NCE Mini-Panel User manual
Mini-Panel
Accy and Macro Controller
Dimensions: 3.20" x 2.70" (81 x 69 mm)
Revision 1.00
$49.95
Build the kind of control panels you’ve always wanted
without complicated wiring!
?Use one button to control multiple switches or macros on your NCE DCC
?Up to 30 pushbuttons, toggle switches, block detectors, etc. can be
connected for control of turnouts, signals and other devices
?Easy programming, just plug in a ProCab
?Simple hook up, one Cab Bus connection and 2 wires for each
pushbutton or other input device
?Can be used to perform simple automatic train control and other
layout automation tasks
05240230
05240230
This book, schematics and artwork copyright 2008
NCE Corporation 82 East Main Street Webster, NY 14580
Last revised: 22 July 2008
Description of Mini-Panel
The mini-panel is primarily intended to make it easy to build control panels for yards,
towns, interlockings and other layout applications. A secondary use of the panel is to
provide rudimentary automation of trains or control of signals. For more complex
automation or signal operation the Macro-panel has more comprehensive
implementation of these secondary features and more memory for command storage.
The mini panel has 30 inputs that can be connected to pushbuttons, toggle switches,
block detectors, etc. for the purpose of issuing accessory, macro or locomotive control
commands. A thirty-first input is provided to act as a panel reset. Activation of an
input can initiate sending a string of DCC commands through the track to turnouts,
locomotives, signals or other DCC controlled devices. Inputs are activated by
connecting them to the mini panel “GROUND”. This makes the mini panel compatible
with all pushbutton/toggle switches and most block detectors.
The mini-panel communicates with the command station via the cab bus and uses one
cab bus address.
Setup (programming) of the mini-panel is accomplished by plugging a ProCab or NCE
USB adapter into the “setup” jack. If USB is used the mini-panel memory is accessed
via binary CV read and write commands (page or direct mode). USB jumpers should
be set for PowerCab v1.28 or ALL SYS. CV7 and CV8 return the manufacturer
number and version of the Mini Panel as with a decoder when used with the USB
interface.
Installation Notes:
The mini panel runs off Cab Bus power (nominal 12V DC) and draws about 90mA of
current, slightly less than a ProCab. NOTE: When used with the PowerCab use the
mini panel default address of 3.
Wiring:
See the diagram below for sample wiring ideas.
SETUP CAB BUS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 GROUND 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31GND
PIN 1
Cab Bus
can be
daisy chained
through the
Mini-Panel
Plug in ProCab
or USB interface
for setup
1 2 3 4
BD20
Block Detector
Toggle
Switch
Push
Button
Push
Button
Last revised: 22 July 2008 Page 2
Simple control panel example:
Below is an example of a control panel for a simple yard with 3 tracks off the mainline.
We only need 4 pushbuttons to select the various tracks in the yard. We designated
the yard as tracks 2, 3 and 4 with track 1 the main line.
SETUP CAB BUS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 GROUND 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 GND
PIN 1
Cab Bus
Cab Bus
Control Panel rear view showing wiring
Track 4
Track 3
Track 1
Track 2
East
West
Control panel front view
Simple control panel example
Four
Push
Buttons
1
2
3
Wiring of the mini panel for this example is quite easy. Each pushbutton has two
terminals. We connect one terminal from each button together and then tie it to one of
the "GND" terminals of the Mini Panel. Then we tie the remaining terminal from each
button to a separate input terminal of the Mini Panel. The last connection(s) to be
made is the Cab Bus connection. There are two Cab Bus connectors to make it easy
to 'daisy chain' the Cab Bus through the panel and on to other Cab Bus connection on
the layout. All that is left is to setup the Mini Panel to send the commands for correct
alignment of the yard switches when each button is pushed.
Control panel setup example
In the example there are three DCC controlled turnouts with accessory addresses of 1,
2 and 3 as noted in small text on the panel drawing above.
What we want to accomplish:
Press the button 1 to align the turnouts for track 1, press 2 to align for track 2, 3 for
track 3 and so on.
