Provided by: srcpd_2.1.6-2_amd64 
NAME
srcpd.conf - The configuration file for the srcpd daemon
DESCRIPTION
The file /etc/srcpd.conf is used by the srcpd (8). This file contains the runtime configuration for the
daemon and it's connection(s) to model railroad system. See srcpd (8) for instruction how to use the
daemon.
DEFAULT CONFIGURATION FILE
The default file is shipped as with the srcpd and contains both default settings and an example bus
configuration.
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<srcpd version="2.0">
<bus>
<server>
<tcp-port>4303</tcp-port>
<pid-file>/var/run/srcpd.pid</pid-file>
<username>nobody</username>
<groupname>nogroup</groupname>
</server>
<verbosity>5</verbosity>
</bus>
<bus>
<loopback>
<number_fb>3</number_fb>
</loopback>
<use_watchdog>no</use_watchdog>
<verbosity>5</verbosity>
<auto_power_on>yes</auto_power_on>
</bus>
</srcpd>
FILE FORMAT
The configuration file for srcpd is stored in XML format. As XML files are plain text, experienced users
can manipulate such files with the help of a text editor. Less experienced users should select an
external configuration tool to ensure a syntactically correct format.
If errors occur while reading the configuration file, the daemon will send appropriate notifications to
the syslog daemon. These messages can be watched using the syslog facility user.info. This facility is
usually sent to the file /var/log/messages (or /var/log/syslog). On some systems the /etc/syslog.conf
may need to be edited to access the user.info facility:
user.info /var/adm/user-info.log
Currently there is no document type definition (DTD) available, to validate the format of a user created
configuration file.
Each configuration file must provide the following base structure:
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<srcpd>
...
</srcpd>
Within this structure (...) the necessary buses are configured, each using a separate substructure:
<bus>
...
</bus>
<bus>
...
</bus>
General hints
The first configured bus should always be the server-bus. Sequence and number of the following buses are
any desired. Numbering of each single bus is done according to the sequence in this configuration file.
The server bus itself gets number 0, all following buses are numbered continuously starting with 1 up to
a maximum limit of 20.
Only buses that are actually used with the daemon should be filed. Not used buses can be commented out:
<!--
<bus>
...
</bus>
-->
Please bear in mind in this case the numbering of the following buses will be changed accordingly.
Universal options
The following options are usable for all used bus sections. Universal options must be specified after bus
specific options.
verbosity
Depending on this number (valid range: 0..5) the bus will tell you less or more about what is
happening. The 0 value gives a minimum output. This option is mainly used for debugging reasons.
You can watch these messages using the syslog daemon file /var/log/messages (or
/var/log/messages); see srcpd(8) for more information. The default value is 4.
use_watchdog
Some buses provide a watchdog feature to cancel a blocked bus thread. Valid input values are yes
or no. The default value is no.
restore_device_settings
Some buses provide a feature to restore serial device settings. Valid input values are yes or no.
The default value is no.
device This is the name of the connected device (like /dev/ttyS0). If bus is server or loopback no
assignment is necessary. The default value is /dev/null.
auto_power_on
This option enables/disables automatical power on for a bus on server daemon start. This option
is not necessary for server and loopback buses. The default value is no.
speed Buses using serial devices with a not fixed transfer speed allow one to adjust this parameter.
Possible values are 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600 and 115200 baud. For buses with
variable interface speed the default value is 2400.
server
This bus is needed every time. The following options can be used for individual setup.
tcp-port
This is the TCP/IP port for communication between srcpd and his clients. Default is 4303 (this
port number is assigned to SRCP by IANA).
pid-file
File, where srcpd is storing it's process-id. According to FHS the default is /var/run/srcpd.pid.
username
srcpd runs under this user. Default is nobody.
groupname
srcpd runs under this group. Default is nogroup.
dccar
This driver supports DC-Car Infrared Remote Control. This mode supports remote control of cars (e.g.
