Lenz Digital plus radio strategyAvailable June 25.
Bold affordable wireless technology!
Lenz Digital plus radio strategy
We are pleased to announce our newest wireless control product
and our radio control strategy. We will demonstrate the unit at the
But there is a lot more to our strategy than reported to date and it will take a little while to release it all.
The first device to be released in the Digital plus line is the XPA, XpressNet tone adaptor. This allows any device that can generate standard DMTF tones to interface to XpressNet. Note that while the initial product is focused on operating the train, the communication channel IS bi-directional. Any device that generates standard DMTF tones can be used. We have a defined the function for each tone so macros using tone sequences is also possible. This is a fully functional handheld and supports 4 digit addresses, F0-F9 function control, plus turnout control.
Why have we gone this route?
We had two design goals which have been difficult to achieve.
1) World wide acceptance. Our DCC products are used world wide and we wanted a device that could be used anywhere in the world.
2) We wanted a cost model that would allow all uses to enjoy the benefits of wireless operations.
Our initial concept was that the LH250 would meet both goals,
but unfortunately it now appears that it would not meet either.
1) The cost for testing and approval world wide is excessive. The frequencies are different and the testing requirements differ. Each market requires unique testing and because of frequency differences would also require a different product.
2) The projected cost of a LH250 with receiver was projected to exceed $500. While many of our users would gladly pay this price, such a high cost would price a unit out of reach for most of our users.
3) Many have noted that most other radio solutions have limited range or have interference problems. For example, a large outdoor layout needs one with a range of over 300 ft, while other modelers may only need a 50 foot range. Developing a product for one of these markets would either price it out of the range of the other market or not provide the capabilities.
Because of these concerns we have evolved a different strategy. It is based on a realization that there are many other good approaches out there and we need to provide a general solution and help others with specific solutions.
The strategy has many parts and includes support for a wide variety of markets.
The strategy includes working with other manufacturers in specific markets to offer other alternatives (such as the CVP radio product in North America or the LH100 radio attachment for Europe). The strategy also includes support for home grown solutions such as the one that Rod Miller developed. (all V3 LH100s have solder pads specifically for this purpose).
And the strategy includes a set of products to support devices readably available in the mass market such as cordless phones.
Why base our product on cordless phone technology?
The answer is simple. The economics of the mass market are staggering! Some stores in the US have more than 50 different cordless phones to choose from and one store (Best Buy) had a 900mH phone on sale recently for $4.95, a price we could never match. Cordless phones come in all type of sizes and shapes with a wide variety of features. I had a lot of fun choosing a few that worked best for me. One is the most comfortable handheld for my hands I have ever found. Another I especially like one that is about 4" by 3" with 2 batteries (one is always charging in the base unit). Photos of some of the alternates will be posted on our WWW site.
The frequency for transmission and the range of the device are now a user choice based on products approved for their location and the range desired. For example in the North American market one can choose between 900mH, extended 900, and 2.4 Ghz. The gigahertz phones cost more but have much greater range. Again the choice for which is best for you is your model railroad needs.
We now have an approach that allows the user to select a cordless handheld device that is most comfortable and cost effective for their use and a product that is available in all markets world wide.
Such a cost model allows us to offer a wireless solution that will allow virtually all XpressNet users to experience wireless operation.
How does it work?
The XPA is a small box with two RS11 ports. One port is used to connect the XPA to your XpressNet. The other port is used to connect the XPA to any device that uses standard tones such as a cordless phone. The XPA translates the standard tones produces by the phone into a series of XpressNet commands which allows you to have full control of your trains from a cordless phone. One XPA is needed for each wireless device desired. Up to 30 XPAs can be used on an XPressNet based system. Set-01 can support 30, Set-02 can support 5 and the Compact/Commander can support 6. Please note that device (phone) used with the XPA is dedicated for this purpose and while plugged into the XPA, it can not be plugged into the phone system.
The range of XPA is based on the capabilities of the specific cordless phone selected. It does not matter if the phone is an older phone or one of the latest models. There are several hundred choices available. Chose the one that is the easiest for you to use and has the range and battery life desired. The feel in your hand is the most important aspect and since all our hands are different one choice will not be best for all. We have found that a the lowest cost 900MHz phone has more than enough range for most layouts. We have used an extended 900MHZ on our outdoor layout and for ultimate range a 2.4 GHZ phone works great. Some of our favorite ones are shown on our WWW site.
Feature set.
1) Ability to select any locomotive address (the address range is determined by the capabilities of your command station)
2) Speed and direction control
3) F0-F8 (momentary if the command station supports the feature) (the number of functions available is determined by the capabilities of your command station)
4) Turnout Control
5) Macros (if supported by the phone selected)
6) Ability to customize several options
The keys work as follows
3 - speed up one speed step with each press
6 - speed up multiple speed step with each press
9 - speed up quickly with each press
1 - slow down one speed step with each press
4 -slow down multiple speed step with each press
7- slow down quickly with each press
2 - forward
5 - stop
8 - reverse
0 - emergency stop (can be customized)
# and * are used for special functions. For example # 6 1 1 * assigns locomotive 611 to the handheld.
* 7 activates function 7
We expect the XPA will be a popular add-on for most users. We hope you are as pleased with this new product as we are.
Copyright 2002 by Lenz Elektronik, GmbH. All Rights
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