New Scorpius MPD decoder for Scalextric - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: New Scorpius MPD decoder for Scalextric (/showthread.php?tid=3995)

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New Scorpius MPD decoder for Scalextric - ScorpiusWireless - 9th-Nov-23

 
Hi Enthusiasts,
    Well it’s been 17 years since I first bought Scalextric Sport Digital and 45 years since I first enjoyed Scalextric.
Lots has changed. The fun hasn’t. But the technology has.
I first converted my Scaley digital system to wireless in 2006 by converting an existing controller to 2.4GHz wireless and making my own wireless car chip. Eventually I developed my own lane changing and lap counting protocols and increased 6 cars to 24. The system became known as Scorpius Wireless and a company was started. 

Fast forward to 2019 and I’ve was looking at ways to increase the Scalextric digital experience. The market doesn’t need another Scalextric compatible chip. Or does it? After a couple of versions and Covid we designed a new version Sept and received prototypes in October. 
I won’t go into all the features and functions just now. The chip is multi functional. It’s not just a car chip, it’s also a lane change chip, a lap count chip, a light board, a pit locator and a sector locator and not just for one brand. All or most of these functions will be compatible or to 4 brands including Scalextric Sport Digital.

So what are points of difference?
1. Size. Smallest on market when it arrives just 23x13.3x1.7mm. 
2. Power. Motor drive rated at 10A. This will handle most 50K motors all day long.
3. Adjustable brakes 0-100% in 1% increments by bypassing the power base and programming the chip itself. Lap times can drop by as much as 0.5 sec a lap friending in your set up. Drivability is improved significantly.
4. Throttle mapping. Write your own throttle maps on your laptop and upload to the car directly. Again lap times can drop by tenths. Drivability is improved also significantly.
5. Lights. Full lights, headlights, with hi beam, tail lights with brake lights. 
As Scalextric does not have brakes we can use the brake button. Instead of operating button braking the MPD can do functions by receiving a message via the brake button for turning on/off and flash high beam.
6. Brake flame LED output with plug in orange LED/wire to mini JST plug into car chip.
7. Flashing light output for Police and Safety cars.
8. Compatible to Carrera and Scorpius systems.
9. Real time tacho using laptop and Scorpius dongle.
10. Free firmware updates using your phone.
11. Lane change driver for SSD custom timber track construction. 
12.Lane change anti collision chip. 




DPR compatible. 100% plug n play. 
Firmware development continues.
Here’s a pic of our prototype and DPR hatch.


Rick

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New Scorpius MPD decoder for Scalextric - ScorpiusWireless - 13th-Nov-23

[attachment=32387]The new MPD decoder by Scorpius is multi functional. It’s not just a car chip, it’s also a lane change chip, a lap count chip, a light board, a pit locator and a sector locator and not just for one brand. All or most of these functions will be compatible for 4 brands including Scalextric Sport Digital.

So what are points of difference to the Hornby offerings? Why would you even consider buying this?
1. Size. Smallest on market when it arrives just 23x13.3x1.7mm.
2. Power. Motor drive rated at 10A. This will handle most 50K motors all day long.
3. Adjustable brakes 0-100% in 1% increments by bypassing the power base and programming the chip itself. Lap times can drop by as much as 0.5 sec a lap depending in your set up. Drivability is improved significantly.
4. Throttle mapping. Write your own throttle maps on your laptop and upload to the car directly. Again lap times can drop by tenths. Drivability is improved also significantly.
5. Lights. Full lights, headlights, with hi beam, tail lights with brake lights controlled from throttle.
As Scalextric default brakes are from throttle release, we can use the brake button for other functions. Instead of operating button braking the MPD can do functions by receiving a message via the brake button for turning on/off and flash high beam.
6. Brake flame LED output with plug in orange LED/wire to mini JST plug into car chip.
7. Flashing light output for Police and Safety cars.
8. Compatible to Carrera and Scorpius systems.
9. Real time tacho using laptop and Scorpius dongle.
10. Free firmware updates using your phone.
11. Lane change driver for SSD custom timber track construction.
12.Lane change anti collision chip.

DPR compatible. 100% plug n play.

Firmware development continues.

Rick

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DPR Hatch update - ScorpiusWireless - 18th-Dec-23

Here’s the latest version. Sourcing M1.4x5 stainless screws wasn’t easy.
Probably still needs 3 tiny adjustments to get it perfect.
As you can see the board fits snugly.
Bad the Carrera LED and Scorpius photo sensor just make it. 

[attachment=33068]
[attachment=33069]
[attachment=33068]

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RE: New Scorpius MPD decoder for Scalextric - ScorpiusWireless - 11th-Jan-26

I’ve picked this back up.
I’ve added the bridge rectifier back on as a future pathway for any SSD development.
It’s not track packets. It’s wireless direct.

So you own a 9 year old Arc Pro system. It does the job. But you simply want a new experience and keep to with the times.

This would be my minimum wishlist for a new system. 
1. Controllable lights.
2. 3rd party controllers.
3. 3rd party PC based race software.
4. Upgraded lapcounter. 
4. More than 6 cars.
6. Wirelessly upgradable decoders
7. Pit lane, pit bay and sector telemetry.

That’s the MINIMUM.

So what can Scorpius offer?

1. Controllable lights.
2. 3rd party controller.
3. 3rd party PC based race software.
4. Upgraded lapcounter. 
4. More than 6 cars.
6. Wirelessly upgradable decoders
7. Pit lane, pit bay and sector telemetry.

What’s needed? 
A full Scorpius kit except the all important lane changers. This saves upgrading lane changer electronics which is time consuming.

The only track mod require is to add a Scorpius MPD lap counter decoder to the start finish line. Cost $70. Time 20 minutes.
Full kit means:
Scorpius Controllers.
Scorpius MPD car decoders
Lap counter
Dongle 
Software

The Arc Pro powerbase can be left in place or removed however app based functions will now be redundant. You would now use SRMS function and features. 

You now have a modern 24 car Scalextric track with second to none race software, controllers and car decoders. Access to tacho and OLED screen is possible. 

It is also 100% Carrera native compatible. Interesting hmmmmm.

There is no DPR plug compatibility anymore as Scorpius has adopted to the Carrera plug system. Sorry.

Cost in GBP plus VAT approximately:
Controllers 125.00
MPD Maximus Car Decoder 39.00 plus any optional plug ins.
MPD lapcounter 39.00
Dongle 60.00
Software 50.00
App 50.00

Plug ins:
Headlights 1.00 each 
Rear lights 2.00 
Super capacitor 2.50
Exhaust flame simulator LEDS 2.00
OLED 10.00
Carrera IR LED 1.00
Scorpius photo sensor 1.00
Tacho 5.00

Available mid 2026.

So around 700.00 gets you a full competition kit with 2 controllers and 6 car chips, lapcounter, dongle, race software and app.
This is the basis of a 24 car wireless system. Just add controllers and car chips as required.

What’s exciting is all we need to do to complete this os to add our lane change code back in and it’s complete. And the final
decoder is on its way for final testing and perhaps even a controlled release. So this is not vapourware.

Something exciting to look forward to.

Rick

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