DCS Software Version 3.11 Description

Because the memory assignments are dramatically different in Version 2.X and earlier, upgrading the code is required in both the remote and the TIU. The system will not function correctly if only one of the two components has been updated. In addition, if the remote and the TIU are currently running any version of 2.X DCS software, both must be reset using the appropriate System menu commands prior to uploading the Version 3.11 software into the remote and the TIU. By resetting both components, all previous information and settings (engines, accessories, switches, etc.) entered into the remote and TIU will be lost and must be reentered by the user after the software update has been completed. Users upgrading from 3.0 and higher will not have to reset the remote and TIU prior to uploading the new 3.11 software.

There are two software files attached to the download. Both feature the same numeric code and should be used together (the appropriate file for the remote and TIU) when migrating from Version 3.0 or earlier. If a user has previously programmed Version 3.1 into their TIU (file name of TIU3_10c.tiu), it is only necessary to upload the remote code (file name remote3p11.rem) into your remote as the Version 3.11 TIU code (file name TIU3_11.tiu) is exactly the same as the TIU code in Version 3.1.

The user must use the most recent DCS Loader Program, Version 1.83 in order to upload Version 3.11 into the TIU and Remote. Earlier versions of the DCS Loader Program will not function with the Version 3.11 code.

Version 3.11 Adds The Following Remote Features

• Added softkeys – CDS, CDO, CDC for Coors Silver Bullet Refrigerated Reefer Car operation

Version 3.1X Adds The Following TIU and Remote Features

• Lash-up control settings moved to the DCS remote’s memory.
• Added separate Marker Light control for locomotives utilizing the 3 volt system.
• TIU code version can be retrieved and displayed on the remote’s LCD screen. Previous versions of the DCS software only displayed the remote’s code version.
• Locomotives, switches, and accessories can now be quickly accessed by using the numeric keypad in addition to the remote’s thumbwheel. For example, if the user desires to access a particular locomotive whose DCS address is known, pressing the ENG button and typing in the two-digit address will bring the locomotive into the active engine screen on the DCS remote.
• Lash-ups can now have their addresses and names edited once they have been entered into the DCS remote’s memory.
• Lash-ups can now be created across two TIU’s. Previous versions of the DCS software required that lashups all be created on the same TIU.
• Added Feature Reset to TIU. Now user can select Feature Reset (resets everything EXCEPT the address) or Factory Reset (resets everything INLCUDING the address, which gets set to 1).
• Lash-ups can now be recorded in a Record/Playback session

Version 3.1 Resolves The Following TIU & Remote Issues

• Corrected voltage swap issue with Z4K remote controlled tracks.
• Corrected Track Signal speed going to zero when selected though the SYSTEM menu.
• Corrected E-Stop delay.
• Corrected missing icons when remote turns off or goes to sleep (icons are those items displayed in parenthesis in the upper right-hand corner of the LCD.
• Corrected Engine Reset issue with regards to operating pantograph engines.
• Corrected TMCC:32 error.

Version 3.X Resolves The Following TIU & Remote Issues

• When E-Stop (Emergency Stop) is pressed all active engine speed readings in the remote LCD window are set to zero. Previous software versions retained the current speed setting even though emergency stop stops all locomotives.
• Lash-up anomalies, specifically the creation of “ghost” engine(s), have been eliminated by storing the lashup information in the remote’s memory rather than the TIU memory as in previous software releases.
• The correct battery voltage reading will be displayed for engines using the 3 volt Proto-Sound 2.0 system. Previous DCS software versions mistakingly read the voltage as low when queried under the Advanced/Info menu.
• The display of “TMCC:32” in the LCD window has been corrected.
• When the remote goes to sleep and is powered back on or if the remote is powered off and then back on again while locomotives are running, the last commanded locomotive speed settings will be displayed in the LCD window for each active locomotive. Previous versions of the DCS software incorrectly displayed a speed setting of 0 for locomotives even though the locomotives were clearly still moving.
• Accent and Eng sound volume settings reverting back to 70% after user edits has been corrected. Previous DCS software versions failed to save the user edits and the sounds reverted back to their default settings of 70% volume after the operating session was concluded.
• The Z-4000 matching voltage problem has been corrected. Previous DCS software versions incorrectly reset a second Z4K programmed track to the voltage setting of the first Z4K programmed track when the whistle button was pressed. The software change completely isolates each Z4K track when accessed using the TR button on the DCS remote.
• The use of the ALL function when operating in Super Mode was corrected. Previous DCS software versions would not allow users to start up or run ALL engines in Super TIU mode.
• Super Mode RF (radio frequency) interference issues have been corrected. Previous DCS software versions left users noting a distinct drop in RF throughput when using Super Mode.
• Proto-Dispatch and Protocast operation in Super Mode now corrected.
• Super Mode READ issue corrected. When READ was pressed in Super Mode on previous versions of DCS software, the engine association would revert to the current TIU and disable Super Mode.
• Corrected last route or scene in list edit/delete capability. Previous versions of DCS software prevented the editing or deletion of the last route or scene in the route or scene list.
• Lash-up PFA operation has been corrected so that all engines in the lashup leave at the same time and in the correct direction.
• Super Mode Track Signal test corrected. Previous versions of the DCS software presented “Out of RF Range” errors intermittently during the Track Signal test.
• Super Mode TMCC issue corrected. Previous DCS software users were noting that TIU’s programmed for Super Mode operation would sometimes not respond to commands destined for the TMCC command base connected to it.
• Lash-up Start-up direction corrected. Previously when a lash-up that had an engine facing the in the reverse direction was started up that engine would pull against the lead engine.
• Changed nomenclature for Custom Sound Record Menu. The menu now reads: DCS Remote Mic, Proto-Dispatch, Proto-Cast. PC is removed from menu.
• Corrected External Mic function when used in a multi-TIU environment. Previously, the menu to select a TIU did not function.
• Variable Voltage leak problem corrected. This was noted on Rev G TIU’s when the code for the Rev H TIU was made backward compatible. The voltage sensing is more sensitive on the Rev H and thus was much more sensitive in Rev G. Now when the TIU powers up it recognizes what version it is and uses the appropriate Variable Voltage sense.
• INFO corrected for lash-ups. It now only reads the head engine instead of trying to read all the engines in the lash-up thus creating a Check Track error.
• Separately controlled volumes (Horn, Bell, Accent, and Engine Sounds) now vary those volumes in only the head engine of a lash-up. Previously all engines in a lash-up were trying to adjust their volumes and Check Track errors were reported
• Accel/Decel rates now work with lash-ups
• Corrected Smoke Boost on the AX9 softkey for TMCC engines. Previously that softkey, when held down, would shut the remote off. As a consequence you can’t shuit the remote off from the TMCC engine control screen.

Version 3.X Adds The Following TIU and Remote Features

• Added MOP softkey for Operating Pantograph Engines. Pressing this softkey allows the user to select either Manual pantograph mode whereby the user can direct which pantograph is up/down or Auto pantograph mode whereby the engine automatically selects the pantograph position based on direction.
• Added two new softkeys for Operating Pantograph Engines: FBS and FPR. FBS is a Boiler Start-Up sound and FPR is a Pressure Release sound.
• Remote Messages are now user selectable. In the SYSTEMàREMOTE SETUPàREMOTE MESSAGES menu users can set remote messages to be set on or off. This toggles the messages displayed when softkeys, accessories and switches are selected. All other messages are unaffected.
• Added Shut-Down procedure when remote is reset to ensure ALL memory is cleared