Update fast docs

docs/config/fast.md

@@ -11,81 +11,52 @@ title: "fast: Config Reference"
 |[machine](instructions/machine_config.md) config files|**YES** :white_check_mark:|
 |[mode](instructions/mode_config.md) config files|**NO** :no_entry_sign:|
 
-The `fast:` section of your machine-wide config is where you configure
-hardware options that are specific to the FAST Pinball Controller. Note
-that we have a how to guide which includes
-[all the FAST-specific settings](../hardware/fast/index.md) throughout your entire config file, so be sure to read that
-if you have FAST hardware.
 
-``` yaml
-fast:
-  ports: com3, com4, com5
-```
+# 2026 Documentation Update
 
-## Required settings
+The following config documentation is relevant for MPF 0.57.4 and 0.80.0. Last updated Dec 18, 2025.
 
-The following sections are required in the `fast:` section of your
-config:
+The `fast:` section of your machine-wide config is where you configure hardware options that are specific to the FAST Pinball Controller.
+The [FAST website](https://fastpinball.com/mpf/config/) also has thorough documentation and examples for MPF 0.57 and 0.80 compatible configurations.
 
-### default_normal_debounce_close:
+## fast: config reference
 
-Single value, type: `time string (ms)`
-[Instructions for entering time strings](instructions/time_strings.md). Defaults to empty.
+The top-level `fast:` key contains subsections for each of the various component networks available with FAST.
+You do not need to include any section that is not present in your machine.
 
-Specifies the default value for the debounce time for switches that are
-configured with `debounce: normal` when they close.
+### net:
 
-Even though this is listed as a required setting, this entry is in the
-`mpfconfig.yaml` file, (with a value of `10ms`), so you don\'t have to
-enter it here unless you want to override that.
+This contains the configuration for the NET IO boards, which handle switches and drivers.
+See [fast:net: config reference](fast/fast_net.md) for details.
 
-Also, keep in mind that this setting is only a default. You can override
-it for any switch in that switch\'s config.
+### exp:
 
-### default_normal_debounce_open:
+This contains the configuration for the EXP boards, which handle lights and various motors and accessories.
 
-Single value, type: `time string (ms)`
-[Instructions for entering time strings](instructions/time_strings.md). Defaults to empty.
+### exp_int:
 
-Specifies the default value for the debounce time for switches that are
-configured with `debounce: normal` when they open.
+When using the Raspberry PI directly connected to a Neuron board, the Neuron's LED ports are not accesible on the normal `exp` bus.
+To enable use of these headers, define the `FP-EXP-2000` model board in the `exp_int` instead of `exp` configuration.
+If using other EXP boards, you still define those on the normal `exp` configuration.
+For an example, see this [pull request](https://github.com/missionpinball/mpf/pull/1895) on Github.
 
-Even though this is listed as a required setting, this entry is in the
-`mpfconfig.yaml` file, (with a value of `10ms`), so you don\'t have to
-enter it here unless you want to override that.
+### aud:
 
-Also, keep in mind that this setting is only a default. You can override
-it for any switch in that switch\'s config.
+This contains the configuration for sounds played through the FAST Audio board.
 
-### default_quick_debounce_close:
 
-Single value, type: `time string (ms)`
-[Instructions for entering time strings](instructions/time_strings.md). Defaults to empty.
+# Pre-2024 Documentation
 
-Specifies the default value for the debounce time for switches that are
-configured with `debounce: quick` when they close.
+The following documentation was current in mid 2023, some settings and structures may have changed since then:
 
-Even though this is listed as a required setting, this entry is in the
-`mpfconfig.yaml` file, (with a value of `2ms`), so you don\'t have to
-enter it here unless you want to override that.
+## fast: config settings
 
-Also, keep in mind that this setting is only a default. You can override
-it for any switch in that switch\'s config.
-
-### default_quick_debounce_open:
-
-Single value, type: `time string (ms)`
-[Instructions for entering time strings](instructions/time_strings.md). Defaults to empty.
-
-Specifies the default value for the debounce time for switches that are
-configured with `debounce: quick` when they open.
-
-Even though this is listed as a required setting, this entry is in the
-`mpfconfig.yaml` file, (with a value of `2ms`), so you don\'t have to
-enter it here unless you want to override that.
+The `fast:` section of your machine-wide config is where you configure
+hardware options that are specific to the FAST Pinball Controller. Note
+that we have a how to guide which includes
+[all the FAST-specific settings](../hardware/fast/index.md) throughout your entire config file, so be sure to read that
+if you have FAST hardware.
 
-Also, keep in mind that this setting is only a default. You can override
-it for any switch in that switch\'s config.
 
 ### ports:
 
@@ -95,6 +66,11 @@ empty.
 A comma-separated list of the serial port names your FAST controller
 uses.
 
+``` yaml
+fast:
+  ports: com3, com4, com5
+```
+
 ## Optional settings
 
 The following sections are optional in the `fast:` section of your
@@ -181,29 +157,6 @@ Single value, type: `integer`. Default: `3`
 
 Max backlog for the RGB port to prevent overflows in the FAST CPU.
 
