controlling your trains with an arduino
Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform that features flexible and user-friendly hardware and software. It is designed for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments. Arduino can sense the environment by receiving input from various sensors and can influence its surroundings by controlling lights, motors, and other actuators. The microcontroller on the board is programmed using the Arduino programming language, which is based on Wiring, and the Arduino development environment, which is based on Processing. Arduino projects can operate independently or communicate with software running on a computer (e.g., Flash, Processing, MaxMSP). The boards can be assembled by hand or purchased preassembled, and the software is available for free. The hardware reference designs (CAD files) are accessible under an open-source license, allowing for modifications to suit individual needs.
An Arduino Mega microcontroller has been acquired to control a model railway. This document will serve as the first installment in a series demonstrating how to utilize an Arduino for controlling various sections of a layout. The initial objective is to create a controller/throttle that incorporates basic acceleration and braking features, alongside a 12V DC pulse-width modulated (PWM) output. The design references schematics from pyroelectro.com, which, although based on a PIC microcontroller, effectively controls the L298 H-Bridge integrated circuit using PWM on its input rather than the enabling pin.
PWM pins on the Arduino board are labeled and, by default, output a PWM signal when an analogWrite(pin_number) command is issued. This generates a pulse that the H-Bridge responds to, with the frequency of the pulse determining the final output voltage to the tracks. For direction control, digitalWrite(HIGH) can be applied to PWM2 and digitalWrite(LOW) to PWM3, or the reverse for the opposite direction. Setting both pins to LOW will stop the output, while setting both to HIGH will create a short circuit. Switches S1 and S2 are incorporated to control direction; initially, the system moves forward, and pressing S2 changes the direction to backward. The code is designed to gradually decelerate and then accelerate in the opposite direction. Pressing S1 will return the direction to forward, triggering the reverse action.
A potentiometer serves as the throttle, with a large 250-ohm unit sourced from a local antique store. At maximum throttle (100), the analogRead function reports a value slightly above 1000. The throttle controls speed, and it is advisable to implement a brake lever since returning to zero speed results in a gradual stop. An emergency stop button is necessary to halt the train more quickly. A 12V DC power supply is required, capable of providing sufficient current, as small engines may draw up to 1A during startup. This power supply can also power the Arduino if it is not connected to a computer after programming; it is essential to connect all ground wires together. It is crucial to use a regulated and safe power supply, as different Arduino models can handle varying voltages. The Arduino Mega can accept a maximum input of 20V DC. Queries regarding the project are welcomed, as further details and clarifications can be provided as needed. Future enhancements to the controller will be explored as time permits.Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It`s intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments.
Arduino can sense the environment by receiving input from a variety of sensors and can affect its surroundings by co ntrolling lights, motors, and other actuators. The microcontroller on the board is programmed using the Arduino programming language (based on Wiring ) and the Arduino development environment (based on Processing ). Arduino projects can be stand-alone or they can communicate with software on running on a computer (e.
g. Flash, Processing, MaxMSP). The boards can be built by hand or purchased preassembled; the software can be downloaded for free. The hardware reference designs (CAD files) are available under an open-source license, you are free to adapt them to your needs So, I recently purchased an Arduino Mega Microcontroller with the intent to control a Model Railway with it. This article will be the first in a series to show you how to use an Arduino to control different areas of a layout.
Our first goal will be to create a controller/throttle with very basic Acceleration/Braking and a 12v DC Pulse Width Modulated output. In the end I chose to use the schematics and information from the guys at pyroelectro. com which uses the L298 H-Bridge integrated circuit. My main reasoning was that, although they used a PIC microcontroller, they correctly controlled the L298 with PWM on it`s input rather than it`s enabling pin.
