Programmers manual for the TIU

Kaspar,

   I think you are in the area of MTH safe guarded information, not sure you can acquire ths technical info.

PCRR/Dave

Hello,

   You will never get anything unless you ask for it. I have also sent a e-mail to MTH to see if it is available. Stay tuned for further details.

Kaspar,

The TIU serial port is used primarily for updates and secondarily for TMCC/Legacy communication.  Programming is not supported by MTH to protect propriatry software.

That being said, another forum member, OGR handle escapes me at the moment, has put together an interface that captures the TIU data, interepets, and passes to a computer for such control.  This youtube link is his and shows what he as accomplished. FWIW.

Hello,

  Thanks for the quick response. I looked at the link and alot of info is there, but not all of it.  My intent is to control my train layout with my smartphone that I presently have and the Nexus 10 tablet that I will be getting in the near future. I can write android apps and have access to hardware can be added to the wifi network and send out RS 232 commands.

   What I am missing is a "programmers guide" that contains all of the data that is sent the the TIU to perform each action. It will be interesting to see if someone from MTH responds to my request for information about the RS-232 interface for the TIU. If MTH does makes the information public it will allow alot of people to write code to control the TIU, which will increase the options that are available to control your train layout.

Kaspar,

What I am missing is a "programmers guide" that contains all of the data that is sent the the TIU to perform each action.

I can tell you with complete confidence that there is absolutely no way possible that you will ever get to see such a document.

My intent is to control my train layout with my smartphone that I presently have and the Nexus 10 tablet that I will be getting in the near future.

PC, Smartphone and tablet control of DCS, plus TMCC, in a single system, exists today. I'm running it on my layout using a Windows 7 PC, iPhone and iPad, however, any Smartphone or tablet with a browser will work as well. This control also includes track plan display, switch tracks, accessories, block detection (although I've not yet implemented that), and much, much more.

In addition, there's an app coming this year that will do most of this without the need for a PC at all.

Who knows? There might even be a book that explains exactly how to do this coming, as well.

Stand by...

As others have posted, MTH will not let you have the information on how to access your TIU through the serial port.  Somehow this is supposed to make DCS more attractive.

What is possible is to tap into the tethered connection between the remote and the TIU (at least until MTH plugs that hole).

Although you cannot parse the commands, you can build up a library of pre-recorded commands specific to each engine or accessory.  Then your PC or other control system can send the commands to the TIU through the TIU's remote jack.

Barry,

 Re the computer control system you are running.  Did you write it or is it a commercially available product?  I posted my "wish list" on a different thread and you just posted that you are using it now!  

It is available for sale on a limited basis, however, it's not inexpensive.

I'll talk to the supplier and see if he's taking preorders. It's a package deal and comes with some number of hours of instruction. Send me an E-mail and we can pursue this offline, if you are really interested.

Again, it's not inexpensive.

Thanks for the reply.  This is potentially great, but I am the wrong person to be an early adopter this time around.  I need my layout to move along first.  I would appreciate updates about the system when you think it is appropriate, and in the meanwhile I will buy the DCS from my hobby shop.