Black Box ACS335A, ACS335A-AS User Manual

THE ACS335A KVM-EXTENDER FAMILY

Welcome to the ACS335A KVM-Extender

Family!

Thank you for purchasing a ACS335A KVM-Extender model. We appreciate your business,
and we think you’ll appreciate the many ways that your enhanced keyboard/video/ mouse
system will save you money, time, and effort.

That’s because our ACS335A KVM-Extender not only allows you to remotely locate a
console (Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse + optional serial/audio devices) over great distances
without any loss in signal quality (up to 1000m/3250ft) but also to do this in an EMI
hazardous environment.

Wherever you have great distances: airports, roller plants, distributed data centres; or in a
range of applications where you have large electromagnetic generators or loads, magnetic
resonance tomographs, induction furnaces, current generators; the ACS335A KVM-Extender
is a solution for remotely locating your console. Two different models cover a range of
applications: a KVM extender for a standard remote console – Monitor, Keyboard and
Mouse; and a second unit with KVM extension and additional serial and bi-directional audio
support. This device is also suitable for computers equipped with a serial mouse or touch
screen.

This manual will tell you all about your new ACS335A KVM-Extender, including how to
install, operate, and troubleshoot it. For an introduction to the Extender,
see Chapter 2. The Extender product codes covered in this manual are:

ACS335A: KVM-Extender for VGA, PS2-Keyboard/Mouse

ACS335A-AS: KVM-Extender for VGA, PS2-Keyboard/Mouse + Serial/Audio

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ACS335A –5 STRAND KVM-EXTENDER

Copyrights and Trademarks

©2006. All rights reserved. This information may not be reproduced in any manner without
the prior written consent of the manufacturer.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice and the manufacturer shall
not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages in
connection with the use of this material.

All trademark and trade names mentioned in this document are acknowledged to be the
property of their respective owners.

Disclaimer

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, the manufacturer
assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither does the manufacturer assume any
liability for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. The
manufacturer reserves the right to change the specifications, functions, or circuitry of the
product without notice.

The manufacturer cannot accept liability for damage due to misuse of the product or due to
any other circumstances outside the manufacturer’s control (whether environmental or
installation related). The manufacturer shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, or injury
arising directly, indirectly, or consequently from the use of this product.

Cautions and Notes

The following symbols are used in this guide:

CAUTION. This indicates an important operating instruction
that should be followed to avoid any potential damage to
hardware or property, loss of data, or personal injury.

NOTE. This indicates important information to help you make the best use
of this product.

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FCC/CDC STATEMENTS

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

AND CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

RADIO-FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy, and if not installed
and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may
cause interference to radio communication. It has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class A computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart B of
Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such
interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference, in which case the user at his
own expense will be required to take whatever measures may be necessary to correct the
interference.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Shielded PC-equipment cables must be used with this equipment to maintain compliance with
radio frequency energy emission regulations and ensure a suitably high level of immunity to
electromagnetic disturbances.

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from digital
apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of the Canadian Department of
Communications.

Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le
brouillage radioélectrique publié par le Ministerié des Communications du Canada.

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EMPTY PAGE

4

CE - DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

This is to certify that, when installed and used according to the instructions in this
manual, together with the specified cables and the maximum cable length <3m, the
Units:

ACS335A

ACS335A-AS

are shielded against the generation of radio interferences in accordance with the
application of Council Directive 89/336/EEC as well as these standards:

EN 55022: 1999 Class A

EN 55024: 1999

IEC 61000-4-2: 2001

IEC 61000-4-3: 2001

IEC 61000-4-4: 2001

EN 61000-3-2 2001

EN 61000-3-3 2002

The device was tested in a typical configuration with PC.

Oberteuringen, Wednesday, October 11th, 2006

The management

This equipment has been found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is
likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the
interference at his own expense.

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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

Safety Precautions and Installation Guidelines

To ensure reliable and safe long-term operation, please note the following installation
guidelines:

• Only use in dry, indoor environments.

• The Remote unit, Local unit and any power supplies can get warm. Do not locate them

in an enclosed space without any airflow.

• Do not place a power supply directly on top of a unit.

• Do not obstruct a unit’s ventilation holes.

To safeguard against personal injury and avoid possible
damage to equipment or property, please observe the
following:

• Only use power supplies originally supplied with the

product or manufacturer-approved replacements. Do not
attempt to dismantle or repair any power supply. Do not
use a power supply if it appears to be defective or has a
damaged case.

• Connect all power supplies to grounded outlets. In each

case, ensure that the ground connection is maintained
from the outlet socket through to the power supply’s AC
power input.