Pressing button 1 will need to send the following command
Accessory 1 (turnout 1) to the Normal (straight position)
Button 2 will need to send
Accessory 1 to Reverse (diverging) position
Accessory 2 to Reverse (diverging)
Button 3 will need to send
Accessory 1 to Reverse (diverging)
Accessory 2 to Normal (straight)
Accessory 3 to Reverse (diverging)
Button 4 will need to send
Accessory 1 to Reverse (diverging)
Accessory 2 to Normal (straight)
Accessory 3 to Normal (straight)
Last revised: 22 July 2008 Page 3
To set up the Mini Panel plug a ProCab into the "SETUP" jack of the Mini Panel, make
sure the Cab Bus is connected from the Mini Panel to the NCE DCC system and turn
the power for the system on.
The mini panel will detect the presence of the ProCab and you should see an opening
LCD display of:
NCE MINI-PANEL
VERSION 1.00
Press ENTER on the ProCab to get the main display for panel setup
1=SETUP 2=MACRO
3=TEST OPERATION
We want to setup the panel so press "1" to enter setup mode, this will present the
display screen as below
SETUP MINI PANEL
1=INPUT 2=CONFIG
Press "1" to setup an INPUT.
SETUP INPUT MENU
INPUT NUMBER: 01
We will start programming the inputs with input number 1. Type “1” followed by
“ENTER” to program input number 1
SETUP INPUT MENU
STEP NUMBER: 1
Normally when setting up an input we start with step number 1. We want to start
programming at step 1 so just press ENTER to accept that step. Commands will be
sent from the Mini Panel in order of their step number until an ‘empty’ step is
encountered or four steps are completed.
INP: 01 STEP: 1
1=ACCY 2=MACRO
At this point we’re ready to tell the mini panel exactly which command to send when
button 1 is pushed. Press “1” to send an accessory command.
INP: 01 STEP: 1
ACCY NUMBER:
Type the accessory number “1” followed by “ENTER”. Allowable NMRA accessory
addresses are 1-2044. Accessory number 2044 is the broadcast address for
accessories. There is no accessory address 0.
INP: 01 STEP: 1
1=NORM 2=REV
Press “1” to send the accessory command for Normal when button 1 is pressed.
INP: 01 STEP: 2
1=ACCY 2=MACRO
Last revised: 22 July 2008 Page 4
Note that the step number has increased to 2 indicating the last command has been
accepted and the Mini Panel is ready for the next command for this input. We don’t
need any more commands for this input so press “PROG/ESC” to return to the main
menu.
1=SETUP 2=MACRO
3=TEST OPERATION
Let’s review the command that has just been programmed. Press “2” to review.
1=SETUP 2=REVIEW
REVIEW INPUT:
Type “1” and press “ENTER” to review the command sent by input number 1
INP: 01 STEP: 1
ACCY: 001 NORM
The LCD no displays the accessory number (1) that we entered and the turnout
position (Normal). Press “ENTER” to see the next step for this input
INP: 01 STEP: 2
--END--
The display now indicates that there are no more entries programmed into this string.
At this point you may continue pressing “ENTER” to cycle up through all the commands
programmed if you wish. The Input and step numbers will be displayed as well as a
description of the command for that step. Press “PROG/ESC” to return to the main
menu.
1=SETUP 2=MACRO
3=TEST OPERATION
At this point we have programmed and reviewed the command(s) that will be sent
when input number 1 is grounded. The command can be tested by pressing “3”.
TESTING
INPUT NUMBER: 01
Press “1” followed by “ENTER” to test input 1. The command string associated with
input number 1 will be sent.
1=SETUP 2=MACRO
3=TEST OPERATION
Putting the Mini Panel into test mode will also allow testing of any input by grounding
that input number. Pressing any button on the ProCab will return the Mini Panel to
setup mode.
Finishing programing:
At this point we have programmed, reviewed and tested the command(s) that will be
sent when input number 1 is grounded. In a similar manner we can program the
commands for inputs 2,3 and 4 using the proper accessory or macro commands.
