CommandStation-EX/release_notes.md

The DCC-EX Team is pleased to release CommandStation-EX-v3.1.0 as a Production Release. Release v3.1.0 is a minor release that adds additional features and fixes a number of bugs. With the number of new features, this could have easily been a major release. The team is continually improving the architecture of DCC++EX to make it more flexible and optimizing the code so as to get more performance from the Arduino microprocessors.  This release includes  all of the Point Releases from v3.0.1 to v3.0.16.

**Known Issues**

- **Wi-Fi** - works, but requires sending <AT> commands from a serial monitor if you want to switch between AP mode and STA station mode.
- **Pololu Motor Shield** - is supported with this release, but the user may have to adjust timings to enable programming mode due to limitation in its current sensing circuitry

#### Summary of key features and/or bug fixes by Point Release

**Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.16**

- Ignore CV1 bit 7 read if rejected by a non NMRA compliant decoder when identifying loco id

**Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.15**

- Send function commands just once instead of repeating them 4 times

**Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.14**

- Add feature to tolerate decoders that incorrectly have gaps in their ACK pulse
- Provide proper track power management when joining and unjoining tracks with <1 JOIN>

**Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.13**

- Fix for CAB Functions greater than 127

**Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.12**

- Fixed clear screen issue for nanoEvery and nanoWifi

**Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.11**

- Reorganized files for support of 128 speed steps

**Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.10**

- Added Support for the Teensy 3.2, 3.5, 3.6, 4.0 and 4.1 MCUs
- No functional change just changes to avoid complier warnings for Teensy/nanoEvery

**Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.9**

- Rearranges serial newlines for the benefit of JMRI
- Major update for efficiencies in displays (LCD, OLED)
- Add I2C Support functions

**Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.8**

- Wraps <* *> around DIAGS for the benefit of JMRI

**Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.7**

- Implemented support for older 28 apeed step decoders - Option to turn on 28 step speed decoders in addition to 128. If set, all locos will use 28 steps.
- Improved overload messages with raw values (relative to offset)

**Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.6**

- Prevent compiler warning about deprecated B constants
- Fix Bug that did not let us transmit 5 byte sized packets - 5 Byte commands like PoM (programming on main) were not being sent correctly
- Support for Huge function numbers (DCC BinaryStateControl) - Support Functions beyond F28
- <!> ESTOP all - New command to emergency stop all locos on the main track
- <- [cab]> estop and forget cab/all cabs - Stop and remove loco from the CS. Stops the repeating throttle messages
- `<D RESET>` command to reboot Arduino
- Automatic sensor offset detect
- Improved startup msgs from Motor Drivers (accuracy and auto sense factors)
- Drop post-write verify - No need to double check CV writes. Writes are now even faster.
- Allow current sense pin set to UNUSED_PIN - No need to ground an unused analog current pin. Produce startup warning and callback -2 for prog track cmds.

**Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.5**

- Fix Fn Key startup with loco ID and fix state change for F16-28
- Removed ethernet mac config and made it automatic
- Show wifi ip and port on lcd
- Auto load config.example.h with warning
- Dropped example .ino files
- Corrected .ino comments
- Add Pololu fault pin handling
- Waveform speed/simplicity improvements
- Improved pin speed in waveform
- Portability to nanoEvery and UnoWifiRev2 CPUs
- Analog read speed improvements
- Drop need for DIO2 library
- Improved current check code
- Linear command
- Removed need for ArduinoTimers files
- Removed option to choose different timer
- Added EX-RAIL hooks for automation in future version
- Fixed Turnout list
- Allow command keywords in mixed case
- Dropped unused memstream
- PWM pin accuracy if requirements met

**Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.4**

- "Drive-Away" Feature - added so that throttles like Engine Driver can allow a loco to be programmed on a usable, electrically isolated programming track and then drive off onto the main track
- WiFi Startup Fixes

**Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.3**

- Command to write loco address and clear consist
- Command will allow for consist address
- Startup commands implemented

**Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.2:**

- Create new output for current in mA for `<c>` command - New current response outputs current in mA, overlimit current, and maximum board capable current
- Simultaneously update JMRI to handle new current meter

**Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.1:**

- Add back fix for jitter
- Add Turnouts, Outputs and Sensors to `<s>` command output

**CommandStation-EX V3.0.0:**

**Release v3.0.0 was a major rewrite if earlier versions of DCC++.  The code base was re-architeced and core changes were made to the Waveform generator to reduce overhead and make better use of Arduino.** **Summary of the key new features added in Release v3.0.0 include:**

