Aegis Micro NRC 2.0.1 User Manual

Networked Receiver Controller

NRC-2.0.1

Users’ Guide

October 2005

DUNS: 826771508 CAGE: 1RKF1

www.aegis-inc.net

Telecom Engineering Services & Products

8610 Washington Blvd. Suite 213 Jessup, MD 20794

240.568.9006 240.568.9008 [fax]

Proprietary Statement

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, by photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission.

Disclaimer

Information furnished in this manual is believed to accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed for its use, or for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties that may result from its use.

Warning

This equipment utilizes voltages which are potentially dangerous and may be fatal if contacted. Exercise caution when working with the equipment any time the protective cover is removed.

Users’ Guide: Networked Receiver Controller - NRC-2.0.1 PAGE 2

Table of Contents

General Information........................................................................................................................ 5

Channel Architecture..................................................................................................................6

Audio Data Capture .................................................................................................................... 6

Universal Receiver Translation/Abstraction............................................................................... 7

Capabilities Summary.................................................................................................................8

Receiver Controllable Settings ...............................................................................................8

Client Connection Options......................................................................................................8

Remote NRC System Monitoring...........................................................................................8

Digitized Audio Channel Output Options............................................................................... 8

Receiver Channel POST.........................................................................................................8

Network Time Protocol (NTP) Client..................................................................................... 8

Specifications..............................................................................................................................9

System Hardware.................................................................................................................... 9

Supported Receivers ............................................................................................................... 9

Physical Inputs/Outputs..........................................................................................................9

A/D Conversion......................................................................................................................9

Chassis .................................................................................................................................... 9

Support Software ....................................................................................................................9

Power ...................................................................................................................................... 9

Documentation........................................................................................................................9

Installation..................................................................................................................................... 11

Contents .................................................................................................................................... 11

Hardware Installation................................................................................................................ 12

Step 1: Receiver Audio Signal Termination Type.............................................................. 12

Step 2: Rack Mount the NRC unit...................................................................................... 12

Step 3: Connect Power........................................................................................................ 12

Step 4: Connect Receivers..................................................................................................12

Step 5: Optional - Connect an External Clock.................................................................... 12

Step 6: Connect to the Network.......................................................................................... 12

NRC Configuration...................................................................................................................13

Prerequisites:......................................................................................................................... 13

Step 1: Connect to the NRC................................................................................................ 13

Step 2: Change Administrator Password............................................................................ 14

Step 3: Configure Network Settings...................................................................................15

Step 4: Set the Time and Date............................................................................................. 15

Step 5: Configure the Network Time Daemon (Optional)..................................................16

Step 6: Set the Host Name..................................................................................................17

Step 7: Restart the NRC......................................................................................................17

Step 8: Configure the NRC for Receivers...........................................................................19

Operation....................................................................................................................................... 20

Using the NRC..........................................................................................................................20

Starting the NRC................................................................................................................... 20

Interpreting the LCD Display............................................................................................... 20

Requirements ........................................................................................................................ 22

Running the NRC Java Client............................................................................................... 22

Users’ Guide: Networked Receiver Controller - NRC-2.0.1 PAGE 3

Connect to NRC Server Dialog............................................................................................. 22

The Main Application Window............................................................................................23

Change Receiver Model Dialog............................................................................................ 31

Change Antenna Model Dialog ............................................................................................ 32

NRC Properties Dialog.........................................................................................................33

Capture Channel Data Dialog............................................................................................... 34

Signal Display Dialog........................................................................................................... 35

Appendix A - Receiver Configuration.......................................................................................37

BAE Systems WJ-8723............................................................................................................. 37

TEN-TEC RX-331.................................................................................................................... 37

Appendix B - Software Upgrades .............................................................................................38

NRC File System...................................................................................................................... 38

UPDATE Command................................................................................................................. 39

RESTORE Command............................................................................................................... 39

CLEAN Command.................................................................................................................... 40

Upgrade Procedure....................................................................................................................40

Users’ Guide: Networked Receiver Controller - NRC-2.0.1 PAGE 4

E C E I V E R

General Information

The Networked Receiver Controller (NRC) is a single node network device capable of simultaneously:

• controlling and configuring up to 8 attached receivers for data collection

• collecting and digitizing each receiver’s analog audio output signal

• formatting and routing the digitized receiver’s signal to an attached network client.

