Contents

1. Basic Concept
1.1. Controlling Locomotives
1.2. Locomotive Functions
1.3. Locomotive: Autopilot
1.5. Control panel: Switching turnouts, signals, ...
1.6. Track diagram: Switching and status displays
2. App Installation
3. Wi-Fi
3.1. Logging the Module into Wi-Fi
3.2. Factory New Modules
3.3. Status Indicators of the Modules
3.4. WiFi-Monitor
3.5. Statistics
4. Configuring Modules
4.1. Config - Connect Products
4.2. Config - Actions
4.3. Config - Linking Actions
4.4. Config - Editing Actions
4.5. Config - Edit Script
4.6. Config - Connect DCC decoder
5. Configure the engine
5.1. Motor-Sensor Calibration
5.2. Adjusting the Motor
6. Track Diagram Control
6.1. Edit track plan
6.2. Editing model railway
6.5. Balises (ID Transmitters) in the Track Plan
7. Automation
7.1. Automation: Blocks
7.2. Automation: Driving Routes
7.3. Automation: Driving Orders
7.4. Automation: Timetables
8. Old Digital: Bridge to DCC & Co.
8.1. Old Digital: Integrating DCC Decoders
8.2. Old Digital: Integrating Z21 Control Center
8.3. Using Z21 Hand Controller
8.4. Model Railway Control Software via Z21
9. Sound
9.1. Sound with SUSI Interface
10. Wagon Recognition (Axle Counter)
10.1. Configure Wagon Detection
10.2. Engine Facility (BW)
A1. Appendix - Error Handling
A2. Appendix - HTML Page
A3. Config - Create Product Catalog
A4. Cable Colors
B.01. Appendix B: Examples
B.02. Config Example: Timed Stop
B.03. Config Example: Signal Dependent on Turnout Position
B.04. Config Example: Balise Dependent on Turnouts and Signal

1. Basic Concept

CTC is a hardware and software system for controlling model railways. It contains the following characteristics:

• CTC Modules: Electronic assemblies for controlling locomotives, turnouts, signals, lighting, action blocks, etc. Local firmware and configuration handles local control tasks such as motor control, turnout switching, lights on/off, etc. on each CTC module. The respective configuration is stored decentrally in the corresponding CTC module.
• CTC App: This software serves as a user interface (graphic user interface) and can be used on a smartphone, a tablet with Android or iOS, or also on a PC with Windows, MAC or Linux. A dedicated and costly special central control unit is not required.
• CTC Modules are configured via the CTC App.
• Communication via Wi-Fi: Communication between the CTC app and CTC modules, as well as between the CTC modules themselves, takes place via a dedicated Wi-Fi access point (for instance, a FritzBox). The transmission speed is up to 54 Mbit/s. Apart from the power supply, no additional cabling is necessary.
• The CTC modules are addressed via the CTC App. The graphical user interface enables, for example, the control of driving speed, turnout settings, signal lights, etc.
• Exact Position Detection: The CTC App can determine the exact position with the help of dedicated infrared transmitters in the tracks and infrared receivers in the locomotive for small tracks (up to 0 gauge). For 1 gauge and larger, the same is achieved with NFC tags in the track and an NFC reader under the locomotive.
• Wagon recognition (axle counting): Starting from CTC App 4.22, an NFC reader can be installed under the track in order to recognize wagons equipped with NFC tags. Therefore, CTC provides an adequate substitute for axle counters - with the advantage that the app exactly knows which wagon has just passed by.
• Sound is possible with CTC using SUSI3 or a DCC sound decoder.
• Parallel operation with other “market common” digital and analogue systems is possible, e.g., via the Z21 LAN protocol.

  Views of the App

The CTC app consists of a whole range of views. In the desktop app, these can be freely arranged in the main window and additional windows, and can also be distributed across multiple screens. The mobile phone and tablet app have a largely rigid layout.

The following views are available:

• The Module List shows all CTC modules that have reported to the app since its launch.
• The Locomotive List shows all locomotives that have reported to the app since its launch.
• The Locomotive Control provides all functions for manual control of a locomotive.
• The Control Panel lists all turnouts, signals, … and allows you to switch them.
• The Sensor Display shows all sensors and their status.
• The Track Layout shows the model railway with all placed track layouts.
• The Block List shows all blocks with the locomotive and its wagons located there.
• The Timetable Display shows a selected timetable for automatic operation.
• The Engine Shed Display shows engine sheds and wagons registered there.

In the desktop app, new views can be opened as new windows via the “View” menu. You can then move the view to a different location by clicking on the title of the view and dragging the view to the desired location while holding down the mouse button. Gray rectangles visualize where the view will be “docked” while dragging.

The following pictures show the CTC app once on a PC and twice on an Android tablet:

1.1. Controlling Locomotives

Driving

With the following buttons and displays, you can control the displayed locomotive:

• With (1) you can switch between the available locomotives, i.e. select a different locomotive.
• With (2) the locomotive is activated (blue) and paused again (red). When activated, the set direction of travel (3)/(4) and speed (5) are set, i.e. if the slider (5) is on a value greater than zero, the locomotive starts moving.
• With (4) you activate the forwards driving direction, with (5) backwards. In both cases, clicking on the button also sets (2) to active (blue). The set direction of travel can be identified by the coloured arrow in the button: yellow for forwards, red for backwards.
• With (5) you set the speed. The set value is displayed as a number (8) underneath.
• With (6) the speed is gradually decreased and with (7) increased.

The picture and name of the locomotive can be changed via their configuration. Both are stored in the locomotive.

Additional Features and Displays

• The Wi-Fi symbol (10) indicates whether the locomotive is currently reachable (green), has not responded for more than 3 seconds (yellow), or for more than 10 seconds (red). In addition, the green Wi-Fi symbol shows the signal strength, see also Chapter 3 “WiFi”.
• To the left of the locomotive name, the locomotive status (11) is displayed, the individual symbols are described in Chapter 1.3 “Autopilot”.
• If your locomotive has an IR receiver, you can adjust the orientation of the locomotive with (12): r = clockwise, l = counter clockwise. This is important so that the locomotive only stops in front of a red signal when approaching from the front. After crossing two balises of the same block, the locomotive sets its orientation itself and the symbol on the button may be adjusted.
• (13) toggles the automatic operation on and off. An “A” on the button indicates activated automatic operation. When a locomotive is forced to decelerate/stop in front of a red signal by a balise, the automatic operation activates itself, which can then be seen from the symbol on the button.
• In the middle (14), there are some additional status information about the locomotive, which will be addressed at the appropriate point in this documentation.

1.2. Locomotive Functions

The locomotive functions are located in a table below the locomotive control:

The functions a locomotive offers are set in the configuration of the locomotive. Each function configured there shows itself with up to 5 buttons for the different states of the function. The currently active state is highlighted in color.

The factory-configured headlight (2) in the CTC locomotive modules has the following states (in the picture from left to right):

• Light off
• Automatic light: The headlight burns at the front or rear depending on the direction of travel
• Front light on
• Rear light on

The Motor-Mode (1) is also pre-configured in all CTC locomotive modules:

• The left button activates the normal mode.
• With the right button the load regulation in the form of a PID controller can be activated. The necessary condition for this is that the motor sensor has been calibrated.

The image also shows examples of functions added via the configuration of the locomotive:

• With (3) the decoupler can be deactivated, as well as activated at the front and rear.
• With (4) the drive sound can be switched on and off.
• With (5) four different signal horn sounds can be played.

1.3. Locomotive: Autopilot

Unlike traditional digital systems, with CTC the locomotive always controls itself. Only target values for the speed are given via the CTC app.

For every locomotive with an ID reader, even with manual control, there is already some automation:

• If the locomotive driver exceeds the maximum permissible speed, the locomotive will automatically reduce its speed.
• If the locomotive driver ignores a red signal, the locomotive will trigger an emergency braking.

Since the locomotive can’t see by itself, speed limits and signal states have to be communicated to it using balises. If you’ve ever dealt with the European Train Protection System ETCS, you’ll notice remarkable parallels to CTC.

Beyond these simple train protection measures, there is also the possibility to activate an autopilot.

The autopilot has the following modes:

1. Travel with a given maximum speed, observing speed limits and signals.
2. Timetable-based travel

Before driving with autopilot, the locomotive should know its orientation on the track. If the symbol on the button (12) shows an “r” (clockwise) or “l” (counterclockwise), the locomotive knows its orientation.

By clicking on the button (12), you can set or change the orientation.

Note: When the locomotive has passed two balises of the same block, it knows its orientation. The button then displays it.

Travel with a preset maximum speed

This operating mode is activated by manually setting the locomotive to the desired maximum speed and then activating the autopilot (13). Afterwards, the locomotive continues to drive autonomously until the autopilot is terminated again.

The locomotive never travels faster than the speed set when the autopilot was activated:

• If a speed limit is communicated to the locomotive via a balise, it reduces its speed. If the speed limit is lifted again, the locomotive accelerates back to the set maximum speed.
• If a red signal is communicated to the locomotive via a balise, the locomotive autonomously stops in front of the signal. If the signal turns green again, the locomotive autonomously resumes its journey.
• If a stay is communicated to the locomotive via a balise, the locomotive stops for the time indicated by the balise. After that, the locomotive continues its journey.
• If a turning point is communicated to the locomotive via a balise, the locomotive stops for the time indicated by the balise. After that, the locomotive resumes its journey in the opposite direction.

  Scheduled Journey

The scheduled journey is activated by turning on the autopilot (13) on a stationary locomotive. Subsequently, a schedule is started that begins in the block where the locomotive is currently located. The CTC app then sends the schedule to the locomotive, which starts processing it.

A schedule consists of a chronological sequence of balises that the locomotive must pass. A command can be assigned to each balise, which the locomotive executes, provided it is not in contradiction with the command sent from the balise. That means speed restrictions and signal statuses sent by balises are also taken into account in this mode of operation.

Locomotive States (11)

The state (11) of the locomotive control is shown in the line below the locomotive symbol. The locomotive can take on the following states:

Symbol	Name	Definition
	Free	The locomotive is stationary and is free for manual control.
	Manual	The locomotive is manually controlled by you.
	Other	The locomotive is manually controlled by another person or by another CTC app.
	Halt	The locomotive has recognized a red signal and is either slowing down or has already stopped before this signal. The locomotive will continue as soon as the signal clears its way.
	Limit	The locomotive has detected a speed limit and may reduce its speed.
	Stop	The locomotive is braking to stop at a station.
	Reverse	The locomotive is braking to stop at a terminus, then it will continue to drive in the opposite direction.
	Pause	The locomotive has stopped at a station with “Stop” and will continue to drive after the stay.
	Pause-Rev	The locomotive has stopped at a station with “Reverse” and will continue to drive after the stay.
	Continue	The locomotive continues its journey after “Stop” or “Reverse”. Once it has finished accelerating, it switches to “Autopilot”.
	Autopilot	The locomotive drives automatically without any speed limit.

1.5. Control panel: Switching turnouts, signals, ...

Through the “Control Panel” tab, you can access the buttons for switching turnouts, signals, …:

The switching functions are divided into groups. These are pre-set via the Product Catalog, but can be customized as needed in the CTC-App’s configuration. Adding new groups is also possible.

1.6. Track diagram: Switching and status displays

In the CTC PC apps, you will find the track diagram at the bottom of the window, on tablets and smartphones as a tab with the track symbol.

You can learn how to create a track diagram in Chapter 6 - Track Diagram Interlocking.

On the left side of the view, you can see a list of all available track sections. In the example, the model railway is divided into a left (top) and right (bottom) half. The “main level” combines both halves and is therefore suitable for tablets and PCs. “Top” and “Bottom” are more suitable for narrower smartphone displays.

All blue track pieces are associated with an action. This can be either a switching action (turnouts, signals, …) or a sensor (balise, block, …).

Turnouts and Signals

The symbols for turnouts and signals are identical to those on the switchboard. The symbol reflects the current state of the turnout or signal. If the symbol is coloured orange, it is reserved for a route and cannot be switched.

When you click on a turnout or signal, it will switch to the next state, according to the order shown on the switchboard from left to right.

