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Locked
Re: USB-to-Serial converters handshake line termination
Robin Becker
Alex,
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Any chance you could try the latest FTDI driver and temporarily remove handshake line jumpers you added on the LB? I was hoping to find out if the handshake problem was in the FTDI hardware/driver or in the SDK/ JavaComm software. I suspect software since it also has been reported on native serial ports, but thought the test would be worthwhile. Robin -----Original Message----- |
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Re: Roster order (was Re: Soundtraxx DSD-AT100LC)
At 2:27 PM -0800 11/4/02, Mike Davison wrote:
The Java guidelines were probably written by unix geeks, rather than humans.OK, done. It'll be in the next test version released, and is in CVS now. At 11:59 AM +1300 11/5/02, Alex Shepherd wrote: Does DecoderPro do anything to avoid upper/lower case filename issues nowIt (is supposed to) notice that the file already exists and pick a different name. It's also supposed to prevent you from changing the ID of a roster entry to one that already exists. I haven't really tested that in a long time, however. Bob -- -------------- Bob Jacobsen (Bob_Jacobsen@..., 510-486-7355, fax 510-495-2957) |
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Re: USB-to-Serial converters handshake line termination
Alex Shepherd
Well I'm not really sure you could say much generally except for known badThe DecoderPro install instructions don't talk about Windows drivers. hardware/software combinations. So far what I have seems to work with the simple test I gave it, but I only got it recently as I am running out of serial ports. I think if we go with a note to say that you should link the appropriate pins either in the cable or on LB and run at 19200 then this should suit most systems. People can try the faster baud if they want, but it won't make much difference as it still has to dribble out at 1666 onto the LN, but I guess the latency is a fraction less :-) Alex |
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Re: USB-to-Serial converters handshake line termination
At 4:17 PM -0700 11/8/02, Robin Becker wrote:
Ok, so I can see a potential problem under the following circumstances:Sounds like that's definitely what's going on. The LocoBuffer driver code tells the Java comm library to set hardware flow control outbound (to the LocoBuffer), and not to set it outbound. But we don't have the source for that library, and I don't know whether it actually keeps those two separate directions when talking to Windows. Some of the reported problems have been with native serial ports on laptops, but the logic is probably similar. If the Java comm library or the OS isn't keeping the two directions separate, the missing control leads from the LocoBuffer will cause a problem. Setting "no flow control" will bypass it for DecoderPro, as DecoderPro only sends individual messages (e.g. sends the message and waits for the reply). The LocoBuffer shouldn't get stacked up. But other JMRI programs aren't that simple, and a lot of the LocoBuffer's advantages will be lost if we can't be sure it won't lose messages. Don't know if this affect anything but the drivers on the FTDI website areThe DecoderPro install instructions don't talk about Windows drivers. Should they? Bob -- -------------- Bob Jacobsen (Bob_Jacobsen@..., 510-486-7355, fax 510-495-2957) |
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Re: Program error -Timeout talking to Command Station
At 5:27 PM -0600 11/4/02, Michael Beckemeier wrote:
Is it just me, or are virtually all of the communications problems being seen unique to the various Digitrax systems?Unfortunately, yes. Right now, I'm working a problem with a Wangrow unit that talks to one Macintosh and not another, a Lenz system that programs once but requires power-cycling the LI100 interface to program again, and an EasyDCC system that doesn't turn the track power back on properly. But LocoBuffer problems have recently been causing a lot of traffic. In part that's because they've been hard to figure out, so they make a lot of emails go back and forth. And we used to have _lots_ of problems with the MS100 until we got that sorted out with the help of a bunch of people. I don't know that the Digitrax system has more or less problems per user than the others. It's hard for me to know how many people are using DecoderPro with which system, because I don't tend to hear when it just works. As the program moves forward, features tend to be present in the Digitrax code first. For example, the "speedometer" is still LocoNet-specific, the throttle that Glen Oberhauser is working on is being written for the LocoNet first, etc. That's mostly because people vote with their feet, and work on code for the system that's most directly useful to them. And so far, most of the people who've contributed code have Digitrax systems. (Although people with NCE and EasyDCC systems have also made important contributions, and I don't even know what system some of the people who have contributed decoder files use) Bob -- -------------- Bob Jacobsen (Bob_Jacobsen@..., 510-486-7355, fax 510-495-2957) |
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Re: FAQ/Trouble Shooting LOG
That would be great! There are lots of people here willing to help with details, etc, but if you could pull things together that would be a big help.
