1. Signals by Spreadsheet
Dr. Gerry Albers
NMRA Life Member
Cincinnati Div. 7, MCR

2. You can play Solitaire on your computer
Clinic Checklist
(Can I create a signal system?)
Yes! …. If:
You have a computer
PC running Windows 2000 or later (including Windows 8)
MAC running Windows emulator (e.g., Virtual Machine)
You can play Solitaire on your computer
You can make entries in a spreadsheet
You like FREE software
You can make an electrical connection to your DCC track bus
You can make a Cab Bus (or LocoNet®) connection
SBS is a Completely Integrated Signal System

3. SBS Hardware Configuration - General
Power
DIO
Distributed
Input/Output
Cab Bus/LocoNet
Track Bus
Turnout
Positions
Detectors
Signals
DIO/D29 Features:
29 Input or Output Terminals per DIO card
User Determines Direction of Each Terminal
Up to 128 DIO cards (3,712 I/O terminals)
Powered by Track Bus
Can drive signals directly (thru resistors)
Can power occupancy detectors and other accessories (including Tortoise machines) T
Data
Throttle
Acc
Dec T
Data
Power & Commands
Data
DCC
Command
Station T
Data

4. SBS Hardware Configuration - Digitrax
Power
DIO
Distributed
Input/Output
SBS
PC or MAC
Windows 2000 or Later
LocoNet
Track Bus
LocoBuffer
USB
Turnout
Positions
Detectors
Signals
DIO/D29 Features:
29 Input or Output Terminals per DIO card
User Determines Direction of Each Terminal
Up to 128 DIO cards (3,712 I/O terminals)
Powered by Track Bus
Can drive signals directly (thru resistors)
Can power occupancy detectors and other accessories (including Tortoise machines) T
Data
Throttle
Acc
Dec T
Data
Power & Commands
Data
DCC
Command
Station T
Data

5. SBS Hardware Configuration - Others
Power
DIO
Distributed
Input/Output
SBS
PC or MAC
Windows 2000 or Later
SBS Data Bus
LocoBuffer
USB
Cab Bus
Track Bus
Turnout
Positions
Data Bus
Interface
Detectors
Signals
DIO/D29 Features:
29 Input or Output Terminals per DIO card
User Determines Direction of Each Terminal
Up to 128 DIO cards (3,712 I/O terminals)
Powered by Track Bus
Can drive signals directly (thru resistors)
Can power occupancy detectors and other accessories (including Tortoise machines) T
Data
Throttle
Acc
Dec T
Data
Power & Commands
Data
DCC
Command
Station T
Data

6. 29 Input or Output Terminals Configure Board Address
DIO Board Features
LED
Green = OK (Receiving Power and DCC Signal)
Red = Address Configuration Mode, Error or No DCC Signal (Try Reset Button)
Red Flash = Address or CV Value Accepted (User Configuration Mode Only)
Off = No Power
Accessory Power
+12 to 15 V DC, unregulated Use for Tortoise driver, etc.
+5VDC, regulated Use for occupancy detectors, signals, LED indicators, etc.
DCC Track Bus
Power
DCC Signal
DCC
Reset Button T2
Vin1
Vin2 T1
LED1
+12V
+5V
Gnd T3 A0 A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 E0
Gnd
PIC 16F871/40P
Signal/Command Bus Interface (DIO Only)
Send/Receive Data To/From Computer
“Daisy-Chain” Connectors
29 Input or Output Terminals
(C6 and C7 are reserved)
JP1
Address Configuration Jumper (Stowed)
Address Configuration Jumper (Stowed)
Configure Board Address T4 T5 T6
Mounting holes for #4 screws B0 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7
Gnd C0 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7
Gnd D0 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7
Gnd

7. The SBS System Architecture
SBS Software on PC (or MAC)
Distributed
Input/Output
Track Bus
DIO
Configure DIO Card
Test DIO Card
Data
Power
Turnout
Positions
Signals
Detectors
Build 3
Compile 4
Run 5
LocoBuffer
USB
Signal
Signal State
Spreadsheets
DIO
Terminal Definitions
& Names Spreadsheets
Cab Bus or LocoNet (or standalone) T
Data 2 1 T
Data T
Data
Command
Station

