Lincoln Railway Multi-board Assembly
The components of the Lincoln Railway Assembly (LRA) have been individually tested, but the fully assembled system has not had software written for it yet. The Assembly offers 16 DC motor outputs, 16 servo motor outputs (PWM signals & DC power), 16 dimmable high power LED string outputs and one to four stepper motor drivers. All the outputs of the Lincoln Utility board are also available such as: optional millisecond accurate timing (with coin cell, super capacitor option also available instead), analog in & out (8 DAC), digital in and 24 digital out and Fram memory is included. There is also the option of a rotary encoder and OLED display. RS232 control is possible and alternatively the radio transceiver option is possible as shown. Bluetooth is another control option. The remote control unit has been set up with a radio transceiver as well and it also can work with Bluetooth. The transceiver is a simpler programming option, but may be less convenient, if a GUI device is eventually used for control. RS232 (or USB) is a simple way to connect a desktop computer and that allows application of a GUI as well.
The LRA can be used to control street lights and train signals. Movement and variable lighting are possible in great detail; your imagination is free to create great variety and complexity. Individual power supplies may be used for each string of LEDs that are driven using a PWM controlled transistor (MOSFET). (This option/board has not yet been tested, however PWM control of dimmers is standard technology.)
The DC motor drivers can optionally be powered individually or 8 channels can be powered by one 12V DC adapter. Higher power voltages are also possible and the needed separate 5V supply option is provided.
The LRA is highly adaptable to other purposes besides model railways and of course the selection and combination of peripheral boards is chosen by the user. More or less of each type of peripheral is possible.