A simple diagram of the NRC system is shown below.

Networked Receiver Controller

CONTROL

DATA

CPU

NRC

Client

The NRC represents the server portion of a network based client/server architecture. NRC clients connect and disconnect from the NRC via an Ethernet network connection as necessary. When connected, a client has the ability to control, configure and collect digitized audio data from the associated receiver.

Each receiver is physically connected to the NRC via an RS-232 command/control port and an audio input port. The receiver’s analog audio output is connected to an A/D where it is sampled at 16 KHz with 16 bit resolution. The resultant digitized audio signal is available for secondary processing and distribution from the NRC as required. The default NRC configuration provides a 4 KHz band-limited, 8 KHz sampled data signal. This digital audio signal is available to the NRC client through a simple packet based protocol, which aggregates samples into a single data packet for forwarding to the client.

The NRC server is a 1 rack unit chassis system with the following front and back views.

In this chapter, the various features of the NRC will be discussed.

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Channel Architecture

A channel defines a virtual connection between a client application and a receiver connected to the NRC.

There are two types of channel connections which can be established to a receiver; a Primary connection and a Piggy-back connection.

1. A Primary Connection a. A Primary connection is established with a receiver when the receiver is free of

any other client connections.

b. A Primary connected client has full access and control of the receiver and its

resources.

2. Piggy-back Connection a. A Piggy-back connection is established with a receiver when the receiver

currently has one or more other clients already attached to it.

b. A Piggy-back connected client cannot change any of the receivers settings,

although it can view the current receiver settings, and capture and format the receivers audio output.

The NRC supports one Primary connection per receiver and multiple Piggy-back connections, with the NRC able to support an aggregate of 64 simultaneous Primary/Piggy-back connections.

Audio Data Capture

The NRC uses an 8 channel PCI-based Analog/Digital converter card to digitize each receiver’s audio output signal. Each receiver’s audio signal is digitized into 16-bit samples (14.8 effective bits/sample) at a sampling rate of 16 KHz.

Each client attached to the receiver can receive a copy of this sampled audio data through a simply packet based protocol, and can specify:

• the number of samples to be contained within a data packet

• the effective sampling rate of the data - either 8 KHz or 16 KHz.

• the audio data filtering option – 4 KHz LPF ON or OFF, and

• the packet time stamping – TAI64N ON or OFF

Sampling synchronization is achieved either via the NRC’s internal high precision crystal oscillator circuitry or by a user provided external clock signal into the NRC’s EXT CLK port. The user external clock signal, if used, should be a 50% duty cycle (TTL) square wave operating at a frequency of 16 KHz.

Users’ Guide: Networked Receiver Controller - NRC-2.0.1 PAGE 6

Universal Receiver Translation/Abstraction

The NRC abstracts the user from each receiver’s proprietary low-level communications protocol by presenting a common receiver translation software tasking interface to the user. This common software interface allows the user to task the receivers at a logical level without the need to worry about how to implement this tasking. This allows a wide range of different receivers to be tasked via the NRC in the same manner regardless of the number, model or configuration of the receivers.

This receiver hardware abstraction allows the NRC:

• To be easily programmed to connect to almost any receiver with an audio output.

• To accommodate being connected to different receiver models simultaneously.

• To control the major functions of any receiver through a simple tasking protocol.

• To provide receiver vendor independence, allowing the user to utilize the most

appropriate receiver for any given application.

Receiver XML configuration files are used to define the different receiver protocol profiles. This allows new receiver support to be added to the NRC relatively quickly and simply by generating and integrating a new receiver XML profile file.

A list of currently supported receivers can be found in the specifications section of this document, with additional receiver support able to be provided upon request.