In the PC app, you can open the module’s Config-Dialog, where the turnout or signal is configured, by right-clicking.

Sensors

Classical sensors do not currently indicate any state.

In the PC app, you can open the module’s Config-Dialog in which the sensor is configured by right-clicking.

Balises

Balises indicate the state of the balise through coloured symbols. The small arrow in the center of the symbol indicates the clockwise direction (arrowhead is on the right). The symbol applies to the direction of travel indicated by the coloured arcs on the right side (in the direction of travel).

Symbol	Color	Commands	Meaning
	gray		Balise is not assigned or the corresponding CTC module is not active.
	gray	-	Balise is active, but does not send a command to the locomotive.
	green	‘F’, ‘f’	Balise is active and sends the command for free travel.
	yellow	‘W’, ‘w’, ‘L’, ‘l’	Balise is active and sends the speed limit command.
	orange	‘M’, ‘m’	Balise is active and sends the slow down command.
	red	‘H’, ‘h’, ‘S’, ‘s’, ‘T’, ‘t’, ‘E’, ‘e’	Balise is active and sends a stop command.
	purple	‘R’, ‘r’	Balise is active and sends the reverse command (from CTC-App 4.08)

Details about the commands can be found in the section “Commands for Locomotives/Signals” in Chapter 4.5 - Edit Script.

In addition, a balise can be clicked to find out its exact state:

Blocks

Blocks are represented as colored filled rectangles. The small arrow at the edge of the rectangle indicates the clockwise direction (arrowhead is on the right).

Symbol	Colour	Meaning
	grey	Block is not assigned or the associated CTC module is not active.
	white	Block is active and not occupied
	yellow	Block is active and has been reserved by a route
	red	Block is active and occupied by a locomotive

A block can be clicked to find out its exact status:

On the PC, a reserved block can be released again by clicking with the right mouse button:

2. App Installation

Tablet and Smartphone

The apps for Android and iOS are installed via their respective app stores (each with a fee of 9.99 EUR):

• Android app via Google Play Store
• iOS app via App Store

Note: We decided to charge a fee on the Play Store to reduce unnecessary downloads and resulting evaluations.

Linux, Mac and Windows

You can find installers for the PC application for Linux, Mac OS/X and Windows in our Download section. The installers create appropriate start menu entries each time.

#

Python

In order to be able to carry out firmware updates of the CTC modules, you will need an up-to-date Python, for example version 3.8. Under Linux, it should always be available, but under Windows, it needs to be installed separately.

When installing Python on Windows, it is important to ensure that the box for “Add Python 3.8 to PATH” is checked.

MacOS/X

If MacOS/X denies the installation, this could be due to a missing internet connection - the signature requires online access.

Linux

If Linux refuses the installation, then open with the “QApt package installation program” or install via command line, for the CTC-App version 4.24 for example.

sudo apt install ./ctc-app_4.24_amd64.deb

Windows

Windows 10 sometimes complains about a missing signature:

Then simply click on the “More information” link. This will display the “Run anyway” button:

Now you can click on “Run anyway” to install the CTC app.

3. Wi-Fi

This chapter summarizes everything related to the configuration, setup, and optimization of the Wi-Fi.

Basics

The first steps with the CTC modules and their Wi-Fi are often a greater challenge. That’s why we’re starting with a few basics here.

CTC essentially uses the standard functionalities of Wi-Fi. The term Wi-Fi is only used in German and is too general - the standard used is called “WiFi”. Our CTC router is also a regular Fritz!Box on which we carry out a few steps of the setup for you (see below section “Router Configuration”).

A regular Wi-Fi always has a name (SSID) and should have encryption (password) so that not everyone can enter unhindered. The encryption uses the standards WPA, WPA2, and WPA3.

• WPA is largely ineffective as it can be cracked with little effort and freely available tools.
• WPA2 can also be cracked, but with significantly more effort. For most devices (including the CTC modules), this is the maximum level of security that is supported.
• If only WPA3 is activated, the CTC module cannot connect to the Wi-Fi.
• You should therefore set your model railway Wi-Fi to “WPA2” or “WPA2 + WPA3”.

In addition to the non-unique SSID, there is also a MAC address of the Wi-Fi. This is unique worldwide but is usually used only at a technical level and often not shown to the user at all.

A Wi-Fi Access Point is a device that provides access to a network via radio (Wi-Fi) and does not offer any further network functionalities. A Wi-Fi router, on the other hand, contains the full range of a network center and typically also enables access to the Internet. For CTC it is important that the Wi-Fi router assigns the relevant IP addresses for communication using the DHCP function. The smallest version of a Wi-Fi router is the hotspot of a mobile phone.

There can be any number of Wi-Fi networks with the same SSID. This is used, for example, with a so-called Mesh to make the Wi-Fi available for a larger area using several Wi-Fi access points (and a Wi-Fi router). However, all these Wi-Fi access points must be connected to the associated Wi-Fi router. These Wi-Fi access points are also called “Wi-Fi Repeaters”. If the CTC module sees several Wi-Fi networks with the same SSID, it is difficult to predict which one it will connect to.

A CTC module knows two operating modes for the Wi-Fi:

• In the configuration mode, the CTC module sets up its own Wi-Fi, so it acts like a mini-router. In this mode, the module can do nothing else but receive the configurations, especially the SSID and password of the model railway Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi of the CTC module has only an SSID, but no password, so it is unencrypted.
• In normal operation, the CTC module knows an SSID and an associated password and tries to log into the Wi-Fi with this SSID at startup.

  Wi-Fi Icon

Since the reception quality of the Wi-Fi signal significantly influences CTC, it is displayed at various points with the following symbols:

Symbol	Meaning
	Optimal Wi-Fi reception (> -67 dB)
	Good Wi-Fi reception (> -70 dB)
	Acceptable Wi-Fi reception (> -80 dB)
	Poor Wi-Fi reception (<= -80 dB)
	CTC module with old firmware that does not yet transfer signal strength.
	CTC module has not checked in for at least 3 seconds.
	CTC module has not checked in for over 10 seconds

The last two symbols (yellow and red) do not provide any information about the reception quality of the CTC module. It is entirely possible that the CTC module is still well connected to the Wi-Fi, and the CTC app has lost its connection to the Wi-Fi. This is especially likely when all CTC modules switch to yellow or red.

Router Configuration

In this section, we collect documents for configuring routers:

• Fritz!Box 4040

  Tips for Wi-Fi Connection

Both laptops and smartphones as well as tablets have an increasingly strong urge to connect to the Internet. This leads to them being reluctant to connect to Wi-Fi networks without internet access, and they also like to spontaneously leave these networks. CTC does not need Internet access, which is why the model railway Wi-Fi is often set up without Internet connection.

The trick is just to get the devices running the CTC app to connect to the model railway Wi-Fi and not to leave it spontaneously. Here are a few tips:

• Connect PCs and laptops, which don’t need to be moved during model train operation, via network cable.
• Turn off the “connect automatically” option for all Wi-Fi networks or select it only for the model railway Wi-Fi
• Switch the smartphone to airplane mode and then only activate the Wi-Fi.
• Check if there are any problems, whether the PC or mobile device is still connected to the correct Wi-Fi.

  Tips for optimizing Wi-Fi reception quality

• Laptops or PCs, which are not moved, should be connected to the Wi-Fi router via LAN cable. Often, with reception problems, it has been shown that the cause was the laptop, not the CTC module.
• Use 5 GHz Wi-Fi for the device where the CTC-App is installed. This forces a detour via the Wi-Fi router, which often has a significantly better position for communication with the CTC modules.
• For smartphones/tablets, there are so-called Wi-Fi Analyzer apps, for example, for Android the ad-free “WiFi Analyzer (open-source)”. With these, you can move to different locations of your layout and check how good the reception of your model railway Wi-Fi is and how many competing Wi-Fi networks you have. It may be worth changing the channel of your model railway Wi-Fi.
• With the help of the WiFi-Monitor, you can display the signal strength of locomotives more accurately and also over time. You can use the displayed graph to find the optimal position for your Wi-Fi router.

3.1. Logging the Module into Wi-Fi

Note: If you have purchased our WLAN login service, we know your WLAN name (SSID) and network ID (WLAN password), and you will generally receive your new CTC modules pre-configured. Therefore, you do not need to log them in and can proceed directly with “Chapter 4 - Configure Modules”. The WLAN login service is included with all CTC starter sets and CTC routers.

There are two ways to log modules in:

• The first way may be familiar to you from many other products with Wi-Fi: you connect to the CTC module’s configuration Wi-Fi and enter your Wi-Fi data into a browser form.
• The second way is much more convenient via the CTC app, but it often fails with temperamental operating systems, at least under Windows.

Notes:

• The length of the password and SSID was limited to 20 characters until firmware 20230329. Newer firmware complies with the Wi-Fi standard: SSID (32 characters), Wi-Fi password (63 characters).
• The CTC modules display their state through blink codes of the status LED or front light, see Chapter 3.3 “Status Indicators of the Modules”.

Booking in with the CTC App

Notes:

• On iOS (iPhone/iPad), this feature is unfortunately not available due to the lack of suitable API from Apple.
• On Android, the global “Location” function must be activated, just like it is needed for navigation apps. Depending on the manufacturer and Android version, the update of discovered Wi-Fi networks can be very slow - this is to save the battery.

The CTC app can recognize modules in configuration mode at the push of a button and write into the Wi-Fi configuration of the CTC module. After writing the Wi-Fi configuration, the CTC module automatically resets and then joins the model railway Wi-Fi.

A CTC module switches to configuration mode if:

• it is a new CTC module (without Wi-Fi configuration).
• it is already configured but cannot find its Wi-Fi. Then it switches to configuration mode after one minute, waits two minutes for a connection and then automatically resets.

You can recognize that a CTC module is in configuration mode by its status indicator (LED or front light) constantly on.

Via the menu Settings/Search New Modules the app searches for available Wi-Fi networks:

To book in, you provide the SSID and password of your model railway Wi-Fi and preferably also a name for the module. Then select the module and click on Book Module.

In doing so, your PC/tablet/smartphone logs into the configuration Wi-Fi of the CTC module and writes the configuration file netCfg.xml onto the CTC module. As with all configuration changes, the CTC module automatically resets itself and is then visible in your model railway Wi-Fi.

Notes:

• Especially under Windows 10, there can be problems when activating the correct Wi-Fi. If the CTC app displays the message “I/O error during upload”, it usually helps to click on “Book Module” a second time. If that doesn’t help either, you can book it manually via the Wi-Fi management of Windows itself before clicking “Book Module”.
• If your PC does not have a wired connection to the model railway network when registering, it will lose its connection to the model railway network during registration. Sometimes you have to manually reconnect it to the model railway Wi-Fi afterwards.

Signing In via the CTC Module’s Website

Note: This feature is only available starting from firmware 20210220, which is delivered with the CTC App v3.05 and is pre-installed on all modules delivered by CTC after 02/21/2021.

A CTC module in configuration mode can be seen in the list of available Wi-Fis on your PC, tablet, or smartphone. You can identify the configuration Wi-Fis of your CTC modules by the letter-number combination (MAC address in hex code) at the beginning. Here is an example from Kubuntu Linux:

1. Connect your PC, tablet, or smartphone to this configuration Wi-Fi.
2. Open your internet browser and enter http://192.168.4.1 as the address.
3. Click on the link “Edit WiFi SSID and password”. Enter your SSID (Wi-Fi name, network identifier) and the password (network key) of your model railway’s Wi-Fi.
4. Click on “Save”.
5. The CTC module will automatically restart and should now be visible in your model railway’s Wi-Fi.

Note: The module remains in configuration mode for only about 2 minutes and then restarts. If the module has a Wi-Fi configuration but cannot sign into this Wi-Fi, it switches to configuration mode after about 1 minute. If you made a typo in the SSID or password, you will need to wait a minute before you can access the module again through its configuration Wi-Fi.

Note: You can tell whether the CTC module is in configuration mode by the status display of the CTC module.

3.2. Factory New Modules

Factory new switching modules only have the firmware installed, but no configuration set up. Factory new locomotive modules have the motor and headlight preconfigured.