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Bob At 3:01 PM -0500 11/8/02, Maloney, Michael wrote:
I don't have a tons of time myself, but would be willing to give it a --
-------------- Bob Jacobsen (Bob_Jacobsen@..., 510-486-7355, fax 510-495-2957) |
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Re: LocoBuffer/Decoder Pro Problem
billroger
Thanks Bob:
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Hopefully, Robin Becker can help me out when I get back on Nov 12 Tuesday. I'm in Phoenix, AZ. Thanks again. Bill ----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Jacobsen To: jmriusers@... Sent: Friday, November 08, 2002 12:26 PM Subject: Re: [jmriusers] LocoBuffer/Decoder Pro Problem At 6:40 AM -0700 11/8/02, billroger wrote: >And of course I have never been able to program a decoder. You've been incredibly patient through all this. Do you happen to be located in California? If so, maybe I should drop by with some test equipment and try to figure out what's going wrong. I live in Berkeley, and get around most of Northern California for work. And this weekend I'll be in Anaheim, and could free up a couple hours if you're somewhere in the southern part of the state. Bob -- -------------- Bob Jacobsen (Bob_Jacobsen@..., 510-486-7355, fax 510-495-2957) To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: jmriusers-unsubscribe@... Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. |
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Re: LocoBuffer/Decoder Pro Problem
billroger
Jon:
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I have to go away for a few days will return and pick this up on Tuesday Nov 12. Bill ----- Original Message -----
From: Jon Miller To: jmriusers@... Sent: Friday, November 08, 2002 12:49 PM Subject: Re: [jmriusers] LocoBuffer/Decoder Pro Problem I wish he was Bob but Bill's in AZ! Jon Miller AT&SF For me time has stopped in 1941 Digitrax DCC owner, Chief/Zephyr systems NMRA Life member #2623 Member SFRH&MS To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: jmriusers-unsubscribe@... Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. |
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Windows serial port handshaking control
Robin Becker
Bob et al,
I tried to research the serial handshaking questions on MSDN to learn about DSR vs CTS control in reference to the reports received with USB-to-Serial devices. I think this may come back to the capabilities of the comm library DecoderPro uses? The Windows SDK uses a DCB to control serial port function. The following is the description of members of the DCB structure relevant to flow control from MSDN. This info does seem to establish that separate control for CTS and DSR is provided by the SDK. Whether the DecoderPro serial comm library supports access to this is another question. Robin Becker Tucson, AZ following info from dcb_str.asp fOutxCtsFlow If this member is TRUE, the CTS (clear-to-send) signal is monitored for output flow control. If this member is TRUE and CTS is turned off, output is suspended until CTS is sent again. fOutxDsrFlow If this member is TRUE, the DSR (data-set-ready) signal is monitored for output flow control. If this member is TRUE and DSR is turned off, output is suspended until DSR is sent again. fDtrControl DTR (data-terminal-ready) flow control. This member can be one of the following values. DTR_CONTROL_DISABLE Disables the DTR line when the device is opened and leaves it disabled. DTR_CONTROL_ENABLE Enables the DTR line when the device is opened and leaves it on. DTR_CONTROL_HANDSHAKE Enables DTR handshaking. If handshaking is enabled, it is an error for the application to adjust the line by using the EscapeCommFunction function. fDsrSensitivity If this member is TRUE, the communications driver is sensitive to the state of the DSR signal. The driver ignores any bytes received, unless the DSR modem input line is high. fRtsControl RTS (request-to-send) flow control. This member can be one of the following values. RTS_CONTROL_DISABLE Disables the RTS line when the device is opened and leaves it disabled. RTS_CONTROL_ENABLE Enables the RTS line when the device is opened and leaves it on. RTS_CONTROL_HANDSHAKE Enables RTS handshaking. The driver raises the RTS line when the "type-ahead" (input) buffer is less than one-half full and lowers the RTS line when the buffer is more than three-quarters full. If handshaking is enabled, it is an error for the application to adjust the line by using the EscapeCommFunction function. RTS_CONTROL_TOGGLE Windows NT/2000/XP: Specifies that the RTS line will be high if bytes are available for transmission. After all buffered bytes have been sent, the RTS line will be low. |
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USB-to-Serial converters handshake line termination
Robin Becker
Alan,
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As you noted your USB-to-Serial converter uses an FTDI part. Here's the text on handshaking that went along with the reference design on the FTDI website: "RTS / CTS handshaking is used in this example. If the MCU has no dedicated handshaking signals then general purpose IO pins can usually be used to implement the handshaking. If the MCU is guaranteed to accept data sent from the FT232BM at the programmed baud rate, then a single wire handshake will do (tie CTS# of the FT232BM to GND ). "When RTS/CTS hardware handshaking is enabled CTS# can be used to stop the FT232BM transmitting data to the MCU / external logic. When CTS# is active ( low ) the FT232BM will transmit any data in it???s internal buffers. On taking CTS# high, the FT232BM will stop transmitting data. Due to the asynchronous nature of the interface, there is a latency of 0 to 3 characters between taking CTS# high and data transmission stopping. The FT232BM drives RTS# high when the available buffer space inside the device drops below 32 bytes. This allows the MCU / logic to