Train Control Systems has released the following:
Release 2.4 is the first production release
for the UWT-50. If you are receiving a brand new UWT-50, the throttle is
already programmed with this software. An update is not necessary, as there is
nothing to update.
Release 2.4 is a scheduled software release
for the UWT-100 that adds additional features, brings improvements to existing
features based on the feedback of our users, and fixes some minor bugs.
Changes:
Fast Clock
·
Under the WiThrottle
Protocol mode, the throttle will display the Fast Clock if the WiThrottle
Server supports it. The Fast Clock display works with all known fast clocks,
but support will depend on the connection to your layout and supporting
infrastructure.
·
12 hour and 24 hour
clock formats are select-able in the settings.
·
The Fast Clock
displays on the right-hand-side. If the layout is in E-STOP, or Dual Throttle
Mode (UWT-100 only) is enabled, that covers up the fast clock display.
·
If the Fast Clock is not
in use at the layout you are operating at, but the display is still turned on
in the throttle settings, there is a possibility that a clock will display. By
default, JMRI will create a “fast” clock which matches the current time of day
and has a rate of 1:1. These clocks can be disabled in the JMRI WiThrottle
Server settings (applies to all throttles), or individually on a per-throttle
basis as stated above.
·
To enable the Fast
Clock automatic display, go to: Throttle Settings > Fast Clock > Show
Fast Clock. (Default = OFF)
Remappable Button (Softkey) Changes
·
To select F0 to F28 as
fixed locomotive function number for a remappable button, enter the chosen
number in the new “F0 - F28” menu. Found at: Menu > Settings > Throttle
Settings > Change Buttons > [Button]
·
Further to the above,
The long list of entries F0, F1, … F28 is now removed from the "Common
Functions" list in order to improve performance and give a better user
experience. Common Functions list still exists, and consists of only named
functions now.
·
After selecting a
remappable button in the Change Buttons menu, the current setting is now
printed in the title.
·
“Stop” is a new
selectable function that can be assigned to any remappable button. The behavior
is that it sets the locomotive speed to zero (with normal deceleration).
·
The operations on the
1-dot, 2-dot, 3-dot and 4-dot keys are slightly rearranged on the UWT-100 in
certain auxiliary screens to be aligned with the UWT-50 and be more intuitive
to use. For example a confirmation dialog is now presented as “Yes | No”
instead of “No | Yes”.
Accessory Mode Control Improvements
·
Added new
"toggle-and-exit" feature to the Accessory Window. This feature was
recommended through user feedback.
·
To use the
toggle-and-exit feature, first select an accessory (e.g. typing in a number),
then press the Enter button to toggle the accessory and immediately exit the
Accessory Window. If you want to toggle and remain in the Accessory Window (for example to
change multiple accessories), select the accessory, and then press the
Accessory (turnout icon) button to toggle, OR use the "Normal" and
"Reverse" (N/On / R/Off) buttons on the 2-dot and 3-dot keys.
·
The Accessory button
no longer exits to the drive window if an accessory number is selected. Use the
"Esc" key to exit back to the drive window.
LCC-related Changes (Do not affect connections
over WiThrottle protocol)
·
Added an
assisted/automatic DCC Address Programming process. This can be found when
connected through LCC under: Menu > CV Programming > DCC Address.
·
This menu allows one
to view the current address(es) of a locomotive on the Programming Track, set a
short or long DCC Address, as well as view, set and clear CV19 Consist Address
in an automatic and easy-to-use manner.
·
Removed an unneeded
step after accessing Menu > Settings > Roster Settings.
·
Updated Consist
Function Routing menus to support the advanced capabilities of LCC consisting
in the CS-105.
Bug Fixes
·
Fixed an issue where
trying to add a new WiFi profile beyond the supported maximum (seven) did not
prompt the user that their profiles were full. The throttle appeared to take the 8th WiFi but it would not
take/would not work correctly; instead, the throttle now prompts the user
before adding a new WiFi, when their profiles are full, to delete a profile
before proceeding.
·
After locking in
(latching) a speed in yard mode on the UWT-100 and UWT-50E, entering and
exiting the menu incorrectly changed the display.
·
Removed an incorrect
and out-of-context message from the built-in website from the Add WiFi
box.
Misc Changes
·
In the text entry
window, added visual clarification between the space and underscore characters.
This avoids confusion where entering a WiFi name or password with underscores
appearing to be not accepted by the throttle.
·
In the text entry
window, the most common punctuation characters (dot, minus, underscore and
space) now appear on almost all pages when entering text.
·
Accelerated
(“ballistic”) behavior of the encoder-based thumb wheel is now disabled in
menus. This change was made in response to user feedback.
·
Removed scanning on
WiFi channel 13. This channel is not universally accessible due to regulatory
constraints. Use channels 1 to 11 for maximum compatibility.
·
Added a
"refresh" button to the "About This Throttle" menu. This
allows you to periodically refresh the window to update info displayed there.
This can help users troubleshoot connectivity issues by having a "live
update" on signal strength, SSID, IP, etc.
·
Added some new icons
to the user interface
Bootloader Version 1.4
Newly
manufactured throttles (on or after March 1st 2022), including ALL UWT-50’s are
now shipped with Bootloader version 1.4. Thanks to Version 1.4, you now have
the ability to upload firmware files to the throttle from a web browser.
You
can find instructions on how to update throttle firmware use this new method by
visiting https://tcsdcc.com/update_with_web
Updating
the throttle using this web interface is at least twice as fast as any other method, and
requires a direct connection between your PC and the throttle. If you already
have updated a throttle in the past, this connection should already be
available and easy to establish; however, this method requires a manual
download of firmware files, and cannot be done automatically as with D.E.P.O.T.
Firmware Synchronicity With UWT-50
Going
forward, the firmware release numbers between the UWT-50 and UWT-100 throttles
are always going to be the same. This means that the same release numbers will
have the same features, performance and bug fixes. Most changes made can affect
both devices, but there is also the possibility of having new updates which
primarily address features or bugs on one device only. TCS' release schedule
for firmware updates on the UWT-100 and UWT-50 is scheduled to include updates
for both devices in synchronicity. The next firmware version release is
scheduled for Q4 2022, but is subject to change based on circumstances such as
user feedback, critical bug discovery, etc.
Instructions
for installing the update are here.
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