ACR Electronics FPR-100 User Manual

PRODUCT

SUPPORT

MANUAL

Y1-03-0149

Rev. D

PPP

ACR/FPR-100™

Product No. 2781

2785

Field Programmer Reader

ACR Electronics, Inc.

5757 Ravenswood Road

Fort Lauderdale, Fl 3331p2

[phone] · Fax [phone]

www.acrelectronics.com

Email: [e-mail]

A

Chelton Group

company

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 OVERVIEW.........................................................................................................................2

2.0 WARNINGS .........................................................................................................................3

3.0 BEFORE YOU RUN SETUP..............................................................................................3

3.1 FPR-100 COMPONENTS .......................................................................................................3

3.2 CHECK THE HARDWARE AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS .......................................................3

4.0 INSTALLING THE FPR-100 SOFTWARE.....................................................................4

4.1 ADDING A PRINTER..............................................................................................................4

5.0 USING THE FPR-100 .........................................................................................................5

5.1 PROGRAMMING....................................................................................................................5

5.2 PRINTING HEXADECIMAL LABELS........................................................................................7

5.3 VERIFYING A SELF-TEST MESSAGE .....................................................................................7

5.3.1 Conditions for Test.......................................................................................................7

5.3.2 Live Message Transmission .........................................................................................7

5.3.3 Performing Self-Test ....................................................................................................7

5.4 PRINTING A SELF-TEST VERIFICATION REPORT ...................................................................9

Figure 1 ..................................................................................................................................9

Figure 2 ................................................................................................................................10

Figure 3 ................................................................................................................................11

Figure 4 ................................................................................................................................12

Figure 5 ................................................................................................................................13

Figure 6 ................................................................................................................................14

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1.0 OVERVIEW

The FPR-100 (Field Programmer Reader – 100) is designed to be both a re-programming
and verification tool for the ACR Satellite 406, Satellite 2, RapidFix, GlobalFix and
GyPSI PLB. In addition the FPR-100 can decode any 406 MHz radio frequency burst
that contains a Cospas/Sarsat approved message for EPIRBs or PLBs containing serial,
MMSI, or call sign protocol.

Programming of the above mentioned beacons is done through a programming head.
Each beacon type has a unique programming head. In order to program different types of
beacons, only the programming heads have to be changed. When a user wants to re­program a beacon he/she is guided through a series of questions to determine the
information that will be input to the beacon.

Verification of the beacon’s message is done through the self-test mode. This mode
allows the user to test that the beacon’s battery and electronics are properly working
without sending an alert to the GMDSS satellites. After a user chooses the Verify Self-
Test option and sends the radio frequency message, all of the data captured is sent back
to the PC. The PC then decodes the message based on the guidelines mandated by
Cospas/Sarsat. After a successful decode the user can then print out a report which will
indicate if the beacon has passed or failed. In order for a beacon to receive a “PASSED”
the PC must be able to decode each part of the message successfully. If one piece of the
message is unknown or cannot be decoded then the beacon receives a ”FAILED” on the
report. If a beacon receives continuous failing reports then it indicates a malfunctioning
beacon.

The FPR-100 has also been designed to accept frequencies that are within the tolerance
range mandated by Cospas/Sarsat. If a beacon’s oscillator is not within the specified
frequency then the FPR-100 will not be able to decode the message. This also indicates a
malfunctioning beacon.

The order in which the screens appear on the PC are the same regardless of the product
chosen. After the opening screen with the ACR logo and other information the user will
see the Product Selection Menu. After choosing the product there will be a Model
Selection screen if there is more than one model of the desired beacon. The user will
then be guided to the Option Selection Menu where he or she may choose the action to
be performed. If a mistake is made then the user can return to the previous screen by
choosing the Back button on each form. The user can exit the program at any time using
the Exit button and return to the operating system. Refer to figures 1 – 3 for explanation
of the different menus.

