iLabs

This thread is for posting news about the OpenDec02 DCC decoder that may or may not be of interest to you.

With the latest commit on the Github repository the OpenDec02 decoder now also supports the following features:

• 14 and 28 speed steps. Probably not that anyone will be using to much but it has been requested and it was fairly easy to implement.
• 4 new CV register implementations to be able to invert the value of individual output bits, which is very useful if you have common anode LED's in your loco.

We have now sold out the entire first batch (250 pcs) of the first version of OpenDec02 and it is time to move on to the next version. Remember this project has a moving target and will continue to see upgrades for each new batch that we produce.

This time we will make the following modifications to improve the performance:

• Replace the LDO with a switching regulator to reduce the generated heat of the device and make it able to supply more current for driving LED's and other fun stuff.
• Add a debug/flash connector that will make it much easier to flash new firmware and to debug code easier.
• We've made it significantly more robust by adding a zener protection diode for the ABC detection circuit.
• We've also added a couple of extra ground and 3.3V pads to the backside to simplify adding LED lighting and other cool stuf.

Attached is the schematic for version 2.0 PCB that goes out for fabrication this week.

New PCB's have arrived and hopefully we will have some first samples to play around with for the weekend.