Last revised: 22 July 2008 Page 5
Last revised: 22 July 2008 Page 6
12 3
SETUP REVIEW TEST
1
SETUP INPUT 2
SETUP CONFIG INPUT # INPUT #
CAB ADDRESS
MEM ADDRESS
MEMORY DATA
INPUT #
STEP #
MAIN MENU
MENU NAVIGATION CHART
1
ACCY 2
MACRO 3
LOCO 4
SIGNAL 5
OTHER
ACCY #
NORM or REV
MACRO #
1
SELECT 2
SPEED 3
FUNCTIONS
LOCO # 128 MODE
2
128 MODE
SIGNAL #
ASPECT
1
F0-F4 2
F5-F8
1
DELAYS
1
4 SECs 2
1/4 SECs
#
#
2
WAIT
INPUT # INPUT #
1
GROUND 2
OPEN
INPUT # INPUT #
3
LINK
INPUT #
4
OPS PROG LOC
CV #
DATA
5
ADD NOP 6
SKIP
1
GROUND 2
OPEN
SPEED VAL
DIRECTION
SPEED VAL
DIRECTION
Command Descriptions:
The following commands can be setup through the ProCab user interface and sent by
the Mini Panel:
Accessory/Macro commands
?Accessory Command - all NMRA standard accessory addresses (1-2044) can be
sent via the accessory command
?Macro command - all NCE macro numbers (0-255) can be sent via the Macro
command
Locomotive commands
Speed and functions may be controlled
?Select loco - A locomotive must be selected before any commands can be sent to
that loco. Any NMRA standard locomotive address (up to 9999) may be selected.
Short addresses fro 1-127 and long addresses 0-9999 are all valid and are entered
in the same manner as they are selected in normal operations with a Pro/Power
Cab. A leading zero before and address in the range of 1-127 indicates a long
address. Once a loco address is selected all speed, function and Ops programing
commands will be sent to that address unless another address is selected.
?Speed commands - Both 28 and 128 speed mode commands can be sent. Once
the speed is entered the direction can be changed by pushing the “DIRECTION”
button.
?Function commands - Function commands for F0-F8 can be sent. Due to the way
the NMRA has defined function operation, functions are not controlled individually
but are controlled in groups of four or five (or eight) at once. The state of F0-F4
(function group 1) must be sent as one command while the state of F5-F8 (function
group 2) is as a different command. When you choose the ‘Function’ option from
the Loco commands Menu you must choose which function group you want to
control
ENTER FUNC GROUP
1=F0-F4 2=F5-F8
Once the group is selected you can select which functions in that group are to be
on or off.
PRESS F NUMBER
DIGITS 0-4:-----
In the case of function group 1 (LCD display above) pressing a digit of 0-4 will
toggle that function on/off. If a digit is displayed the function will be on of a
dash (“-”) is displayed the function will be off.
PRESS F NUMBER
DIGITS 0-4:0-23-
In the display above F0 (headlight),F2and F3 will be on and F1, F4 will be off.
Signal commands
?Signal Command - all NMRA standard signal addresses (1-2044) can be controlled
via the signal command. Aspects are limited to the first 8 aspects (0-7). The
signal commands are the NMRA standard signal commands using NMRA standard
signal control packets.
Last revised: 22 July 2008 Page 7
Other commands
There are 6 groups of ‘other’ commands executed by the Mini Panel. These
commands do not result in a DCC command being sent but control the flow of the
commands from the Mini Panel.
?Delays - Two different delay commands can be used. These commands will cause
the Mini Panel to delay execution of the next command in increments of ¼ second
(up to 64 seconds total delay) or increments of 4 seconds (up to 1020 seconds
total delay). A delay of 0 will cause the next command to be executed immediately.
Use of this command causes all operation of the Mini Panel to stop while the
command is in progress.
?Wait - There are two Wait commands, one command waits for a indicated input to
be grounded, the other waits for the indicated input to become ungrounded (open).