8. SBS “Edit DIO Card” Function
DIO Spreadsheet
Enter Terminal Direction: “I” (Input) or “O” (Output)
Enter your name for Terminal (See “Acceptable Names” List or use “Help”)
Enter Wire Color (optional, for your documentation)
Enter Comment (optional, for your documentation)
Control Panel
Select previously saved DIO card or …
Select “New” *
Make Spreadsheet Entries (See Above)
DO NOT make entries In “Do Not Use” terminal cells
“Save” spreadsheet
“Configure” DIO Card
Writes Address Into Card If “Configuration Jumper” is in 1-2 Position
Configures Terminal Directions In Card
“Print” Spreadsheet for your documentation
Use “Help” as needed
“Exit” – Warnings will pop up if changes were made and not “Saved” or not “Configured”.
Reserved For SBS Use.
Demo
Active Hi/Lo Switches
Defines Terminal as “Active Hi” or “Active Lo”

9. Example: Automatic Block Signal
Your Rules for S2W (It’s your railroad):
Green: both blocks ahead (B23 and B24) not occupied (Proceed)
Yellow: block ahead (B23) not occupied, second block (B24) occupied (Slow ready to stop)
Red: block ahead B(23) occupied (Stop)
S2W
B24
B23
IF B23 is not occupied AND…
B24 is not occupied, THEN …
S2WGON, S2WYOFF, etc.
Inputs Outputs
B23 B24 S2WG S2WY S2WR
B23
B24
S2WG
S2WY
S2WR
NO NO
Default = “Off”
ON OFF OFF
NO O
OFF ON OFF O
OFF OFF ON
“Don’t Care”
NO = Not Occupied
O = Occupied
ON = On
OFF = Off
Blank = “Don’t Care”

10. S2W Spreadsheet
Demo

11. Example: Automatic Block Signal (Approach Lit)
Our New Rules for S2W:
Green: B22 occupied & both blocks ahead (B23 and B24) not occupied (Proceed)
Yellow: B22 occupied & block ahead (B23) not occupied, second block (B24) occupied (Slow ready to stop)
Red: B22 occupied & block ahead (B23) occupied (Stop)
Dark: signal’s block (B22) not occupied
S2W
B24
B23
B22
Inputs Outputs
B22
B23
B24
S2WG
S2WY
S2WR
B22 B23 B24 S2WG S2WY S2WR
ON OFF OFF
O NO NO
OFF ON OFF
O NO O
OFF OFF ON
O O NO
OFF OFF OFF
NO = Not Occupied
O = Occupied
ON = On
OFF = Off
Blank = “Don’t Care”

12. S2W (Approach Lit) Spreadsheet
Demo

13. The SBS System Architecture
Build
Run
SBS Software on PC
Compile
Data
Power
DIO
Distributed
Input/Output
Code
Button
Repeater
Signals
Detectors
Interface
Cab Bus or LocoNet
Signal
Signal State
Spreadsheets
DIO
Terminal Definitions
& Names Spreadsheets T
Data T
Data T
Data
DIO
Data
Dispatch Panel
Lights
Switches
Code Buttons
From Track Bus or AC/DC Supply
2 Wires

14. The SBS System Architecture
Build
Run
SBS Software on PC
Compile
Data
Power
DIO
Distributed
Input/Output
Code
Button
Repeater
Signals
Detectors
Interface
Cab Bus or LocoNet
Signal
Signal State
Spreadsheets
DIO
Terminal Definitions
& Names Spreadsheets T
Data T
Data T
Data
DIO
Data
Dispatch Panel
Lights
Switches
Code Buttons
From Track Bus or AC/DC Supply
2 Wires

