Uhlenbrock IB-COM User manual

The Digital Center for PC
Manual

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Table of Contents
1. The Digital Center IB-COM ....................................................3
1.1 Description....................................................................................... 3
1.2 Technical Data................................................................................. 4
2. The Interface...........................................................................5
2.1 Interface Characteristics.................................................................. 5
2.2 Preparation for installating the driver............................................... 5
2.3 Installation of Driver software on Windows 2000............................. 6
2.4 Installation of Driver software on Windows VISTA ........................ 14
2.5 Installation of Driver software on Windows XP.............................. 18
2.6 Using the Interface......................................................................... 21
2.7 Interface Configuration .................................................................. 21
2.8 Communication PC – LocoNet (only for Experts).......................... 22
2.10 LocoNet Direct Mode................................................................... 22
3. The IB-COM connectors ......................................................23
3.1 Definition of the IB-COM connectors............................................. 23
3.2 Preparation of the clamp plugs...................................................... 23
3.3 Connecting transformer, track and programming track ................. 24
3.4 Connecting a DCC booster............................................................ 25
3.5 Connecting a LocoNet Booster...................................................... 25
3.6 Connecting LocoNet...................................................................... 26
3.7 Connecting Computer Interface..................................................... 26
4. The Utility Software..............................................................27
4.1 The Workspace.............................................................................. 27
4.2 Settings – Basic Settings “Locomotive Data Format”.................... 27
4.3 Settings – Basic Settings “Solenoid Data Format” ........................ 28
4.4 Settings – Basic Settings “Optional Settings”................................ 29
4.5 Settings – “Locomotive Data Format Individual”............................ 29
4.6 Settings – “Special Options”.......................................................... 30
4.7 Settings – “Serial and Version Numbers” ...................................... 30
4.8 Settings – “Reset”.......................................................................... 31
4.9 Tools – “DCC Decoder Programming” .......................................... 31
4.10 Tools – “LocoNet Module Programming”..................................... 33
5. Software Update...................................................................36
Appendix...................................................................................37
List of Special options.......................................................................... 38
Module address table for feedback channels...................................... 39
Converting bits to bytes....................................................................... 40
Coding table for solenoid decoder....................................................... 42
Tips and Tricks .................................................................................... 43
Troubleshooting................................................................................... 45
HOTLINE ...................................................................................46
All trademarks used are registered by the respective companies.

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1. The Digital Center IB-COM
The IB-COM is a digital center which is specifically designed for
controlling model railways with a computer program. It can control
layouts using the Motorola and DCC digital formats simultaneously,
on the same track, and is therefore a genuine multi-protocol Digital
system. It is extremely efficient and compact.
1.1 Description
With USB Interface
The fast interface to the computer for controlling model railway
layouts with computer programmes.
With Booster
The high performance booster is short circuit proof. It has an output
current of 3 A.
Various data formats
The IB-COM can control locomotive decoders and switch functions
of most manufacturers mixed on a layout.
The following data formats can be transmitted simultaneously:
Motorola data format
Uhlenbrock, Märklin, Viessmann
Extended Motorola data format (Gauge I)
Uhlenbrock, Märklin alternating current Gauge I format
DCC data format
Uhlenbrock, Märklin direct current, Arnold, Digitrax, Lenz, LGB,
Roco and all DCC compatible decoders.
9999 decoder addresses and 128 drive positions
The IB-COM supports all addresses and speed steps of the various
decoder makes.
Märklin Motorola Decoder
80 addresses, 14 speed steps
Uhlenbrock Motorola Decoder
255 addresses, 14 speed steps
Uhlenbrock DCC Decoder
9999 addresses, 128 speed steps
DCC compatible Decoder
99-9999 addresses, 14, 28, 128 speed steps, according to type
Extended special functions
Up 10000 special functions (for some DCC decoders) are available
for switching of light, sound, etc..

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Non-Volatile memory
All settings, which have been done with the IB-COM remain non-
volatile, even if the equipment is switched off for months.
Updatable system software
Using the IB-COM internal interface the system software can be
updated at any time.
Compatible with many other devices
On the back of the IB-COM are sockets for transformer, track,
programming track, DCC booster, Roco and LGB Lokmaus1, s88
feedback modules, Digitrax LocoNet and the USB computer
interface.
1.2 Technical Data
Supply voltage
AC input of 16-18 V.
Maximum current load
3 A to the rails
0.2 A to LocoNet B output
0.5 A to LocoNet T output
All outputs have short circuit protection.
Maximum number of feedback modules
A total of 2048 feedback contacts can be evaluated.
Maximum number of loco addresses
DCC format: 1-9999
Motorola format: 1-255
Maximum number of solenoid device decoder addresses
DCC format: 1-2000
Motorola format: 1-320
Usable Transformers
52-100VA, max. 18V AC
e.g. Uhlenbrock 70VA transformer, Part No. 20 070
Dimensions
180 x 136 x 80 mm