The following steps are necessary to put them into operation:

Log into the model railway Wi-Fi: In the app, look for the menu item Settings/New Modules, call it up and log the CTC module into the Wi-Fi. Your Wi-Fi data (SSID and password) will then be entered in the net.cfg file on the CTC module.

Note: After the upload, the CTC module restarts, i.e., it takes a few seconds until it becomes visible again.

3.3. Status Indicators of the Modules

All modules have a status indicator:

• Yellow LED on CTC-turnout module and CTC Multi-I/O Board
• Front light on locomotives

The start-up process of a CTC module is indicated as follows:

1. The indicator lights up until the Wi-Fi is initialized. This happens so quickly that it is not noticeable during a regular start.
2. As long as the Wi-Fi is being searched for and until the CTC module has been successfully logged in, the indicator flashes.
3. As soon as the CTC module is logged into the Wi-Fi, the indicator goes out.

After a minute of unsuccessful attempt to log the CTC module into the Wi-Fi, the indicator switches to constant illumination. This indicates that the CTC module has set up its own Wi-Fi and is waiting for configuration. See Chapter 3 - Logging Modules into Wi-Fi for more details.

3.4. WiFi-Monitor

The WiFi-Monitor is available as of CTC App version 4.15. It displays the signal strength of a locomotive’s Wi-Fi as a graph over time.

You can open the WiFi-Monitor via the “WiFi-Monitor” button in the locomotive configuration of the respective locomotive.

The example shows the trajectory of the Wi-Fi signal during one round on our garden railway test facility (see article Automation in the Garden):

The vertical scale shows the signal strength in dB, the horizontal scale shows the time. The labeling of the time axis is the time in tenths of seconds (x 0.1 s), followed by the last passed balise. In the example, the reception signal strength of the locomotive was thus -79 dB after 23.0 seconds (and after bailse TS5). Between 44.8 seconds and 55.3 seconds between balises TS1 and ST3, there were two short outages (-100 dB).

The following image shows the system on which the measurements were carried out:

• At the front, the Outdoor Access Point (TP-Link AC1200) that the locomotive was logged into all the time is circling
• Labeled “A” at the back are the two places where the Wi-Fi briefly fails: A slight dip and red currant bushes in front of it.
• The arrow labeled with “T” points to an approx. 2 meter long tunnel, which obviously does not pose a problem. However, it is also only covered with concrete slabs (no soil above) and is open towards the access point.
• The two unlabeled horizontal arrows mark the track course. The route circles the apple tree, then runs along the concrete wall all the way to the end of the garden, which is about 15 meters away from the access point, and finally comes back through the tunnel.
• The test drive was carried out with the red BR 251 which can be seen in the middle of the picture on the left.

After three rounds, the graph looks as follows. The three repetitions are also clearly visible graphically:

Note: For those who want to know the exact details, the data transferred during the measurement can be found as “Wifi-XXX.csv” in their user directory (XXX is the name of the locomotive). This can be opened with Excel or LibreOffice, for example, where it can be evaluated in detail.

3.5. Statistics

The “Statistics” dialog can be opened via the menu. Here, data is collected (from the start of the CTC App) for all CTC modules:

Column	Meaning
Name	Name of the CTC module
IP-Addr.	Current IP address of the CTC module
Last Msg. Rec.	Timestamp (app) when the last message from the CTC module arrived
#Msg Rec.	Number of messages received by the CTC app from the CTC module
#Msg.Miss	Number of sync messages that the CTC module did not respond to
Avg.Rev.Intv.	Average distance between two replies to the sync message
Max.Rec.Intv.	Maximum distance between two replies to the sync message
#Reboot	Number of reboots of the CTC module
Msg.Num	Running number of the message from the CTC module
Dev.Time	System time of the CTC module
Dev.Heap	Free heap memory on the CTC module
Sig	Wi-Fi reception quality

A small number at “#Msg.Miss” does not pose a problem. However, if the failures are frequent in individual or even all CTC modules, you should look into optimizing your Wi-Fi. You can find a few tips in Chapter 3 - “WiFi”

4. Configuring Modules

Note: The configuration of CTC modules is currently only partially available on Android and iOS.

You can access the configuration dialogs through the pencil icon:

• in the configurator (list of all modules) on the right edge of the row.
• in the locomotive list on the right next to the locomotive
• in the control page at the bottom right
• in the turnouts list on the right next to the turnout

List of all Modules (Configurator)

In this list (menu Settings/Configurator), you can find all CTC modules, including those that could not properly start due to a configuration error:

Additionally, you can see which modules have a track plan and/or a model railway (overall plan) for the interlocking system (see crosses in the corresponding columns).

Config-Backup

Through the menu item “Settings / Config Backup” of the CTC-App (Desktop), you can backup the config files of all currently visible CTC modules in the CTC-App. In this process, you select a folder on your hard drive as a backup folder. After this, for every reachable CTC module, a folder with the name of the CTC module is created in this backup folder and all config files are stored in it.

Locomotive Configuration

Switchbox Configuration

Unknown Modules (Unknown Device)

Firmware

The “Firmware” field indicates which firmware (or hardware) this CTC module is based on. The “Firmware Version” field shows when this firmware was released (year month day), for example, 20230829 stands for August 29, 2023.

Using the “Upload New Firmware” button, you can update the firmware of this CTC module. Initially, the version of the firmware provided with the CTC App is offered, but you can also select a file from another source. You can find out which firmware version comes with each version of the CTC App in the download section.

Log Output

You will find the log output under the firmware fields. The messages of the upload tool have always been displayed there when uploading the firmware. From CTC-App 4.19 and the corresponding firmware version, all log messages from the CTC module are also output there. This allows configuration errors to be identified much more easily.

From CTC-App 4.20, the log output is editable. This allows it to be highlighted using the “Ctrl-A” key combination and then copied to the clipboard with “Ctrl-C”. From there it can then be copied into support request emails.

Changing the Config

In the config (cfg.xml), it is determined which products (turnouts, signals, lamps, …) are connected to your CTC module and how they can be controlled, in other words, where and how they are displayed and switched in the CTC app. The available connections can be found in the I/O config (ioCfg.xml), which is already present on your CTC module upon delivery.

There are various different possibilities, which are described in detail in the following chapters:

• Product catalogue: This concept, newly introduced with CTC version 3, reduces configuration to a few easily understandable steps.
• Linking actions: Based on the actions automatically created via the product catalog, you can link them to for example, automatically stop a locomotive in front of a red signal.
• Create your own actions: If you want actions that are not found in the product catalog, you can add your own actions.
• Connect and configure DCC decoder: Here, unfortunately, the entire complexity of DCC comes through, which is why a dedicated chapter was created for it.
• Create your own product catalogue (appendix): For standard products this is our task, but there will certainly be very specific products missing from our catalog.

Replace Config

With this button, you can reset the configuration of your CTC module to the delivery state or load an alternative basic configuration.

Notes:

• Please note that this is the standard configuration supplied with the CTC app. Therefore, you should update the firmware of your CTC module before replacing the configuration.
• Up to CTC App version 4.18, there was a button “Delete Config” at this point.

  Replacing IO-Config

Starting from the CTC-App version 4.19, it is possible to replace the ioCfg.xml of the CTC module with a newer or alternative variant. Previously, this was only possible via the HTML page of the module.

Note:

• Please note that this refers to the configuration status supplied with the CTC-App. Therefore, you should update the firmware of your CTC module before replacing the configuration.
• Although it is still possible to proceed via the HTML page of the module today, this should be avoided since there are no plausibility checks done this way.

  Changing Digital Adapters

With “Change Digital Adapter” you can convince CTC to control locomotives and turnouts that are connected to a digital control center. You can find out more in Chapter 8.2 - “Old style Digital: Incorporating Z21 Control Center”.

Changing the Wi-Fi Configuration

This dialog allows you to change the Wi-Fi configuration (netCfg.xml) of a currently checked-in CTC module. For example, you can reconfigure a locomotive on your home layout for the model railway Wi-Fi of your model railway club before you leave the house.

CAUTION: After uploading, the CTC module will automatically reset and will then only be visible in the newly configured model railway Wi-Fi.

If something goes wrong, you can retrieve the CTC module back into your model railway Wi-Fi, as described in Chapter 3 - Registering Modules in the Wi-Fi.

Changing Track Plan and Model Railway

These two buttons take you to the configuration of the Track Plan Control Panel in the CTC App. They are described in Chapter 6 - Track Plan Control Panel.

Change Automation

With this button you reach the configuration of actions that are related to automatic operation and cannot be directly associated with a CTC module. These are:

• Triggers for NFC balises
• Blocks (track sections) and actions for switching routes between blocks
• Drive orders

They are described in Chapter 7 - Automation.

Change Timetables

With this button, you can change timetables. How to do this is described in Chapter 7.4 - Timetables.

4.1. Config - Connect Products

The simplest way to get CTC modules up and running is via the “Connect Product” function.

You can access this through the “Change Config” button in the locomotive or switchboard configuration (see previous page).

The configuration shown here is stored on the CTC module in two files:

• In the Config (cfg.xml), the functions controllable via the app such as lights, uncouplers, switches, signals, etc., are defined.

• In the IO Config (ioCfg.xml), the input & output pins and interfaces configured for the CTC module are defined.

  Since these describe parts that are permanently installed on the CTC module, they cannot be changed via the dialog in the app.

The content of the IO Config is displayed under the heading “CTC Module: Pins, Ports, Chips”.

All other displayed data comes from the Config.

Adding a Product

To add a product, click on the plus symbol to the right of the “Connected Products” table. A list of product catalogs included with the CTC-App will open.

You can select one of the included catalogs or load a product catalog from the file system by clicking on the “Select from File System” button. Here, the included catalog “universell-weichen.xml” was selected and then “Apply” was clicked:

Now select the appropriate product. For some products, you can also choose from different configurations.

Then, enter a name for the connected product and click on “Apply”.

Now you only need to specify which connections of the product are connected to which pins or ports of the CTC module:

1. The newly added product must be selected in the “Connected Products” table. Then select the corresponding port of the CTC module in the “Pins, Port, and Extensions” table.
2. With the “Test” button, you can check which pin of the connected product is attached to the selected port of the CTC module.
3. Then select the pin determined by the test in the “Connections and Parameters” table.
4. By clicking the “Connect” button, the product’s pin is logically connected to the port of the CTC module.

Now you can see the established connection in the two tables “Pins, Port, and Extensions” and “Connections and Parameters”:

Repeat the above four steps until all connections of the product are linked.

WARNING: The CTC-App ensures that the connections of the product can only be linked with matching pins or ports. However, if you have selected an incorrect product, this can indeed lead to damage to the CTC module and/or the product. Particularly noteworthy here are the electromagnetic drives, as used, for example, in Märklin turnouts (whose end switches do not function). If these are connected not as pulses but as switches, they will be destroyed after a few seconds.

Example Configuration of a CTC Multi I/O Board

This is what the configuration of the CTC Multi I/O Board of our demo system looks like:

4.2. Config - Actions

Actions are at the heart of CTC’s control functions. They determine both which buttons and sliders appear where in the CTC app, and what should happen automatically.

Note: If you have connected a product, as described in the previous chapter, matching actions have already been created. However, some of these need to be finished configuring, e.g. an IR balise already has a trigger for linking with a signal, but the signal still needs to be chosen as the “trigger”.

There are the following types of actions:

• Function: Appears as buttons in the CTC app, e.g. to control turnouts and signals or to activate locomotive functions.
• Value slider: Appears as plus/minus buttons and sliders in the CTC app to adjust a numerical value.
• Trigger: This allows the CTC app or the CTC module to respond to the change of any other action, e.g. a signal can turn red after a turnout has been activated.
• Sensor: This action is connected in the CTC module with a sensor, e.g. a contact track. The value of the sensor is displayed in the CTC app and can (like all actions) trigger a trigger.
• Timer: This action serves to do things regularly or after a certain time, e.g. our IR balise is a timer that cyclically sends an infrared message.

Each action has a state in the form of a letter or a number. This state can be used in the trigger to react to specific state changes.

By the way, when you add a product, matching actions are also created straight away.