- **New USB Browser Based Throttle** - WebThrottle-EX is a full front-end to controller to control the CS to run trains.
- **WiFi Support** - AP and station modes supported. Auto-detection of an ESP8266 WiFi module with AT firmware on a Mega's serial port. Connection to JMRI and WiThrottle clients.
- **Withrottle Integrations** - Act as a host for up to four WiThrottle clients concurrently.
- **Add LCD/OLED support** - OLED supported on Mega only
- **Improved CV programming routines** - checks for length of CV pulse, and breaks out of the wait state once it has received an ACK, now reading one CV per second.
- **Improved current sensing** - rewrote current sensing routines for safer operation. Current thresholds based on milliamps, not magic numbers
- **Individual track power control** - Ability to toggle power on either or both tracks, and to "JOIN" the tracks and make them output the same waveform for multiple power districts.
- **Single or Dual-Pin PWM output** - Allows control of H-bridges with PH/EN or dual PWM inputs
- **New, simpler function command** - `<F>` command allows setting functions based on their number, not based on a code as in `<f>`
- **Function reminders** - Function reminders are sent in addition to speed reminders
- **Functions to F28** - All NMRA functions are now supported
- **Filters and user functions** - Ability to filter commands in the parser and execute custom code based on them. (ex: Redirect Turnout commands via NRF24)
- **Diagnostic `<D>` commands** - See documentation for a full list of new diagnostic commands
- **Rewrote DCC++ Parser** - more efficient operation, accepts multi-char input and uses less RAM
- **Rewritten waveform generator** - capable of using any pin for DCC waveform out, eliminating the need for jumpers
- **Rewritten packet generator** - Simplify and make smaller, remove idea of "registers" from original code
- **Add free RAM messages** - Free RAM messages are now printed whenever there is a decerase in available RAM
- **Fix EEPROM bugs**
- **Number of locos discovery command** - `<#>` command
- **Support for more locomotives** - 20 locomotives on an UNO and 50 an a Mega.
- **Automatic slot managment** - slot variable in throttle/function commands are ignored and slot management is taken care of automatically. `<->` and `<- CAB> commands added to release locos from memory and stop packets to the track.

**Key Contributors**

**Project Lead**

- Fred Decker - Holly Springs, North Carolina, USA (FlightRisk)

**CommandStation-EX Developers**

- Chris Harlow - Bournemouth, UK (UKBloke)
- Harald Barth - Stockholm, Sweden (Haba)
- Neil McKechnie - Worcestershire, UK (NeilMck)
- Fred Decker - Holly Springs, North Carolina, USA (FlightRisk)
- Dave Cutting - Logan, Utah, USA (Dave Cutting/ David Cutting)
- M Steve Todd
- Scott Catalano - Pennsylvania
- Gregor Baues - Île-de-France, France (grbba)

Engine Driver and JMRI Interface

- M Steve Todd

**exInstaller Software**

- Anthony W - Dayton, Ohio, USA (Dex, Dex++)

**Website and Documentation**

- Mani Kumar - Bangalor, India (Mani / Mani Kumar)
- Fred Decker - Holly Springs, North Carolina, USA (FlightRisk)
- Dave Cutting - Logan, Utah, USA (Dave Cutting/ David Cutting)
- Roger Beschizza - Dorset, UK (Roger Beschizza)
- Keith Ledbetter - Chicago, Illinois, USA (Keith Ledbetter)
- Kevin Smith - Rochester Hills, Michigan USA (KC Smith)

**WebThrotle-EX**

- Fred Decker - Holly Springs, NC (FlightRisk/FrightRisk)
- Mani Kumar - Bangalor, India (Mani /Mani Kumar)
- Matt H - Somewhere in Europe

**Beta Testing / Release Management / Support**

- Larry Dribin - Release Management
- Keith Ledbetter
- Kevin Smith - Rochester Hills, Michigan USA (KC Smith)
- Brad Van der Elst
- Andrew Pye
- Mike Bowers
- Randy McKenzie
- Roberto Bravin
- Sim Brigden
- Alan Lautenslager
- Martin Bafver
- Mário André Silva
- Anthony Kochevar
- Gajanatha Kobbekaduwe
- Sumner Patterson
- Paul - Virginia, USA