IoTT Stick Setup
For general information about how to set up the IoTT Stick and configure access, er this article here.
Note: To use PurpleHat, please update your IoTT Stick to the latest software version. Downit from the Github repository. PurpleHat is supported in Version 1.5.10 and higher.
When using the IoTT Stick as PurpleHat, select these options:
- Select PurpleHat as your hat module
- as command source, select one of the following options: None, LocoNet Loopback, Net over MQTT, LocoNet lbServer Client, or WiThrottle Client
As always, the IoTT Stick will only let you select options it can support. If you select for examnple PurpleHat in combination with DCC communication, the browser will display an error message and reject the selection.
After making your selection, click Save and Restart to store it on the IoTT Stick.
Check the following paragraphs for more information on each communication option.
Communication Setup
None or LocoNet Loopback (no communication)
Select either None or LocoNet Loopback if you don't want the IoTT Stick to communicate with your Digital Command Control system. Choose this option if you want to use the PurpleHat sensor e.g. on analog model railroad.
Without communication, PurpleHat can still measure travel distance and speed, and calculate and display that information on a web browser. With an IMUY installed, it can also measure and report direction, grade and superelevation, and provide position information.
The only feature that does not work without communication to a command station is speed matching.
LocoNet over MQTT
Use this option if you are using a LocoNet to MQTT gateway along with an MQTT broker in your Wifi network. With this option, the IoTT Stick will receive all LocoNet messages sent over the network and will be able to control the locomotive speed when doing a speed step analysis for speed matching. Furthermore, after calculating the speed table settings, the IoTT Stick can directly program the decoder either on the main track or in service mode using a programming track.
Once Loconet over MQTT is selected and the IoTT Stick restarted, the browser will display the MQTT tab, which allows you to set the IP address of your MQTT broker, as well as the broadcast topic for communication with the LocoNet to MQTT gateway.
LocoNet lbServer Client
Use this option if your layout command control system is equipped with a LocoNet over TCP server, for example when using a Digikeijs command station. If your layout is connected to JMRI, you can also activate the lbServer option in JMRI and then connect the IoTT Stick to the JMRI lbServer. Like with LocoNet over MQTT, with this option, the IoTT Stick will receive all LocoNet messages sent over the network and will be able to control the locomotive speed when doing a speed step analysis for speed matching. Furthermore, after calculating the speed table settings, the IoTT Stick can directly program the decoder either on the main track or in service mode using a programming track.
Once Loconet lbServer Client is selected and the IoTT Stick restarted, the browser will display the TCP tab, which allows you to set the IP address of the used TCP port number (1234 by default).
WiThrottle to JMRI
Use this option if your non-LocoNet command control system (e.g. NCE, Lenz, others) is connected to a computer running JMRI or another software providing a WiThrottle server. Activate the WiThrottle server in JMRI and connect the IoTT Stick to the address of the WiThrottle server (which is indicated in the WiThrottle dialog of JMRI). With this option, the IoTT Stick will be able to control a locomotive to analyze its speed characteristic. Based on that, it will then calculate the necessary speed table settings. These settings can then be stored to a JMRI decoder profile and be programmed into the locomotive using JMRI DecoderPro software. Due to limited functionality of the WiThrottle interface it unfortunately is not possible to directly program the speed table values.
Once the WiThrottle Client is selected and the IoTT Stick restarted, the browser will display the TCP tab, which allows you to set the IP address of the JMRI Withrottle Server and the used port number. Both numbers are indicated in the Withrottle dialog on your JMRI screen as soon as the Withroittle server is activated.
PurpleHat Sensor Setup
Click the PurpleHat tab to to configure the PurpleHat Sensor.
Carefully measure the wheel diameter of your measuring car and enter it in the first field in the setup screen. Setting this right is critical as it is used to calculate the travel distance based on the rotation of the axle.
The magnetic threshold value is the angle the axle must turn until the sensor interprets it as directional change. If your sensor chip is close to the axle magnets, this value can be low. If your sensor only sees a very week magnetic field, you may have to increase the threshold value. 15 is a good starting point and should work in most situations.
The Reverse Dir check box lets you select what travel direction of the car is interpreted and displayed as forward and backward respectively
The Scale field lets you select the factor used for computing the scale speed.
The Display dropdown box let you select metric or imperial display of scale speed and travel distance. Note that the wheel diameter and the technical speed always will be metric.
Orientation lets you specify whether the sensor is mounted flat or vertical with respect to the orientation of the axle. Make sure this setting is according to your installation as it determines what field directions the sensor is looking at. If you set this to flat and the sensor is mounted vertically, the resulting data will not be correct.
After setting all data elements, click Save and Restart to store the data on the IoTT Stick. Your PurpleHat sensor will restart and is now ready to be used.