Note: Actions that cannot be assigned to a CTC module are edited via the “Change Automation” button. These are for example the triggers of an NFC balise.

Function

A function is a collection of related buttons or switches. Each of these buttons is associated with a script (see Chapter 4.5 - Editing Scripts) that is executed when the button is pressed.

For example, a turnout has two buttons, one for “straight ahead” and one for “turn”. Pressing the button triggers the corresponding CTC module to execute the associated script. In the case of our turnout, for example, a 250ms long pulse is given to the turnout drive, thus setting the turnout.

The function always reports its last triggered button as the state. This then provides the basis for triggering subsequent actions using a trigger.

In contrast to most model railway controls, our function may also consist of more than two buttons.

Value Controller

With a value controller, a numerical value can be adjusted, for example, a servo can be set to a specific angle. The most obvious value controller is the speed controller of a locomotive.

The status of a value controller is the last set value.

Trigger

A Trigger is very similar to a function, but it is not triggered by a button, but by the state change of another action.

Like the function, the trigger consists of multiple scripts (refer to Chapter 4.5 - Edit script) which are executed depending on the new state of the triggering action.

If the trigger is stored on the same CTC module as the triggering action, then this trigger is initiated directly by the CTC module. Otherwise, the CTC-App takes care of triggering it.

Timer

A timer can either be executed regularly (cyclically) or only once.

After its time has elapsed, the timer executes its script (see Chapter 4.5 - Editing script). This way, you can, for example, control motorized turnouts by turning on the motor in the script of a function and calling a timer that then turns off the motor after a predetermined time (e.g. 5 seconds).

The IR sender is a special case: It has no script and (hard-coded) regularly sends a message via infrared. The message is composed of the name of the IR transmitter and the predefined parameters dist, cmd and cmdDist. Here we recommend adding the product “IR-balise” from the product catalog “universal-sensors.xml”.

Sensor

A sensor is linked to an input pin of the CTC module (currently only Multi-I/O-Board). The sensor then passes on the state of the input pin as its state.

With the help of a trigger, a follow-up action can now be started.

4.3. Config - Linking Actions

A trigger can be linked with another action to respond to a state change of this action.

Apart from the examples mentioned below, you will find an ever increasing number of instructions in “Appendix B: Examples”. You will receive a very detailed step-by-step guide in the separate document “CTC-Starter-Sets”.

Linking IR-Balise (IR-Transmitter) with Signal

The simplest form of linking is triggering an IR balise. It’s already created while selecting the IR balise from the product catalogue “universal-sensors.xml”. You just need to specify which signal it should respond to and enter the distance to the signal.

Select the trigger of the IR balise (here AB3-Trigger):

Then click on “Select” to the right of the trigger. The following dialogue box will open:

Choose the signal to link (usually in the “SignalTower” group) or sign, and then click on apply.

The name of the selected signal will now be displayed under “Trigger”. A star should appear in the “on (MAC)” field.

In the simplest case, the pre-made script should be left unchanged. It takes over the distance (cmdDist) from the parameters and the value of the signal as a command.

In the following example, for the ‘H’ (stop) state of the signal, the ‘M’ command is sent out. In all other cases (‘*’), the state of the signal is taken as the command (‘?’). Also, the distance (in cm) between the IR balise and the point from where the command should apply is specified.

Linking NFC Balise with Actions

To be able to link an NFC balise with actions, a balise must be created. Since an NFC balise is not connected to a CTC module, the balise is stored in the track diagram. You can find out how to do this in the chapter “Balises (ID Transmitters) in the Track Plan”

Once the balise is created, the already established trigger for the NFC balise can be edited via the “Change automation” button, similar to the IR balise:

Then click on “Select” to the right of the trigger. The following dialog will open:

Select the signal or sign to be linked (here a sign) and then click on apply.

The name of the selected sign is now displayed at “Trigger”. In the field “on (MAC)” a star should be displayed.

In the simplest case, leave the pre-made script unchanged. It takes the distance (cmdDist) from the parameters and uses the value of the sign as the command.

Note: If the trigger for a trigger is located on the same CTC module as the trigger itself, the CTC module itself deals with executing the trigger. Otherwise, the CTC app takes care of triggering the corresponding trigger.

The editing of scripts is dedicated to its own chapter.

4.4. Config - Editing Actions

On the “Actions” tab of the Config dialog, you can edit, delete, and add actions:

4.5. Config - Edit Script

Scripts exist in functions, triggers, and timers. They define a sequence of simple commands that are executed when the action takes on a certain state.

Scripts are made up of the following simple commands:

• pin[]: Set an output pin to a certain value.
• param[]: Set a parameter to a certain value.
• pause(): Wait for a few milliseconds.
• call(): Invoke another action in the same CTC module, e.g. a timer.
• if(): Execute the commands under “if” only if a parameter has a specific value.

In the script for a driving order, there is an additional command

• on XXX: The locomotive should pass the balise XXX and possibly execute a command - see Chapter 7.3 - Driving Orders

When the state of an action changes depends on the type of the action:

• Functions and value controllers are changed by the user of the CTC app by pressing a corresponding button or adjusting a slider.
• Timers are triggered once after a certain time or at regular intervals automatically by the CTC module.
• Sensors are triggered via switches. These can be pressed by a person, or triggered by a locomotive or wagon while passing by.
• Triggers trigger as a result of another action. Triggers can be functions and value controllers, as well as sensors and IDs read by locomotives.

The top level of the script determines how the action should react to which values. In the value-config, the actions are defined that are possible for a function (they are part of the cfg.xml). For example, for a locomotive’s light, the four actions:

• off
• on
• front
• back

can be defined.

For each action, you can specify which of the outputs defined in the IO-config should be switched. This is often only a single output, but it can also be a sequence with conditions, as the example dialogue for the action straight of the turnout PI-Dev-LH5 shows.

For turnouts, note that the icon displayed in the turnout list is determined by the name of the action. The position (0 to 2) indicates the column in the turnout view:

Function	Name of the Action	Character	Icon	Recommended Position
Left Turnout	left_left	l		0
	left_straight	s		1
Right Turnout	right_straight	s		1
	right_right	r		2
Three Way Turnout	three_left	l		0
	three_straight	s		1
	three_right	r		2
Cross Turnout	cross_notcross	x		0
	cross_cross	n		1
Four Way Cross Turnout	cross_hor	h		0
	cross_vert	v		1
	cross_left	l		2
	cross_right	r		3

Commands for Locomotives / Signals

The following commands can be interpreted by locomotives when they are linked with a balise:

Function	Sign	Meaning	cmdDist	Description
Stop (Hp0 / red)	‘H’, ‘h’	Indication of an upcoming red signal.	Distance	The locomotive decelerates and stops before this signal. If the signal turns green again, the locomotive resumes its journey and accelerates to the maximum permissible speed according to the signal image.
Go (Hp1 / green)	‘F’, ‘f’	Indication of a green signal.	Distance	Any previous speed limit is hereby repealed. Nothing happens in manual control, otherwise the locomotive accelerates to its maximum speed.
Slow approach (Hp2 / green+yellow)	‘W’, ‘w’	Indication of slow travel.	Distance	If the locomotive is too fast it decelerates to a reduced speed, e.g. to not derail over a diverging turnout.
Speed limit	‘L’, ‘l’	Indication of a speed limit.	Speed	If the locomotive is too fast, it brakes to this speed. The distance is multiplied by 10 and interpreted as speed.
Minimum speed	‘M’, ‘m’	Indication of an upcoming red signal with a second balise for the final stop.	Distance	The locomotive slows down to a crawling speed. The second balise in front of the signal then sends Stop with distance 0 cm or Emergency Stop.
Emergency Stop	‘E’, ‘e’	Emergency stop, e.g. shortly before the track end or signal.	Distance	The locomotive stops abruptly. If the signal turns green again, the locomotive resumes its journey and accelerates to the maximum permissible speed according to the signal image.
Stop	‘S’, ‘s’	Indication of an upcoming stop according to schedule.	Pause in seconds	In automate mode, the locomotive stops, waits for the break time, and then continues its journey. From CTC-App 4.08: In manual operation like protective stop with distance 0.
Reverse travel	‘R’, ‘r’	Indication of an upcoming stop at the turning point of the timetable (shuttle train).	Pause in seconds	In automate mode, the locomotive stops, waits for the break time, and then continues its journey in the opposite direction. From CTC-App 4.08: In manual operation like protective stop with distance 0.
Protective stop (Sh2)	‘T’, ‘t’	Indication of the track end, e.g., buffer stop.	Distance	The locomotive decelerates and stops in front of this sign.

Almost every command is associated with a distance in cm from which this command applies. The locomotive calculates its braking distance to suit this distance, e.g., “Stop” with distance “65” results in the locomotive stopping after 65 cm.

Note: A prerequisite for functioning target braking is a correctly calibrated motor sensor (see chapter “Calibrate Motor Sensor”)

The commands can either be permanently stored at the balise or dynamically changed using “triggers”. For example, one can link a balise with the status of a signal (see chapter “Config - Link Actions”). Therefore, you should use the same letters for signal states as for the corresponding locomotive command.

4.6. Config - Connect DCC decoder

IMPORTANT: Everything described here requires at least CTC-App Version 3.10 and Firmware 20200514!

Basic Functionality: Motor and Headlights

Since the CTC locomotive modules are preconfigured for direct connection of motor and lights, these must first be removed from the configuration. To do this, open the module configuration in the CTC-App (see User Manual Chapter 4).

Click on the “Change Config” button to inform the CTC module about the functions of your digital decoder.

Remove all connected products there by selecting each line in the “Connected Products” list and then clicking the minus button to the right. After that, the dialog appears as follows:

Then select the motor port to which you have connected the digital decoder:

After clicking the plus button next to it, the following dialog opens:

Select “DCC.xml” and click “Apply”. In the following dialog, assign a name for the extension (here “DCC”), enter the DCC address (for new locomotives this is 3), and select “DCC Locomotive” in the table:

After clicking “Apply”, you can expand the motor port and see your added extension:

Now it’s worthwhile to press the “Upload” button for the first time, because only then can you try out the functions of the digital decoder using the test button. The motor and headlights are already correctly wired, meaning you can now switch to locomotive control and attempt a first test.

Configuring Sound

After completing the basic configuration, you can take care of the sound functions.

To do this, click again on “Change Config” and expand the motor port to which you have connected your digital decoder:

To check what is behind each function, select the function (in the image “DCC-F3”) and press “Test”.

If you want to make this function available in the locomotive control, then press the plus button next to “connected products”. Select the catalog “universell-loks.xml” and then “Locomotive Sound to LowSide” for sound or “Locomotive Light to LowSide” for light functions:

Then, at the bottom right, select the “soundPin” and click on the “Connect” button:

After all desired DCC functions are configured, the locomotive control looks like this:

5. Configure the engine

Programming the CTC locomotive modules reduces the configuration effort to a few steps.

If you only want to drive manually and without load regulation, and also do not want to use either train protection or automation, there is nothing else you need to do. In our experience, the pure motor control of the CTC module is compatible with all common direct and alternating current motors. From the ancient 3-pole motor, the high-performance 5-pole drive, to current motors with a flywheel, everything has worked with the CTC module straight away.

The Calibration of the motor sensor is necessary for the following functionalities:

• Spot-on target braking before, for example, a red signal
• Load regulation, that is, the locomotive drives at the same speed uphill and downhill

The step Adjusting the engine allows optimizing the control parameters of the load regulation and target braking.

5.1. Motor-Sensor Calibration

For precise target braking in front of a red signal or even for load regulation, the CTC locomotive module needs to know how fast the locomotive is actually moving. For this purpose, a sensor is installed in the motor driver of the locomotive, which provides a rough indication of the motor’s speed based on current flow. The calibration process determines a characteristic curve that maps the sensor values to speed.

For a calibration to be carried out, a measuring track consisting of two balises must be present. During the calibration, the locomotive autonomously drives over the balises in a circuit or shuttles back and forth.

Note: This process is detailed within the context of the Starter Set, see Starter Set Sensor Calibration

Define Measurement Track

The measurement track is defined in the “Edit Model Railway” dialog:

The two balises must belong to the same block (first two characters identical) and must come directly after each other. The “distance to predecessor” of the balise with the higher number then determines the length of the measurement track.

