LCC Fusion Features

A Technical Overview of the LCC Fusion Hardware & Software Ecosystem

This page provides a structured look at everything the LCC Fusion Project can do — from automation and sensing to audio, voice control, and external system integration.

LCC Fusion uses inexpensive ESP32 hardware, NMRA LCC standards, and more than 50 open-source circuit boards designed for DIY hobbyists.

✔ Drive Trains & Automation

## DCC Card — Train Control

  • Drives locomotives with speed, direction, sound, and lighting via DCC
  • Integrates with layout automation using LCC Events
  • Supports accessory functions and decoder features
  • Planned: Automation Scheduler
    • Timed departures
    • Station stops
    • Circulation
    • “Driverless subway” operation
    • Event-based routing

# ✔ Control Signals & Interlocking

## Signal Logic & Rules

  • 32+ logic statements handled by firmware
  • If/then/else logic with input conditions
  • Mapping of aspects, masts, lamps, and rules
  • Logic grouping with CDI fragments
  • Automatic event generation for signal changes

## CDI Assistant (LibreOffice)

  • Build complete signal configurations
  • Generate CDI snippets for direct upload
  • Includes:
    • Mast definitions
    • Aspect tables
    • Lamp usage summary
    • Interlocking inputs
    • Condition tables
    • Color coding & validation

# ✔ Detect Trains & Layout Conditions

## Block Occupancy (BOD)

  • Rail-current based detection
  • Works with isolated rail or block sections
  • LCC events for occupied/clear

## Low Voltage Detection (BLVD)

  • Detects drops in track voltage
  • Useful for boosters, frogs, shorts, or power issues

## Reversing Loop Detection (BRD)

  • LM393 short-detection comparator
  • Uses a latching relay to auto-flip polarity
  • MCP23017 allows card to generate “short detected” LCC events

## Ultrasonic Occupancy (UOD)

  • Detect objects up to several feet away
  • Trigger events for presence, distance, or thresholds
  • Great for people detection, yards, staging, automation

## Phototransistor / IR Detection (POD)

  • IR beam break
  • Under-track and side-mounted detection
  • Dual-sensor comparator for reliable train presence

## NFC Tag Reader

  • Detects train/locomotive identity
  • Allows train-specific routing or automation

# ✔ Handle Inputs (Buttons, Sensors, Digital States)

## Button Card — Human Input

  • 8 or 16 tactile or toggle inputs
  • Fascia panels, route control, signal overrides
  • Each button produces LCC events instantly

## Digital I/O Card — Flexible Inputs or Outputs

  • MCP23017 → 16 configurable digital lines
  • Inputs or outputs per pin
  • Ideal for:
    • Switch positions
    • Indicator lamps
    • Contact closures
    • Panel feedback
    • Relays (logic-level)

## Sensor Card — Active Sensors Supports 3-wire active sensors:

  • IR modules
  • Hall effect
  • HTTM capacitive touch
  • Ultrasonic triggers
  • Phototransistors

Each port includes:

  • GND
  • 3.3 VDC
  • Protected signal line

Generates LCC events for automation, lighting, announcements, or turnout control.

# ✔ Drive Layout Hardware (Motors, LEDs, Accessories)

## Output Card — High-Current Drivers

  • 8 channels, up to 500 mA each
  • TBD62083A Darlington driver
  • Drives:
    • Relays
    • Solenoids
    • Bells
    • Motors
    • Lighting
    • Animations

## PWM Card — Smooth Motion & Dimming

  • PCA9685, 16-channel PWM
  • Perfect for:
    • Servos
    • Semaphore signals
    • LED dimming
    • Structure lighting fades
    • Animation effects
    • Motor speed control

## Motor Drivers

  • TB6612FNG for DC motor speed/direction
  • Integrated into Output or PWM pipelines depending on application

## Turnout Control

  • Stall motors (Tortoise)
  • Servos
  • Twin-coil switch machines
  • Frog polarity relay drivers (TQ2-L2 and others)
  • Dedicated breakout boards reduce wiring complexity

# ✔ Add Sound & Audio

## Sound Card — MP3 Playback

  • Plays MP3 files from micro-SD
  • Ambient sounds, station announcements, effects
  • Trigger via LCC events
  • Fully configurable volume and track selection

## Audio Card — Text-to-Speech

  • Converts configured text strings to audible voice
  • Trigger announcements via LCC events
  • Common uses:
    • Station arrivals
    • Public address
    • Industrial sounds
    • Safety warnings

# ✔ Use Voice Control (Alexa / Hue App)

## Alexa / Hue Integration

  • No extra hardware
  • Firmware translates voice commands into LCC Events
  • Supports:
    • On/off devices
    • Dimmable devices
    • Scenes
    • Variable outputs (0–255)
    • Custom announcements

Example commands:

  • “Alexa, set Station 4 to 50%”
  • “Alexa, trigger Train Departure”
  • “Alexa, turn on Yard Lights”

# ✔ Large-Scale Node Clusters

## Node Cards & Quad-Node Cards

  • ESP32-based nodes running LCC
  • Auto-termination on CAN
  • Auto-pullups & I²C conditioning
  • Buzzer alerts, brownout monitoring
  • SD card support on some nodes

## Node Bus Hub

  • Connects multiple cards and nodes
  • Distributes 12 VDC, 5 VDC, 3.3 VDC
  • Supports up to ~30 nodes per cluster
  • Provides structured, reliable cabling

## Battery Backup

  • Battery Card provides seamless power transition
  • Useful for portable modules or brownout zones

# ✔ Integrate with External Systems

## RPI-CAN Card — Raspberry Pi Integration

  • Adds Raspberry Pi directly to the CAN bus
  • Enables:
    • JMRI
    • Custom Python automation
    • Dashboards & UIs
    • Logging & analytics
    • Home-automation style scripts
  • Turns the Pi into a full LCC Node or bridge

# Where to Go Next

  • Hardware Index — list of all boards
  • Assembly Guides — how to build each card
  • Planner’s Guides — signal systems, logic, automation
  • Hardware Installer’s Guides — wiring and layout integration
  • Configurator’s Guides — CDI & event setup
  • Firmware Docs — developer-level reference
Last updated on: December 17, 2025 © 2025 Pat Fleming