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What are WCC/SimpleDCC and Loco.Engineering?

What is WCC?

WCC (Wireless Command Control) is an open wireless system to operate model railways, cars, LEGO® trains and other RC models/toys. WCC can run on DC, DCC/AC or a battery and required just 2 components:

  • Train, car, and accessory decoders (or boards or modules) to control trains, cars, and layout elements (signals, switches, etc)
  • Unpowered NFC stickers (optional but they give more options for interactions)

Main features

  • Up to 1000 trains and layout elements within one network (if need more you can create multiple networks)
  • No command stations and additional wiring are required. WCC works even on DC and battery.
  • You can use DCC and WCC at the same time
  • Open protocol - everyone can create hardware, firmware, and apps
  • No WI-FI router is required
  • 2-way communication between trains, cars and layout elements
  • No CV programming required - update decoder settings directly from a web browser
  • Get the exact location of the trains with unpowered rail stickers (works in the same way as real trains - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurobalise)

Example Schematic

Schematic - How does Wireless Command Control (WCC) work

Examples of what you can create with WCC

WCC allows you to create really complex interactions and automation to give more life and realism to your layout. For example:

  • You can control up to 1000 trains/layout elements/cars simultaneously
  • You can show different messages on a station display depending on which train is arriving
  • You can add a fully automated train block system to your layout
  • You can create a virtual train timetable and trains will move according to it
  • You can detect the location of a train or car with an accuracy of 1 cm with UWB modules
  • You can automate all your signals, barriers, and switches without command stations, boosters, and additional wires
  • You can build your own controllers (DIY throttles) with buttons, displays, switches

WCC components:

  • Open protocol (how trains, cars, and layout elements communicate)
  • Open API to update logic over BLE, Wi-Fi, and USB
  • Firmware with available source
  • Web application to control and automate layouts and vehicles in a browser on mobile devices, tablets, computers

License:

  • WCC protocol and API are free for private projects even if you want to earn money with your layout
  • If you want to sell products based on WCC, check our commercial license (you should pay a small fee for each sold product; no minimum amount, and pay only if you sell)

What is SimpleDCC?

SimpleDCC is the new look on DCC and allows users to update DCC decoder settings (or "program CVs") over the air from the web browser. All SimpleDCC decoders have WiFi and Bluetooth and that's why can be connected to a mobile device, tablet or computer directly without command stations and additional programming tools. Check out GitHub repository for more information https://github.com/loco-engineering/simpledcc-arduino.

What is Loco.Engineering?

Loco.Engineering is a company that designed and implemented SimpleDCC/WCC systems. Also we produce fully programmable SimpleDCC/WCC decoders for trains, accessories, cars and RC models/toys - check our products here.

How to get started with WCC/SimpleDCC?

  • Order a WCC train or accessory decoder here or build a decoder yourself (details can be found at our GitHub repositor)
  • Receive a decoder and install it into a train or connect to layout elements
  • Power the decoder, open WiFI settings on a mobile device/tablet/computer and connect to a network loco-xxxxx
  • Open http://loco.local or http://192.168.4.1 in a browser
  • Set what a decoder should do when receive DCC packets/WCC messages or just control your train and layout elements manually in the web app (the web app can be used in any modern browser on a device that can be connected to WiFi)

What's next?

  • Check our documentation for more details about WCC
  • Create your first app using WCC API and protocol
  • Drop us a line with your feedback or ideas at hey@loco.engineering