Either way, the PWM signal is still created. Right, what do you need to know. The PWM pins are labelled on your Arduino board. By default they output a PWM signal when you feed an analogWrite(pin_number) to them. This creates a pulse that the H-Bridge will respond to. The frequency of this pulse (wave) will then govern the final output voltage to the tracks. For direction control you either apply digitalWrite(HIGH) to PWM2 and digitalWrite(LOW) to PWM3 or vice versa for the opposite direction. Applying LOW to both pins will stop the output and HIGH to both will short circuit! I`ve added S1 and S2 to control my direction. It starts off going `forward`, but pressing S2 will set the direction to backwards. The code is written to gradually stop and then accelerate in the opposite direction. Pressing S1 will then set the direction forwards again and the reverse will occur. The potentiometer is the throttle. I found a huge one at an antique store down the road and love it. It`s rated at 250ohm (no idea what current) and when at `100` the analogRead reports just over 1000. The throttle is only for speed, I really should add a brake lever, as when you return to zero speed the train will only gradually stop.
You need to then hit the reverse (or emergency stop) button to stop the train faster. You`ll also require a 12v DC power supply. As your little engines may use up to 1A when starting, make sure this power supply is sufficient. Also, if you don`t intend to have the Arduino plugged in to a computer after programming, then this 12v can also supply it (connect all ground wires together!). Just make sure it`s a regulated and safe power supply. Note that different Arduinos can handle different voltages! Find your board listed here and then work out the power supply details, otherwise the Arduino Mega details are here (Input max 20v DC).
Please do ask any questions you have about this. I`ve probably skimmed over a lot and am more than happy to update this as necessary. I intend on getting on to more interesting things with this controller as I get the time. 🔗 External reference
An Arduino Mega microcontroller has been acquired to control a model railway. This document will serve as the first installment in a series demonstrating how to utilize an Arduino for controlling various sections of a layout. The initial objective is to create a controller/throttle that incorporates basic acceleration and braking features, alongside a 12V DC pulse-width modulated (PWM) output. The design references schematics from pyroelectro.com, which, although based on a PIC microcontroller, effectively controls the L298 H-Bridge integrated circuit using PWM on its input rather than the enabling pin.
PWM pins on the Arduino board are labeled and, by default, output a PWM signal when an analogWrite(pin_number) command is issued. This generates a pulse that the H-Bridge responds to, with the frequency of the pulse determining the final output voltage to the tracks. For direction control, digitalWrite(HIGH) can be applied to PWM2 and digitalWrite(LOW) to PWM3, or the reverse for the opposite direction. Setting both pins to LOW will stop the output, while setting both to HIGH will create a short circuit. Switches S1 and S2 are incorporated to control direction; initially, the system moves forward, and pressing S2 changes the direction to backward. The code is designed to gradually decelerate and then accelerate in the opposite direction. Pressing S1 will return the direction to forward, triggering the reverse action.
A potentiometer serves as the throttle, with a large 250-ohm unit sourced from a local antique store. At maximum throttle (100), the analogRead function reports a value slightly above 1000. The throttle controls speed, and it is advisable to implement a brake lever since returning to zero speed results in a gradual stop. An emergency stop button is necessary to halt the train more quickly. A 12V DC power supply is required, capable of providing sufficient current, as small engines may draw up to 1A during startup. This power supply can also power the Arduino if it is not connected to a computer after programming; it is essential to connect all ground wires together. It is crucial to use a regulated and safe power supply, as different Arduino models can handle varying voltages. The Arduino Mega can accept a maximum input of 20V DC. Queries regarding the project are welcomed, as further details and clarifications can be provided as needed. Future enhancements to the controller will be explored as time permits.Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It`s intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments.
Arduino can sense the environment by receiving input from a variety of sensors and can affect its surroundings by co ntrolling lights, motors, and other actuators. The microcontroller on the board is programmed using the Arduino programming language (based on Wiring ) and the Arduino development environment (based on Processing ). Arduino projects can be stand-alone or they can communicate with software on running on a computer (e.
g. Flash, Processing, MaxMSP). The boards can be built by hand or purchased preassembled; the software can be downloaded for free. The hardware reference designs (CAD files) are available under an open-source license, you are free to adapt them to your needs So, I recently purchased an Arduino Mega Microcontroller with the intent to control a Model Railway with it. This article will be the first in a series to show you how to use an Arduino to control different areas of a layout.
