Very exciting, you are almost implementing GSM-R and ETCS in a way…? Would it be possible to use passive RFID tags in specific places, as a corrective to the distance counter? I was thinking that non-movable boundaries starting or ending a “set” route section could have a trackbed RFID tag. When read by the passing train and relayed to the central computer, several data-points can be quickly correlated (simplistic ‘sollwert-istwert’ scheme?). Passive tags can be read by a small onboard MCU & coil antenna, and the data string isn’t important as long as each tag is unique. Well, I’m just thinking out loud, and getting carried away… 😅
The security element concept comes straight from the ETCS tech docs (I have referenced in several older videos). Of course I will not use GSM, but Wifi, probably mesh networking. I will talk more about these details in the next video. RFID is one of the options I consider for resetting the distance offset once in a while. For cost reasons I would prefer to have few readers in strategic locations, e.g. at the exit of a train station, and equip the rolling stock with tags. Another advantage would be that you could tag cars as well, which would allow for automatic calculation of the train length, and identify if a car uncouples from the train. There are other options to consider I will address in the next video.
@@IoTT Thank you for answering - and I’m sorry for pushing against already open doors… If I may, I imagined having the reader in the vehicle, and the RFID tags on the track - like passive balises? So the onboard WiFi (of course not GSM-R, I understood WiFi as the analog to it) does the communication? Still no trackside cables or outdoor electronics…? I’m looking forward to learning from your project and solutions - again, thanks!
Feeding back position information goes via Wifi, yes. Speed commands can come via Wifi, or via command station and DCC track. I intend to keep all possibilities open to make merging from one system to the other as painless as possible. No trackside wires is probably not possible, e.g. if you have electric turnouts and physical signals, unless everything is operated using batteries. But considerably less wiring for sure is a possibility.
The concept has been the backbone idea since the start of the channel, that's why I referenced that many old videos in today's video. Most of what I did was puzzle pieces, but now it is time to bring them together.
Thanks. Yes, I am hesitant to use superlatives, but I believe it will be a game changer, particularly for large scale where most people just let their trains orbiting a flower bed. I always had the dream of having a garden railroad where trains actually travel from place to place. This should make it possible without tons of wiring.
I find your approach and videos very enlightening. I have ordered some products from you on Tindie and wondered how long it will take to ship and receive them here in Florida. It’s only been a week and know you are busy. Keep up the great work.
Hi Hans, I have been wondering what direction you would be taking next in your IoTT journey but I did not quite expect such an ambitious project. I will be watching with great interest and suspect that we will see lots of ESP32 type devices all interacting over WiFi to achieve your goals. Or am I wrong?!...? ............Best wishes John.
Basically correct, most likely forming a self configuring and self healing mesh network to make it easy, using ESP32 S3 chips. Yes, it's a quite big project, but as always, to eat an elephant you go byte by byte.
@@IoTT I noticed that Esprissif had introduced quite a few new products lately, I look forward to your journey using some of them. Good luck with that elephant. .............John
Well, you now have my undivided attention. I'll look forward to what you get up to next 😊
Very exciting, you are almost implementing GSM-R and ETCS in a way…? Would it be possible to use passive RFID tags in specific places, as a corrective to the distance counter?
I was thinking that non-movable boundaries starting or ending a “set” route section could have a trackbed RFID tag. When read by the passing train and relayed to the central computer, several data-points can be quickly correlated (simplistic ‘sollwert-istwert’ scheme?).
Passive tags can be read by a small onboard MCU & coil antenna, and the data string isn’t important as long as each tag is unique.
Well, I’m just thinking out loud, and getting carried away… 😅
The security element concept comes straight from the ETCS tech docs (I have referenced in several older videos). Of course I will not use GSM, but Wifi, probably mesh networking. I will talk more about these details in the next video.
RFID is one of the options I consider for resetting the distance offset once in a while. For cost reasons I would prefer to have few readers in strategic locations, e.g. at the exit of a train station, and equip the rolling stock with tags. Another advantage would be that you could tag cars as well, which would allow for automatic calculation of the train length, and identify if a car uncouples from the train. There are other options to consider I will address in the next video.
@@IoTT Thank you for answering - and I’m sorry for pushing against already open doors…
If I may, I imagined having the reader in the vehicle, and the RFID tags on the track - like passive balises? So the onboard WiFi (of course not GSM-R, I understood WiFi as the analog to it) does the communication? Still no trackside cables or outdoor electronics…?
I’m looking forward to learning from your project and solutions - again, thanks!
Feeding back position information goes via Wifi, yes. Speed commands can come via Wifi, or via command station and DCC track. I intend to keep all possibilities open to make merging from one system to the other as painless as possible.
No trackside wires is probably not possible, e.g. if you have electric turnouts and physical signals, unless everything is operated using batteries. But considerably less wiring for sure is a possibility.
Great work Hans! I'll be watching very closely!
Thanks. I think it will make it a lot easier to do prototype like operations - if I can make it work, that is ;-)
That’s an interesting concept. I look forward to you developing this in further videos.
The concept has been the backbone idea since the start of the channel, that's why I referenced that many old videos in today's video. Most of what I did was puzzle pieces, but now it is time to bring them together.
Hans, this is going to be very, very interesting, I will be watching with great interest how this all comes together. ...!! 🙂🙂🙂
Thanks. Yes, I am hesitant to use superlatives, but I believe it will be a game changer, particularly for large scale where most people just let their trains orbiting a flower bed. I always had the dream of having a garden railroad where trains actually travel from place to place. This should make it possible without tons of wiring.
Exciting times ahead 😀.
Indeed!
nice video, waiting the nexts
More to come!
I find your approach and videos very enlightening. I have ordered some products from you on Tindie and wondered how long it will take to ship and receive them here in Florida. It’s only been a week and know you are busy. Keep up the great work.
I’ve ordered a couple times from him and it’s been about a week to ship. 2-3 days to receive after that.
Please see my e-mail to you for more information.
@@IoTT thanks, emailed you back.
Hi Hans, I have been wondering what direction you would be taking next in your IoTT journey but I did not quite expect such an ambitious project. I will be watching with great interest and suspect that we will see lots of ESP32 type devices all interacting over WiFi to achieve your goals.
Or am I wrong?!...?
............Best wishes John.
Basically correct, most likely forming a self configuring and self healing mesh network to make it easy, using ESP32 S3 chips. Yes, it's a quite big project, but as always, to eat an elephant you go byte by byte.
@@IoTT I noticed that Esprissif had introduced quite a few new products lately, I look forward to your journey using some of them. Good luck with that elephant. .............John