Faller Car-System) with a DC-Car decoder or Infracar decoder. A sender must be connected to your PC's
seriall port. Some USB/Serial Adapter also work, e.g. Prolifi PL 2303 based adapter.
A description of the sender is available at http://www.dc-car.de/pc-sender.html
mode This option specifies whether DC-Car or Infracar decoders are controlled. Currently it is not
possible to combine both modes. Possile values are dccar and infracar.
number_gl
This value specifies the address range of the used vehicles (GL). Up to 1024 DC-Cars or 4096
Infracars can be controlled. Default values are 1024 (dccar) and 4096 (infracar).
pause_between_commands
This value specifies the time between two commands The default value is 10 ms.
Example
<bus>
<dccar>
<mode>dccar</mode>
<number_gl>1024</number_gl>
<pause_between_commands>10</pause_between_commands>
</dccar>
<auto_power_on>yes</auto_power_on>
<verbosity>4</verbosity>
<device>/dev/ttyUSB0</device>
</bus>
ddl
Digital Direct for Linux (DDL) via serial line (RS232). With this module the PC is enabled to generate a
digital control voltage for Maerklin/Motorola (MM) and/or NMRA/DCC using the serial interface (RS232)
hardware. Output lines TxD and GND are used by this feature and must be connected to booster inputs
properly.
This module exposes optimal signal performance if special user rights for the srcpd are applied. It is
recommended especially for Maerklin/Motorola users to configure a system user srcpd and a group srcpd
with these command lines:
$ addgroup --system srcpd
$ adduser --system --no-create-home --ingroup srcpd srcpd
In order to increase the realtime priority for this user the system file /etc/security/limits.conf must
be edited to add following line:
srcpd - rtprio 99
According to these measures the configuration file must be adapted as follows:
<server>
...
<username>srcpd</username>
<groupname>srcpd</groupname>
...
</server>
number_ga
Maximum usable decoder address number for generic accessory devices (GA). The default value is
324.
please note that there is an offset of 4 between the DDL addresses and the addresses according to
the documentation from maerklin. The equation ddl-address = maerklin docu address + 4 is used.
This is due to some interpretation differences what the trits mean. Details can be found at
http://vogt-it.com/OpenSource/DDL/Addrestable.html
number_gl
Maximum usable decoder address number for generic locomotive devices (GL). The default value is
81.
enable_ringindicator_checking
The ring indicator (RI) is a line of the serial interface RS232. This line can be used to switch
off digital signal power, e.g. by pushing a connected emergency stop button. Signal power is
switched off if RI line input voltage changes from -12V (-5V) to +12V (+5V). If this feature is
used, the parameter must be set to yes, if not used, it must be set to no. The default value is
no.
enable_checkshort_checking
The DSR line of the serial interface RS232 can be used to switch off digital power as response to
shortcut detection. The connected booster must provide support for this kind of feature and must
be wired to this line accordingly. If used the parameter must be set to yes, if not used, it must
be set to no. The default value is no.
inverse_dsr_handling
Some boosters provide inverted output voltage for shortcut detection. If such a booster is used
this parameter must be set to yes. The default value is no.
enable_maerklin
This parameter must be set to yes, if decoders for the old (not mfx) Maerklin/Motorola (MM) format
are used. If not used, it should be set to no. The default value is yes.
enable_nmradcc
This parameter must be set to yes, if decoders for NMRA/DCC format are used. If not used, it
should be set to no. The default value is yes.
