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What is DCC Plus Plus

Ian Earle edited this page Apr 12, 2020 · 3 revisions

What is DCC++

DCC++ is an open-source hardware and software system for the operation of DCC-equipped model railroads.

The system consists of multiple parts, the Hardware - DCC++ Base Station and the Software - DCC++ Controller or optionally JMRI.

The DCC++ Base Station consists of an Arduino UNO or MEGA micro controller fitted with an Arduino Motor Shield R3 or a Pololu Dual MC33926 Motor Shield that can be connected directly to the tracks of a model railroad.

The DCC++ Controller provides operators with a customizable GUI to control their model railroad. It is written in Java using the Processing graphics library and IDE and communicates with the DCC++ Base Station in one of multiple ways: Through a standard serial connection over a USB cable, wireless over Bluetooth, or with a Ethernet Shield via JMRI.

What is a repository and what is in this Repository

A repository is a central location in which data is stored and managed.
We are using GitHub as our repository.

Inside The DCC Plus Plus repository you can find the following:

  • Documentation in the form of PDF files
  • Base Station contains a complete DCC++ Base Station sketch designed for compiling and uploading into an Arduino Uno or Mega. All sketch files are in the folder named DCCpp_Uno. More information about the sketch can be found in the included PDF file.
  • Controller provides operators with a customizable GUI to control their model railroad.
  • Track-Plans This is the layout that is used to demonstrate the DCC++ system in various videos on DCC++ YouTube channel

Important References:

For more information on the overall DCC++ system, please follow the links in the DCC++ WIKI.