Use of this command causes all operation of the Mini Panel to stop while the
command is in progress.
?Link - Use of this command will transfer operation to the string of four commands
associated with another input.
?Skip -There are two commands that can be used to make a decision based on the
status of an input. These commands check the status of a user indicated input
and either execute the next command in the string or skip over that command and
execute the following command. One skip command skips if the indicated input is
grounded the other skips if the input is ungrounded (open). These are very
powerful commands allowing the Mini Panel to execute different commands based
on the state of an input at the time the skip command is executed.
?Nop - The No-Operation command. This command can be used as a place holder
for future commands. When the Mini panel encounters this command in the
command string it will be ignored and the next command will be executed.
?CV Program - Allows programming of locomotive CVs in Ops mode. OPs mode
programming requires 3 steps:
set loco address (long or short)
set CV number
set CV data
When the data command is executed an Ops programming command will be
issued out over the cab bus to the track.
Technical stuff:
Linking command strings
Inputs cannot normally be “decoupled” from their command string. If you link to the
command string of an input that is connected to something that may activate that input,
the commands for that input will be executed when the input is grounded. In some
circumstances this may be desirable allowing portions of larger, longer command
strings to be used. Normally you will want to leave linked inputs electrically
unconnected.
Disabling inputs
Memory location 4 can be programmed with the input number above which electrical
status of those inputs will be ignored. Grounding one of those inputs will not result in
execution of its command string. The input will still be sampled by any 0xc6
commands that look at input status.
Continuous Memory
You can write fairly long automation sequences by constructing strings of 3 commands
followed by a link to another string. This is inefficient in that only three out of four
command locations in memory actually control anything.
Memory location 3 can be programmed with an input number above which memory will
be considered continuous. This means above that input number commands will
continue to flow across each four command boundary and be executed until a
terminating command of 0x00,0x00 is encountered.
Last revised: 22 July 2008 Page 8
Remember that if any of those higher number inputs are grounded the associated
commands starting at that input number will still be executed (unless memory location
4 is programmed) and run until a termination command is encountered.
Interrupting Wait Commands
Wait commands will loop until the input condition is met. No other operations of the
mini panel will be performed while waiting so the panel will appear dead. It is quite
possible that situations on the layout will occur that upset the flow of your automation
‘program’. Imagine that the program is waiting for a loco to get to a certain block and a
derailment occurs causing the train to stop. The loco is replaced on the track but on a
parallel track resulting in the loco never getting to the block that the program is
expecting to be occupied. The mini panel will wait forever appearing to be
unresponsive. You can utilize an unused input of the mini-panel as an ‘interrupt’ to
break the mini panel out of this wait forever loop and continue normal operations.
Program memory location 5 with the input number you want to use as the interrupt. By
connection a pushbutton to this input you can provide a recovery mechanism without
resetting the entire panel, losing turnout positions, signal aspects or loco function
states.
OPs programming command
OPs mode programming requires 3 steps:
set loco address (long or short)
set CV number
set CV data
When the data is set the programming command will be issued out over the cab bus to
the track. If the loco address has already been set in a previous command that
address will be used. The same applies to the CV number. You can use this to your
advantage to program momentum using the (3 required steps) into a locomotive then
later just programming a new momentum value using only the set CV data command.
Command string terminator
When the mini panel encounters the command 0x00,0x00 it is considered the
command string terminator. Any commands following the terminator in the string will
not be executed.
Input scanning
The inputs of the Mini-panel are scanned in numerical order. Inputs are sampled in
groups of 8 and stored in temporary memory. This group is then scanned for active
inputs. An input at or near ground potential is considered active. When an input is
transitions from open (high due to 5v pull-up resistor) to ground (low) it will trigger
execution of a string of up to four commands associated with that input. Transitions
from low to high are ignored and no action is performed.
The lowest numbered active input of the group of eight is acted upon first. The
command string associated with that input will be executed. Execution of the
command string will continue until a command of 0x00,0x00 is encountered or until 4
commands are executed.