• Do not attempt to modify or repair this product

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QUICK SETUP

Contents

1. Quick Setup 8

2. Overview 9

2.1

Introduction 9

2.2

Glossary 9

2.3

Features 11

2.4

Product Range 12

2.5

Compatibility 13

2.6

How to Use This Guide 14

3. Installation 15

3.1

Package Contents 15

3.2

Interconnection Cable Requirements 16

3.3

System Setup 17

3.4

Diagnostic and Adjustments 21

4. Adjustments 25

4.1

Jumper Location in the Local Unit 26

4.2

Jumper Location in the Remote Unit 27

4.3

Customization 27

5. Monitor Setup 30

5.1

TFT Monitors 32

5.2

Hints for Pixel Clock and Pixel Phase 33

5.3

Manual Adjustment of Video Signals 34

6. Troubleshooting 35

Appendix A: Example Applications 36

Appendix B: 19” Rack Mount Options 38

Appendix C: Audio/Serial Upgrade 40

Appendix D: Technical Support 42

Appendix E: Specifications 43

Appendix I: Connectors 45

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ACS335A –5 STRAND KVM-EXTENDER

Install System

YES

NO

NO

YES

Solve the problem as described in

YES

The fibres for data transmission

Done

1. Quick Setup

This section briefly describes how to install your KVM extender system and optimise the
video signals. Unless you are an experienced user, we recommend that you follow the full
procedures described in the rest of this manual.

1. Connect Remote unit to KVM.

2. Connect Local unit to CPU or switch.

3. Connect Local and Remote units with fibre interconnection cable.

4. Power up the system.

Wait until the dot lapses

Is the dot on the

7 segment display

illuminated?

Does the 7-

segment display show

’C’?

(1 + 2) are swapped – switch the

NO

fibres at one device (see page 20).

Does the 7-

segment display show

’0’?

8

the Troubleshooting section

(page 35).

OVERVIEW

2. Overview

2.1 Introduction

With a fibre KVM Extender you can dramatically increase the maximum distance between a
CPU and its Console – the keyboard/mouse and monitor (+ serial/audio devices). In addition,
they are essential for installations in hazardous EMI environments. Normal
keyboard/mouse/monitor extender cables (and Extenders using regular cables) have lower
extension capabilities and EMI interference may further reduce the maximum distance and
reliability. The ACS335A fibre optical KVM Extender System has none of these limitations.
Locate your CPU in a secure cabinet or data centre and access it remotely from a distance of
up to 1000m.

A basic KVM extension system comprises a Local unit (transmitter) and a Remote unit
(receiver). The Local unit connects directly to the computer (or a KVM switch system) using
the supplied cable(s). The user console (keyboard, mouse and monitor) attaches to the
Remote unit. The Remote and Local units communicate video and data information along the
interconnecting cable. Local units offer dual access, allowing the connection of a second user
console close to the computer. With the optional upgrade kit, you can also use the units to
communicate stereo audio and serial port signals.

2.2 Glossary

The following terms are used in this guide:

Multimode

PSU

KVM

Console

Dual Access

RGB

RGBS

VGA
(also called
RGBHV)

Any multimode 5+-fibre cable 50/125µ or 62.5/125µ

The desktop power supply connected to the Local/Remote unit.

Keyboard, Video (monitor) and Mouse.

A keyboard, monitor, and mouse, plus optional serial/audio devices.

A system allowing connection of Local and Remote user consoles.

Video signal, consisting of R (red) G (green) and B (blue) signals. The
signals have a level of 0.7Vpp. The Green-Signal also carries the
(composite) synchronisation signals.

Video signal, consisting of R (red) G (green) and B (blue) signals and
the additional (composite) SYNC signal. All signals have 0.7Vpp.

Video signal, consisting of R (red) G (green) and B (blue) signals and
the additional horizontal/vertical synchronisation signals. The colour
signals have a level of 0.7Vpp, the synchronisation TTL (5Volts).

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ACS335A –5 STRAND KVM-EXTENDER

CPU with VGA

ACS335A KVM-Extender System

Graphic Card

Local Access

Optional Serial
device + Audio

ACS335A – KVM Extender System (Example)

Remote Console

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OVERVIEW

2.3 Features

The ACS335A KVM-Extenders offer the following features:

• Support for VGA Graphic Cards (all models).

• Support for PS2-Keyboard and PS2-Mouse. Intelligent PS/2 keyboard and mouse

emulation ensures PCs do not lock up and allows peripherals to be hot-plugged (all
models).