-### watchdog:
-
-Single value, type: `time string (ms)`
-[Instructions for entering time strings](instructions/time_strings.md). Default: `1000`
-
-The FAST controllers include a "watchdog" timer. A watchdog is a timer
-that is continuously counting down towards zero, and if it ever hits
-zero, the controller shuts off all the power to the drivers. The idea is
-that every time MPF runs a game loop (so, 30 times a second or
-whatever), MPF tells the FAST controller to reset the watchdog timer. So
-this timer is constantly getting reset and never hits zero.
-
-But if MPF crashes or loses communication with the FAST controller, then
-this watchdog timer won\'t be reset. When it hits zero, the FAST
-controller will kill the power to the drivers. This should prevent an
-MPF crash from burning up driver or somehow damaging your hardware in
-another way.
-
-You can set the watchdog timer to whatever you want. (This is
-essentially the max time a driver could be stuck "on" if MPF crashes.)
-The default is 1 second which is probably fine for almost everyone, and
-you don\'t have to include this section in your config if you want to
-use the default.
 
 ## Related How To guides
 

docs/config/fast/fast_aud.md

@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+---
+title: "fast:aud: Config Reference"
+---
+
+# fast:aud: Config Reference
+
+--8<-- "deeper_config_section.md"
+
+| Valid in | |
+|-----|:----:|
+|[machine](../instructions/machine_config.md) config files|**YES** :white_check_mark:|
+|[mode](../instructions/mode_config.md) config files|**NO** :no_entry_sign:|
+
+## aud: config reference
+
+Within the `fast:` section of your machine-wide config, you configure the audio board processor in the subsection `aud:`.
+
+### Sample config:
+
+```yaml
+fast:
+  aud:
+    port: auto
+    main_amp_enabled: true
+    sub_amp_enabled: true
+    headphones_amp_enabled: true
+
+    main_steps: 20
+    sub_steps: 20
+    headphones_steps: 20
+
+    default_main_volume: 32
+    default_sub_volume: 32
+    default_headphones_volume: 16
+
+    persist_volume_settings: true
+
+    max_hw_volume_main: 63
+    max_hw_volume_sub: 63
+    max_hw_volume_headphones: 63
+
+    main_levels_list: None
+    sub_levels_list: None
+    headphones_levels_list: None
+
+    link_sub_to_main: true
+    link_headphones_to_main: false
+
+    headphones_level: headphones
+    mute_speakers_with_headphones: true
+```
+
+### port:
+
+List of one (or more) values, each is a type: `string`. Defaults to `auto`.
+
+A comma-separated list of the serial port names your FAST controller uses.
+
+### baud:
+
+Single value, int, default: `230400`
+
+The connection baud rate.
+
+### FAST Docs:
+
+For the other properties, see the [FAST Audio Interface MPF Config page](https://fastpinball.com/mpf/config/audio/).

docs/config/fast/fast_exp.md

@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+---
+title: "fast:exp: Config Reference"
+---
+
+# fast:exp: Config Reference
+
+--8<-- "deeper_config_section.md"
+
+| Valid in | |
+|-----|:----:|
+|[machine](../instructions/machine_config.md) config files|**YES** :white_check_mark:|
+|[mode](../instructions/mode_config.md) config files|**NO** :no_entry_sign:|
+
+## exp: config reference
+
+Within the `fast:` section of your machine-wide config, you configure the EXP processor in the subsection `exp:`, and sometimes in `exp_int`.
+
+### port:
+
+List of one (or more) values, each is a type: `string`. Defaults to `auto`.
+
+A comma-separated list of the serial port names your FAST controller uses.
+
+### baud:
+
+Single value, int, default: `921600`
+
+The connection baud rate.
+
+### boards:
+
+Dict of string board names to dicts of EXP board properties. Defaults to empty.
+
+Example:
+
+```yaml
+fast:
+  exp:
+    port: auto
+    boards:
+      neuron:
+        model: FP-EXP-2000
+      playfield_0081:
+        model: FP-EXP-0081
+```
+
+#### model:
+
+The product number of the IO board. E.G. `FP-EXP-0081`
+
+#### ignore_led_errors:
+
+Single value, boolean, default: `false`
+
+If false, LED hex communication decode errors will be raised as errors when encountered from this board.
+If you encounter instability due to these errors, set this to true to silently ignore them.
+
+## Using exp_int
+
+If using a Raspberry Pi connected directly to the Neuron controller, the LED headers on the Neuron will not be available on the normal EXP interface.
+In order to access these Neuron LED headers, you must define a parallel structure to the existing `exp:` configuration, and move the Neuron definition over to it.
+
+Example:
+
+```yaml
+fast:
+  exp:
+    boards:
+      playfield_0081:
+        model: FP-EXP-0081
+  exp_int:
+    boards:
+      neuron:
+        model: FP-EXP-2000
+```