Hello all!
It's never not a busy week here, but this one even more so as we've had Mr Sig-naTrak himself, Fraser in the workshop with us to plan for the next steps of the product range and get some uninterrupted time to work on the 1.3 update for the ACE 3.
As it currently stands all known bug have been ironed out of the test build, reorganized some of the memory to allow increased capacity for locos, accessories and function sheets and there's a few more adjustments to make to routing mode. We're aiming for closed beta testing in a couple of weeks time.
The hope is that no new bugs present themselves, as is possible with the fickle world of programming languages, but providing all does go smoothly the release version should be available not long after, and all current ACE 3 users who have either purchased directly from us or have been in contact since will be notified by email as soon as the download is available! Those who have bought from other retailers, we'll be notifying all our stockists as well on the day, and the download will be free to all.
Now for more of the future plans, as there' plenty to do to keep us entertained post 1.3 launch.
There are two projects to run in tandem, both a rework of the current SIGM20 boards and the next ACE firmware updates to integrate computer control.
That's right, not just V2.0 for the ACE 3, but also the long promised 4.0 update for the ACE 2! Fraser hasn't forgotten about you guys either! He's fairly recently found his test build for the original ACE 2, which he still intends to finish off and should be able to integrate into both the ACE 2 and ACE 3. Sadly though, this will end up being the last update for the ACE 2, as with its more limited hardware, we won't be able to catch it up with the ACE 3 completely.
Once computer control is on board, the next piece of hardware goes into development, the Lynx connect module, which will finally allow Loconet and Xpressnet integration with the ACE 3, and also should allow the use of driving throttles from other manufacturers to work with the base station. This would however render the idea of our own smart handsets redundant, so at least for now, that idea has been shelved.
There's also plans for a small Locobridge module to develop either in tandem or just after the Lynx module, which will allow accessory connectivity to locoanalyse, but also allow you to have Loconet on its own self contained system. Ideal for those who prefer analogue track running in tandem with digital accessory control.
With feedback systems in place, the focus will then go into Firmware version 2.1 for the ACE 3, which will be track diagram mode. While it won't be as advanced as integration with a computer control system, it will allow a better visual representation of your layout for those with a standalone DCC system, and means you won't have to lug a laptop around if you have a portable layout, much like we do with our demo layouts when we go to shows!
Finally, it'll be further hardware revisions for the DTM30 and MSC8s, and assessing if we need to develop a booster module for the Sig-naTrak system. It may be by that time that other manufacturers boosters work alongside the ACE3, so we don't want to oversaturate if our time could be better spent improving other products. Once that's over, we have one last GEM up our sleeves, a complete rework of the GEM point motors! they may be changing from solenoid to motor driven, and so far the plan is to have individual DCC address much like their predecessor, and also be able to handle frog polarity changes. It's not 100% definite yet, but that's where thoughts and plans currently stand. Who knows, there may be further firmware plans for the ACE 3 that crop up in the meantime, but we'll see in the fullness of time.
Thank you for reading, and don't forget to keep tabs on us for the Version 1.3 update!