One exception to the four command limit is the “link” command that transfers execution
to another input command string. This allows borrowing the memory location from
other (possibly) unused inputs to create longer strings of commands. The memory
space for the unused input can be used by another command string.
Once a command string has completed execution the next active input will be located
and its command string executed.
After a group of 8 inputs is scanned and any active inputs are serviced the next group
of 8 inputs will be sampled.
Inputs are captured eight at a time and actions generated by those 8 inputs are
completed before capturing the next higher group of eight. If an input of one group of 8
initiates a long string of commands (see linking below) that will take a significant period
Last revised: 22 July 2008 Page 9
of time is it possible to miss momentarily activated inputs. This is not a problem for
typical applications with quick acting command strings such those used with a control
panel that just issues accessory/macro commands. The problem may occur in layout
automation applications that require long periods of time waiting for a loco to enter a
block or delays used for stopping at a station. In these cases you must carefulyl
consider the series of event that may be happening and how commands are strung
together.
USB interface
When using the NCE USB interface memory locations 1-255 can be read or written
using programming track direct mode binary commands 0xa8 and 0xa9. It is
necessary to put the USB interface into program track mode with the 0x9e command
before attempting programming other wise you will just get the “not in program track
mode” response from the USB interface. This will allow you to test the commands you
just programmed without having to disconnect the USB interface. You cannot read
memory location 0 (Cab Bus address). Memory locations 6 (CV7) and 7 (CV8)
correspond to decoder CVs 7 and 8 allowing you to determine the Mini Panel make and
software version. Mini panel software versions start at 200 (decimal) and the
manufacturer is 11 decimal (NCE). You may still write to these memory locations but
not read them through the USB interface. They are trapped by the mini panel software
when the USB is used for reading with the manufacturer and version substituted for the
actual values in memory. You can read them by plugging a ProCab into the SETUP
port.
When using Decoder Pro for programming select:
Service mode programming
Comprehensive Programmer format
NMRA
Raw CVs 1-255
Click on “READ” for CV1. Due to multiple layers of buffering between the USB and
Mini Panel the first CV read will fail but you should get valid reads and writes from that
point on. Using Direct Byte mode is slightly faster than Paged mode.
When finished programming you can put the Mini Panel back into operational mode
with the 0xa6 (Write register) command. Any register and value is OK. The panel is
just looking for any Write Register command
Last revised: 22 July 2008 Page 10
Command format of the Mini Panel
The table below describes the hex bytes stored in the memory locations for each command
nop - no-operation, just execute next
command
1111 1111
1111 1111
ff
unused
---- ----
---- ----
d0-f
e
set accessory/signal address 1-2044
aaaa
aaaa
1100
1
aaa
c8-c
f
macro 0-255
nnnn
nnnn
1100 0111
c7
not used
11xx
xxxx
1100 0110
c6
if input nnnnn not active skip the
next command
101n
nnnn
1100 0110
c6
if input nnnnn active skip the next
command
100n
nnnn
1100 0110
c6
unused
011x xxxx
1100 0110
c6
link to execute commands for input
nnnnn
010n
nnnn
