85
��
The ROCO 10769 terminal loop module solves the problems of a terminal loop in digital operation. Isolate the
terminal loop with both poles on both sides by disconnecting the terminal loop completely from the rest of the
system, using either insulated connectors or by sawing the rail profiles (see fig. 6 on page 93). It is imperative
that the isolated section of track within the terminal loop is longer than the longest train which is going to travel
through the terminal loop. The power supply to the terminal loop is connected to the output of the terminal loop
module which provides the power supply for the terminal loop. The module itself is connected either to a track
outside the terminal loop or directly to the
multi
ZENTRALE
PRO
.
The terminal loop module functions as follows: A train enters the terminal loop – the direction is not important
– and the polarity of the tracks before and within the terminal loop is not identical. There is then a short circuit
within the module which the module immediately detects. The module then reverses the polarity in the termi-
nal loop before the short circuit detection function of the
multi
ZENTRALE
PRO
detects anything or the train slows
down. The terminal loop polarity is then corrected for the entry of the train. The reverse of polarity in the terminal
loop does of course render the polarity incorrect for the train’s exit from the loop. This procedure or reversing
the polarity is therefore repeated when the train exits. Since in digital operation the polarity of the tracks do not
determine the direction of travel of the train; the train can pass through the terminal loop without stopping or
without your intervention.
In order for the terminal module to detect incorrect polarity in time, you have to set its sensitivity using the poten-
tiometer visible on the side. See the terminal loop module’s instructions for use.
5.7 Glossary
�
Bits and Bytes
The terms bits and bytes were used during the early days of computing and is still encountered with digital model
railways. Decimal numbers are not part of the computer world. A new number system was developed, the binary
system. This system has only two numbers, 0 and 1. These two numbers also represent switching states. The 1
means switched, enabled, or activated; 0 means not switched, disabled, or deactivated.
One bit consists of 0 and 1; eight bits are combined to one byte. The bits combined into one byte are numbered
from 0 (bit 0) to 7 (bit 7). A certain value is assigned to each bit position.
Bit
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Value
128
64
32
16
8
4
2
1
If these values are added up, a max. value of 255 per byte (with each bit activated, i.e. set to 1) is derived, which
returns us to the decimal system. The min. value is 0, all bits are set to 0.
ROCO has significantly simplified programming individual bits in the
multi
MAUS
PRO
. If supported by the decoder,
you no longer need to calculate certain values but simply select whether to set or not to set a bit in the “PRO-
GRAMMING” menu.
Numerous published articles provide additional or in–depth knowledge about this topic.
�
CVs
All values which affect the behaviour of the locomotive decoder – and ultimately the behaviour of the locomo-
tive – are stored in what are referred to as CVs. CV is the abbreviation for configuration variables. Since the
multi
MAUS
PRO
and the
multi
ZENTRALE
PRO
are compatible with the NMRA/DCC standard, CVs between 1 and
�1023 can be read and written.
CVs range from “0” to “255”. This shows that reprogramming requires experience, as incorrectly set CVs may
have an adverse effect on the performance of the decoder.
�
Decoder
In order to make the digital control signals of the
multi
MAUS
PRO
and
multi
ZENTRALE
PRO
accessible to „conven-
tional“ technology, you require a “translator” – the decoder. It does not replace any of the components in the