In order for all screens of the FPR-100 to be seen in their entirety, the screen resolution
must be at 800 x 600. When the FPR-100 is started the resolution is automatically
changed to 800 x 600. If the program is exited through the Exit button the screen
resolution will return to its original values. If the program is exited improperly, the
resolution will remain at 800 x 600. The resolution can be changed through the display
option of the Control Panel in your Windows™ operating system.

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2.0 WARNINGS

To test whether an EPIRB or PLB operates satisfactorily, always perform a self-test as
described in the beacon’s operating manual or contact the beacon manufacturer for
instructions as to how to perform a self-test.

When performing a verification of the self-test message on the RLB-23, RLB-23E, RLB­23E1, or RLB-24, never allow the EPIRB under test to remain active for more than 35
seconds at a time. Upon activation, an ACR/RLB-23 or RLB-24 series EPIRB will
transmit a TEST message format that GMDSS satellites will ignore. However, after 35
seconds of operation live transmissions will be sent which will alert GMDSS/SAR
authorities.

If the FPR-100 does detect a live transmission from any manufacturers beacon during a
self test verification, there will be a visible and audible warning from the PC. If this
happens, turn the beacon off and contact your local authorities to report inadvertent
activation.

3.0 BEFORE YOU RUN SETUP

Before you run the FPR-100 software, please make sure that your computer meets the
minimum requirements in section 3. If you purchased the FPR-100 with the laptop
computer option then ACR Electronics has already verified that the computer meets all of
the requirements.

3.1 FPR-100 Components

See Figure 6 for a visual representation of each component listed below.

· FPR-100 Interface Unit (Module Assembly) A3-06-2118

· PLB Interface Box A3-06-2117

· Programming Head, RLB-27/28 A3-06-2120

· Programming Head, RLB-32/33 A3-06-2119

· Programming Head, RLB-35 A3-06-2245

· Serial Cable Assembly A3-06-2129

· Cable, 6 Conductor A2-07-0137

· Power Cord A2-07-0135-1 for 2781

A2-07-0139 for 2785

3.2 Check the Hardware and System Requirements

To run the FPR-100, you must have certain hardware and software installed on your
computer. The requirements include:

· Microsoft Windows 95 / 98 / or NT4.0.

· Pentium 75 MHz microprocessor (minimum).

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· A hard disk with at least 10 megabytes of available storage.

· VGA or higher-resolution screen supported by Microsoft Windows.

· 16 megabytes of RAM.

· A mouse or other pointing device.

· 1 available serial port.

· Printer (optional)

4.0 INSTALLING THE FPR-100 SOFTWARE

The FPR-100 software is installed using the setup program included on disk 1. The setup
program will install all of the needed files to your hard disk automatically. The software
must be installed in the C:\FPR100 directory to work correctly. This directory is the
default directory in the setup program.

1. Place the disk marked 1 of 4 into the floppy drive of your computer.

2. Click the START button on the bottom of your Windows operating system.

3. Type “a:\setup.exe” without the quotation marks and press ENTER.

4. Choose the RUN option from the menu.

5. Follow the installation directions on the screen. The FPR-100 must be installed in the

“C:\Fpr100\” directory. This directory is already set when you run the setup
program.

6. If you purchased the FPR-100 with the laptop computer, please refer to section 4.1 to

set up your printer for use with the system.

4.1 Adding a Printer

1. Click the START button on the bottom of your Windows operating system.

2. Click the Settings option on the pop up menu.

3. Click the Printers option on the Settings menu.

4. From the Printers box that appears click Add Printer and follow the instructions. If

you are using a computer purchased from ACR Electronics and you are asked for the
Windows disk do the following.

A. When you get the message “Please insert the disk labeled ‘Windows 95 CD-

ROM’ and then click OK” click the OK button.

B. There will then be an input box with the title Copying Files… In the space

provided under the Copy files from: text type the following:
C:\Windows\Options\cabs then press ENTER.

C. If this does not work or if the computer cannot identify your printer, contact the

printer manufacturer for more information.

5. The printer setup as your default printer will be used by the FPR-100 for printing

labels and reports.

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