1100 0110
c6
wait until input nnnnn not active, 0
not valid
001n
nnnn
1100 0110
c6
wait until input nnnnn active, 0 not
valid
000n
nnnn
1100 0110
c6
delay in 1/4 second increments
nnnn
nnnn
1100 0101
c5
loco detected in block 0-255
nnnn
nnnn
1100 0011
c4
f28->f21
ffff
ffff
1100 0011
c3
f20->f13
ffff
ffff
1100 0010
c2
set short loco address
1
aaa aaaa
1100 0001
c1
function group 3
f12,f11,f10,f9
0111
ffff
1100 0001
c1
function group 2
f8,f7,f6,f5
0110
ffff
1100 0001
c1
function group 1
f0,f4,f3,f2,f1
010f
ffff
1100 0001
c1
stored loco 28 speed forward (0-28
valid)
001s
ssss
1100 0001
c1
stored loco 28 speed reverse (0-28
valid)
000s
ssss
1100 0001
c1
stored loco 128 speed forward
1sss
ssss
1100 0000
c0
stored loco 128 speed reverse
0sss
ssss
1100 0000
c0
delay in 4 second increments
nnnn
nnnn
1011 1111
bf
set OPs signal CV data (set CV number
first)
dddd
dddd
1011 1110
be
set OPs
accy
CV data (set CV number
first)
dddd
dddd
1011 1101
bd
set OPs loco CV data (set CV number
first)
dddd
dddd
1011 1100
bc
set OPs CV num. 1-1024 (set
loco/accy
addr 1st)
nnnn
nnnn
1011
1
0
nn
b8-b
b
set long loco address 0-10239
aaaa
aaaa
10
aa aaaa
80->b7
signal 1-2044 aspect 0-7, addr 0 not
valid
aaaa
aaaa
01nn naaa
40->7f
accessory off(R) 1->2044, addr 0 not
valid
aaaa aaaa0000 1aaa08->0f
accessory on(N) 1->2044, addr 0 not
valid
aaaa aaaa0000 0aaa00->07
command string terminator - stop
execution
0000 00000000 00000x00 Command2nd Byte1st ByteHex
Key:
a - address bit, f - function bit, n - number, s - speed data, x - undefined
Notes:
Commands bf and c5 block reading/execution of all inputs until time expires
The wait commands of c6 block reading of all other inputs until condition is met
The “skip” commands of c6 work in “real time” (right now) and do not wait or block other
commands
Once the loco address is set all subsequent locomotive commands will be sent to that address.
Once the accy or signal address is set all subsequent OPs programming commands will be sent
to that address
Due to memory limitations the 0xbd,0xbe,0xc2, 0xc3, 0xc8 and 0xc6 function group 3
commands are not available through the ProCab setup interface. They are available for use
through the USB interface.
Last revised: 22 July 2008 Page 11
Chart of Mini Panel memory locations
4157e/7f126/127 3157c/7d124/125 2157a/7b122/123 11578/79120/121 431fe/ff254/25541476/77118/119 331fc/fd252/25331474/75116/117 231fa/fb250/25121472/73114/115 131f8/f9248/24911470/71112/113 430f6/f7246/2474136e/6f110/111 330f4/f5244/2453136c/6d108/109 230f2/f3242/2432136a/6b106/107 130f0/f1240/24111368/69104/105 430ee/ef238/23941266/67102/103 329ec/ed236/23731264/65100/101 229ea/eb234/23521262/6398/99 129e8/e9232/23311260/6196/97 429e6/e7230/2314115e/5f94/95 328e4/e5228/2293115c/5d92/93 228e2/e3226/2272115a/5b90/91 128e0/e1224/22511158/5988/89 427de/df222/22341056/5786/87 327dc/dd220/22131054/5584/85 227da/db218/21921052/5382/83 127d8/d9216/21711050/5180/81 426d6/d7214/215494e/4f78/79 326d4/d5212/213394c/4d76/77 226d2/d3210/211294a/4b74/75 126d0/d1208/2091948/4972/73 425ce/cf206/2074846/4770/71 325cc/cd204/2053844/4568/69 225ca/cb202/2032842/4366/67 125c8/c9200/2011840/4164/65 424c6/c7198/199473e/3f62/63 324c4/c5196/197373c/3d60/61 224c2/c3194/195273a/3b58/59 124c0/c1192/1931738/3956/57 423be/bf190/1914636/3754/55 323bc/bd188/1893634/3552/53 223ba/bb186/1872632/3350/51 123b8/b9184/1851630/3148/49 422b6/b7182/183452e/2f46/47 322b4/b5180/181352c/2d44/45 222b2/b3178/179252a/2b42/43 122b0/b1176/1771528/2940/41 421ae/af174/1754426/2738/39 321ac/ad172/1733424/2536/37 221aa/ab170/1712422/2334/35 121a8/a9168/1691420/2132/33 4