Our first goal will be to create a controller/throttle with very basic Acceleration/Braking and a 12v DC Pulse Width Modulated output. In the end I chose to use the schematics and information from the guys at pyroelectro. com which uses the L298 H-Bridge integrated circuit. My main reasoning was that, although they used a PIC microcontroller, they correctly controlled the L298 with PWM on it`s input rather than it`s enabling pin.
Either way, the PWM signal is still created. Right, what do you need to know. The PWM pins are labelled on your Arduino board. By default they output a PWM signal when you feed an analogWrite(pin_number) to them. This creates a pulse that the H-Bridge will respond to. The frequency of this pulse (wave) will then govern the final output voltage to the tracks. For direction control you either apply digitalWrite(HIGH) to PWM2 and digitalWrite(LOW) to PWM3 or vice versa for the opposite direction. Applying LOW to both pins will stop the output and HIGH to both will short circuit! I`ve added S1 and S2 to control my direction. It starts off going `forward`, but pressing S2 will set the direction to backwards. The code is written to gradually stop and then accelerate in the opposite direction. Pressing S1 will then set the direction forwards again and the reverse will occur. The potentiometer is the throttle. I found a huge one at an antique store down the road and love it. It`s rated at 250ohm (no idea what current) and when at `100` the analogRead reports just over 1000. The throttle is only for speed, I really should add a brake lever, as when you return to zero speed the train will only gradually stop.
You need to then hit the reverse (or emergency stop) button to stop the train faster. You`ll also require a 12v DC power supply. As your little engines may use up to 1A when starting, make sure this power supply is sufficient. Also, if you don`t intend to have the Arduino plugged in to a computer after programming, then this 12v can also supply it (connect all ground wires together!). Just make sure it`s a regulated and safe power supply. Note that different Arduinos can handle different voltages! Find your board listed here and then work out the power supply details, otherwise the Arduino Mega details are here (Input max 20v DC).
Please do ask any questions you have about this. I`ve probably skimmed over a lot and am more than happy to update this as necessary. I intend on getting on to more interesting things with this controller as I get the time. 🔗 External reference
Related Circuits
Control an LED with an audio signal; however, the output signal is only 150 mV peak-to-peak (with a 150 mV positive offset). It is understood that a higher voltage than 0.6 V is required to activate the transistor, leading...
This instrument is designed to help relieve nervous tension for individuals returning home from work with lingering stress. Known as the Galvanic Skin Response Monitor, it operates based on changes in skin resistance that correlate with emotional states. Increased...
Creating a variable space in a small room can be enjoyable; however, designing an actuator to move a wall or room partition poses challenges. This can be achieved using an analog audio line delay. To implement a system that allows...
The project explains how to create a simple AVR High Voltage Programmer using Arduino. It can be utilized to fix or recover incorrectly fused AVR chips. The AVR High Voltage Programmer is designed to reprogram AVR microcontrollers that have been...
The car radio has the issue of losing track of the CD playback position when the ignition is turned off. This can be problematic during long journeys, especially when leaving an audiobook playing for passengers while refueling. A simple...
Government data sets available online are often sourced from major metropolitan areas or infrastructural centers. With an easy-to-follow introduction to new software and technologies, the urban sensor kit allows anyone to obtain location-specific information and share it with a...
Warning: include(partials/cookie-banner.php): Failed to open stream: Permission denied in /var/www/html/nextgr/view-circuit.php on line 713
Warning: include(): Failed opening 'partials/cookie-banner.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/share/php') in /var/www/html/nextgr/view-circuit.php on line 713