v1.5.0 Beta 1

Release v1.5.0 Beta 1

This is a major upgrade from v1.2.x. There is no direct upgrade path from v1.2.x.

Supported Build Environment

Starting with v1.5.0 ESP32 Command Station has transitioned to using ESP-IDF v4.0.x (or later) as the build environment either command line or via VSCode with the Espressif IDF plugin. ESP-IDF v4.1.x is not recommended due to a few bugs in the RMT peripheral code which will break the DCC signal generation.

New/Updated Features

• Switched to ESP-IDF v4.0 as a base rather than Arduino-esp32. This also included migrating build infrastructure over to CMake.
• Dynamic configuration of WiFi and LCC details.
• DCC signal generation is now done via the RMT peripheral instead of hardware timers.
• RailCom cut-out has been integrated for the LMD18200 h-bridge.
• HTTP server has been replaced to improve stability and performance.
• LCC Traction Protocol support has been added.

Removed/Disabled Features

• LocoNet, this was not tested/working and has been removed. It likely will not return in it's current form.
• Integrated Nextion Throttle, this has been disabled due to compatibility issues with the ESP-IDF UART code and the NeoNextion library. This may return in a future release.
• PlatformIO IDE, due to the migration to ESP-IDF v4.0 this has been disabled and may return in the future after extensive testing.

Build instructions

Build instructions can be found here.

Changes since v1.5.0-alpha3

• Improved validation of GPIO pin usage
• Improved validation of RailCom configuration values
• Added support for another SSD1306 variant.
• Added ability to disable WiFi entirely as well as control the TX power.
• Added support for an external thermal monitor.
• Issues: #36, #43, #44, #45, #47, #49, #51, #53, #56, #62, #63, #65.

Known issues in v1.5.0 Beta 1

• TWAI driver performance is not optimal resulting in dropped frames. This is currently being investigated.