©2004 Digitrax, Inc
www.digitrax.com
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©2004 Digitrax, Inc
www.digitrax.com
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The BDL168 lets you know when a detection section on your layout is occu-
pied. This occupancy detection capability is the first step toward prototypical
control of your rolling stock, signaling, realistic surround sound effects and
realistic modeling of your layout. Installing the BDL168 on your layout is easy
and will make more prototypical operations possible.
The BDL168 uses digital signal processing (DSP) to give you occupancy
detection for 4 zones, A through D, each with 4 detection sections, for a total of
16 detection sections. The number of BDL168s you use on your layout is deter-
mined by how many areas of track you want to monitor and how automated
you want your layout to be--more detection sections require more BDL168s.
On your Digitrax system, the BDL168 reports detection section occupancy to
the system via its LocoNet connection. This makes occupancy information
available for use by any LocoNet device hooked up to LocoNet. For instance,
the information can be used by the SE8/SE8c to set signals or by a computer
program for dispatch control. A BDL168 can also host up to two transponder
detectors like the RX4 to let you implement Digitrax transponding for addition-
al dispatcher control, surround sound or more layout automation.
On DCC systems without a Digitrax compatible LocoNet command station, a
BDL168 can operate using only the RailSync DCC signal from most DCC sys-
tems. In this case, the BDL16 can report detection information via a user-
installed LED display panel.
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Following are some terms you might find useful as you work with the
BDL168.
Direct home wiring
is a layout wiring method where each power district and
its booster is electrically isolated. The track within each power district uses a
"common return" wiring method for occupancy detection and/or power man-
agement. Direct home wiring is the wiring method recommended by Digitrax
for safety reasons & also because it makes detection work more prototypically.
Power district
is the power wiring, track, components and equipment attached
to that wiring, driven by a single properly isolated booster. The track for a
power district is double gapped on both ends of the district. The BDL168 is
used to set up detection sections within one or more power districts.
Power sub-district
is the wiring, components and equipment that are con-
trolled from both power bus wires by their own power management device, for
example a reversing section controlled by an automated reversing device like
the PM42. Power sub-districts are gapped on both ends.
Detection common
is the common return used within a properly electrically
isolated power district for implementing occupancy detection.