continue to send up to 30 characters to the FT232BM after RTS# goes high without causing buffer over-run. (The inverted signal CTS# above refers to the logic level of the signal at the pin on the FTDI chip, not the raw RS232 signal) Ok, so I can see a potential problem under the following circumstances: If: the USB-to-Serial device mfr has provided an RS232 connection to the DSR and DCD pins on the FTDI device (quite possible), and if the dataset (LocoBuffer) isn't driving those lines (which we know - the LB only supports CTS), and if those lines float at the "wrong" level, and if the device driver software enables those control inputs, then the PC driver would think that the LocoBuffer is not ready to receive and the serial data output from the PC would not be transmitted. This is all consisted with the reported behavior, namely that wiring the DSR and DCD pins to the CTS pin on the LocoBuffer fixes the problem. The open question is whether the device driver provides any means of disabling the DSR and DCD via software while still enabling CTS, which would be the most desirable solution. Don't know if this affect anything but the drivers on the FTDI website are more recent than those at the DSE link you provided. (FTDI says they are now WHQL certified for WinXP) Anyone having problems with a USB-serial device using an FTDI chip might want to check this site for the latest driver. Finally I thought it might be intersting to note the MS100 serial port requirements: DB25 DB9 Pin Pin Description 2 3 TxD - Data out to Loconet 3 2 RxD - Data to PC from Loconet 4 7 RTS from PC - Must always be High since it provides 12 VDC 'bias' for input signals to the MS-100. 5 8 CTS to PC - Follows the DCC signal on pin 1 (white) of the Loconet cable. 6 6 DSR to PC - Follows DTR thru a 47k resistor to allow detecting if an MS-100 is plugged in to the PC. It may NOT follow in all cases due to the size of the resistor and the unit loads presented by some serial port hardware and, therefore, may not be a reliable method of detecting the existence of an MS-100. 7 5 Ground 8 1 DCD to PC - Follows loconet (RxD) signal. 20 4 DTR from PC - MUST ALWAYS BE LOW, it provides -12 VDC 'pulldown power' to the MS-100. Robin Becker Tucson, AZ D&RGW Model Railroad Layout -----Original Message----- |
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Re: DecoderPro communications problems & request for info
Alex Shepherd
This problem has been reported twice, both on Macintosh. If anybodyMy USB to RS232 adaptor seems to work ok at 57600 and with hardware handshake enables, but my LocoBuffer already has the handshake pins linked. The USB adaptor is an OEMed unit, but it says it uses the FT8U232AM dedicated USB UART See: DSE Adaptor USB to Serial U205 Alex |
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Re: LocoBuffer/Decoder Pro Problem
Robin Becker
Jon,
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Anywhere near me? Robin Becker Tucson, AZ D&RGW Model Railroad Layout -----Original Message----- |
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Re: FAQ/Trouble Shooting LOG
Maloney, Michael
I don't have a tons of time myself, but would be willing to give it a
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whack... -----Original Message-----
From: Bob Jacobsen [mailto:Bob_Jacobsen@...] Sent: Friday, November 08, 2002 2:18 PM To: jmriusers@... Subject: Re: [jmriusers] FAQ/Trouble Shooting LOG At 1:34 PM -0800 11/6/02, Mark Gurries wrote: Should someone be keeping a FAQ/Trouble shooting Log for each thing weAnd a _very_ good idea. I've put a little of this info onto the web pages, but if somebody wanted to write a section of the manual on troubleshooting, it would help a bunch of people. Unfortunately, I'm having trouble even keeping up with the email, as this late reply attests. There's this blasted day job.... Bob -- -------------- Bob Jacobsen (Bob_Jacobsen@..., 510-486-7355, fax 510-495-2957) To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: jmriusers-unsubscribe@... Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to |
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Re: Zephyr
Jon Miller
Can any of this group that have a Zephyr test the feedback for me. Mine
basically doesn't work. Several calls to Digitrax and their line is I'm the only one that's unhappy, they have heard nothing about this problem. Also the line these are only designed for Digitrax products appeared when I mention the other decoders I am using. Has Digitrax gone this far off the edge? However in private conversation with a member of the Digitrax list I received this; "So really what you are saying is your DecoderPro is not receiving feedback when reading decoder values? I get ZERO feedback to my DT300 when I use that for programming." Interesting! Jon Miller AT&SF For me time has stopped in 1941 Digitrax DCC owner, Chief/Zephyr systems NMRA Life member #2623 Member SFRH&MS |
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Re: LocoBuffer/Decoder Pro Problem
At 6:40 AM -0700 11/8/02, billroger wrote:
And of course I have never been able to program a decoder.You've been incredibly patient through all this. Do you happen to be located in California? If so, maybe I should drop by with some test equipment and try to figure out what's going wrong. I live in Berkeley, and get around most of Northern California for work. And this weekend I'll be in Anaheim, and could free up a couple hours if you're somewhere in the southern part of the state. Bob -- -------------- Bob Jacobsen (Bob_Jacobsen@..., 510-486-7355, fax 510-495-2957) |
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Re: LocoBuffer jumpers
The code _requires_ that echo be on. It listens to the incoming messages, including the echo'd ones it transmitted, to figure out the order in which things actually happened on the LocoNet. If you try to run it with echo off, various operations (including programming) will probably hang.
