Hi guys .. looking for input and guidance. I have been invited to put on a technology demonstration table at an upcoming show. Focus will be LDR detection, IR sensors, Arduino automation that sort of thing. I have built a DCC+EX command station and tested it, but not integrated it into the layout yet which is under construction. (A small end to end baseboard 2 x 6 that folds up.) At present no track is laid while I work on some electronics assembly. My going in plan was a series of NANO's communicating via I2C (but this is up for discussion - I have a few months to sort this out.) Questions: 1) With DCC++EX I believe I can integrate with I2C. If so what is the client going to see for a message payload? (ideally point me to some sample client code to get me started). 2) Can the Command Station request that the I2C client return I/O status back to the C/S? (use Arduinos as distributed I/O). I believe I saw I/O expanders that use I2C so I am thinking it is possible. 3) Failing the above what other hardware options do I have to allow LDR's, IR sensors etc to be recognized by DCC++EX. And if I am just using the command station MEGA for this just say so and I will dig into it. 4) I would like to use addressable LED's (for a mimic panel application)? I have this working currently on its own Arduino and like the 1 wire for all LED's nature of it. Does DCC++EX support this? Is it possible to send an IO map (32 bits max) over to a separate Arduino so that it can drive the mimic panel
If you don't find an answer here I'd try their Discord channel.... https://discord.com/invite/PuPnNMp8Qf Sumner
