From part way down the page on first link I provided it seems the ACC5 software version provides 8 independant outputs when used with the LENZ DCC control system.
Same comment about for LENZ systems at the bottom of the second link I provided.
So yes may get you 8 independant channels if you have the appropriate controller system.
EDIT1:
The JMRI file for the MERG Accessory Decoder with version ACC5 software available here:
C:\Users\kag0248\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\S6XTH6SF\MERG_ACC5.xml
Also indicates there is a special “Lenz Toggle Mode”
Now I highlight that I do not use the JMRI software so there may be aspects I am missing.
EDIT2:
From this MERG ACC5 description: seems there are ways to set up for 8 discrete outputs.
http://www.merg.org.uk/merg_resources/dcc/download/Acc5txt.pdf
Seems if you build a MERG DCC command station (encoder) all accessory decoder vcersions can provide 8 discrete outputs but many commercial command stations could not. ACC5 software does allow this with commercial command stations subject to being able to program a particular CV bit.
ACC5 can work in either single or dual mode dependent on the setting of bit 7 (the MSB) of
CV545 (CV33). As this cannot be set using ‘register’ mode programming, it requires a
programmer capable of accessing CV545 or CV33.
However, at the end of the day the original question is what has been done for DCC decoding with
PICAXE.
There has, as per post 3, been some success but not as a normal decoder.
I believe that with some “help” from a few extra TTL chips as a front end that something more akin to a conventional DCC decoder may be possible but only measuring the duration for one half of each data bit. Lack of available spare time is preventing me progressing this with any expediency.