Product Information

Uhlenbrock Intellibox-IR 65050

Summary of Features

The Intellibox incorporates all of the necessary elements of a full digital control system into a single compact device with all of these features:

Multi-Protocol Central Unit

Two Locomotive Controllers

Accessory Keyboard

Route Controller

Feedback Data Monitor

IRIS Command Receiver & Monitor

DCC & Selectrix Decoder Programmer

LocoNet Module Programmer

Digital Booster

Serial Interface

These components provide advanced control capabilities for trains and accessories directly from the Intellibox without any additional equipment. Furthermore, the Intellibox's multi-protocol central unit can simultaneously operate Märklin Motorola, TRIX Selectrix, and NMRA DCC-compliant decoders on the same layout.

The user interface of the Intellibox is versatile and ergonomic. The actions and status of the selected operating mode are clearly displayed in the center of the Intellibox's bright backlit LCD screen, along with the current locomotive address, speed, and data format of each locomotive controller. Accessories and routes are controlled from the main keyboard, which doubles as a navigation and numeric entry tool during addressing and programming. Remote control of locomotives, accessories, and routes is possible through the Intellibox's built-in IRIS command receiver from up to four Uhlenbrock IRIS handheld remotes. Programming of DCC, Selectrix, and Uhlenbrock decoders, as well as LocoNet modules can be performed from the onboard programmer modes of the Intellibox.

Expansion of the Intellibox is quick and easy with direct "plug-and-play" support of add-on devices from many manufacturers, including Märklin Digital and LocoNet equipment. This allows you to continue using your existing Märklin Keyboard, Memory, Control 80f, and Booster units, while providing future expansion through Uhlenbrock LocoNet devices. The Intellibox is also equipped with an interface for s88-compatible decoders, which may be used in concert with LocoNet feedback modules. Their track occupation and other feedback data can control automated layout functions through additional route controllers, such as an IB-Switch or Memory, or via computer connected to the Intellibox's serial interface.

The Intellibox operating software is updateable and future-proof. As new features become available, they can be downloaded to the Intellibox program memory over the serial interface. Updates are available directly from Uhlenbrock, and include their own installation utilities.

With all of these integrated features, the Intellibox is an ideal starting point for a digitally controlled layout. And with its unlimited expansion potential, the Intellibox can become the foundation for a highly advanced custom-built digital control system.

Please see the sections below for more detailed information on the capabilities of the Intellibox-IR. You can also download and view the online Intellibox-IR manuals.

Central Unit

The Intellibox contains a multi-protocol central unit, which can simultaneously generate several digital command formats compatible with different manufacturers. Mixed operation of Märklin, TRIX, and DCC-equipped digital locomotives and accessories poses no problems. The Intellibox contains a utility for assigning the general data protocol, as well as specific protocols, for both locomotives and accessories. The following data formats are supported by the Intellibox:

Locomotive Decoder Formats:

Märklin Motorola - 14 levels (Old, New)

NMRA DCC - 14, 27, 28, 128, 28DAC, and 128DAC levels

TRIX Selectrix - 31 levels

Accessory Decoder Formats:

Motorola - Märklin, Modeltreno, Viessmann, Uhlenbrock

DCC - Roco, Lenz, Digitrax

The Intellibox's central unit also supports consisting and virtual addressing of locomotives. Consisting allows up to 4 locomotives to be controlled together using a single consist address, for creating realistic multiple unit trains. A total of 8 consists can be controlled by the Intellibox. The virtual addressing feature is used to assign and control a locomotive by a "pneumonic" address (1-9999), such as a cab number or engine class, in place of its coded address.

Device Interfaces

The universal multi-protocol nature of the Intellibox makes it a perfect hub for joining Märklin Digital and DCC style devices together to expand your control system. Most popular equipment from Märklin, Uhlenbrock, Viessmann, Digitrax, Lenz, etc is supported by the Intellibox, as listed in the table below. Please refer to the Intellibox manual directly for more detailed information on compatible devices and configurations.

