Sprog S-Nano User Manual

S-nano dcc booster interface

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S-Nano User Guide

S-Nano DCC Booster Interface

User Guide

Version 1.0 Oct 2012

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Page 2: Table Of Contents
S-Nano Command Station Mode ..........21 Short (one byte) Versus Extended (two byte) Addressing ..22 How Many Locos Can Be Controlled? ........23 Determining the S-Nano Firmware Version ....... 24 The SPROG Console ..............25 Title Bar ..................26 Command History ..............
Page 3 Set ZTC Mode ................27 Set Blueline Mode..............27 Unlock Firmware ................ 27 Save .................... 27 Updates to the S-Nano Firmware ..........28 Returning Your S-Nano for Update .......... 28 Firmware Update Using the Bootloader ........28 Connecting S-Nano to SBOOST Boosters ......... 32 Example 1 ...................
Page 4: Introduction
S-Nano User Guide Introduction S-Nano is a DCC interface for connection between the USB port of a personal computer or similar device and a DCC booster. S-Nano transforms a DCC booster into a computer controlled DCC command station by formatting data packets from USB (sent by appropriate software running on the computer) into correctly timed DCC data packets.
Page 5: Specification/Operating Conditions
Parameter Minimum Nominal Maximum Units Note DCC Output voltage Operating °C Temperature Range Table 1 Specification/Operating Conditions Notes: 1. DCC output voltage depends upon the load imposed by the booster input(s). Version 1.0 Oct 2012 © Copyright 2012 SPROG DCC...
Page 6: Installation
S-Nano User Guide Installation The following steps are required to install S-Nano before you can use it for the first time:  Install DecoderPro 2.14 or later (Will also install the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) if necessary)  Install S-Nano USB drivers ...
Page 8 Click “Search for the best driver in these locations” then “Include this location in the search” and then click the Browse button to find the driver directory on the CD-ROM supplied with S-NANO. If your CD-ROM drive is E:\, for example, this directory will be E:\USB\sprogNano\inf Click “Next >”.
Page 9 The base drivers are fully compatible with WindowsXP. To make them S- Nano specific, the .inf files are edited which, unfortunately, causes this dialogue to appear. Click “Continue Anyway” and wait for the installation to complete. Version 1.0 Oct 2012 © Copyright 2012 SPROG DCC...
Page 10: Identify The Connection Port
Click “Finish” Identify the connection Port The next step is to ascertain which COM port was assigned to S-NANO during the driver installation. Open the System Properties from the Windows Control Panel (you may need to switch to classic view in Control Panel).
Page 11 S-Nano User Guide Click “Device Manager” Click the “+” to open the Ports (COM & LPT) category and note the COM port assignment for the S-NANO (COM9 in this example). Version 1.0 Oct 2012 © Copyright 2012 SPROG DCC...
Page 12: Driver Installation For Windows 7
S-Nano User Guide Your install steps are now all completed, and it is time to start the software and use your S-NANO. Go on to the next major section of this Guide “Setting Preferences”. Driver Installation for Windows 7 When the S-Nano is first plugged into a USB port you should see a bubble appear in the lower left corner of the screen “Installing device driver –...
Page 13 Click “Close” Open the Device Manager (Start -> Control Panel -> Device Manager) and expand the display of “Other device” where you should see the S-Nano: Point to the SPROG Nano entry and press the Right mouse button. Select "Update Driver Software", or select Properties, and under the Drivers tab, click "Update Drivers”.
Page 14 S-Nano User Guide Click “Browse my computer for driver software”, and then click the Browse button to find the drivers on the CD-ROM supplied with your S-NANO. If your CD-ROM drive is D:, for example, browse to the directory D:\USB\sprogNano\inf, as shown: Check the "Include subfolders"...
Page 15 You will then see a warning window similar to this: The base drivers are fully compatible with Windows7, and those supplied on the CD are the latest drivers. To make them S-NANO specific, the .inf files are edited which, unfortunately, causes this dialogue to appear.
Page 16 Make a note of the COM port assignment (COM9 in the example above) and close the device manager and control panel windows. Driver installation is now complete, and it is time to start the software and use Version 1.0 Oct 2012 © Copyright 2012 SPROG DCC...
Page 17: Driver Installation For Macos
S-Nano User Guide your S-NANO. Go on to the next major section of this Guide “Setting Preferences”. Driver Installation for MacOS Driver Installation for Linux For Linux, there are many variations of Linux system installations, and variations in installing the USB support will be encountered. For recommendations and many helpful supporters, see the Linux Support pages on the JMRI website.
Page 18 Click the arrow in the System manufacturer field and scroll down to select SPROG DCC. Then in the System connection field, select SPROG Command Station (not SPROG). Click the arrow in the Serial Port field and select the COM port noted during driver installation.
Page 19: Connect The Booster
