ZIMO MX10 DCC Command Station

Primary Power Supply, Driving Voltage and Driving Current

The Command Station requires an external regulated power supply (NO transformer) to provide primary power to the system, control bus and track outputs, which means a significant reduction of the power loss and heat compared to the "old" devices. Therefore, the ZIMO Command Station can achieve high output power (up to 600 W) from a very compact design.

Track output voltages are available in a wide range from 10 to 24 V, are stabilized and fully adjustable in fine steps (0.1V).

The main output ("Track 1", or "Schiene 1") delivers a maximum continuous operating current of 12 A, the second output ("Track 2", or "Schiene 2") 8 A; the latter can also be used as a programming or decoder update track. The current limit is also adjustable in fine stages (0.1A).

And of course, high voltage and short circuit protection is integrated into the design.  An important feature of the over-current or short-circuit protection is the adjustable threshold time to prevent cut-outs from little shorts on frogs, etc.

Moreover, the device can also detect differential overcurrent ("OVC adaptive") in addition to the absolute current so a shutdown occurs at sudden power increases, even though the absolute threshold has not been reached, to protect the wheels and pick-up shoes in small scales (N, TT, ...) when a true short circuit event occurs.

The Power Supply (30 V, 240 Watt)
delivered with the Start Sets

Track Protocols and Data Management

DCC (NMRA or VHDM specification) and MOTOROLA (MM, the Märklin digital track signal) are the basic protocols supported.  The hardware and software are open for expansion to other standards, if such a need becomes necessary in the future, especially for faster methods of data transfer.

Of course, the possibilities of standardized protocols are fully exploited, so for DCC there are 10239 locomotive addresses, 2048 accessory addresses (each with 4 sub-addresses), 14/28/128 speed steps, 28 functions, etc.

RailCom and ZIMO "Train Number Impulse" (In German = Zugnummernimpulse = "ZACK") "Bi-directional communication" using "RailCom" is an integral part of all relevant components within the ZIMO system.

The MX10 is equipped with two "RailCom Global Precision Detectors", one for each of the rail outputs. "Global" means that it detects all those RailCom functions that are independent of the current position of the vehicle; "Local detectors" deal with address detection in single track sections. "Precision" means that reception and evaluation of the RailCom messages is carried out not only by the standardized thresholds, but that the RailCom signal is analyzed to decipher attenuated and distorted RailCom signals and to be readable even on large systems.

The global RailCom messages are optimized to increase the efficiency of data transfer to the decoders (to put it simply: RailCom messages are answered by DCC packets - because obviously arrived in the decoder - and do not need to be repeated). Above all, RailCom messages contain information which are then forwarded to driving devices and computers.

Simple applications are: reading and display of CV values in the "Operational mode" (i.e. on the main track), ongoing display of the driving speed (real time clock) measured in the decoder, alarm signals, or (in accessory decoders) the point positions, etc.

The ZIMO MX10 also recognizes the "classic" ZIMO train number pulses ("Zugnummernimpulse") sent by all ZIMO decoders (in DCC format since about 1998).

Booster Solutions

Boosters are usually only needed for very large layouts and/or large scales due to the high track current of the MX10 (up to 20A). The preferred solution is to use another MX10, which is synchronized with the "Central MX10". The use of foreign boosters is possible, but less advantageous, because the only communication with such devices is the outdated NMRA "Control Bus" (in practice, only simple short messages).

CAN Bus (internal to ZIMO System Communications) and Bus Systems for 3rd party products

On the MX10, as usual for ZIMO products, there are two parallel-connected CAN Bus sockets (RJ-45); these are 8-pin, because, besides the actual 6-pin CAN Bus, more connections are needed for a "sniffer" (front socket) or for booster and StEin module control.

Another socket (front) contains the X-bus (especially for ROCO Lokmaus and similar devices), the connection of third-party products such as S88, Loconet (Fred's) is forseen.

Wireless communication with ZIMO Cabs (controllers)

The MX10 is equipped with a Wi-Mi module. Mi-Wi is a variant of the "ZigBee" standard in the 2.4 Ghz band, which is approved worldwide, and provides a higher data throughput than the 344 MHz band previously used by ZIMO. Potential disadvantages compared to 344 MHz band with respect to the penetration inside buildings are compensated by the network capability.

LAN connection for Wi-Fi enabled input devices and as an alternative to a computer interface

Mobile phones and tablets (with suitable apps installed) can be used to control a layout via a wireless router connected to the LAN socket of the MX10, or via a connection to the home network.

The same LAN socket can also be used as an alternative to the USB interface for computer communication (advantage: more computers on the line).

USB (host) socket on the front panel for USB sticks and Micro USB (client) socket on the back

The USB (host) socket, is used to plug in a USB stick, from which you can update the MX10 and decoder software, as well as the loading of sound projects into a sound decoder.

Long experience (with the MX31ZL and MXULF) shows that the use of a USB stick is often easier than the update from a computer because uncertainties with operating system, drivers and interfaces disappear.

Alternatively, the USB (client) socket can be used to connect a computer, using software for decoder programming (ZCS, ADaPT - PFusch, TrainProgrammer, etc.), plus the decoder update and sound project loading (ZSP, ZIRC). Moreover, the programs for system control (STP, ESWGJ, TrainController, etc.) communicate via the USB (client) socket.

The MX10 ls the Decoder Update Device

As already mentioned above, the MX10 can be used in two ways for a decoder update:
1) The decoder update collection file ("Sammelfile") or sound projects are put on a USB stick and the decoder update or sound project loading is handle via the USB (host) socket.
2) The decoder update process is performed by connecting the MX10 via the USB (client) socket to the computer, so MX10 as just an interface between the computer and decoder.

The MX10 as Stand-alone Device - Digital Centre

Users who put no value on a "physical" hand controller, can use the computer with appropriate software (eg ESTWGJ, STP, TrainController, ADaPT, ...), and use phones and tablets, to control the layout , without "real" connected Cabs (controllers).