Calibrate Motor-Sensor

Open the dialogue “Calibrate Motor-Sensor” via the button “Calibrate Sensor” in the Locomotive Configuration of the respective locomotive.

At the top, the measurement track is displayed. Check again if the balise designations and distance are correct.

Accelerate the locomotive to the minimum speed at which it still runs well. Then start the calibration process by clicking on “Start Pendulum” or “Start Circuit”.

Note: When pendulum swinging, the locomotive needs considerable space at both ends of the measuring track.

The locomotive drives the measuring track three times, then accelerates by 10% and drives the measuring track three times again. This repeats until the locomotive has exceeded 80%, then it stops.

The dialog then looks like this, for example, as in the picture above for the Piko BR 147. If you are satisfied with the result, click on “Upload Motor Config”.

Note: Those who want to know exactly will find the data transmitted during the measurement as “Motor-Setup.csv” in their user directory. This can be opened, for example, with Excel or LibreOffice and can be evaluated in detail there.

5.2. Adjusting the Motor

Setting the Motor

In this dialog, you can optimize the parameters of the motor control of a CTC locomotive module using live data. The locomotive continuously transmits the value of the motor sensor, the target value and the control value calculated by the PID controller. As long as all three values are 0, the diagram is “frozen”.

The displayed parameters belong to the currently selected operating mode (Motor Mode) of the locomotive. The parameters kP, KI and kD are only relevant in the “PID” motor mode and are ignored in “direct” motor mode.

When you click on the respective set button, the value to the left of it is directly transferred to the locomotive and remains there until the locomotive is reset. It is only when you click on “Upload Motor Config” that your settings are permanently saved.

Parameters of load regulation (PID controller):

• kP determines how directly the motor reacts to changes to the sensor. A value that is too high leads to jerky driving behavior, a value that is too low means that it takes a very long time for the motor to react to a changed target or sensor value.
• kI determines how strongly the motor reacts to the sum of all target value deviations.
• kD determines how strongly the motor reacts to the difference between the current and previous sensor.
• The sample rate can only be set directly in the cfg.xml and should remain at the default of 20 ms.

Control range of the motor output:

• Min and Max define the regulation range of the motor (0..1023). This allows you to exclude the lower range in which the motor does not rotate and limit the maximum speed.
• With Crawl you set the crawling speed, which is driven when uncoupling (“coupling waltz”) as well as the target speed for decelerating to minimum speed.

Parameters for braking and acceleration:

• Brakes is the acceleration constant for braking processes (in mm/s²). The specified value is given as positive and is multiplied by -1 in the locomotive. If the value is 0, the default value of 250 is used.
• Acceleration is the constant for acceleration processes (in mm/s²). If the value is 0, the default value of 250 is used.
• Brake factor is divided by 1000 and increased by 1 and used as an amplification factor during target braking. In the example (800), it is therefore multiplied by 1.8. By increasing the braking factor, the dip at the end of a braking process can be reduced. Too strong a braking factor leads to a brake curve that is bent downwards.
• Reaction specifies the time in milliseconds during braking until the retardation by the motor takes effect. This parameter only works from Firmware 20230609 (CTC-App 4.17).

Note: As long as the Setting the Motor dialog is open, the locomotive sends a rather large number of unsynchronized data packets for the diagram. This increased data traffic can lead to more frequent losses of data packets (#Msg.Miss in the Statistic Display).

Optimization of braking parameters

For the optimization of the target braking, I use a loop course with a signal before which the locomotive is stopped using 2 balises. The locomotive is in front of the red signal and has 70% set as its speed in the example. Then the signal is opened and as soon as the locomotive has started, it is closed again.

In the following example, you can see the locomotive arriving with 70% (700) (Piko BR 147), then the braking process up to the minimum speed (parameter “Creep” 150), a short time at minimum speed, and on the far right the stop. In the first try, braking factor and deceleration are set to 0:

Now the braking curve was optimized and experimentally determined as 800 for the brake factor and 60 for the reaction as optimal values:

Note: Those who want to know in detail will find the “Motor-Setup.csv” data transmitted during the measurement in their user directory. This can be opened with Excel or LibreOffice, for example, and can be evaluated in detail there.

6. Track Diagram Control

The track diagram control allows the switching of turnouts via a schematic representation of the model railway. The model railway is built up from individual partial track plans. The track plans and the overall plan are each stored in a CTC-Turnout Module or a CTC-IO-Module.

This allows for each connected part of a model railway (module, segment) to create a track plan and be stored on this part.

The overall plan and its components are automatically read as soon as the corresponding CTC module reports.

You can find out how to use the track diagram control and what the symbols presented there mean in Chapter 1.6 - Track Diagram: Switching and Status Displays.

Before an overall plan can be created, the individual (part-) track plans must be created.

To find out which modules already have a track plan or an overall plan, open the Configurator via the Settings/Configurator menu. There are corresponding crosses set in the device list.

6.1. Edit track plan

Editing Track Plan

To create a track plan, first choose a CTC-Turnout-Module or CTC-Multi-I/O-Board on which the track plan should be saved. Open its config dialogue:

There, select Change track plan. The following dialogue box will open:

Click on the New Track Plan button to create a new track plan. Ensure the names are distinct.

Afterward, a grid appears, into which the track symbols can be inserted. To do this, select the track symbol in the left symbol column and the orientation in the right one. Then, place the track symbol on the track plan by clicking on the desired position in the grid.

The size of the grid can be adjusted using the buttons to the right of Rows and Columns.

Now all you have to do is assign a turnout. To do this, click on the action group on the top left “SingalTower”, then select the desired turnout on the bottom left.

The pen-symbol is automatically selected. If the turnout is already assigned, its position in the track plan will be outlined in orange.

Now click on the desired position in the track image and the turnout will be assigned. You will know this has worked by the orange frame in the track image and the fact that the turnout now displays its current position in blue.

To find out where a turnout in the list is located in the track plan, click on the turnout in the list: The corresponding turnout symbol in the grid will be outlined in orange:

6.2. Editing model railway

Editing Model Railway (Overall Plan)

To create an overall plan, first choose a CTC turnout module or CTC-Multi-I/O-Board on which the overall plan should be saved. Open its config dialog:

There, select Change model railway. The following dialog opens:

Using the New track section button, you can add a track section. The use of multiple track sections is suitable for both very large model railways and model railways with multiple levels. A single track plan can quite possibly occur on several track sections.

Now the track plans listed on the left can be added to the overall plan using the arrow buttons.

The track plan framed in orange can now be moved using the buttons next to Position Row and Column. You can change the selection by clicking on the respective track plan in the lists.

6.5. Balises (ID Transmitters) in the Track Plan

Creating and Assigning Balises

For Balises (ID transmitters), the symbol shown here is used:

Assigning Balises

In the case of NFC balises, we need to ensure that it has been read by a locomotive at least once before we proceed to the next step. Only then does it appear in the list of balises (ID transmitters) in the track diagram editor.

Now a balise can be assigned to the position in the track diagram. To do this, select the “Balise” (previously “ID transmitters”) action group in the table at the top left and click on the balise to be linked. This will activate the pencil symbol in the toolbar. Now click on the spot in the track plan where the balise is located:

In the case of an IR balise, you are now finished, as its configuration already took place during the configuration of the associated CTC module.

Configuring NFC Balise (NFC Tag)

If it’s a NFC balise, it needs to be configured. To do this, you need to input its Position-ID (3 characters) and the distance to the previous tag.

The following should be noted for the Position-ID:

• The first two characters name the track section to which the tag belongs.
• The third digit or number indicates the order of the tags in a clockwise direction.

7. Automation

With the help of balises (ID transmitters), a basic automatic operation can be set up. To do this, commands are assigned to the balises, which are interpreted by a locomotive equipped with an ID reader when it passes the balise. Balises and ID readers are available for CTC based on IR (infrared) and NFC (RFID). For the following considerations, there is no difference between IR and NFC.

Note: The functionality described here requires the CTC app from version 4.00 and associated locomotive firmware as a prerequisite. Signals and triggers of balises (ID transmitters) configured with older CTC versions must be adjusted. Most of the time, it is easier to remove the relevant lines under “Connected Products” in the Config-Dialog and then add them again.

The basic components of automation with CTC are:

• Driving orders
• Blocks
• Routes
• Timetables

Blocks/Track Sections (Block)

In real railways, blocks are the basis for preventing collisions between trains. The entire track plan is divided into individual blocks (track sections). Turnouts (junctions) may only exist between blocks.

Understanding how block-based model railway control works is essential for understanding automation in CTC. This concept has been nicely described by Dominik Mahrer on modellbahn.mahrer.net.

Signals

Signals, in conjunction with balises (ID transmitters), worked as real train control already in CTC version 3.

If a balise is linked to a signal, it transmits the status of the signal (e.g., Stop) and its distance to the locomotive, which responds accordingly (e.g., stop before the red signal).

With CTC Version 4, it is also taken into account the direction of travel of the locomotive, so it only stops before the red signal if it applies to its direction of travel.

Also, the distance from the ID reader to the front and rear end of the locomotive can be defined within the locomotive. This distance is taken into account during target braking.

By the way, signals are allowed to exist purely virtually, i.e., they can only be seen on the track diagram. No signal is then installed on the layout.

Controlling Signs

Instead of signals, you can also use signs. A sign is added as a product to a turnout like a signal, but does not appear on the control panel and therefore cannot be changed during operation. A sign has no connections, but parameters to determine the sign’s meaning.

With signs as well, you have the option of setting them up virtually, i.e. you only see them in the track diagram. As a result, no sign is put up on the layout.

Paths (Path)

A path establishes a connection between two blocks by appropriately switching all the turnouts in between and finally opening the departure signal of the starting block.

When switching the path, all affected turnouts, signals and blocks are reserved and only released again when a locomotive reaches the block at the end of the path.

Driving Orders (Job)

A typical driving order is the journey from one station to another, possibly with intermediate stops.

The simplest form of a driving order is just a sequence of routes to be switched.

For automatic operation, the driving order can be supplemented with balises (or more precisely their three-letter IDs), which a locomotive should approach in chronological order. A command can also be assigned to each balise.

If the balise also emits a command (e.g. stop in 60cm), the locomotive decides whether it executes the command sent out by the balise or the command recorded in the driving order. For example, a stop always takes precedence over a speed reduction.

A driving order with balises always applies to the locomotive standing in the starting block of the driving order.

Schedules

A schedule is a collection of driving orders that are started at times specified in the schedule (model time). In this way, full automation can be configured.

Configuring Locomotive Sensor

In order for the locomotive to be able to perform a targeted braking, it needs to know how far its ID reader is from the start or end of the locomotive. This is where the two new parameters “dFront” (front) and “dBack” (back) of the ID reader come into play, which define the distance of the ID reader in cm.

Note: When dealing with shuttle trains with the locomotive at one end of the train, when placing your balise on the track, you need to consider that in reverse driving, the ID reader is quite far away from the start of the train.

Processing Events (Triggers)

With so-called triggers, you can respond to events (or state changes) on your model railway, e.g.

• A turnout was switched.
• A signal turned red.
• A locomotive passed a balise.

With a trigger, you determine how to respond to which event. The trigger is always created at the action to be changed by it. You can find out more about this in chapter 4.3 - Linking actions.

Examples

In the following, some typical applications of automation are briefly described. In the “Articles about CTC”, we will gradually publish more detailed descriptions.

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Automatic Stop at the Signal

For a CTC locomotive to automatically stop in front of a red signal, a balise is installed in the track at a sufficient distance from the signal. Both the actual braking distance and the distance of the ID reader to the beginning of the train need to be taken into account.

The balise is then linked to the signal and thus each time sends out the state of the signal as a command. The distance to the signal is entered in the trigger’s config. How to configure a trigger can be found in Chapter 4.3 - Linking Actions.

For correct functionality, it is important that the correct direction was chosen when configuring the signal. This is because the locomotive only reacts to commands corresponding to its direction.

