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--- project:maerklin:system_control:start [2025/08/21 10:12] – [KiCad] mars3142
+++ project:maerklin:system_control:start [2026/02/23 07:38] (current) – [Hardware] mars3142
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 This system is built to be highly extensible. For this purpose, I designed a wireless system for indoor use based on Bluetooth LE. This decision was primarily driven by two factors: firstly, my desire to gain experience with BLE in a new project, and secondly (and more importantly), the aim to ensure independence from any specific MCU.
-Currently, I'm using an ESP32, which supports both Wi-Fi and BLE. However, I also plan to test other microcontrollers, such as those from the STM32 family (for instance, the [[https://www.st.com/en/microcontrollers-microprocessors/stm32wb-series.html|STM32WB-Series]], which offers strong BLE capabilities), to maintain this flexibility.
+Currently, I'm using an [[hardware:esp32:start|ESP32]], which supports both Wi-Fi and BLE. However, I also plan to test other microcontrollers, such as those from the [[hardware:stm32:start|STM32]] family (for instance, the [[https://www.st.com/en/microcontrollers-microprocessors/stm32wb-series.html|STM32WB-Series]], which offers strong BLE capabilities), to maintain this flexibility.
 ===== Technical Details =====
-Each client advertises a specific service. The System Control scans all nearby BLE devices and filters for this service UUID. This service includes a 'capabilities' characteristic, which transmits the client's capabilities once the System Control enables notifications for this characteristic. This allows the System Control to build its UI dynamically, according to the received data.
+In order to fully utilize the capabilities of the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth_Low_Energy|Bluetooth Low Energy]] standard, I have moved away from my original approach, which involved a custom configuration format transmitted via [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JSON|JSON]]. I will now adhere to the official BLE protocol, structuring the data using its defined services, characteristics, and descriptors and using minimal custom data.
-More in-depth information will be provided once the MVP is complete.
+The main MCU is a [[hardware:esp32:s3:start|]], in particular a [[https://www.wemos.cc/en/latest/s3/s3_mini.html|Lolin S3 Mini]]. It is capable of WiFi and BLE and has a small footprint. I'm planning to create a new revision with a [[hardware:esp32:c6:start|]] in the future, so I could use Zigbee, if needed. At first I thought, I need the full power of the ESP32-S3, but now I'm not sure, that I even need a dual core.
+The complete definition of the BLE protocol adapted to my system can be found in the [[.:ble:start|]] section.
 ===== Clients =====
@@ Line 27: / Line 29: @@
   * [[..:warnemuende:miniature_town:start|]]
-===== Source Code =====
+===== Repository =====
-The source code and other material can be found in the [[https://git.mars3142.dev/model-railway/system-control|git repository]].
+You can find the source code and other in the [[https://git.mars3142.dev/model-railway/system-control|git repository]].
-===== Design =====
-==== KiCad ====
+==== Software ====
-The KiCad files will be also in the git repository.
+TBD
+==== Hardware ====
+The hardware part was created within [[software:kicad:start|]] and it will be also in the git repository.
 The schematics is very simple.
-{{ :project:maerklin:system_control:system_control_schematic.png?600 |}}
+{{ :project:maerklin:system_control:maerklin_system_control.svg?600 |}}
-These are the latest PCBs, which I created. The manufacturing is done by [[http://jlcpcb.com|JLCPCB]], but it's an empty PCB, so I need to add the components to it later.
+These are the latest PCBs, which I created. The manufacturing is done by the sponsor [[https://pcbway.com|PCBWay]], but it's an empty PCB, so I need to add the used components manually.
 {{:project:maerklin:system_control:pcb_front.png?330 |}}
 {{ :project:maerklin:system_control:pcb_back.png?330|}}
-==== Onshape ====
+==== Mechanical ====
+{{:project:maerklin:system_control:3d_drawing.png?400 |}}
+After creating the PCB, I needing a housing. So I started [[software:onshape:start|]] and imported the STEP file from [[software:kicad:start|]]. Some hours later and I got something useful.
+But this was not the final result. I did some iterations and ended up with a really good housing. You can see the transparent render from [[software:onshape:start|]], which are excellent.
+I will not release the project files (because it's for my personal project), but maybe I recreate it someday in the future within [[software:freecad:start|]] and then I release it in the repository.
-{{ :project:maerklin:system_control:3d_drawing.png?400|}}
+{{:project:maerklin:system_control:housing_front_transparent.png?320|}} {{:project:maerklin:system_control:housing_back_transparent.png?320|}}
-After creating the PCB, I needing a housing. So I started [[software:onshape:start|]] and imported the STEP file from [[software:kicad:start|]]. Some hours later and I got something.