Manual OC32/NG
VPEB
Control your Miniature World
Page 42 of 48
Version 1.0 – December 15
th
, 2017
2017 Leon van Perlo
To easily provide power to a servo and connect it to the OC32, a separate compact
connection module has been developed, the SP04. With the SP04 up to 4 servos can be
connected in a close range. When you have more servos or have servos at different
locations, multiple SP04 modules can be used. A separate manual for the SP04 is available.
6.4.13
Pushbutton or switch (input)
OC32 I/O Pin: Resistor array
An OC32 Pin can also be used as input. This opens the possibility
to control a Device, connected to the OC32, such as a railroad
crossing, by means of a switch, pushbuttons or e.g. reed
contacts, connected to one or multiple Pins of the same OC32.
Also the activation or de-activation of pushbuttons and flipping a
switch can be reported to the controlling PC, if the software on
that PC’s supports this function.
A pushbutton or switch is connected between OC32 Pin and GND.
6.4.14
Input from another control system (input)
OC32 I/O Pin: Resistor array
Perhaps you want to control the OC32 from another system and you may do that by
“hardwired interfaces”, so by connecting a number of individual wires.
If ‘the other control system’ offers relay-outputs (potential-free contacts), the contacts of
these relays are no different than the contacts of a pushbutton or switch. Therefore you
can make the interface as described in paragraph
6.4.13. Replace the shown
pushbutton/switch by the make/break relay-contact. Make sure that via the relay-contact no
other high or negative Voltage can reach the OC32 Pin.
If your external system has electronically active outputs, then to interface successfully with
the OC32, these outputs may in principle offer no higher voltage than 5V or any lower
Voltage than 0V to the OC32. If the outputs supply more than 5V you can limit the Voltage
delivered to the OC32 by means of a Voltage divider as shown in figure 40 below. The
resistor Rs depends on the output-voltage of your external system and can be found with
the help of Table 2.
If your external system offers Open Collector (or Open Drain) outputs, the you can interface
these directly to the OC32 Pin as per paragraph
6.4.13. However it is mandatory that in
this case both systems share the same GND/0V. If this is not the case, you can insert an
intermediate relay or an optocoupler between both systems.
Output Voltage (V)
Rs (k
Ω
)
6
1,0
7,5
2,4
9
3,9
12
6,8
15
10
18
12
24
18
Q(x)
GND
Extern systeem
4k7
Rs
Fig 40: External system with Voltage conversion
Table 2: Series resistor for Voltage Conversion
Fig 39: Connecting Pushbutton
Q(x)
GND
Control your Miniature World
VPEB
Manual OC32/NG
2017 Leon van Perlo
Version 1.0 – December 15
th
, 2017
Page 7 of 48
1
OC32 - Introduction
1.1
A different approach
The OC32 is an electronic module to control accessories in your Miniature World. The
module has 32 I/O Pins who are universally usable.
The major difference with “traditional electronics” is that in the traditional approach specific
electronics is used for each device. For instance there are signal-decoders for signals, and
even different types per signalling system, decoders for turnouts, illumination controllers for
controlling lights in buildings and streets, etc.
With the OC32 a different approach is taken. The module is so versatile that (almost) any
device you find on a miniature world, from a simple light to a complex railway crossing, can
be controlled by the O32. Therefore when applying the OC32 the necessary electronics is
not calculated per function, but calculated per square meters. Depending on the number of
controllable items per area the OC32’s are placed at “strategic locations”. Every item can
be connected to the nearest OC32. By means of configuration it is determined how each
device is controlled and from what system, e.g. a train-control system, car-control,
day/night simulation or even completely autonomous by the OC32.
1.2
Functions
The OC32 software has extensive configuration possibilities. Those who have some basic
knowledge of programming techniques can adapt the OC32 completely to their personal
preferences. Those who do not (yet) have this knowledge choose the predefined
configurations. With a few simple mouseclicks a group of outputs can be configured for e.g.
a Dutch signal, German signal, a traffic light or railway crossing.
The OC32 offers a great number of random-functions. With these functions fixed patterns
can be avoided or interrupted and it is possible to generate surprising effects. Some
examples are:
•
Welding arc imitation, only one LED needed (e.g. to be used in your locomotive shed);
•
Simulations of gas-lanterns with irregular lighting;
•
Simulation of fluroscent lamps with traditional starters;
•
Lighting of buildings with different or a slightly different switching pattern every night;
•
Movement e.g. by means of a servomotor with random variations, e.g for a digging
machine or crane;
•
…
Fig 1: OC32/NG