Note: By direction of the locomotive, the adjustable driving direction (forward/backward) on the control panel is not meant, but whether it is moving clockwise or counter-clockwise. The locomotive determines this direction from the read IDs. #

Automatic Stop with Two Balises

By placing a second balise directly before the signal, you can achieve the locomotive stopping within a few millimeters accuracy. Here, the command “minimal speed” is sent from the first balise with a distance shortly before the second balise. The second balise then immediately (at 0 cm) sends out the command “stop”.

Especially when stopping in sidings, this has the advantage that the locomotive stops above the balise and therefore knows immediately where it is the next time the model railway is switched on.

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Stop

A stop at a station is achieved by using two balises. The first one informs the locomotive to slow down to minimum speed shortly before the second balise. The second one then transmits the “Stop” command and how long the locomotive should wait before it continues. Alternatively, the “Reverse” command can be used, where the locomotive continues in the opposite direction after the waiting time.

The commands can be permanently assigned to the balises or transmitted via the locomotive’s drive order.

Alternatively, the locomotive can also be stopped by a signal and only continue its journey with the next entry in the timetable.

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Shuttle Train

A shuttle train is enabled by at least two travel orders, namely, outbound and return trips. These are then inserted into a timetable as often as desired.

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Scheduled Operation

For scheduled operation, individual driving orders are first created. These can then be individually tested.

Following this, a timetable with departure times is created from these driving orders. Individual driving orders may be used any number of times in this process. However, you must keep in mind that a driving order will only be carried out if there is a locomotive in the start block of the driving order. Depending on which locomotive has been moved to the start block by other driving orders, it is entirely possible that the same driving order will be executed by different locomotives at different times.

7.1. Automation: Blocks

Note: The functionality described here requires the CTC-App from version 4.00 and corresponding locomotive firmware as a prerequisite.

Blocks (Track Sections)

Blocks (track sections) are identified in CTC by two letters/numbers, e.g. “B1”. Uppercase and lowercase letters are considered as different. The first two characters of our balise ID are understood as the name of the block in which the balise is located.

Even if you have not configured a block, there is a suitable block for each balise, namely the one that results from the first two letters of their ID. In order to make a block visible in the track diagram, you must create it. And if you want to create routes, you must create blocks beforehand.

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Direction (Clockwise)

Balises in the same block are numbered ascending clockwise at the third position of their ID, for example “AB1”, “AB2”, “AB3” for the three balises in block “AB”. With this numbering, the locomotive can determine the direction (clockwise) in which it is moving.

When placing balises and blocks in the track diagram, you should make sure that the little arrow in the symbol is pointing in a clockwise direction.

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Naming Rules

For position IDs, you may only use digits (0 to 9) and letters (A to Z as well as a to z), no special characters and no umlauts. The name of a block must be exactly two characters long. Otherwise, there are no special rules for naming blocks.

On my systems (here the test system), I proceed as follows (block and balise IDs were hand-painted into the track diagram):

• I start by naming my stations with a single letter, e.g., “A” and “B”.
• Then I assign numbers for the tracks (platforms) of the stations, for example, “A1”, “A2”, “A3”.
• Long connecting routes, consisting of several blocks, are given a separate first letter.
• By using the appropriate lowercase letters, I can, if necessary, name an additional 10 tracks in the station (e.g., “a1”, “a2”).
• For shunting areas and sidings, I might use a new initial letter.
• A track that connects Station “A” with Station “B”, I name “AB”, if it runs clockwise from A to B, otherwise “BA”. Here as well, I have the lowercase letters available if necessary.

Since I have multiple systems (H0-, garden, and several test systems) in the house, I make sure that there are no duplicates - several systems may be active at the same time.

The IDs and further information about blocks and balises are obtained when you click the relevant block:

or balise in the track diagram:

Create / configure block

First, to create a block, select a CTC-turnout module or CTC-Multi-I/O-Board, where the overall plan will be stored. Open its configuration dialogue:

There, click on “Change automation”, then on the plus-button next to “Products and actions”:

Signals in the Block

For both ends of a block, an exit signal can be defined. This is assigned a position ID, which is the name of the block followed by a plus (‘+’), if it is located at the end of the section in a clockwise direction (right). If the signal is at the other end of the block, it is given a minus (‘-‘).

You can assign a signal to a block by giving the signal a position ID in the track plan editor:

Thus, the CTC app is capable of informing a locomotive which has been brought to a halt in a block due to a red signal, when the signal releases the path again.

Note: To prevent a locomotive from being released by the wrong signal, a maximum of one signal per direction of travel may be assigned to a block.

7.2. Automation: Driving Routes

A driving route establishes a connection between two blocks. To achieve this, all intervening turnouts are set accordingly in the corresponding script.

Configuring Routes

A route is always created at the block where it begins.

For this, select a block in the “Edit Automation” dialog and click on the plus button.

The newly created route group contains a script for “Change to off” (no route active) and a second script for the new route. Select the second route (script) and then click on the button “…” under “End Block” to select the end of the route:

Then click on the “Add” button to determine the first switching command (“call”) of the route:

After clicking on “Apply”, the script window switches to the newly created switching command. Then click on the button “…” under “Perform Action” to determine what should be switched.

The selection list under “Parameter” is automatically populated with the values allowed by the chosen action. For the turnout in the example, “straight” (straight) is now selected:

After adding a second switching command, the route looks as follows:

Note: Details on editing scripts can be found in the chapter “Config - Edit Script”.

More Routes

You can add more routes either as a new route group in the respective block or as a new script under an already created route group.

In this context, it is advisable to create all outbound routes from one block in one direction as scripts in a shared route group. For example, for the entrance to the three tracks of the “B” station:

The corresponding line in the control panel then looks like this:

7.3. Automation: Driving Orders

Typically, a driving order (Job) is the journey from one station to another. In the following example, the drive order was set from block B4 via B3 and BA to A3. The reserved turnouts are colored orange and the reserved blocks are colored yellow (block and balise IDs were manually painted into the track diagram):

Now, the locomotive V247-030, which is in block B4, can be set in the correct direction and dispatched on its journey by clicking the automatic button.

In our example, only a sequence of routes was defined in the job, but no balises. This works well if all the balises on the route provide suitable information. In our case:

• The balise BA3 was set to the command M;70 (minimum speed in 70 cm) by the route from BA to A4.
• The balise A30 constantly displays the command H;0 (stop immediately).
• The buffer at the end of A3 is assigned as the (clockwise) right exit signal to block A3. This prevents the locomotive from starting off again after reaching block A3.

Upon arrival of V247-030 in block A3, all reservations are withdrawn. The track diagram then looks as follows:

Creating a Drive Order

To create a drive order, we open the “Automation Config”, select the top entry from “Products and Actions”. Then we click on the plus button right next to it:

Driving Order with Balise Commands

The following image shows the script for a driving order, in which the balises to be passed are also listed:

When passing balise B11, the locomotive will slow down to reach the minimum speed after 55 cm. At B10, it will then finally stop for 15 seconds, even if the exit signal clears the way.

7.4. Automation: Timetables

A timetable is a collection of driving orders that are started at the times specified in the timetable (model time).

You can find the timetables as a new tab in the main view of the CTC app:

Execute Timetable

To execute a timetable, select it. Then set the model’s clock time using the “Time” button and press the play button to start the clock. As soon as the model’s clock time matches one of the departure times, the associated driving order will be executed.

Creating Timetables

To create a timetable, first choose a CTC-Turnout Module or CTC-Multi-I/O-Board on which the overall plan should be saved. Open its config dialog:

The following dialog appears:

There you click on “New Timetable” to create a new timetable.

With the plus-button, you can add a driving order to the timetable:

Afterwards, you can change the departure time with the pencil-button.

8. Old Digital: Bridge to DCC & Co.

We are convinced that CT&C is the next generation of model railway control. That’s why we dare to refer to DCC, Motorola format (MM) or Märklin mfx… as “old” or “classic” digital.

Since we can’t develop CTC modules for all imaginable use cases at once, and because we want to enable our customers a smooth transition to CTC, this chapter deals with the various bridges between CTC and old digital systems.

Here are the current ways to connect CTC with the old digital world:

• Parallel operation: CTC locomotives also run with digital power, so they can operate on the same tracks as old digital locomotives at the same time. The controls of both worlds are completely separate in this case.
• Decoder connection: DCC locomotive decoders can be connected to the motor output of a CTC locomotive module and thus be controlled via CTC. This allows beloved sound decoders to continue to be used with CTC, if there is enough space for the additional CTC module in the locomotive. Support for DCC accessory decoders (turnouts, …) and the Motorola-II protocol is in the planning stages.
• Integrating the Z21 center: As of version 4.05, CTC can communicate with digital centers like the Z21 from Roco via the Z21-LAN-protocol. This allows classic digital locomotives, turnouts, etc. to be controlled via a digital center with a Z21-LAN-protocol using the CTC-App.
• Integrating the Z21 handheld controller: also starting with version 4.05, CTC can behave like a digital center with Z21-LAN-protocol. This makes handheld controllers such as the Z21 Wi-Fi Mouse from Roco can be used to control CTC locomotives and switch CTC turnouts.

Of course, for all bridges to the old digital world, it is clear that CTC can only play to its strengths to a limited extent. You will only get rid of the technical limitations of the old digital world when you fully switch to CTC.

Parallel Operation

There is not much to say about parallel operation. CTC modules can be operated with up to 24V DC, digital current and also AC. More about this in the separate document “Power Supply and Router”

In this case, the old digital locomotives and turnouts are controlled as before, and the CTC modules are controlled via the CTC apps. A connection between both worlds is not anticipated in this scenario.

8.1. Old Digital: Integrating DCC Decoders

Most CTC locomotive modules can generate a DCC signal via their motor output and thus behave like a mini digital command station.

Locomotive Decoders with DCC

Converting a locomotive is quite straightforward if there is enough space for the additional CTC module: The track connection of the digital decoder is connected to the motor output of the CTC locomotive module, and the CTC locomotive module is connected to the track connection in the locomotive. The article “Conversion of PIKO BR 50 with DCC Sound” describes the conversion and configuration using the example of a garden railway locomotive from PIKO.

The configuration of a DCC decoder connected in this manner is described in Chapter 4.6 “Config - Connecting a DCC Decoder”.

Turnout Decoders with DCC

This functionality is in planning - please contact us if needed.

CTC Locomotive Module as a DCC Command Station

This functionality is in planning - please contact us if needed.

With our CTC-Locomotive module-G, a small model railway layout can be supplied with power and digital signal.

Märklin: Motorola-II and mfx

Support for Motorola-II (MM2) would provide access to nearly all Märklin decoders with sufficient functionality. Especially since newer Märklin decoders can also be fully addressed via DCC.

The implementation of Motorola-II is in planning - please contact us if needed.

If we come across a suitable library, support for the Märklin mfx format is also conceivable.

8.2. Old Digital: Integrating Z21 Control Center

Using the Z21-LAN-Protocol, the CTC-App can control locomotives and turnouts connected to a digital control center. The digital locomotives and turnouts need to be configured once and can then be controlled like normal CTC modules through the CTC-App. The configuration is stored in any CTC turnout module or CTC multi-IO board.

The digital control center must of course support the Z21-LAN protocol and be reachable by the CTC-App via LAN or WLAN.

Prerequisite for this function is the CTC-App version 4.05.

Configuring Z21 Locomotive

To store the configuration of the digital locomotive controlled via the Z21-LAN protocol, we select any CTC turnout module or CTC multi-IO board. We then go into the config dialog of the CTC module:

Click on “Change Digital Adapter”. The following dialog opens:

We click on “New DCC Locomotive” and enter the name under which the locomotive should appear later. I chose the prefix “Z21_” to distinguish the locomotives controlled by the Z21 from real CTC locomotives.

Then we click on “Apply”. Under “Pins, Ports, and Extensions” the line “Connections” appears. We mark this and click on the plus button next to it. In the dialog that opens, we enter the IP address of the Z21 control center:

Then we select the newly created port with the IP address and click on the plus button again. We select the extension configuration “dcc.xml”. In the dialog that opens, we enter any name - we only see it in this configuration. In the Bus Address field, we enter the DCC address of our locomotive - in the example, this is the DCC default “3”. In the list, we select “DCC Locomotive”:

Then we click on “apply”. The locomotive was created and motor and headlights are configured:

Now, additional functions, e.g., sound can be configured. This is done exactly the same way as with a DCC decoder connected to a CTC locomotive module, see Chapter 4.6 “Config - Connecting DCC Decoder”.

