Fusion Capabilities

Table of contents

Fusion Capabilities

Introduction

This page provides a capabilities overview of the LCC Fusion Project. It is intended to show what the system can do, not to explain configuration steps or installation details.

LCC Fusion supports a wide range of automation, sensing, control, and integration scenarios. Some capabilities listed here are fully implemented today, while others are marked as Planned and represent future expansion of the platform. Detailed planning, assembly, installation, and configuration guidance for each capability is provided in the linked guides throughout the documentation.

Use this page to understand the scope of the system and identify which capabilities are relevant to your layout, then follow the referenced guides to learn how to implement them.

Capabilities labeled Planned represent future capabilities and are not yet available. All other capabilities described are implemented and in active use.

Drive Trains & Automation

DCC Card — Train Control

LCC Fusion supports both layout automation and train control, allowing the system to participate in detection, signaling, and turnout logic as well as optional locomotive control through a DCC Card.

Drives locomotives with speed, direction, sound, and lighting via DCC
Integrates with layout automation using LCC Events
Supports accessory functions and decoder capabilities
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

The Digital I/O Card is intended for simple digital states, such as switches, buttons, or relay contacts, where inputs represent direct on/off conditions.

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

The Sensor Card is designed for active sensors that generate events based on measured conditions, such as light, proximity, or occupancy, rather than simple on/off states.

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

This integration is implemented entirely in firmware and is already in active use within LCC Fusion layouts; no additional hardware is required.

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 Build-Outs

Node Cards & Quad-Node Cards

ESP32-based nodes running LCC firmware
Peer-based operation on the CAN network
Auto-termination on CAN
Auto-pullups and I²C conditioning
Buzzer alerts and brownout monitoring
SD card support on selected node variants

Multiple Node Cards may be deployed across one or more hubs to distribute processing, roles, and I/O responsibilities as layouts scale.

Node Bus Hub

The Node Bus Hub provides the physical foundation for scaling systems by aggregating Node Cards and I/O cards in a structured, repeatable way.

Connects multiple Node Cards and I/O cards
Distributes 12 VDC, 5 VDC, and 3.3 VDC locally
Supports hub-to-hub expansion for increased card capacity
Enables modular build-out of pods across a layout

System scale is determined by how many hubs and power entry points are deployed, rather than a fixed node count. Practical limits depend on power distribution, physical layout, and CAN bus considerations.

Pods and Power Distribution

Large layouts are typically organized into pods, each consisting of one or more Node Bus Hubs installed near the devices they serve.

Pods may include multiple hubs to expand I/O capacity
Power may be introduced at one or more hubs within a pod
Mixed power sources (e.g., network cable power and local supplies) are supported
Built-in protection allows flexible power build-outs without manual configuration

This approach allows systems to scale incrementally without redesign.

Battery Backup

Battery Card provides seamless power transition
Useful for portable modules, temporary installations, or brownout-prone areas
Can be deployed selectively within a pod

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