Users’ Guide: Networked Receiver Controller - NRC-2.0.1 PAGE 7

Capabilities Summary

Receiver Controllable Settings

• Frequency

• Detection Mode

• IF Bandwidth

• AGC mode

• BFO

• Reset / Reboot

• Pass native commands to the receiver

o By-pass the generic receiver

interface and send the receiver proprietary commands

• Receiver Memory Interface Support o Save, recall and query receiver

configuration memory settings

Remote NRC System Monitoring

• View current state of receiver configurations

and attached clients

• View health and well being of NRC

Client Connection Options

• Up to 64 simultaneous client connections

• Primary - connection to a receiver when it is free

o Full control and access to the receiver, the

audio data and its configuration options.

• Piggyback - connection to a receiver that already has a

Primary client attached

o Limited connection privileges o No control of the receiver but visibility of the

receiver’s settings.

o Full access to the receiver’s audio

configuration and data options.

o Can be promoted to Primary connection status

if the existing Primary client disconnects

Digitized Audio Channel Output Options

• Sampling Rate: 8 KHz (default), 16 KHz

• Filtering: 4 KHz LPF (default), None

• Samples/Data Packet: 640 (default), 128-4096

• Packet Time Stamping: None (default), TAI64N

• Retune Samples skipped: 350 (default), variable

• Collection Control: Start / Stop

Receiver Channel POST

• A power on self test is used to verify each

receiver’s RS-232 control and audio signal paths to reduce the possibility of incorrectly connecting receiver cables

Network Time Protocol (NTP) Client

• The NRC is configurable to obtain and synchronize

time with an NTP Server

Users’ Guide: Networked Receiver Controller - NRC-2.0.1 PAGE 8

Specifications

System Hardware

• CPU System:

o PC x86 SBC based system

• Operating System

o Linux OS, Compact Flash based file

system

Physical Inputs/Outputs

• Number of controllable receivers: 1 to 8

• Connections/Receiver

o 1x Audio Input Port (DB-15) o 1x Control Port (RJ-45, RS-232)

• Network Port (RJ-45, 10/100 Base-T Ethernet)

• Remote Serial Terminal Port (DB-9, RS-232)

• External A/D Card Clock Input (BNC, TTL)

Chassis

• 1RU (19”x 20”x1.75”), fits standard 19” racks

• Jonathan 375QD-20 slide mounts fitted

• Weight: 10lbs

• Ventilation: Positive internal pressure

• Internal Heating Profile:

o Fully loaded NRC, temperature increase

<+15F above ambient

Note: Chassis not recommended to be solely mounted in 19” rack by bolts through the chassis’ front panel

- rack slides or rack shelving recommended.

Supported Receivers

• DRS WJ-8723 HF Receiver

• Ten-Tec RX-331HF Receiver

• Additional Receivers available upon request

A/D Conversion

• Sample Resolution:

o 16-bit (14.8 effective bits)

• Channel Sampling Rate: 16 KHz

• Pre A/D Channel Gain: 1 (default), 2, 4, 8

• Internal Sampling Clock

o Accuracy: 10ppm 0-85C o Stability: 10ppm 0-85C

• External A/D Card Clock Input

o 16 KHz TTL square-wave: 50% duty-cycle o Optional input to provide external sync

• Analog Signal Input

o Range: -5V to +5V

• Types: Single-Ended / Differential

Support Software

• Java and C++ programming APIs

• Example Client Program

• Remote software upgrade capability

Power

• Nominal power: 25 W

• Max power: 32 W

• Operating Range:

o 100-240 VAC, @47-63Hz (Auto-Select)

Documentation

• Programmers Manual

• Users Manual

• Protocol Interfacing Document

Users’ Guide: Networked Receiver Controller - NRC-2.0.1 PAGE 9

Users’ Guide: Networked Receiver Controller - NRC-2.0.1 PAGE 10

Installation

Contents

The following is a list of items delivered with the NRC unit.

• Networked Receiver Controller unit (1)

• Power cable (1)

• Receiver Control Cables (8)

o For BAE Systems WJ-8723 units - 8x DB25M-RJ45 - grey cables o For TenTec RX331 units - 8x DB25M-RJ45 - black cables

• Receiver Audio Cables (8)

o For BAE Systems WJ-8723 - 8x DB15M/DB15M audio cables o For TenTec Rx331 units - 8x DB15M/DB15M audio cables

• Users’ Guide (1)

• Programmers’ Guide (1)

• Documentation and SDK CD (1)

Users’ Guide: Networked Receiver Controller - NRC-2.0.1 PAGE 11

Hardware Installation

Step 1: Receiver Audio Signal Termination Type

The NRC supports both differential and single-end audio signals, with the factory system default being configured to support Differential Mode.