After saving, the digital locomotive appears in the list of CTC modules:

8.3. Using Z21 Hand Controller

Through the menu item “Start Z21 Central,” the PC version of the CTC App can activate the emulation of a Z21 central unit. In this case, the CTC App responds to commands received via the Z21 WLAN protocol and forwards them to CTC modules.

Notes:

• Starting with CTC App version 4.05, it is possible to control the speed and functions of a locomotive.
• Starting with CTC App version 4.06, turnouts can also be switched.
• We have tested with Roco’s WLAN mouse and Roco’s Z21 Android app.

Set Locomotive Address

The locomotive address is set by opening the config of the locomotive and adding the parameter “dccAddr” to the main motor:

Assign Locomotive Function

To assign locomotive functions to the DCC function numbers, go to the config of the locomotive. There, you select the function to be linked with a DCC function and add the parameters “dccFx+” and “dccFx-“, where “x” stands for the function number. Then set the value of the StateScript at “dccFx+” for “function on” and at “dccFx-“ for “function off.”

In the example, DCC F0 was assigned to the function “Light” and specified that it should call script “1” (on) when on and script “0” (off) when off:

Driving Locomotive

Once the Z21 central is started and the hand controller is configured to the IP address of the CTC App, all CTC locomotives with a “dccAddr” can be controlled.

The DCC address is displayed under “Locomotives” in the column “Nr.” starting with CTC App version 4.06.

Note: The locomotive can only be controlled if it is set to manual control in the CTC App.

Set Turnout Address

The turnout address is set by opening the config of the turnout and adding the parameter “dccAddr” to the function:

The scripts of the function are assigned in the order indicated by “Button Position”:

• 0 for dccAddr “off”
• 1 for dccAddr “on”
• All others for the “on” state of the addresses following dccAddr. In the screenshot above, address 31 “on” is for the script at position 2 (“right”).

8.4. Model Railway Control Software via Z21

Through the menu item “Start Z21 Control Center”, the PC version of the CTC app can activate the emulation of a Z21 control center. The CTC app not only responds to commands received via the Z21 WLAN protocol, but also reports whenever a locomotive passes a balise (occupancy report).

This provides all the functionality necessary to connect CTC with a model railway control software like iTrain. We can gladly demonstrate how iTrain can be connected to CTC at our exhibition booth.

You can learn how to assign addresses for locomotives and turnouts, as well as the locomotive functions, in the previous chapter “Using Z21 Throttle”.

Setting Balise Address (Occupancy Detector)

Balises appear in the Z21 LAN protocol as CAN occupancy detectors.

These also require an address, which is entered on the balise in the CTC app. Here, we also use the parameter “dccAddr”:

9. Sound

If you want CTC modules to also inspire with sound, you must rely on existing digital technology. By now, there are several possibilities to do this:

• CTC locomotive modules can generate a DCC signal. In this way, either the digital decoder that came with the locomotive can be continued to use, or a new digital decoder can be connected. You can find more information about this in Chapter 8.1 - “Old Digital: Integrating DCC Decoders”
• From the firmware (20230902) supplied with CTC App version 4.19, the SUSI3 interface can be retrofitted for all CTC locomotive modules (except for CTC-Lokmodul-H0a). For locomotives that have originally used a SUSI3 module for the sound, the original sound can remain, without the need to keep the original decoder. This can be done, for example, with PIKO’s G scale model of the BR50. Learn more about SUSI sound in Chapter 9.1 - “Sound with SUSI Interface”

9.1. Sound with SUSI Interface

The SUSI interface allows the separation of decoder and sound module. In the meantime, there are tiny SUSI sound modules and even speakers with built-in SUSI sound modules. This means that even in tight spaces, the chances are good to enjoy locomotive sound with CTC.

The SUSI interface can currently be retrofitted to all CTC locomotive modules (except CTC locomotive module H0a). You only need the latest firmware (at least 20230902) and the CTC app version 4.19 or newer.

The SUSI module must handle 3.3 Volt signal levels and tolerate track voltage as its power supply. The support from Uhlenbrock has confirmed these data for the current IntelliSound 6 Modules.

Since our existing CTC locomotive modules do not have a SUSI socket, an appropriate adapter must be made for them. How this is done is documented below and in our locomotive conversions. If required, we will be happy to create a suitable adapter for you.

Original Sound

There are locomotives that use a SUSI module for sound by default. In this case, you can directly control the motor and locomotive functions with CTC and still enjoy the original sound of your locomotive. This works, for example, with PIKO’s G scale model of the BR50.

Retrofitting Sound

If you do not value the original sound or if the locomotive to be upgraded to CTC did not have any sound, you can purchase a SUSI sound module and connect it to the CTC locomotive module.

The Märklin BR247, which always accompanies us to our exhibitions, has now been equipped with SUSI sound. Details can be found in the BR247 conversion report.

SUSI Adapter for CTC Locomotive Modules

The four pins of the SUSI-classic socket must be connected as follows:

• Plus (red) to VBB
• Ground (black) to GND
• Data (grey) via a minimum of 470 Ohm resistor to a GPIO pin of the processor
• Clock (blue) via a minimum of 470 Ohm resistor to a GPIO pin of the processor

Adapter for CTC Locomotive Module 21mtc

For the CTC locomotive module 21mtc:

• Clock (blue) is connected to “Input-1 (Pin 33)” on the additional socket, and
• Data (grey) is connected to “Input-2 (Pin 32)” on the additional socket.

Additionally, we need to connect Plus (red) to VBB and Ground (black) to GND:

• In the picture, we did this directly at the solder pads of the 21mtc socket.
• Alternatively, the much larger solder pads intended for the support capacitor on the other side of the CTC locomotive module can be used.

Adapter for CTC Locomotive Module PluX22

For the CTC locomotive module PluX22:

• Clock (blue) is connected to “NFC TX (Pin 25)” on the additional socket, and
• Data (grey) is connected to “NFC RX (Pin 23)” on the additional socket.

Additionally, we need to connect Plus (red) to VBB and Ground (black) to GND:

• This can be done directly at the solder pads of the 21mtc socket, as with the 21mtc.
• Alternatively, the much larger solder pads intended for the support capacitor of the CTC locomotive module can be used.

Adapter for CTC Locomotive Module G

For the CTC locomotive module G, we use the servo connections:

• Clock (blue) is connected to “Servo-2 PWM”.
• Data (grey) is connected to “Servo-1 PWM”. Since the servo connections on the CTC module are already equipped with a 1 kOhm resistor, no separate resistor is needed here.

Via the socket intended for the 5 Volt voltage regulator, we can connect Plus (red) to VBB and Ground (black) to GND.

10. Wagon Recognition (Axle Counter)

Starting from CTC-App version 4.22, an NFC-Reader can be mounted beneath the track to recognize wagons equipped with an NFC-Tag. This provides CTC with an adequate replacement for axle counters - with the advantage that the app knows exactly which wagon has just passed by.

The CTC-NFC-Reader can be mounted under a track and connected to a CTC turnout module or CTC Multi-IO Board.

Wagons equipped with an NFC-Tag can thus be read. Subsequently, they can be assigned to a depot. There, an image and the data of the wagon (name, length, etc.) are stored. A depot can be established at any CTC turnout module or CTC Multi-IO-Board.

10.1. Configure Wagon Detection

To configure the wagon detection, connect an “NFC Reader” from the product catalog “universell-sensoren.xml” to a CTC turnout module or a CTC Multi-IO Board.

In the config for the CTC turnout module or CTC Multi-IO Board, connect the NFC Reader to the “NFC-Port” connection. If the “NFC-Port” is not present, you must update the firmware of your CTC turnout module or CTC Multi-IO Board to the latest version. Afterwards, you can replace the IO configuration, see “Chapter 4 - Configure Modules”.

Note: You can only connect either the second IR sender or an NFC Reader to a CTC turnout module or CTC Multi-IO Board, which means before connecting the NFC Reader, you must ensure that IRPort-2 is not being used.

Next, place the NFC Reader in the track plan and assign it a position ID like a balise (3 characters). If the NFC Reader is placed directly next to a balise, you can use the balise’s position ID.

10.2. Engine Facility (BW)

In the real-world prototype, the engine facility (BW) serves as the home for locomotives and cars. In CTC, it is primarily the car management, i.e., here the IDs of the NFC tags attached to the cars are linked with a picture, name, etc.

Creating an Engine Facility

To create an engine facility (BW), open the configuration dialog of the CTC turnout module or CTC Multi-IO board where you want to store the BW. There, click on “Create Engine Facility (BW)”. The following dialog will appear:

Enter a name - as a suggestion, you will see the name of the CTC module. Then click “Create”.

From now on, you can manage the cars of the new BW via the “BW Display” view.

Displaying an Engine Facility

You can open the BW display via the “View” menu:

Behind “Engine Facility (BW):” you will find a dropdown list with all the engine facilities of your model railway.

Adding Cars to a BW

First, run a new car over the NFC reader. Then, the ID of the NFC tag is known to the CTC app, and you can enter the rest of the car’s data.

Note: For a read tag to be recognized as a new car, the NFC reader must be assigned to a block. You do this when placing the NFC reader in the track diagram, similar to creating NFC balises.

To do this, click on “New Car”. A list of all unassigned NFC tags will appear:

Select the tag and click on Adopt:

Now you can select the car’s image, give the car a name, as well as enter the length of the car and the position of the tag.

As soon as you click “Upload Car”, the car is stored in the engine facility (on the CTC module).

Editing a Car

To edit a car, click on the pencil icon to the right of the car in the car list of the engine facility. The following dialog will appear:

A1. Appendix - Error Handling

For more information on this topic, please visit the Troubleshooting FAQ section.

The status display (LED or front light) is described in Chapter 7 - Status Indicators of the Modules.

Log Outputs of the CTC Modules

Starting with CTC-App 4.19 and the associated firmware, the log messages of the CTC modules are transmitted to the CTC-App and displayed in the Config dialog. See “Log Output” in Chapter 4 “Configure Modules”.

For example, there you will also find indications of configuration errors. Additionally, these outputs can help us narrow down the cause of an error when you ask for support.

If you want to see the messages from the start of a CTC module, proceed as follows:

1. Open the CTC-App and turn on the power for the respective CTC module.
2. Open the config dialog of the CTC module.
3. Turn off the power for the respective CTC module for a few seconds and then turn it back on.
4. As soon as the CTC module is visible in the CTC-App again (Wi-Fi symbol green), the messages from the start of the CTC module will appear in the log output.

Config Files of the CTC Modules

The easiest way to download and back up the config files of all the CTC modules is through the menu item “Settings / Config Backup” in the CTC-App (Desktop). Select a folder on your hard drive as the backup folder. After that, a folder with the name of the CTC module will be created in this backup folder for each accessible CTC module, and all config files will be saved in it.

For support requests, it is often helpful if you send the config files of the affected CTC modules.

Log Files of the CTC-App

For support requests or error reports, the log file of the CTC-App often helps us a lot. The desktop app creates a folder “CTC-App” in your user directory (Personal Folder) and under it a folder “logs”. There you will find the log file named “pi-rail.log”.

How to find the user directory is compiled below. Sometimes I wonder if some operating system manufacturers should not produce prank items instead of software.

User Directory on Linux

On Linux, the user directory (User Home) is “/home/USER”, where USER stands for your username. All common file explorers for Linux are located in the user directory after opening.

User Directory on MacOSX

The Apple plays a nice hide-and-seek game with you. Here, the user directory assigned to us is “/home/USER/Library/Application Support”. You can reach this folder in Finder by clicking the “Go” menu and then pressing the ALT key. Voila! A new menu entry “Library” appears, which you then click on. After that, the Finder works as expected again: click on the “Application Support” folder, then “CTC-App,” and finally “logs.”