It is also possible to enable both digital protocol formats, to drive decoders of both digital systems
attached to the same power line. In order to minimize CPU load, the not used protocol should always be
disabled.
improve_nmradcc_timing
The default baudrate of DDL is 19200 baud, which is slightly higher than allowed by NMRA DCC
standard. With a UART 16550A you can change the baudrate to 16457 baud, which is within the
specification. This is only needed if you have timing problems with the default. Valid input
values are yes or no. The default value is no, which corresponds to 19200 baud.
nmra_ga_offset
This parameter is for backward compatibility to erddcd and alternate usage of different central
units, due to the fact there are two ways to handle NMRA/DCC decoder addresses. This parameter
allows one to add an offset to all used address values. E.g., if all GA decoder addresses are
shifted by 4 (i.e. you want to change switch 1, and you have to change switch 5 to do this), then
this parameter should be set to 1. Valid values are 0 and 1. Default value is 0.
shortcut_failure_delay
Number of micro seconds srcpd waits to switch off digital power, after a shortcut is detected.
The default value is 0.
nmradcc_translation_routine
There are 3 implementations for converting the logical command bits into serial line commands,
considering the start and stop bits of the serial line. Valid values are 1, 2 and 3. Default
value is 3.
enable_usleep_patch
Due to certain issues of the MM protocol its usage results in a significant amount of CPU load for
srcpd, caused by busy waiting. This parameter gives the possibility to improve this situation by
introducing a process wait state for a certain amount of time. Normally this does not result in
any trouble controlling the attached decoders, so the parameter should be set to yes. Valid
values are yes and no. The default value is yes.
usleep_usec
Number of micro seconds the signal generating process pauses. This value should be as small as
possible; a bigger value can result in improper digital signal generation. There have been good
results using values between 100 and 250 usecs. This parameter is only used, if
enable_usleep_patch is set to yes. The default value is 100.
program_track
This parameter allows you to suppress commands which are issued for a program track. This
parameter should only be used on your main. Valid input values are yes or no. The default value
is yes, i.e. all program track commands will be executed by default.
Example Maerklin/Motorola
<bus>
<ddl>
<number_ga>200</number_ga>
<number_gl>81</number_gl>
<enable_maerklin>yes</enable_maerklin>
<enable_nmradcc>no</enable_nmradcc>
<enable_usleep_patch>yes</enable_usleep_patch>
<usleep_usec>200</usleep_usec>
</ddl>
<auto_power_on>no</auto_power_on>
<verbosity>4</verbosity>
<device>/dev/ttyS0</device>
</bus>
Example NMRA/DCC
<bus>
<ddl>
<number_ga>160</number_ga>
<number_gl>60</number_gl>
<enable_maerklin>no</enable_maerklin>
<enable_nmradcc>yes</enable_nmradcc>
<nmradcc_translation_routine>3</nmradcc_translation_routine>
</ddl>
<auto_power_on>no</auto_power_on>
<verbosity>4</verbosity>
<device>/dev/ttyS0</device>
</bus>
ddl-s88
Digital Direct for Linux S88 via parport (IEEE 1284). This bus provides up to four S88 data links
attached to the parallel port to connect S88-feedback modules. Usage of one S88 line is possible by
simply wiring modules to the parallel port connectors; for advanced applications involving more than one
line the wiring scheme is equivalent to the one from the DDL daemon erddcd (http://www.vogt-
it.com/OpenSource/DDL) as shown in the circuit of Martin Wolf. The four S88 data links are managed as
separate buses.
The maximum count of modules (with 16 contacts) which can be connected to a data link is 31; so maximal
496 contacts are supported per link. When using modules with 8 contacts two modules count as one.
For each data link a separate bus is initialized where the sequence of the feedback contacts of the
modules is increasing as the modules are connected to the data link. If there are no modules connected
to a data link the respective value of number_fb_x must be set to 0. Nevertheless this bus is
initialized, that means also if only one bus is used, all four buses are initialized.
ioport Input/output address of the printer port. The default value is 0x0378. The value for ioport must
be given in hexadecimal format (starting with 0x). Valid values for a typical Linux system are
0x0378, 0x0278 and 0x03BC. The right value can easily be detected searching through the kernel
start-up messages:
dmesg | grep parport
clockscale
Parameter to adjust the clock rate for reading the modules. In the case of the default value 35
the original S88 clock rate of approximately 8 KHz would be achieved. Smaller values increasing
the clock rate but not each module can work with this. In maximum there is approximately 125 KHz
possible.
refresh
Delay time in milliseconds after witch the feedback modules are read again. In case of the
default value 100 the data is refreshed each 100 ms.
