Computer Interface List

==Interface Strategies==
There are three strategies used to allow a computer interface to interact with its DCC system:
* A programmer that directly attaches to a DCC programming track allowing you to program multifunction decoders from a more user-friendly software application.
** Examples are the LokProgrammer from ESU, the PR3/PR4 from Digitrax and the SPROG
* An interface with a built-in booster that connects a computer directly to the track.
* An interface to connect a computer to the DCC system's command station via its throttle network. This allows your computer to control your trains and turnouts and provides feedback from things like occupancy detectors. In some cases you can also program decoders via this method.
=== Programmers ===
A programmer-type interface allows a computer to directly generate (and receive) DCC packets for the purpose of programming the CVs of a mobile decoder or stationary decoder. The programmer is attached to a programming track with limited current capabilities so that a newly-installed decoder can be tested without risk of damage.
Some programmers have a built-in mini booster to allow you to test a DCC locomotive on a small test track or rolling road. Some even have boosters large enough to power a small layout. In this scenario you don't need any other DCC equipment other than the programmer acting as your booster and the computer acting as the command station and throttles.
Programmers such as those available from QSI and ESU are specifically designed to upload sound files from a computer to a sound decoder. These can also program standard DCC CVs but their software is manufacturer-specific. They are specific to their brand of decoder. While devices such as this are not required, they do add features and often simplify the process of configuring a specific decoder brand.
Sprog3 cropped 150.gif|Sprog 3 Programmer and low current booster
PR3.jpg|PR3 by Digitrax interface/programmer
ESU-LokProgrammer.jpg|LokProgrammer
==== Available Programmers ====
*LokProgrammer is available for ESU LokSound decoders. It is a much faster method for reading and writing CVs, and LokSound decoders have a lot of them. It can also update the firmware and load sound projects.
* QSI offered the Quantum Programmer for their decoders
* Lenz Decoder Programmer allows firmware updates and decoder configuration
** Lenz also offered a Black Box Programmer which allowed programming of a decoder with only the LH90/LH100 throttle. It included increased current output for sound decoders
===Booster===
A booster-type interface is a computer interface with a built-in booster (or one that connects directly to a DCC booster). The computer acts as the command station generating the DCC Packets to be sent by the booster and either uses on-screen throttles or allows mobile devices with WiFi Throttle apps to act as the throttles. 
===Throttle Network===
A throttle network interface acts as a bridge between a computer (or networked computers) and a DCC system's throttle network. Throttle network computer interfaces are specific to different DCC systems. See the first table below.
=== Computer Connections ===
On the computer side, the following connection methods are currently in use:
* Serial Port
* USB port
* Ethernet port
* Raspberry-Pi Shield
A few serial port interfaces are still available but are rapidly being displaced by USB-based versions. 
If you have a serial interface on the device that connects to the throttle network, but no serial port on your computer, a USB to Serial converter can be used. There are a number on the market, remember that the cheaper ones may not work well or at all.
USB-based interfaces are by far the most popular DCC computer interfaces.
Ethernet interfaces allow significantly more functionality than USB because any device on the same network can now access the DCC system and no dedicated computer is required. This opens up the possibility of WiFi Throttles on mobile devices which are starting to appear now.
At least one manufacturer is now offering a DCC computer interface for the Raspberry-Pi, allowing the versatility of the Raspberry-Pi to be applied to your DCC system.
Not all DCC systems require a separate computer interface, some brands may have one built into the command station. Examples are listed in the second table below.
=== Wireless Interfaces ===
Wireless interfaces have appeared which allow the use of smartphones or other devices to connect to the throttle network. These are specific to your DCC system.
==== JMRI and Wireless ====
A computer running the free JMRI suite of applications can also be used with a wireless router for WiFi Throttles and other purposes. A bridge between the computer and the throttle network is still required.
===List of Available Computer Interfaces===
Manufacturer	Model 	Interface Type 	Computer Interface 	DCC Interface 	Comment
Digitrax 	MS100 	Throttle Network 	Serial Port 	LocoNet 	
Digitrax 	PR2 	Programmer 	 	 	Programming Track
Digitrax 	PR3 	Throttle Network/Programmer	USB 2.0 	LocoNet/Programming Track	Obsolete, replaced by the PR4.
Digitrax 	PR4 	Throttle Network/Programmer	USB 2.0 	LocoNet/Programming Track	Can function as throttle interface or programmer but not both at the same time.
Hornby 	eLink 	Programmer/Booster 	USB 	Programming Track/Track 	
Lenz 	LI100 	Throttle Network 	Serial Port 	XpressNet 	Obsolete, replaced by LI101F
Lenz 	LI100F 	Throttle Network 	Serial Port 	XpressNet 	Obsolete, replaced by LI101F
Lenz 	LI101F 	Throttle Network 	Serial Port 	XpressNet 	Improved version of LI100F.
Lenz 	LI-USB 	Throttle Network 	USB 	XpressNet 	USB version of LI101F.
Lenz 	LI-USB-Ethernet (23151)	Throttle Network 	USB or Ethernet 	XpressNet 	Similar to LI-USB with addition of Ethernet port
NCE 	USB Interface 	Throttle Network 	USB 	Cab Bus 	See this page for compatibility issues
RR-CirKits 	LocoBuffer 	Throttle Network 	Serial Port 	LocoNet 	Obsolete, replaced by LocoBuffer II
RR-CirKits 	LocoBuffer II 	Throttle Network 	Serial Port 	LocoNet 	Obsolete, replaced by LocoBuffer-USB
RR-CirKits 	LocoBuffer-USB 	Throttle Network 	USB 2.0 	LocoNet 	USB version of LocoBuffer
SPROG 	SPROG 	Programmer/Booster 	Serial Port 	Programming Track/Track 	Obsolete, replaced by SPROG II
SPROG 	SPROG II 	Programmer/Booster 	USB 	Programming Track/Track 	Includes 1.0A booster for driving test track
SPROG 	SPROG 3 	Programmer/Booster 	USB 	Programming Track/Track 	Includes 2.5A booster for driving test track
SPROG 	SPROG Nano 	Booster 	USB 	Booster 	Enables a PC to directly control any DCC booster
SPROG 	Pi-SPROG One 	Programmer/Booster 	Raspberry-Pi shield	Booster 	Enables a Raspberry-Pi to directly control any DCC booster
ZTC 	ZTC 640 	Throttle Network 	USB 	X-Bus 	Connects to ZTC 511
<d.i.y.> 	XnTcp 	Throttle Network 	Ethernet 	XpressNet 	Do it yourself solution (XnTcp website).
<d.i.y.> 	Ultimate LI 	Throttle Network 	USB 	XpressNet 	Do it yourself solution (uLI website).
===List of Command Stations with Integrated Computer Interfaces===
Manufacturer	Model 	Computer Interface	Comment
CVP 	CS2B 	Serial Port 	
Digitrax 	DCS240 	USB 	USB B connection, 5 or 8A booster
Digitrax 	DCS52 (Zephyr Xpress)	USB 	USB B connection, 3A booster
ESU 	ECoS 50200 	Ethernet 	
Hornby 	Elite 	USB 	
Lenz 	LZV200 	USB 	Requires Version 4.15.7
Roco 	Z21 	Ethernet/WiFi 	System includes a WiFi router connected via Ethernet
Zimo 	MX1 	Serial Port 	
Zimo 	MX10 	USB or Ethernet 	
=== See Also ===
*Connecting your computer to DCC
Category:DCC
Category:Computers and DCC