User Directory on Windows

On Windows, the user directory is (currently) prominently placed in the bar to the left of the File Explorer. Directly under Desktop, one of the first entries is a folder with your own name. Then it gets opaque. Here, the “AppData” folder and under it “Roaming” is assigned to us. Once you get there, open the “CTC-App” folder and then the “logs” folder.

A2. Appendix - HTML Page

HTML Page

The HTML page provides direct access to the XML configuration files of the CTC module.

WARNING: Incorrect settings in the XML files, especially the “ioCfg.xml”, can permanently damage the CTC module and also the connected locomotive/turnout/…!

Download

To download a config file, click the download link next to the name of the config file.

Depending on your browser settings, the file will land in the browser’s download folder, or you will be asked for the save location.

In this way, you can both secure your configuration and send us your configuration in case of a support issue.

Note: When you change the config with the CTC app, these changes will be saved in the “cfg.xml” file of the CTC module. In the “netCfg.xml” you will find the SSID and password of your model railway’s WLAN.

Upload

To upload a config file, click the Upload file link.

In the desktop app delivery, you will find the appropriate ioCfg.xml for each module type (firmware) in the Config folder. The netCfg.xml, fileCfg.xml, and (empty) cfg.xml are identical for all CTC modules.

Note: After each upload, the CTC module restarts, meaning it takes a few seconds before it becomes visible again.

Edit

By clicking on edit, you reach a simple text editor. In the ZIP file of the desktop app, sorted by module type, you will find appropriate configuration files, whose content you can use as templates for your own configurations. Editing the text in an editor that can handle XML (e.g., Notepad++) reduces the risk of creating faulty configurations.

After clicking Save, the CTC module confirms the reception of the configuration file and then resets itself.

A3. Config - Create Product Catalog

To create a product catalog, you need an XML editor and the associated XML schema files.

Please contact us if you want to create your own product catalog.

A4. Cable Colors

Unfortunately, there are quite a number of standards and manufacturer conventions regarding the color coding of cables and connectors. In this chapter, we make a determination from a CTC perspective for cables that you will find on CTC modules and in modules modified by us.

Note: We adhere to these color rules from July 2021. Unfortunately, we only thought about cable colors too late, which means that for everything delivered by us before July 2021, you cannot rely on the cable colors following a system!

From our perspective, the following assignment is generally expected:

• Negative pole: black or blue
• Positive pole: red

Therefore, we decided against using blue for the positive pole in the locomotive. You can find other color standards here:

In the following, we understand “marking” to mean the color of a connector or a shrink sleeve at the end of the cable.

Single Cables

Locomotive Installation

Cable Color	Marking	Description	Polarization	Standard
brown	-	Track left / both tracks	undefined or ground	Märklin
red	-	Track right / middle rail	undefined or phase	NEM 658, Märklin
black	-	CTC module or decoder negative pole	negative (GND)	-
orange	-	CTC module or decoder positive pole	positive (VBB)	Märklin
green	-	Motor left	changing	Märklin
green	white	AUX high-side	switched positive (VBB)	-
grey	-	Motor right	changing	NEM 658
grey	white	Light front high-side	switched positive (VBB)	-
grey	yellow	Light rear high-side	switched positive (VBB)	-
purple	-	AUX low-side	switched negative (GND)	AUX 2: NEM 658
white	-	Light front low-side	switched negative (GND)	NEM 658
yellow	-	Light rear low-side	switched negative (GND)	NEM 658, Märklin

Model Railway Layout

Turnout modules, IO-boards, signals, …

Cable Color	Marking	Description	Polarization	Standard
brown	-	Track left / both tracks	undefined or ground	Märklin
red	-	Track right / middle rail	undefined or phase	NEM 658, Märklin
green	-	Turnout with polarity change or motorized: drive left	changing	Märklin
grey	-	Turnout with polarity change or motorized: drive right	changing	NEM 658
black	-	Turnout/light: negative pole	negative (GND)
yellow	-	Turnout/light: power supply / positive pole	positive (VBB)	Märklin
blue	green	Turnout: ground drive position straight	switched negative (GND)	Märklin
blue	green	Semaphore signal: ground drive position green	switched negative (GND)	Märklin
blue	red	Turnout: ground drive position turning	switched negative (GND)	Märklin
blue	red	Semaphore signal: ground drive position red	switched negative (GND)	Märklin
white	-	Signal line or LED	Processor positive (3.3V)

Multi-conductor Cables

IR Balise

At the turnout module, 4-conductor cable (white, brown, green, yellow) with socket strip at 2.54mm pitch. At the IR balise (track) 2-conductor cable with pin strip at 2.54mm pitch.

Cable Color	Marking	Description	Polarization	Standard
brown (IR-1) / green (IR-2)	green	IR balise: negative pole (TX-GND)	TX signal	-
white (IR-1) / yellow (IR-2)	red	IR balise: positive pole (PWM-VCC)	PWM signal	-

IR Receiver in Locomotive

3-conductor cable with angled 8-pin header at 1.27 mm pitch.

Cable Color	Marking	Description	Polarization	Standard
black	red	IR receiver: negative pole (GND)	negative (GND)	-
red	-	IR receiver: positive pole (VCC, 3.3V)	positive 3.3V (VCC)	-
purple	-	IR receiver: TXD	Serial data	-

NFC Reader

Wires soldered to NFC reader.

Cable Color	Marking	Description	Polarization	Standard
black	-	NFC reader: negative pole (GND)	negative (GND)	-
red	-	NFC reader: positive pole (VCC, 3.3V)	positive 3.3V (VCC)	-
green	-	NFC reader: TXD	Serial data	-
blue	-	NFC reader: RXC	Serial data	-

Notes:

• Please contact us if you have any uncertainties - it is usually cheaper than repairing.
• We gladly accept additions that you think are missing.

Other Links on Cable Colors

Here are some links that we have looked at and based our colors on.

Standards:

• NEM 658 - Electrical Interface PluX12 / 16 / 22
• NEM 650 - Electrical Interfaces for Model Vehicles
• NEM 605 - Layout Wiring

Märklin-Collector-Infos.de (Peter Roland):

• Decoder Cable Colors DCC Standard, ESU and Märklin
• Cable and Connector Colors for Wiring

The Moba (Wiki):

• Cable Color Coding

B.01. Appendix B: Examples

In this chapter, various examples are presented.

The goal is to demonstrate how configurations are constructed for typical scenarios. A very detailed step-by-step guide can be found in the separate document “CTC-Starter-Sets”, which we highly recommend reading before studying these examples.

B.02. Config Example: Timed Stop

In this example, a timer is used to make a train stop for a certain period of time with the help of a light signal, e.g., at a station.

The starting point for this example is a signal linked to two balises: one for slowing down and a second for precise stopping. How this works is described in Chapter 4.3 “Config - Linking Actions” for both IR balises and NFC balises.

For the timed stop, you add two timers and a trigger to the signal.

The trigger should activate when any locomotive reaches the balise directly in front of the signal and stops there. To do this, open the signal’s config, click on the signal under “Actions,” and then click the plus button to the right of “Products and Actions”:

Then select “Trigger” and click “OK.” In the example, the new trigger is called “B-Entry-re-trg.”

In the same way, create the two timers “B-Entry-release” and “B-Entry-block.” After creating them, give the new action a suitable name by clicking the “…” button next to Name in “Action Details.” Only then do you edit the individual scripts.

For the trigger, click the “Source” button to select the balise as the source of the event. The actual trigger for the event is the locomotive. Since the timing should work for any locomotive, nothing is selected under “Trigger.” The star next to “on (MAC)” appears automatically after selecting the source.

The letter passed to the script is the command that the locomotive received from the balise. You use this to start the timer for changing the signal to green only when the locomotive was stopped (‘h’). The second “if” responds to all other commands and does nothing except reset the trigger so it can react again on the next stop.

To start the timer in the script for stop (‘h’), click the line “If ‘BA2’ from * == ‘h’” and then click “Add.” In the popup, select the command “call.” You can then choose the previously created timer “B-Entry-release” from the list under “Execute action”.

Note: A trigger only activates if the value passed to it differs from its own value. For this, the trigger stores the last received value. You can see the value of a trigger on the control panel by selecting the appropriate action group (usually “Trigger”):

The timer for opening the signal (“B-Entry-release”) only receives a single command. Namely, a call to the green function (Hp1_Light) of the light signal:

To ensure the light signal returns to red after the locomotive passes, add the call to the timer for closing the signal (“B-Entry-block”) to the function “Hp1_Light (‘f’)”:

The timer for closing the signal (“B-Entry-block”) also receives a single command. Namely, a call to the red function (Hp0_Light) of the light signal:

B.03. Config Example: Signal Dependent on Turnout Position

In this example, a trigger is used to set a signal to red when the associated turnout closes the route.

The starting point for this example is a signal and a turnout configured using the product catalog. How this works is described in Chapter 4.1 “Config - Connecting Products”.

In the example, the semaphore signal should turn red when the turnout is set to straight.

To do this, open the config of the signal by right-clicking on the signal in the track plan. Then switch to the “Actions” tab and select the signal (here PI-Dev-G-Signal). Next, click the plus button to the right of “Products and Actions”. The following dialog opens:

There, choose “Trigger” and click “OK”. Then click the “…” button next to the name of the trigger to give it a suitable name:

Select the turnout as the trigger (here PI-Dev-Turnout-G) by clicking the “select” button. Usually, you will find turnouts in the “SignalTower” group. However, in the example of our exhibition layout, the turnouts and signals of Gauge-G were moved to a separate group “PI-Dev-G”:

Select the turnout and then click “Apply.” When applying, suitable scripts were automatically created for all functions of the turnout:

For the example, you now only need to call the command “Red” for the signal when the turnout state is “s” (straight). To do this, add the “call” command by marking the “s” condition and then clicking “Add”:

Select “call” and click “Apply.” Then select the action to the right of the script area (here PI-Dev-G-Signal) and then choose the parameter for the action (here “Hp0_Bar” for semaphore signal red):

Finally, click “Upload” to save the changed config in the CTC module.

Note: Since the garden railway turnout in the example determines its position with sensors, the signal closure also works if the turnout is manually switched. See the article “LGB Turnout with Position Sensor”.

B.04. Config Example: Balise Dependent on Turnouts and Signal

In this example from our exhibition layout, there is a balise at the entrance of a station. If the turnouts are set so that entry to track 2 is possible, it should be linked to its signal.

In the track plan, the two involved turnouts, the signal, and the balise are labeled.

The balise should function as follows:

• Free passage (balise green) when the turnout “PI-Dev-LH5” is set to straight.
• Brake to minimum speed (balise orange) when the turnouts “PI-Dev-LH5” are set to right and “PI-Dev-LH4” to left, and the signal “PI-Dev-SB2r” shows red.
• Slow passage (balise yellow) in all other cases.

It should be clear that the balise needs three triggers, namely one for each of the turnouts “PI-Dev-LH4” and “PI-Dev-LH5”, as well as one for the signal. The triggers are appropriately named to include the name of the activator:

The triggers set the command (“cmd”) of the balise only in the cases where there is no dependency on the state of the other participants. For all other cases, a new function “AB3-fkt” has been added, which decides how the command should be set.

The trigger reacting to the turnout “PI-Dev-LH5” sets the command Free Passage (balise green) when straight (‘s’). When right (‘r’) it calls the function “AB3-fkt”:

The trigger reacting to the turnout “PI-Dev-LH4” sets the command Slow Passage (balise yellow) when straight (‘s’). When left (‘l’) it calls the function “AB3-fkt”:

The trigger reacting to the signal “PI-Dev-SB2r” always calls the function “AB3-fkt”:

The real magic happens in the function “AB3-fkt”. It uses the trick that the state of a trigger is always the value of its activator.

So, if the turnout LH5 is switched to right (‘r’), the CTC-App calls the trigger “AB3-on-LH5” and assigns it the new value of the turnout (‘r’). The state (value) of the trigger is also set to ‘r’. This makes it possible for the function “AB3-fkt” to check the state of the turnouts “PI-Dev-LH4” and “PI-Dev-LH5” as well as the signal “PI-Dev-SB2r” and set the command of the balise accordingly: