New SECSI Products

for our SECSI Computer Automation System!

SECSI Daughter II Digital I/O Card

Product Features And Advantages Compared To Other Systems

• One-board system: no signal driver boards, no switch driver boards, no serial interface boards, no mother boards, no input boards, no output boards: the SECSI Daughter II digital input/output card connects from the RS-485 serial bus directly to switch motors, lamps and LEDs, detectors, switch contacts, and panel controls.
• Combines the functionality of motherboard, serial interface, local processor, digital inputs, digital outputs, signal drivers, and switch drivers all on one card, for reduced space requirement, easier wiring, fewer parts, reduced cost, greater reliability, shorter time to troubleshoot and repair, and reduced cost of sparing.
• Allows the deployment of small control nodes close to the devices to be read and controlled, reducing wiring effort and expense and limiting the impact of failure.
• 16 inputs compatible with switch contacts and open-collector devices like detectors.
• 32 open-drain (similar to open-collector) outputs capable of sinking 200 ma each.
• 2:1 ratio of 32 outputs to 16 inputs best meets model railroad control needs.
• RS-422/485 serial interface is the industrial control standard, with enhanced noise-immunity, higher baud rates, longer reach, and designed-in multi-drop capability.
• RS-422/485 serial bus speed up to 57.6 kb/s, providing reduced system delay and faster recognition of control inputs such as CTC panel code buttons.
• Greater availability of multiple-sourced processor reduces cost and increases maintainable system life. 89C52 processor is Jameco #168920, priced under $6.
• No custom, semi-custom, one-time-programmable, or proprietary parts. The user can replace and maintain all parts himself from independent commercial sources.
• Flash-programmable processor allows easy and inexpensive user programming of the processor, allowing the user to independently modify and maintain the system, including downloading updates from the TracTronics web site. Uses Iguana Labs PG302 Programmer and ADT87 Adapter, complete with programming software, priced at $99, shipping included. Various assemblers and compilers, including c and Basic, are available as freeware for those who wish to modify the source code.
• Simple dip-switch addressing gives each card its own identity wherever it is in the system; no additional configuration or location-specific addressing.
• Up to 128 control nodes, providing 4096 outputs and 2048 inputs.
• No screw terminals. All connections use rugged Molex connectors that allow fast replacement of any failed board during an operating session.
• Can also be mounted in a motherboard for reduced system wiring and denser mechanical mounting in high-density areas such as CTC panels and terminals.