Remote Control and Diagnostic Test Software for SLS/MCU Equipment
Introduction
The remote control and diagnostic software provides control, status display and diagnostic testing of the Delta Electronics, Inc. Model SLS-4M, Model SLS-5M and Model SLS-7M Strip Line Switches via the Model MCU-8 or Model MCU-9 Matrix Control Unit. The software operates on an IBM or compatible personal computer with a 286(AT) or higher processor and VGA graphics. The software is available
for use with a customer supplied personal computer or as part of a Delta supplied computer system. In addition to providing all the basic control and status features of the MCU-8/-9 units, the software enhances the control capabilities by using mouse-driven equipment selection routines and expands the display capabilities to include large matrix schematic diagrams and equipment labels. The program also provides diagnostic routines to automatically test remote matrix operation capabilities and to isolate faults to the line replaceable unit (LRU) level. Preset switch configurations establishing multiple transmitter/antenna connections may be defined, stored and automatically implemented. All switch configuration changes, status reports, and diagnostic test results may be logged on the system printer. Optional program modules provide control and status reporting of other communication station facilities including rotatable log periodic antennas, receive matrices,
transmitters, receivers, and site security equipment.
The software operates as a remote controller for the SLS/MCU system. Thus, the personal
computer may communicate with the MCU-8/-9 using an EIA-RS-232 serial data bus directly or via modems and telephone lines or radio circuits. A direct data communications circuit may be
established between the control computer and the switch if the switch is equipped with the Small Switch Serial Interface, Medium Switch Serial Interface, or the Matrix Interface Unit. RS-422/423/485, IEEE-488 and fiber optic data communication circuits are optionally available.
Control and Status Display
The software remotely controls the SLS/MCU system and provides the standard schematic diagram
display and tabular status display with expanded schematic diagram display capabilities for matrices as large as forty inputs and forty outputs. The program supports the familiar MCU-8/-9 command entry format and all basic MCU control features such as lockout memory, busy TX note and busy ANT protection warning with override. All communications with the MCU are via the serial data bus and use the standard MCU serial interface format.
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| Control and Status Display |
As noted, the software provides enhanced control and status display capabilities including a
schematic diagram display of large matrices. A mouse-based command interface and pull-down
windows facilitate transmitter and antenna selections. When the operator selects a transmitter from a listing of available transmitters, antennas available for connection to the transmitter are highlighted. After selecting an antenna, the operator can either proceed with the connection, proceed with busy protect override or cancel the selection. Upon confirming the selection, the required connect, disconnect and status commands are transmitted to the MCU and upon receipt of the status response, the remote control program updates the status display to reflect the new system configuration.
The expanded status display capabilities support user definable equipment labels of up to sixteen characters for each equipment. These labels are displayed during the equipment selection routines, enabling the operator to specify equipment using the communication station's standard equipment designators. All equipment labels may easily be entered, edited, stored and printed.
The software also supports multiple transmit matrix and control unit installations. For these applications, the status displays include a system summary display as well as individual matrix information. Intermatrix trunk line routing can be entered and stored, and then used to automate the connection of a transmitter on one matrix to an antenna on a second matrix.
Diagnostic Test Routines
The diagnostic test routines automatically test matrix operation and logically isolate switch faults to the LRU level. The operator can test individual rows, individual columns, or the complete switch, verifying indicator, interlock and actuator operation. These tests exercise only unused crosspoints and maintain all existing switch connections so that these diagnostic tests can be conducted on-line. The test sequence comprises a series of commands which connect a transmitter to an antenna, verify status, disconnect a transmitter from an antenna and verify status. Any faults detected by these tests are displayed and may also be printed. The software analyzes the fault pattern, diagnoses logical failure modes that could generate this fault pattern and recommends corrective maintenance actions. For example, the recommended corrective maintenance actions may describe actuator replacement by crosspoint address, Row Driver Assembly or Column Driver Assembly replacement, interlock relay replacement, or interlock keylock switch replacement. Since the diagnostic tests may be conducted at any time during station operation, they may also be used as a regular preventive maintenance routine to validate system operation.
Preset Communication Plans
The operator can define, edit, store, print and execute preset communication configurations as macro commands. The multiple transmitter to antenna connections for a specific communication configuration are entered in the same manner as standard individual connections and then stored as a communication plan. Upon selecting a plan from a summary listing, the operator is informed if existing circuits will be affected. If the operator elects to execute the plan, the required commands are transmitted to the MCU and the switch status is updated. Alternately, the macro command may be assigned a time of day parameter and the new configuration automatically established at that time.
Facilities Control Capabilities
The control program capabilities may easily be expanded to include control and status reporting of other communication station facilities including rotatable log periodic antennas, receive matrices, transmitters, receivers, and site security equipment. Mouse-based command interface and pull-down window program modules facilitate equipment and parameter selection while maintaining the familiar user interface. For example, the receive matrix control program operation closely parallels the transmit matrix control program operation. The operator selects a receiver from a listing of available receivers. At this point, a window opens to display antennas available to the selected receiver. Upon confirmation of antenna selection, the required commands are transmitted to the receive matrix and the matrix status display updates to reflect the new configuration. Each program module supports serial data communications using the controlled equipment's standard interface protocol.
Hardware Requirements
The remote control and diagnostic test software operates on an IBM or compatible computer with a 286(AT) or higher processor. Minimum requirements for the computer are MS-DOS 3.3 or higher, 640 KB ram, hard disk, VGA graphics, and Microsoft compatible mouse driver. The software uses object-oriented modules written and compiled using Turbo Pascal. The software may be run as a dedicated application or as required allowing the control computer to be used for other applications.
A demonstration program which simulates the transmit matrix remote control and status functions for both individual circuit selections or for preset configuration selections and also simulates the diagnostic test routines is available upon request. This program demonstrates the schematic diagram and tabular displays for a 16 input by 16 output matrix and accepts either keyboard entered or mouse selected commands for equipment selection. The diagnostic tests generate simulated faults to demonstrate the recommended corrective maintenance action features of the software.
Software License
The remote control and diagnostic test software is a proprietary product of Delta Electronics, Inc. and is protected by both United States copyright law and international copyright treaty provisions. Title to the program, or any copy, modifications or merged portion of the program, will at all times remain with Delta Electronics, Inc. The software is licensed to the user for operation on a single computer at a single site. The software is customized to reflect the configuration of the associated Strip Line Switch and may be used only with that switch. The user may make copies of the software for backup or archival purposes only.
For additional information on any of our products, please contact Sales to discuss your particular requirements:
Delta Electronics, Inc.
5730 General Washington Drive
P. O. Box 11268
Alexandria, VA 22312 |
Phone: (703) 354-3350
U.S. Toll Free: 1-800-8-DELTA-8 (1-800-833-5828)
Fax: (703) 354-0216
www.deltaelectronics.com
Email: sales@deltaelectronics.com |
IBM and AT are registered trademarks of International Business Machine Corporation.
MS-DOS and Microsoft are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Turbo Pascal is a registered trademark of Borland International, Inc.
The Delta Electronics logo is a registered trademark of Delta Electronics,
Inc.