[Dr_C2]

   

Here is the work-in-progress ‘Wireless Hub’ for 12 car control.

The dial and LED readout are for channel selection and ID binding. All 12 cars use the same channel set once selected so this only needs to be done once. ID binding is carried out individually for the 12 wireless throttles and the 12 in-car decoders. In each case the desired ID is selected in the range 1-12 using the dial and a press-to-select feature.

For lap counting and lane change, this is achieved using an extension of the SSD Infra-red strobe technique in conjunction with under track phototransistors and a sensor hub module.

IDs 1-6 match the standard SSD mark-to-space protocol and these, if required can register laps with the APB and ARC Pro powerbases as an alternative to the above mentioned sensor hub. All 12 IDs control standard SSD lane-changers (this has been reported earlier with a technical limitbof 14 cars).

The wireless hub (as can be seen in this photo) is in development at present with some way to go before the device is ready for testing on a 12 car raceway. Prototype wireless hubs (not quite as smart looking) are already running and the throttle-to-hub-to-car link has already been tested with the in-car decoder in a car running on a test track. So progress is happening.

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