The higher this value the less often the attached modules are read and the less is the resulting
system load. Useful values are between 100 and 250.
fb_delay_time_0
This value in milliseconds determines how long the signal on a feedback contact must be on zero
level before it is accepted as valid and will be forwarded to all clients. With this parameter it
is in a limited range possible to debounce bad feedback contacts (bouncing contacts). The default
value is 0.
number_fb_1
This statement defines the count of feedback modules connected to the data link number 1.
number_fb_2
This statement defines the count of to data link number 2 connected feedback modules.
number_fb_3
This statement defines the count of to data link number 3 connected feedback modules.
number_fb_4
This statement defines the count of to the data link number 4 connected feedback modules.
Inside of the configuration the common values should be arranged before the bus specific values.
Example
<bus>
<auto_power_on>yes</auto_power_on>
<verbosity>5</verbosity>
<ddl-s88>
<ioport>0x378</ioport>
<number_fb_1>9</number_fb_1>
<number_fb_2>0</number_fb_2>
<number_fb_3>0</number_fb_3>
<number_fb_4>0</number_fb_4>
</ddl-s88>
</bus>
hsi-88
This driver supports the HSI-88 device from Littfinski connected via serial line. An USB2Serial
converter should work fine. The serial line speed setting is fixed to 9600 baud and cannot be changed.
The HSI-88 device provides three lines for feedback modules. To each line a maximum of 31 modules (each
with 16 inputs) can be attached. If modules with 8 inputs are used, two modules count as one.
number_fb_left
This value is the number of feedback-modules (with 16 inputs) connected to the line called left.
number_fb_center
This value is number of feedback-modules (with 16 inputs) connected to the line called center.
number_fb_right
This value is number of feedback-modules (with 16 inputs) connected to the line called right.
fb_delay_time_0
This is the time in milliseconds a feedback input must be zero, before zero is delivered to the
attaches SRCP clients. With this feature it is possible to compensate bad feedback bounces in a
certain range. The default value is 0.
refresh
The time in microseconds (us) after srcpd will read feedback again from HSI-88. The default value
is 10000 us. The lower this value the higher the resulting CPU load.
Example
<bus>
<hsi-88>
<number_fb_left>8</number_fb_left>
<number_fb_center>5</number_fb_center>
<number_fb_right>0</number_fb_right>
<refresh>10000</refresh>
</hsi-88>
<auto_power_on>yes</auto_power_on>
<verbosity>4</verbosity>
<device>/dev/ttyS0</device>
</bus>
i2c-dev
Bus driver for i2c-dev interface of the Linux kernel, can be used to access hardware found on
http://www.matronix.de/.
multiplex_buses
TODO
ga_hardware_inverters
TODO
ga_reset_device
TODO
intellibox
This driver supports the Intellibox device from Uhlenbrock (IB) connected via the serial port. Only
extended mode commands are used (P50X binary protocol); this should be taken into account if protocol
compatible devices (e.g. OpenDCC, DiCoStation, EasyControl) are used. Programming decoders is currently
implemented for DCC only. Possible values for speed of serial port are depending from device and
interface type 2400 baud, 4800 baud, 9600 baud, 19200 baud, 38400 bau and 57600 baud.
fb_delay_time_0
This is the time in milliseconds a feedback input must be zero, before this value is delivered to
clients. With this feature you can compensate bad feedback in a specific range. The default
value is 0 ms.
pause_between_commands
This is the time in milliseconds between two commands the driver must wait. The exact value
should be hand tuned. If the system does not respond or drops commands try to increase this
value. Default is 250 ms.
