.
Sound adjustment of a steamer's cylinder "takt" has been added. As well added has been a braking icon and function; if pressed the loco will slow down to a stop and perform the break squealing (i.e. it is no longer required to turn the speed knob down with a certain speed). Slowing down to stop is performed
according to the configured delay values for that loco).
Up to 8 independent pendular trains can be configured; their setup includes the selection of the affected loco(s), s88/s880 contacts, station pause duration, etc. Different from the HELMO analog system, pendular locos/trains will have their direction changed digitally (including all associated direction dependent functions).
Similar to locos in a MT, a specific loco symbol will be display for locos that are active in a pendular control setup.
B.5. keyboard settings
As mentioned above, a number of icons have been added here as well.
Switching of the three-way turnout works now correct (still requires the setup by only one decoder).
Trackway control menus have been added;
a trackway setup works as follows (very simple):
- All items must have been set up (i.e. switches, double crossing, signals, etc.)
- The items on their keyboard control panels are set according to their position for the desired trackway.
- A new trackway is defined
- One item after the other is "added" to the trackway by simply clicking on each of the items; starting with the first to be switched until the last (usually the signal).
Similar to single keyboard items, all trackways can be defined also on multiple keyboard control areas.
Trackways can either be set by the uyer or via s88 contacts; the switching duration time can be set as well.
Changing the position of an item on the 6040 keyboard will show the change on the CS, but not the other way round
(limitation of MM). .
B.6. PC connection
The Ethernet connection will/can be used to perform data backups (how much local editing will be possible is still under investigation) and CS updates/bug fixes. All neccessary steps/procedures will be included in the documentation that will be made available with the update.
PC train control via the Ethernet port is possible by programs that support this (i.e. Freiwald). The 6050/6051 interface can as well still be used by those programs support it (with all limitations of MM). Interface specifications have been provided to different PC program suppliers and first implementations can be expected to be offered pretty soon (for example Peterlin). Availability is dependent upon those suppliers.
I hope I got most of the important CS update related stuff from my visit to Märklin down here; if I find/recall any more I'll add them here.
It might be useful to take as well a look at the ECoS handbook; a number of new functions have similar descriptions there. Enjoy looking forward to get your CS updated as well!