Connect the Booster The booster MUST be isolated from all other DCC command stations and connected only to the S-Nano. Damage may result to the S-Nano or other equipment if this rule is not followed. Connect the S-Nano to the booster input using the pluggable terminal block.
Page 20: Getting Started With Decoderpro
Ensure that all software and drivers are installed and that DecoderPro preferences have been setup in accordance with the previous steps. Start DecoderPro. The main window will open and show the current connection method as “Operations Mode Programmer SPROG Command Station is Online”. Version 1.0 Oct 2012...
Page 21: Layout Control With S-Nano
S-Nano User Guide Layout Control with S-NANO S-Nano Command Station Mode As well as operating a layout, S-Nano can write CVs in operations mode (also known as “on the main” programming) but the contents of CVs cannot be read back.
Page 22: Short (One Byte) Versus Extended (Two Byte) Addressing
 Short addresses in the range 1 – 127  Extended addresses in the range 1 – 10239 Most DCC system impose their own arbitrary limits on these address ranges. In SPROG Command Station mode the allowable address ranges are:  Short addresses TBD…  Long addresses TBD…...
Page 23: How Many Locos Can Be Controlled
Some slots should always be left free for sending function control commands. These free will be shared between throttles as required, it is not necessary to have a free slot for every throttle. Version 1.0 Oct 2012 © Copyright 2012 SPROG DCC...
Page 24: Determining The S-Nano Firmware Version
S-Nano User Guide Determining the S-Nano Firmware Version Select “Get SPROG Firmware Version” from the SPROG menu The S-Nano firmware version will be displayed in a new window. Click “OK” to close the window. Version 1.0 Oct 2012 © Copyright 2012 SPROG DCC...
Page 25: The Sprog Console
S-Nano User Guide The SPROG Console The SPROG console allows optional SPROG features to be enabled and disabled. Select the SPROG Console from the SPROG menu Version 1.0 Oct 2012 © Copyright 2012 SPROG DCC...
Page 26: Title Bar
The command history pane provides the same functionality as the basic Command Monitor (available on the SPROG menu) and captures commands to and replies from the S-Nano. The history may be saved to a file on the computer by first choosing a log file and then selecting “Start logging”. The command history can be useful in diagnosing problems encountered in using the S-Nano.
Page 27: Send Command
Not applicable for S-Nano. Set Blueline Mode Not applicable for S-Nano. Unlock Firmware Select this option if you are about to update the S-Nano firmware using the bootloader. This mode is automatically canceled when the power is removed from the S-Nano. Save Always click this button after selecting a new mode.
Page 28: Updates To The S-Nano Firmware
“bootloader” (see below). Returning Your S-Nano for Update If you prefer, contact us to discuss returning your S-Nano for update. This is usually free of charge but return postage is always appreciated. Firmware Update Using the Bootloader The “bootloader”...
Page 30 Progress is reported in the status line of the window. If the Console is still open, you will also see the messages flowing between the computer and the S-Nano. You may see a pause in activity with the message “Erase Complete”. This is Version 1.0 Oct 2012 © Copyright 2012 SPROG DCC...
Page 31 S-Nano User Guide normal, do nothing at this point, the software is calculating where to begin writing the new firmware. When “Write Complete” is displayed, click “Set SPROG Mode”. Close the window and the firmware update is complete. Version 1.0 Oct 2012...
Page 32: Connecting S-Nano To Sboost Boosters
S-Nano User Guide Connecting S-Nano to SBOOST Boosters Example 1 S-Nano driving multiple SBOOST with common power supply. The power supply must be able to supply the full rated current (e.g., at least 5 Amp for 2 x SBOOST). Power districts must be separated by isolation gaps in both rails.
Page 33: Example 2
S-Nano User Guide Example 2 S-Nano driving multiple SBOOST with separate power supplies. Each power supply should be the same voltage. Each power supply must be able to supply the full SBOOST rated current, i.e. at least 2.5 Amp. A common ground connection is required between the power supplies, as shown in the diagram below.
Page 34: Connecting S-Nano To Other Boosters
S-Nano User Guide Connecting S-Nano to Other boosters It is recommended that you use boosters with an opto-isolated input. The following boosters have opto-isolated inputs, but have not been tested with S-Nano: Bachmann Hornby Lenz Optional on Digitrax Tam Valley Depot DCC Booster Version 1.0 Oct 2012...
Page 35: Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Before reporting any problems please check the SPROG DCC homepage for any bug reports or updates. There is a SPROG DCC FAQ page which will be updated to reflect the most common questions people have about SPROG. One common problem is the configuration of the “Virtual COM Port” for S- Nanos.
Page 36: Useful Links
S-Nano User Guide Useful Links SPROG homepage http://www.sprog-dcc.co.uk for the latest information, updates, downloads, etc., for S-Nano. North American distributor for S-Nano http://www.bbmgroup.com/sprog SPROG DCC Yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sprog-dcc latest news and discussion of DecoderPro. Java Model railroad Interface http://jmri.sourceforge.net for DecoderPro.

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Summary of Contents for Sprog S-Nano

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