If Single-End mode is required, proceed as follows:

1. Ensure the NRC is powered off

2. Remove the top cover of the NRC.

3. Locate the two banks of 4x DIP switches, D1 and D2.

4. Set all switches to the ON position for single-ended operation. a. Conversely, set each switch to the OFF position for differential operation.

5. Replace the cover and install the screws.

Note: The NRC software’s default configuration is to support Differential Mode, and hence it must also be configured to match the desired audio signal state. The NRC Configuration section will address this requirement.

Step 2: Rack Mount the NRC unit

The NRC chassis supports Jonathan Type 375QD-20 chassis slides and these are recommended for rack mounting the NRC where necessary.

Note: It is not recommended that the NRC Chassis be solely mounted in 19” rack by bolts through the chassis’ front panel - rack slides or rack shelving recommended.

Step 3: Connect Power

The supplied power cable should connect the power adapter on the back panel power socket of the NRC. The NRC power supply is an auto-sensing unit which can accept voltages between 100-240VAC @47-63Hz.

Step 4: Connect Receivers

Each brand and model of receiver has specific configuration and installation instructions that must be followed prior to operation with the NRC. Please refer to Appendix A.

Step 5: Optional - Connect an External Clock

If an external clock connection is desired for A/D synchronization, use a coaxial cable to connect a 16 KHz TTL (50% duty cycle) external clock signal to the EXT CLK port on the NRC’s back.

The NRC’s default configuration uses the internal clock and hence the system needs to be reconfigured to use an external signal for A/D synchronization. This can be achieved after the Hardware Installation through the NRC Java client’s “Global NRC Properties” dialog, or via the programmers’ SDK.

Step 6: Connect to the Network

A Cat-5 cable should be used to connect between the ETH port on the back panel of the NRC and the local area network.

Users’ Guide: Networked Receiver Controller - NRC-2.0.1 PAGE 12

NRC Configuration

Prerequisites:

In order to successfully configure the NRC for operational use, the installer must have access to:

a. a terminal emulation program

i. Before using it on the network the NRC must be properly configured, by

running a configuration utility on the NRC through a remote terminal session. This requires connecting serially to the NRC from another computer. The operating system of the computer is not important as long as it has a compatible terminal emulation program. For example, most Linux distributions contain minicom and the Windows systems contain HyperTerminal, both of which are appropriate for this application requirement. In addition, the computer must contain an available serial port.

b. A computer machine on which the NRC java client can be run

i. In order to configure the NRC to understand the type of attached receivers,

the supplied NRC Java client needs to be able to run. This computer needs to be on the same network as the NRC unit so it can attach to the NRC.

Step 1: Connect to the NRC

Before using it on the network the NRC must be properly configured, by running a configuration utility on the NRC through a remote terminal session. This requires connecting serially to the NRC from another computer. The operating system of the computer is not important as long as it has a compatible terminal emulation program. For example, most Linux distributions contain minicom and the Windows systems contain HyperTerminal, both of which are appropriate for this application requirement. In addition, the computer must contain an available serial port.

The following steps describe the remote terminal connection process:

1. Power on the NRC

2. Connect a DB9 null modem cable from the remote terminal port on the NRC to a serial

port on the computer.

3. Start the terminal emulation application on the computer.

4. Specify correct terminal settings on the terminal emulation application. Please refer to

the application documentation for instructions on how to make these settings.

• COM Port: use the serial port on the computer that connects to the NRC.

• Bits per second: 9600

• Data bits: 8

• Parity: none

• Stop bits: 1

• Flow control: None

• Terminal emulation: vt100

5. Activate the terminal (press Enter a few times). You may need to send a terminal break

if this doesn’t work.

6. Once this terminal is active the linux system and NRC boot-up messages will be echoed

to the remote terminal. Once the NRC system has finished booting, a user login prompt will appear.

Users’ Guide: Networked Receiver Controller - NRC-2.0.1 PAGE 13

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Aegis Micro NRC 2.0.1 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual