WiFi controller, sound decoder, and sound projects for model trains.
Project includes library for programming the sounds with set of state machines.
There are several ready-to-use sample sound projects.
- esp32 - directory where building of the firmware starts
- hardware - several versions of PCBs for manufacturing the decoder
- projects - ready-to-use sound projects for different locomotives
- compiler - compiler for the sound projects
- emulator - cab emulator for listening sounds with virtual locomotive control
- sample - dummy player which generates wav file by interpreting the sound project
- other directories include the source code of the firmware
- Get the hardware (order PCB, solder the components)
- Build firmware
- Install ESP32 toolkit (esp idf)
- Run esp32/build32M.sh (or other version)
- Upload esp32/build32M/esp32sounddecoder.bin into the ESP32 module
- Build selected sound project with compiler/compiler.py
- Upload built project through the web interface into the controller
- Install the controller into the locomotive
Controller provides web interface that may be accessed through WiFi (default address 192.168.4.1).
Sound module plays 8- or 16-bit sounds in 8 channels.
Output functions and sound schemes are programmed with custom language. The scripts may include conditions, loops, and finite state machines. These features may be used for creating complex sound projects.
Controller is intended to be used with G-scale locomotives with lithium batteries installed, but it may also be used with track power (some power capacitors are probably needed).
Controller includes the following hardware components:
- ESP32 CPU with embedded WiFi module and flash memory
- Motor driver
- I2S audio power amplifier (MAX98357A)
- 7 programmable outputs
- BEMF for adjusting the motor speed (work in progress)
- Radio-controlled engines with sound
- Cost effective DIY DCC Decoder for model railroad locomotives
- NIMRS: open-source NIMRS-21Pin-Decoder, based on the ESP32-S3 microcontroller