15. SBS Input Configurations
GND
Terminal
Input Configuration: Active Low (Pull-Down)
10k
Microprocessor
DIO Board
+5VDC
Switch
Contact
Photodiode
Transistor/
Detector Out
Example Inputs
+12VDC
SBS Input Configurations
DIO Input Terminal Limitations:
Maximum input voltages, current:
High: +5 VDC, 20 ma.
Low: 0 VDC, 25 ma.
All terminals have a 10K pull-up to +5V.
Examples
Current Detector
DIO +5V (Optional*)
DIO Terminal
DIO GND
* Team Digital DBD2 or eq.
Detector
Track Bus, Rail A
Track Bus, Rail B
Switch Position Indication
Contacts on Tortoise
DIO GND
DIO Terminal
Tortoise N R + _
Optical Detector

16. SBS Output Configurations
Active Low (ON = Pull-Down)
GND
Terminal
10k
Microprocessor
DIO Board
+5VDC
+12VDC
LED
270
Ohms
SBS Output Configurations
GPDIO Output Terminal Limitations:
Max output sink (low) current: 25 ma.
Max output source (high) current*: 20ma
All terminals have a 100K pull-up to +5V.
*Terminal A4 is not push-pull and cannot source current.
270 Ohms*
DIO Terminal
DIO +5V
or FL2†
Signal - Common Anode
Active Low Configuration
* To color balance signal LED’s, use individual LED resistors with different values.
Examples
270 Ohms*
DIO Terminal
DIO GND
or FL2†
Signal - Common Cathode
Active High Configuration
†FL2 – dual flasher unit
Output Configuration:
Active High (ON = Push-Up)
GND
Terminal
10k
Microprocessor
DIO Board
+5VDC
+12VDC
LED
270
Ohms

17. APB/ABS Cost - Example
12 Blocks (B0 – B11)
6 Control Points (OS) – Optical Detectors
6 Turnout Positions (T0 – T5)
6 Double Head Signals (5 LED’s)
6 Single Head Signals, Sidings (2 LED’s)
6 Single Head Signals, Mainline (3 LED’s)
3 Sidings
2 Blocks Between Sidings B0 B1 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8
B10 B9
B11 B2 T0 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Typical Headblock (Control Point) – 10 LED’s, 6 Places
This example illustrates the cost of signal system equipment only. It does not include the cost of computer, signals, switch machines (Tortoise), Tortoise drivers, accessory decoders, etc.
Inputs:
Blocks 12
Control Points 6
Turnout Pos. 6
Outputs
Signal LEDs (6 x 10) 60
Total I/O Bits 84
Signals By Spreadsheet Equipment Req.
1 LocoBuffer Interface $70
3 DIO/D29 $80 ea. $240
6 DBD221 $22 ea. $132
6 $1 $6
Total Cost2 $448
Note:
DBD22 has two detectors per board
DIOs Are Powered By Track Bus = No Power Supply Needed
DIOs Power Detectors, Turnouts, Signals = No Power Supply Needed
Cab Bus Used To Communicate = No Additional Cabling
Programmed Using FREE Spreadsheet Software

18. SBS Hardware Configuration - Digitrax
Power
DIO
Distributed
Input/Output
SBS
PC or MAC
Windows 2000 or Later
LocoNet
Track Bus
USB
LocoBuffer
USB
Turnout
Positions
Detectors
Signals
RCS
Power +
Comm
Local
Panel
TD8
8 Turnouts
DIO/D29 Features:
29 Input or Output Terminals per DIO card
User Determines Direction of Each Terminal
Up to 128 DIO cards (3,712 I/O terminals)
Powered by Track Bus
Can drive signals directly (thru resistors)
Can power occupancy detectors and other accessories (including Tortoise machines) T
Data
Throttle
Acc
Dec T
Data
RCS (Route Control System):
8 Accessory Decoders
Up To 16 Routes
Local or Remote (CTC) Control
Powered by Track Bus
Can Power Tortoises (Need TD8 Driver)
DCC
Command
Station T
Data