number_ga
This is the maximal address number of Generic Accessory decoders (GA). Supported range is
0..1024. A value of 0 means no GA available. Default is 256.
number_gl
Like the number of GA this number limits the maximum address of the Generic Locomotive decoders
(GL). Supported range is 0..10239. A value of 0 means no GL available. Default is 80.
number_fb
This is the number of S88 modules attached to the Intellibox device. The maximum valid number is
31. The default is 0 (no modules are attached). Please note that Loconet is currently not
supported.
auto_speed_detection
This option activates an automatical baudrate detection of the connected Intellibox (BABI, Break
and Automatic Baud-rate Identification). This procedure takes several seconds but if enabled it
is not necessary to specify a value for the speed parameter. If disabled the connection
initialization is much faster but the given speed value must comply to the actual Intellibox
setting. Valid values are yes and no. The default value is yes.
Example
<bus>
<intellibox>
<number_ga>250</number_ga>
<number_gl>100</number_gl>
<number_fb>4</number_fb>
<fb_delay_time_0>0</fb_delay_time_0>
<pause_between_commands>0</pause_between_commands>
</intellibox>
<speed>19200</speed>
<auto_speed_detection>no</auto_speed_detection>
<auto_power_on>no</auto_power_on>
<verbosity>4</verbosity>
<device>/dev/ttyUSB0</device>
</bus>
li100, li100usb
This driver connects with the LI100, LI100F, LI101F or LI-USB devices from Lenz connected via the serial
port/USB-interface. An USB2Serial converter should not be used. The serial line settings are depending
on type of interface. For LI-USB it's fixed to 57600 baud with no chance to change. Autodetection of
serial port interface speed is currently under construction. If connection fails, try restart of srcpd
with another speed. Possible values are 9600 baud, 19200 baud, 38400 baud, 57600 baud and 115200 baud,
depending on your interface.
fb_delay_time_0
This is the time in milliseconds an feedback input must be zero, before this value is delivered to
clients. With this feature you can compensate bad feedback in a specific range. The default
value is 0 ms.
number_ga
This is the number of GA. Supported range is 0..1024. A value of 0 means no GA available.
Default is 99 (LI-USB 9999).
number_gl
Like the number of GA this number gives the maximum address. Supported range is 0..9999. A value
of 0 means no GL available. Default is 99 (LI-USB 9999).
number_fb
This is the number of RS modules attached to the Lenz device. It can be as large as 512. It's
assumed, that one module has 8 inputs. A value of 0 means no FB available. Default is 256 (LI-
USB 512).
For Lenz USB interfaces It is very important to have the kernel module ftdi_sio available. Due to the
Lenz concept, the interface unit returns different values after start.
0 everything is OK
-1 Central Unit not found. Unable to read version of central unit.
-2 Central Unit not found. Unable to read version of central unit.
-3 Interface not found. Unable to read version of interface. This can also happen, if no central
unit is connected to interface.
-4 device not found
loconet
This bus provides a driver for the Loconet system by Digitrax. The device settings may be either serial
connections (e.g. MS100, LocoBuffer) or TCP/IP network links (e.g. LbServer,
http://loconetovertcp.sourceforge.net/).
sync-time-from-loconet
Decode time messages from the loconet and set the SRCP TIME device. Valid values are yes or no.
Default is no.
loconet-id
Default is 0x50.
ms100 Support for the MS100/RS232 device of Digitrax. Valid values are yes and no. Default is no.
Example
<bus>
<loconet>
<loconet-id>80</loconet-id>
<sync-time-from-loconet>no</sync-time-from-loconet>
<ms100>no</ms100>
</loconet>
<device type="network" port="1234">127.0.0.1</device>
<!--
<device type="file">/dev/ttyS0</device>
-->
</bus>
loopback
This bus does not connect to real hardware. It is used primarily for development tasks but may be useful
for real installations too. Every command on this bus does only have an echo effect on the INFO
sessions. This device may be used as virtual device for communication tasks.
number_ga
This is the maximal address number of Generic Accessory (GA) devices. Default is 256.
number_gl
This number gives the maximum valid address number of the Generic Locomotive (GL) devices.
