Crazy!!! DCS PS2 v. PS3

John,

FWIW, be aware that a PS3 engine has a much improved digital signal processor (DSP) over that of a PS2 engine. The chip in the PS3's DSP is an FPGA rather than an ASIC.

This provides for considerably improved DCS signal strength for PS3 engines over PS2 engines. This may have been a factor in your observation

This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at OGR’s web store!

Barry Broskowitz posted:

John,

FWIW, be aware that a PS3 engine has a much improved digital signal processor (DSP) over that of a PS2 engine. The chip in the PS3's DSP is an FPGA rather than an ASIC.

This provides for considerably improved DCS signal strength for PS3 engines over PS2 engines. This may have been a factor in your observation

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This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at OGR’s web store!

Thank you Barry.  I had heard about the great improvement but really didn't experience a difference until the other day.  Everything is okay again.  I'm just stumped because when I installed the DCS, the signal strength was 10 in that area; including PS2s.  These things have minds of their own!  :-) 

As I read your post, you say you replaced a wire to a location and now both locos yield 10.  My guess is that the initial wire was inadequate gauge or may have had an internal break (rare but it happens) or a connection was not good.  Be sure tracks are solidly connected and that common(ground) wires are tight.

Or it was a one time anomaly and if you ran the test again, both engines would give 10s.  The difference in processors is not significant enough to have that effect.  G

I actually tested multiple PS2 and PS3 engines achieving the same result.  The original wire had to be working because the engines all received a signal and would turn on and off with command.  The wire I replaced to the identical contacts was the identical gauge.  I'm telling you guys that there are electrical gremlins!  :-)  I've experienced some crazy stuff doing this in these past 42, 43 or 44 years, something close, but this one is nearest the top!  :-)