| Word | Description |
|---|---|
| Acceleration | The rate at which the decoder increases from one speed step to the next in response to a new increase speed command. Use CV 03 to set this value for each decoder. This feature is used to simulate train weight and to cause your model to respond more prototypically when you increase the throttle. |
| Accessory or stationary decoder | The electronic device used for turnouts and other accessories that receives the signal from the command station through the track, decodes it & tells the turnout or other accessory what to do. Accessories include turnouts, lighting and animation. Signals can also be used with accessory decoders. |
| AC or Alternating Current | An expression used to describe an electrical wave form that cycles or alternates above and below 0 volts. In the U.S., household electricity is 60 cycle, alternating 60 times a second, 110-120 volts. |
| Address 00 | The special address used by DCC systems to send speed and direction commands to operate locomotives that do not have decoders. |
| Address, Decoder | The unique number assigned by the user to a particular mobile or stationary decoder. The DCC system uses the decoder address to send commands to the appropriate loco or accessory. |
| Address Range | Each system has a certain number of addresses that it can handle. Basic DCC systems usually handle between 6 and 16 addresses. Advanced systems usually handle between 99 & over 9000 addresses and Professional systems almost always go to 9000 or more addresses. |
| Advanced Consisting | Also called EPF consisting. Storage of the consist information in each decoder. The locos can be added to and deleted from the consist in any orientation. This method requires that all locomotives in the consist be equipped with decoders that support this feature(EPF decoders). This method allows you to set up a consist that will be "transportable" from one DCC layout to another but you must be sure to always put the locos back on the track in the same order and orientation you programmed them for or you can get some unexpected results. |
| Advanced Mode (28 Speed Step Mode) | The motor voltage/speed curve of the DCC loco from stop to full speed has 28 discrete speed steps. This means that speed control will be limited to 28 steps. 28 speed step mode gives fine speed control. Increasing to 128 speed step operation will give a significant improvement in speed control, especially at very slow speeds needed for prototypical switching operations. Advanced mode is offered in most command stations because there are many decoders on the market that are not capable of 128 step mode operation. |
| Aliased 4 Digit Addressing | Lets you run 2 digit address decoders with 4 digit addresses by selecting them from the system Alias Roster. This feature gives you the ability to operate all DCC equipped decoders with 4 digit addresses. This is a function of the command station, not of the decoders. |
| Alias Roster | A list of aliased addresses and their associated decoder addresses stored in a command station. The Alias Roster is a database of 4 digit numbers that are matched to 2 digit decoder addresses. This Alias roster defines all the power units you wish to operate this way, & is stored in the DCS100. The DCS100 remembers the Alias Roster even if the system is powered down between sessions. Aliasing is not available in current production Digitrax systems. |
| All Live Turnout | A turnout where throwing the turnout does not change the rail polarity. Also called non-power routing turnouts. |
| Ampere, Amp(s) | The unit of measure for electrical current used or provided by an electronic device. The current draw of most HO can motors is between .5 and 1.5 amps. DCC boosters usually provide between 2.5 & 10 amps. This means that in HO scale you can run between 4 and 6 HO locomotives on a 5 amp booster. |
| Analog Loco | A locomotive operating on a DCC layout without a DCC decoder installed. Also called a Conventional Loco. |
| Analog Mode Conversion | When a DCC decoder does not see DCC packets on the layout it changes automatically to DC operation. Digitrax decoders support analog mode conversion but not all DCC systems do. Analog conversion can be disabled by programming CV29. |
| Architecture or System Architecture | The particular method and/or arrangement of system hardware components used a given DCC system (or other computer based system) for communication within the system. Examples of system architecture in the DCC context are peer-to peer communication and polled communication. |
| Armature | The rotating frame that supports the field coils of a motor. |
| Aspect | A combination of lights or positions on a railroad signal which has a defined meaning. This meaning is the signal's indication. |
| Autochuff | Autochuff uses internal software to simulate driver chuff timing in Digitrax decoders. This allows chuffing when no cam is installed in a steam locomotive. CV133 & CV134 control autochuffing. |
| AutoReversing | A feature of some DCC boosters which allows a train to enter and exit reversing sections automatically without the need for the operator to throw a switch to match track polarities on either side of the reversing section. |