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Bob At 11:20 AM -0800 11/6/02, Peter Ely wrote:
And John recommends Echo be on. --
-------------- Bob Jacobsen (Bob_Jacobsen@..., 510-486-7355, fax 510-495-2957) |
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Re: FAQ/Trouble Shooting LOG
At 1:34 PM -0800 11/6/02, Mark Gurries wrote:
Should someone be keeping a FAQ/Trouble shooting Log for each thing weAnd a _very_ good idea. I've put a little of this info onto the web pages, but if somebody wanted to write a section of the manual on troubleshooting, it would help a bunch of people. Unfortunately, I'm having trouble even keeping up with the email, as this late reply attests. There's this blasted day job.... Bob -- -------------- Bob Jacobsen (Bob_Jacobsen@..., 510-486-7355, fax 510-495-2957) |
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Re: My 2 hours with decoder pro and Win XP
At 4:22 PM +1300 11/7/02, Alex Shepherd wrote:
Bob,DecoderPro and the Java Comm library are trying to set the serial port to: Flow control to the LocoBuffer; don't send unless CTS (Clear To Send) is active. Ignore flow control from the LocoBuffer, receive characters any time. What seems to be happening is that the second part is working, but in certain situations the first part becomes "don't send unless CTS and DSR are active" (DSR is Data Set Ready; "Data Set" was the original telco name for what we now call a modem). I don't have a lot of control over this, and think it must somehow be happening in the OS or serial driver level. Does anybody know if there are Windows configuration options that might be effecting this? Bob -- -------------- Bob Jacobsen (Bob_Jacobsen@..., 510-486-7355, fax 510-495-2957) |
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DecoderPro communications problems & request for info
First, thanks for all the kind words.
There seem to be several problems happening. 1) It appears that certain models of the Keyspan PDA adapter can't handle the LocoBuffer's 57,600 rate. This might be an problem in the program that's interacting with the adapter, but it only seems to happen for some adapters and not others. The work-around for this is to use the 19,200 rate for the LocoBuffer. I'd be very interested in knowing whether "hardware flow control" has any impact on this problem. Specifically, does having "no flow control" set make the 57,600 setting work? Does "hardware flow control" work at 19,200? This problem has been reported twice, both on Macintosh. If anybody uses a USB adapter on Windows or Linux, would you please let me know whether it's working or not at 57,600? I've updated the LocoNet connection web page with some more info on this. < 2) Some Windows machines have what appear to be RS232 control lead problems with LocoBuffer & DecoderPro. The symptom for this is being able to see LocoNet traffic in the monitor via a LocoBuffer, but being unable to send to the LocoNet. This results in programmer timeouts, etc. Some people have reported being able to bypass the problem with the "no flow control option". Others have reported that connecting pins on the LocoBuffer will fix this. (See <> for details). Without connections to the DCD and DSR leads, the LocoBuffer isn't really providing a "true RS232" output. But that only seems to effect some PCs. It's not clear whether this is OS-version specific, PC model-specific, or something else. It's possible that the 25-pin to 9-pin cables being used have something to do with it. I'd very much like to understand this better. In particular, if you've had to bypass a problem like this, could you let me know: a) What OS version (e.g. Win XP, ME, etc) and computer model you've got. b) Whether "no flow control" option worked for you c) If you fixed it by jumpering the LocoBuffer RS232 connection, had you tried and failed with the "no flow control option"? 3) There are some problems with NCE systems and USB adapters that I'm still trying to understand. I'll write more about that soon. Please, if you're having trouble getting DecoderPro to communicate with a NCE or Wangrow system, don't suffer in silence. Ask on the list or let me know directly. I've not figured out the pattern on this one yet. Thanks for your patience, and your help figuring all this out. -- -------------- Bob Jacobsen (Bob_Jacobsen@..., 510-486-7355, fax 510-495-2957) |
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