Steve,
If it is going to be a problem defining the Loconet commands for each aspect using existing JMRI signal heads, you can define them in CATS designer and CATS will create JMRI signal heads when you load your CATS panel. You will need to know what Loconet "addresses" are required for each signal head aspect. Page 7 of the SE8C instruction book has the mapping for board ID 1 and page 8 summarizes the mappings for board IDs 1 thru 12. The way of looking at an SE8C is not as 8 signal heads, but as 32 "lights", spread across 8 "zones". Any "light" can be selected with a Loconet address and a throw or close selection, all done through a JMRI LT turnout. So, if you wired your signals as described in the Digitrax SE8C manual, then the "green" is turned on in the designer Signal Head Definitions window, green sub-pane, by selecting Decoder = LT, Address = the address for the board ID and zone number, check Close. Red is turned on by the same Decoder and Address fields, but checking Throw. Yellow is the same Decoder information, but the address is the green address + 1, and checking Throw. Flashing red is the yellow address, but checking Close. Do not check Off Command (the SE8C automatically turns off a color when a new one is selected) and do not check Software Flashing (the Se8C will handle the flashing).
Rodney
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Steve,
I don't think that it will be easy with existing JMRI signal head "type" definitions.
The SE8c uses an odd encoding of two turnout addresses and both states of each turnout. It uses a "last turnout command" determines the output state. JMRI's SE8c signal head type understands this behavior. Other JMRI signal types may or may not be able to handle this type of operation.
One that seems promising is the LDT LS-DEC signal head type. With this signal head type, you may define a unique specific turnout and its state for each of the possible color/flashing/dark possibility. If one defines "bogus" turnouts, such as "internal" turnouts, for those aspects which are not reachable on a given SE8c, then one might "get lucky". One would also need to define a custom "JMRI signaling system" that matches the available aspects.
(For the "bogus" turnouts, I would recommend a unique "internal" turnout+state for each "unwanted" aspect, so that a wayward change on one signal head does not confuse other signal heads.)
None of the other JMRI "signal head type"s seem to come close to the requirements of the SE8c board.
If this JMRI "signal head type" cannot fit the bill, then it will be necessary to code up a new signal head type to support the SE8c in "fourth aspect is flashing red" mode. A new JMRI "signal head type" would be the "ideal" way, especially if the code would strictly limit use to "JMRI signal systems" which did not include any "dark" or "flashing green" or "flashing yellow" aspects.
Regards,
Billybob