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2. The Interface
The computer interface refers to a USB computer interface. This
type of interface is found on IBM-compatible PCs or laptops.
To connect the IB-COM (socket 5) with the USB interface use the
Uhlenbrock USB cable Part No. 61070. That is a USB cable with
connector types A and B plug, like you also use for connecting a
USB printer.
The computer interface is set to a data transmission rate of 115200
Baud.
The USB LocoNet interface of the IB-COM can be used with the
Windows Operating systems 2000, XP and Vista (32 bits, without
active users access control (UAC)). Support for older Windows
systems like 95 or 98 is not provided.
For layout control all PC-control programs that support LocoNet
protocol can be used.
2.1 Interface Characteristics
PC and LocoNet are electrically isolated. Baud rates of 19200,
38400, 57600 or 115200 Baud can be selected.
Two operating modes are available:
1. all bytes are passed directly to the LocoNet (only 19200 Baud)
2. only valid LocoNet Messages are transferred from the PC to
LocoNet; the interface controls the data traffic on LocoNet; all
Bytes from LocoNet are passed directly to the PC (factory
setting).
2.2 Preparation for installating the driver
Before you connect the IB-COM to the PC, the driver software for
the interface must to be installed otherwise your PC may
malfunction.
To install the driver insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive. After
short time the program will start and guide you through the
installation process for the software.
If the installation program does not automatically start, open the
CD-ROM with File Manager or Explorer and start with a double click
on “CDRUN.EXE”.
Precise instructions for the installation are found in the following
sections for operating systems, Windows 2000, Windows Vista and
Windows XP.

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2.3 Installation of Driver software on Windows 2000
Start the installation with a double-click on “USB-LocoNet-
Interface.exe“.
The following window appears:

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If you want to change the path, click on “Change Install
Location…“.
The following window appears:
Here, for example one can select the folder
“C:\Programme\Uhlenbrock\USBLocoNet-Interface”.
Click on “New Folder“, then rename it, e.g. “Uhlenbrock“.

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Then select the “Uhlenbrock” folder and click on “New Folder” to
create a subfolder and/or rename this to e.g. “USB-LocoNet-
Interface“.
Quit with “OK”.

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The following window with changed path appears:
A click on “Install” starts the driver installation.
The following messages are displayed (2 times):
Quit both messages with “Yes”.

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Finally this message box appears:
By selecting “Yes” the PC restarts immediately. If “No” is selected
the PC must be restarted manually later.
After the restart connect the IB-COM to the PC by USB cable.
The following windows appear one after the other:
Quit the following window with “Yes” twice.

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IB-COM is now operational.
Control the installation as follows:
Click on “Start > Settings > Control Panel”. This window appears:

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Double-click on “System” and the following window appears:
Select the “Hardware” tab:
Click on “Device Manager”

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Double-click on “Ports”.
In the Device Manager the Uhlenbrock into USB-LocoNet-Interface
(e.g. COM3) will be shown.
The COM PORT can then be assigned an alternate number
depending on the system!
After double-click on “USB-Controller“ the following appears:
Attention

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Here the Uhlenbrock USB-LocoNet-Interfaces is shown.
2.4 Installation of Driver software on Windows VISTA
Start the installation with a double-click on
“USB-LocoNet-Interface.exe”

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The following window appears:
Click on “Install” to start the installation.
After copying the individual files two messages of the Windows
Security center appear. With click on “Install this driver software
anyway” the driver software is installed.

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After the installation you must restart the PC if necessary or restart
it manually later.
After restart you can connect the IB-COM the PC with USB cable.
As a check on the driver click on “System” in the “Control Panel”
Then under tasks on “Device Manager”

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Under Ports (COM & LPT) and USB-Controller you will see the
installed driver.
Here the Uhlenbrock USB-LocoNet-Interface (e.g. COM3) is shown:

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The COM PORT can be assigned a different number depending on
the system!
2.5 Installation of Driver software on Windows XP
Start the installation with a double-click on
“USB-LocoNet-Interface.exe”
Attention

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The following window appears:
With a click on “Install”
The following appears twice:
Quit with “Continue Anyway”.
If necessary “Restart” the PC or connect the module to the PC.

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The following window appears twice in succession:
Check “No, not this time“ and click on “Next”. The following
window appears:
Check “Install software automatically (recommended)” and then
click on “Next”.