Occupancy Detection

Although there are many approaches to occupancy detection, one that tends to be the most accurate, consistent and reliable, is that of using current sensing within a given block in order to indicate that a train or car is occupying the block. Unlike optical solutions, current sensing will not provide erroneous status conditions due to too much or too little or intermittent light. The current sense solution does require however that any train car be fitted with a resistor across a wheel to its axel in order for our board to sense the small amount of current flowing across the rails through the resistor and axel. We recommend the use of 10k resistors.