Default is 80
number_fb
Different to other buses this parameter takes the number of feedback contacts, not modules.
Simulation of two feedback modules, each providing 16 contacts, accordingly needs a parameter
value of 32. Default is 0 (no contact).
Example
<bus>
<loopback>
<number_ga>120</number_fb>
<number_gl>100</number_fb>
<number_fb>64</number_fb>
</loopback>
<verbosity>2</verbosity>
<auto_power_on>no</auto_power_on>
</bus>
m605x
This supports communication with the 6051 or 6050 devices from Maerklin connected via the serial port.
An USB2Serial converter should work fine. The serial line settings are fixed to 2400 baud 8N2 and cannot
be changed.
m6020mode
In this mode the srcpd does not sent the 4 functions. This is a feature of the 6021 only. Valid
values are yes and no. Default value is no.
fb_delay_time_0
This is the time the driver code waits until it recognized the input change in milliseconds. This
feature may support a debounce found in the hardware. The default value is 0 ms.
ga_min_activetime
The time in milliseconds a GA device needs to be in active state. The absolute minimum is 75 ms
and is needed for stable communication with the 6051. The default value is 75 ms.
pause_between_commands
This is the time between two commands the drivers must wait. The exact values should be hand
tuned. If the system does not respond or drops commands try to increase this value. Default is
200 ms.
pause_between_bytes
This is the time the driver waits between 2 bytes in multi-byte commands. The hardware handshake
does not work with all devices so this parameter was introduced to support it. The default is
2 ms.
number_ga
This is the number of GA. This parameter does not have a real effect since the interface supports
the addresses 1..256 only. Keep the default value 256 untouched.
number_gl
Like the number of GA this number gives the maximum GL address. Since this number is limited to
80, keep the default value 80 untouched.
number_fb
This is the number of 6088 modules attached to the 6051/6050 device. The valid range is from
0..31. The default value is 0 (no modules are attached). Please note that 6088 modules attached
to other devices (memory) cannot be accessed.
Example
<bus>
<m605x>
<number_ga>120</number_fb>
<number_gl>60</number_fb>
<number_fb>8</number_fb>
<ga_min_activetime>150</ga_min_activetime>
<pause_between_bytes>2</pause_between_bytes>
<pause_between_commands>50</pause_between_commands>
</m605x>
<auto_power_on>no</auto_power_on>
<verbosity>4</verbosity>
<device>/dev/ttyS0</device>
</bus>
selectrix
Selectrix CC-2000 and Rautenhaus SLX852.
number_ga
TODO
number_gl
TODO
number_fb
TODO
controller
TODO
zimo
This bus provides support for the old ASCII based Zimo MX1 interface protocol. The baud rate can not be
changed and has an internal preset of 9600 Baud.
number_ga
This value sets the maximum number for the GA address range. For protocol M (Maerklin/Motorola)
the upper limit is 63, for protocol N (NMRA/DCC) the upper limit is 2044 (according to Lenz-DCC
address scheme). The Z (Zimo) protocol is not supported yet. The default value is 256.
number_gl
This value sets the maximum number for the GL address range. The default value is 80.
number_fb
Not supported. The default value is 0.
fb_delay_time_0
Not supported.
FILES
/etc/srcpd.conf
SEE ALSO
srcpd (8)
AUTHORS
This man page was written by Matthias Trute (mtrute@users.sourceforge.net), Frank Schimschke
(schmischi@users.sourceforge.net) and Guido Scholz (gscholz@users.sourceforge.net).
December 19, 2009 srcpd.conf(5)