19. SBS Hardware Configuration - Other
Power
DIO
Distributed
Input/Output
SBS
PC or MAC
Windows 2000 or Later
SBS Data Bus
LocoBuffer
USB
Cab Bus
Track Bus
DCC
Interface*
USB
Needed To Operate Accessory Decoders (i.e., Turnout Control)
Lenz: LI-USB NCE: RS232 or NCE USB Interface
Turnout
Positions
Data Bus
Interface
Detectors
Signals
RCS
Power +
Comm
Local
Panel
TD8
8 Turnouts
DIO/D29 Features:
29 Input or Output Terminals per DIO card
User Determines Direction of Each Terminal
Up to 128 DIO cards (3,712 I/O terminals)
Powered by Track Bus
Can drive signals directly (thru resistors)
Can power occupancy detectors and other accessories (including Tortoise machines) T
Data
Throttle
Acc
Dec T
Data
RCS (Route Control System):
8 Accessory Decoders
Up To 16 Routes
Local or Remote (SBS/Throttle) Control
Powered by Track Bus
Can Power Tortoises (Need TD8 Driver)
DCC
Command
Station T
Data

20. RCS (Route Control System)
8 Accessory Decoders with 16 local routes
DCC
Throttle
Throttle Provides:
Switch Machine Activation
Lock/Unlock Function
Address & CV Programming
DCC Command Bus (e.g., LocoNet)
DCC
Command Station or
Booster*
DCC Track (Accessory*) Bus
New!!! Can be powered by AC or DC. Must be programmed on DCC.
Power +
DCC Signal
Can Be Cascaded For Unlimited Routes.
Vin1
Vin2
Think Track –
Not Switch
Tortoise Driver Board
DC Power
+ 12VDC
GND
Local Panel
Pushbutton Inputs
(Up To 16)
A0 – A5
B0 – B1
C0 – C7
PIC With
RCS Software
D0 – D7
Logic Outputs
(0 – 5VDC)
(Up To 8)
+5V
GND
RCS E0 B6
Locked/Unlocked Signal
Logic Hi (+5V) = Locked
Logic Lo (0V) = Unlocked
To Next GPDIO
(Cascaded RCS’s)
Tortoise Switch Machines
(Up to 8 independent or 16 Parallel)
Up to 8 independent switches (more with cascaded RCS’s)
Up to 16 independent local routes (more with cascaded RCS’s)
Any or all switch machines may be locked (usually by the dispatcher)
*It is strongly suggested that a separate circuit breaker or DCC booster be used to provide a separate DCC Accessory Bus.

21. Mounting holes for #4 screws
Tortoise Driver Board
Each driver board contains 8 independent drive circuits, divided onto 4 mini-boards.
Accessory Power From RCS/DIO
(+12 to 15 V DC)
Accessory Power To Other Driver Boards
(Power can optionally be applied from this end instead)
+V IN
GND
+V IN
GND
+V IN
GND
+V IN
GND
Tortoise Drivers
(2)
Tortoise Drivers
(2)
Tortoise Drivers
(2)
Tortoise Drivers
(2)
A In
B In
A Out1
A Out2
B Out1
B Out2
A In
B In
A Out1
A Out2
B Out1
B Out2
A In
B In
A Out1
A Out2
B Out1
B Out2
A In
B In
A Out1
A Out2
B Out1
B Out2
Mounting holes for #4 screws
Logic signal from RCS/DIO
(8 places)
Snap mini-boards apart to form other combinations (3/1, 2/2, 1/1/2, etc)
To switch machine
(8 places)
Each mini-board has 2 independent drive circuits. Each circuit can drive 2 switch machines in parallel (e.g., crossovers).

22. AD30 (Accessory Decoders, 30 max)
30 Accessory Decoders (no local routes)
DCC
Throttle
Throttle Provides:
Switch Machine Activation
Address Programming
DCC Command Bus (e.g., LocoNet)
DCC
Command Station or
Booster*
DCC Track (Accessory*) Bus
Power +
DCC Signal
Vin1
Vin2
Tortoise Driver Board
DC Power …
+ 12VDC
GND
PIC With
AD30 Software
A0 – A5
B0 – B6
C0 – C7
D0 – D7 E0
Logic Outputs
(0 – 5VDC)
(Up To 30) …
AD30
Up to 30 independent accessory decoders
Up to 30 independent Tortoise (60 parallel)
Tortoise power provided by AD30 board
AD30 power provided by DCC Track Bus
Tortoise Switch Machines
(Up to 8 independent or 16 Parallel)
*It is strongly suggested that a separate circuit breaker or DCC booster be used to provide a separate DCC Accessory Bus.