• Transparent serial port (on ACS335A-AS only) enables any serial device to be extended

(up to 19.2K Baud). The serial port may be used to extend one device (requiring
handshaking lines) or up to three simple serial devices (no handshaking).

• Bi-directional stereo audio (16-bit digitised) support (ACS335A-AS only) enables high-

quality, low-noise, audio extension.

• Maximum Resolution:

VGA: 1280x1024@75Hz.

• Status indicator LED on each device.

• 7-Segment diagnostic display on Remote Unit aids troubleshooting.

• Small footprint chassis.

• Rack mount options available.

• CPU KVM-cable (1.8m) + universal PSU included.

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ACS335A –5 STRAND KVM-EXTENDER

2.4 Product Range

There are two products in the range and various options:

ACS335A - Extender

ACS335A-AS KVM-Extender for VGA, PS2-Keyboard/Mouse

Serial/Audio

ACS335A KVM-Extender for VGA, PS2-Keyboard/Mouse

Extender for VGA only

Upgrade Kits

ACS253A-RMK 19”/1U Rack Mount Kit (RMK) to mount up to 3 devices

in a 1U rack space

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OVERVIEW

2.5 Compatibility

Interface Compatibility

• VGA (also called RGBHV): Video signal, consisting of R (red) G (green) and B (blue)

signals and the additional horizontal/vertical synchronisation signals. The colour signals
have a level of 0.7Vpp, the synchronisation TTL (5Volts).

• RGB: Video signal, consisting of R (red) G (green) and B (blue) signals. The signals

have a level of 0.7Vpp. The Green-Signal also carries the (composite) synchronisation
signals.

• PS/2 Keyboard: Compatible with all standard keyboards. Certain keyboards with

enhanced features may also be supported with custom firmware.

• PS/2 Mouse: Compatible with all standard 2-button, 3-button and wheel mice.

• Audio: Input and output are line-level. Amplified speakers are required. A microphone

may be directly connected to the Remote unit (optional pre-amplification).

• Serial: Transparent up to 19.2K Baud. The following serial signals are extended: TX,

RX, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR. In rare cases, a wiring adaptor may be required to transfer
RI and DCD.

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ACS335A –5 STRAND KVM-EXTENDER

2.6 How to Use This Guide

This guide describes the installation and configuration of the ACS335A KVM-Extender
Series. Although the connection and operation of the system is relatively straightforward, you
should consider the following before getting started:

Connection & Compatibility

If you have purchased a ACS335A KVM-Extender Kit, this will contain all the cables required
to connect the Local unit to your PC or KVM switch. The Remote console (keyboard,
monitor and mouse) and any audio and serial equipment connect directly to the Remote unit.

For information about connection and installation, see Installation, page 15.

Graphic Source (RGB or VGA)

The device can transmit RGB signals as well as VGA. In addition, it is able to convert from
VGA to RGB as well as from RGB to VGA.
Factory setting: VGA (see page 27).

Fibre Cable (50µ or 62,5µ)

The ACS335A KVM-Extender can be used with 50µ or 62,5µ fibre cable. The transmission
power must be adjusted to the type of cable. You need not to modify the setting, if at least one
of the following two circumstances become true: 1st the cable type is 50µ, 2nd the cable length
exceeds 300ft/100m. (see also page 27)

Automatic Gain Control (AGC)

In some applications (e.g. RGB Signals) it may be necessary to switch off the Automatic Gain
Control.
Factory setting: Automatic Gain Control ON (see page 27)

Compatibility

The devices are NOT compatible with ACS235A models.

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INSTALLATION

3. Installation

For first-time users, we recommend that you carry out a test placement, confined to a single
room, before commencing full installation. This will allow you to identify and solve any
cabling problems, and experiment with the KVM extender system more conveniently.

3.1 Package Contents

You should receive the following items in your extender package:

• ACS335A (ACS335A –AS) KVM-Extender Local Unit

• ACS335A (ACS335A –AS) KVM-Extender Remote Unit

• VGA CPU cable, ZIP type 1,8m (HD15 male / HD15 female, 2 x PS2 male / PS2 male)

Models ACS335A-AS and ACS335A

• Audio CPU-cable 1,8m (3,5mm Stereo Jack / 3,5mm Stereo Jack)

Model ACS335A-AS only

• Serial CPU-cable 1,8m (DB9 female / DB9 male)

Model ACS335A-AS only

• 2 x 6V DC universal PSU

• 2 x power cord

• Manual (Quick Setup)

If anything is missing, please contact Technical Support (see Appendix D – Technical
Support).

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