"Swiss Mapping" –
   the "Swiss Army Knife" of Function Mapping

             .

Software version 31.0 brings to all ZIMO loco decoders (except the MX621) some innovations, several corrections and these improvements for the sound decoder 

* A new algorithm for switch control units, in order to play back rapid switching in electric locos,
* The possibility of influencing the diesel speed steps by each controller speed steps
* The possibility to reduce (i.e. overlap) the number of steam chuffs at higher speeds.

and, of course, the new "Swiss Mapping", 

which of course is not limited to Switzerland. but It is rather a light mapping for various countries and railway companies.  This new mapping is...

> a very flexible tool for assigning functional outputs  (function keys F0, F1, F2,...), which far exceeds the requirements of simple "Engine and 2 or 4 lamp" - applications as it goes far beyond that.

> a supplement to the standard NMRA mapping, and also the other existing ZIMO extensions tailored specifically to the needs of locomotive lighting.

> designed for ZIMO decoders and sound decoders with many function outputs (in particular MX632, MX633, MX644, MX645, each with 8 to 10 outputs).

The stimulus for the development of the "Swiss mapping" was to operate the actual equipment of a high-volume r-t-r model of a Swiss Railway (SBB) locomotive.

Therefore it is shown at this point what can be done using the "Swiss Mapping" as applied to this SBB locomotive,  The lighting configuration is selected via the function keys F0 and F15 keys ... F19  (generally on/off), and the actual lights displayed depends on the direction (see the chart on the right).

The configuration of the "Swiss mapping" is done by several CV-groups (up to 10), each consisting of 6 CV's, starting from CV #430. The first CV in the group contains the number of a function key (F0, F1, F2, ..), and the other CVs specify which outputs (FA1, FA2, ..) will to be switched with this key: These are the basic principles.

In actual practice, there are "some details" in order to actually produce the desired lighting conditions. Moreover, the dependencies on the running state can be defined (at standstill, moving forward, reverse), with special effects like flashing and dimming enabled, etc.

See more information in the ZIMO Newsletter for September 2012, and the manual for the decoder (new issue soon).

Description Front Rear
Light Engine SBB Light All Yellow SBB Light One Red
Light Engine SBB Light One Red SBB Light All Yellow
Normal train move, stock coupled to Cab 2 end of loco, no driving trailer SBB Light All Yellow SBB Light Single Yellow
Normal train move, stock coupled to Cab 1 end of loco, no driving trailer SBB Light Single Yellow SBB Light All Yellow
Normal train move, stock coupled to Cab 2 end of loco, with driving trailer or 1st loco of multiple locos SBB Light All Yellow SBB Light All Off
Shunting move, stock coupled to Cab 2 end of loco, with driving trailer (since Year 2000) SBB Light Double Red SBB Light All Off
Normal train move, stock coupled to Cab 1 end of loco, with driving trailer or 1st loco of multiple locos SBB Light All Off SBB Light All Yellow
Shunting move stock coupled to Cab 1 end of loco, with driving trailer or last loco in multiple traction (since Year 2000) SBB Light All Off SBB Light Double Red
Shunting move, stock coupled to Cab 1 end of loco, with driving trailer or last loco in multiple traction (until Year 2000) SBB Light All Off SBB Light One Red
Shunting move, stock coupled to Cab 1 end of loco, with driving trailer or last loco in multiple traction (until Year 2000) SBB Light One Red SBB Light All Off
Normal train move, stock coupled to Cab 2 end, last loco in multiple traction SBB Light All Off SBB Light Single Yellow
Normal train move, stock coupled to Cab 1 end, last loco in multiple traction SBB Light Single Yellow SBB Light All Off
Middle loco in multiple traction SBB Light All Off SBB Light All Off

MX645

<<< 
The sound decoder MX645 (with 10 function outputs) is probable the decoder type, where the new "Swiss Mapping" will be used most frequently. <<<

2012-10-23