Locomotive Controllers

The Intellibox has two built-in locomotive controllers, each contains a throttle, function control keys, and a loc assignment key. When addressing a new locomotive with the Intellibox, the current speed setting is automatically recalled from memory and assigned to the present position of the throttle. Subsequent throttle changes occur relative to that point, making for smooth transitions between locomotives. In addition, the throttles may be configured for either DC (rev-0-fwd, push to stop) or AC (0-fwd, push to rev) style of operation. The speed setting may also be displayed as an absolute level or percentage of full throttle. The controllers' function keys consist of the direction-dependent "function" & "off" keys as well as the extended function "F1-F4" keys. When operating DCC locomotives, functions F5-F8 can be accessed using the "loc" and "F1-F4" keys together.

Keyboard Mode

The Keyboard Mode provides direct access to 8 digital accessory addresses on the Intellibox control panel. Up to 320 Motorola and 2040 DCC accessory addresses are available using the Keyboard menu to change the address range, from 1-8 to 9-16 for example. The last valid setting for each accessory address in the selected range is displayed in the center of the Intellibox's LCD screen. Accessory commands issued by other controllers such as an IB-Switch, IB-Control, Märklin Memory or Keyboard, are also shown on the display. A special Table Keyboard Mode is provided as well, where the 8 key pairs may be freely assigned to accessories that are used frequently.

Route "Memo" Mode

The Route "Memo" Mode of the Intellibox contains memory for 48 routes, each with up to 10 steps. The routes are divided into three groups of 16 routes each, and are accessed directly from the main keyboard in this mode. A route is easily created by entering the numeric accessory address and its position at each step. It is also possible to insert pauses within routes to compensate for slow-moving turnouts or signals. Routes longer than 10 steps may be programmed by concatenating multiple routes together.

Feedback Data Monitor Mode

The Feedback Monitor Mode displays the status of feedback modules connected to the Intellibox's s88 data bus and LocoNet. Any changes in the s88 or LocoNet feedback data are displayed in the center of the LCD screen, and are likewise broadcast to the Intellibox's LocoNet connection. This allows other LocoNet devices, for example an IB-Switch or IB-Control, to indirectly acknowledge data from feedback modules on the s88 bus, as well as those on LocoNet. The Intellibox can support up to 31 s88-compatible modules with 16 inputs each, for a total of 496 s88 contacts. Further feedback modules may also be connected over LocoNet, up to the maximum number of 128 feedback modules, for a total of 2048 feedback contacts.

IRIS Command Monitor Mode

In the IRIS Mode, the center portion of the LCD display can be used to monitor commands sent by IRIS remotes to the Intellibox's built-in IR receiver. The user can select one of the four IRIS communication channels using the IRIS menu. Any locomotive, accessory, or route commands that are issued by a remote operating on that channel will be shown on the display. This feature is well-suited to large layouts with multiple operators. In this case, a local Intellibox operator at a station or yard area would be able to easily view the status and take over control of a locomotive from a remote IRIS operator.

Programming Modes

The Intellibox has a dedicated Programming Track output for use with DCC, Selectrix and Uhlenbrock decoders. The Programming Track output may also be set for use as a main running track with automatic changeover during the Programming Mode. The following operations and decoders are supported by this mode of the Intellibox:

DCC - Register, CV(byte), CV(bit), Paged, Main-line, Long Addresses

Selectrix - All decoders

Uhlenbrock - DGL750/770, DGR755/756, DGF760, Reset

The Intellibox also contains a LocoNet Program mode, accessible through the "Basic Settings" menu. This mode is used to program the CVs of LocoNet modules, such as the Uhlenbrock Switch-Control 63400 and Feedback Module 63350. The process does not require removing a module from the layout for programming, and may occur during normal layout operation.

Serial Interface

When combined with compatible software, the Intellibox's serial interface allows trains and accessories to be controlled from any PC or Mac. In addition to receiving commands, the serial interface can also provide the computer with feedback information from s88 or LocoNet modules that can be used to easily automate many complex layout functions. The Intellibox supports commands compliant to the standard Märklin Interface "P50" protocol as well as its own "P50X" extended protocol.

The serial interface is also used to update the Intellibox's internal operating software. Software updates are made available periodically by Uhlenbrock on their website, and include upload utilities for easy installation.

Technical Specifications