23. STYCS (STaging Yard Control System)
7 Accessory Decoders with 8 local routes
Stops train at end of staging yard
DCC
Throttle
Throttle Provides:
Switch Machine Activation
Lock/Unlock Function
Address & CV Programming
DCC Command Bus (e.g., LocoNet)
DCC
Command Station or
Booster*
DCC Track (Accessory*) Bus
Power +
DCC Signal
Tortoise Driver Board
Vin1
Vin2
DC Power
+ 12VDC
GND
Local Panel
Pushbutton Inputs
(Up To 8)
D0 – D6
A0 – A5
B0 – B1
Logic Outputs
(0 – 5VDC)
(Up To 7)
PIC With
STYCS Software
+5V
GND
Tortoise Switch Machines (Up To 7)
GPDIO
C0 – C7 E0
Photo-detectors
(Up To 8) D7
Locked/Unlocked Signal
Logic Hi (+5V) = Locked
Logic Lo (0V) = Unlocked
To 5V Power Relay
Up to 7 independent switches (8 tracks)
Up to 8 independent routes (to 8 tracks)
Stops train at end of staging yard
Any or all switch machines may be locked (usually by the dispatcher)
*It is strongly suggested that a separate circuit breaker or DCC booster be used to provide a separate DCC Accessory Bus.

24. Searchlight Signal Driver Searchlight Signal Driver
Special Devices A
Searchlight Signal Driver
PAI Copyright 2007 B C C2 J2 C1 J1
+12V
Gnd Q1 Q2 Q3
R2 (5) R1 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 X Y Z U2 A
Searchlight Signal Driver
PAI Copyright 2007 B C C2 J2 C1 J1
+12V
Gnd Q1 Q2 Q3
R2 (5) R1 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 X Y Z U2 R Y G
Dual Searchlight Signal Driver
SD2
Dual Flasher Unit
FL2

25. Train Order Operator (TOO) Station
Charleston Operator’s Panel
Tony Koester Photo
TOO Kit Includes:
Power LED (Green)
4 Station LEDs (Red)
4 Pushbuttons
4 Toggle Switches
4 Photo-transistors
1 Buzzer
PowerPoint Panel Layout :
Downloadable (Free)
Prints On Full-Sheet Label
2 Operator Panels with 4 Stations Each OR 1 Operator with 8 Stations
Photosensor DetectsTrain “On Station” (OS)
LED illuminates, “Bell” (buzzer) rings
RESET extinguishes LED
“Cut Out” eliminates repeated “OS-ing” during switching moves

26. SBS Is Available At: www.SignalsBySpreadsheet.com
Footnotes
SBS Is Available At:
Software is free
DIO, RCS, STYCS, AD30, TOO Cards: $80
Tortoise Driver (8): $40
Dual Searchlight Signal Driver: $40
Dual Flasher: $40
TOO Kit: $40

27. SBS Hardware & Software Is Available At:
Summary
SBS Hardware & Software Work Together With Existing DCC Systems
Compatible with Digitrax® LocoNet
No additional communication wiring is needed with Digitrax.
Can be used “standalone” (does not require Cab Bus)
SBS Hardware Is Powered by the DCC Track Bus (Accessory Bus)
No additional power supplies or power wiring are needed.
No Computer Programming!
All entries are made in SBS spreadsheets
SBS software is free !
SBS
SBS
SBS
SBS Hardware & Software Is Available At:

28. Signal Operating Software
Suppliers
Logic/Electronics
See Handout
Signals/Electronics
Signal Operating Software
Acknowledgements
Digitrax and LocoNet are registered trademarks of Digitrax Corporation

29. STOP! (Absolute)
Q&A
Thank you for your interest and attention!