Sigma SBX-32 Operator's Manual

SBX-32

SINGLE BUS

CONTROL PANEL

OPERATOR’S MANUAL

SIGMA ELECTRONICS, INC.

P.O. Box 448

1027 COMMERCIAL AVENUE

EAST PETERSBURG, PA 17520

[phone]

SBX-32 PANEL OPERATION

The SBX-32 is a single bus control panel capable of addressing any of 64 INPUTS to one
OUTPUT in the Sigma ADX Series switching matrix. The panel is capable of operating in several
modes. It can operate in a FOLLOW mode, meaning that the same input for all levels will change
when a switch is made. It can also operate in a BREAKAWAY mode, where only the selected
input level will change or a SPLIT mode where the level(s) can be individually set. Additionally, any
input level can be LOCKED, preventing it from switching in any mode.

Each remote panel is controlled by the SCI-ADX interface card located in the ADF-64 frame.
Connection is made between the SCI-ADX and the SBX-32 through coaxial cable attached to the
BNC’s labeled "COMM". This coaxial cable can be up to 1000 feet in length. Additional panels can
be added by using BNC "T" connectors to tap off another line to the next panel. The system is
capable of handling up to 64 panels in total. The system will allow any mixture of either full matrix
or single bus panels. Each panel in a system must have a unique address. Addresses are set
utilizing the DIP switch located at the rear of the control panel. If the control panel cannot establish
initial communications with the SCI controller via the COMM line , 00 will be displayed in the level
windows and the keyboard will not function.

Green numeric LED’s display the current input levels. If any level is in a preset condition, the
respective display window will flash.

The SBX-32 is an intelligent panel in that it will automatically configure itself to the size of the
system for which the SCI-ADX is configured. See separate information on the SCI-ADX for details
of system matrix configuration.

The SBX-32 front panel is divided into 3 sections: LEVEL, SOURCE, and TAKE.
LEVEL: Along the top portion of the control panel are four LEVEL buttons. This allows selection

of any one of the four levels. When no LEVEL button has been selected, the panel is operating in
a FOLLOW mode.

A single momentary press of the desired level button activates a LEVEL that causes the
respective display to go blank. This operation will allow a BREAKAWAY (where only one level is
changed) or a SPLIT (where multiple levels select different sources). To execute a BREAKAWAY,
select the desired source after selecting the level and then press the TAKE switch to complete the
operation. To execute a SPLIT, alternately select LEVELS then sources until all desired levels are
preset. Complete the operation by pressing the TAKE button.

When a source is selected, it will be displayed (flashing) in the active LEVEL window(s). One
or more LEVEL windows may be active at the same time and each can be set for a different
source. Once a LEVEL is activated and a source selected, another LEVEL can be activated and a
different source selected for the second level. A second press of any active LEVEL will clear the
preset mode. Once the input levels are preset, the TAKE can be pressed to initiate the switch.

Another feature of the LEVEL button is to individually LOCK the levels from being changed.
The LOCK feature only prevents a source from being switched from the specific control panel that
is locked. It does not effect another control panel or the serial control of the switcher. To LOCK a
level, press and hold the desired LEVEL button for 2 seconds. The lock must be performed when
the control panel is not in the preset condition. The display will initially blank until the 2 seconds
have elapsed, then the display will return and the LED incorporated into the LEVEL button will be
illuminated. Th is level is now LOCKED. It cannot be selected or changed from this panel without
canceling the LOCK mode. To cancel the LOCK mode, press and hold the respective LEVEL
button for 2 seconds. W hen unlocked, the LED will be extinguished. One or more levels can be
LOCKED at the operator’s discretion.

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SOURCE: There are 32 illuminated source buttons on the panel. The LED incorporated into
each source button tracks the LEVEL 1 selection. The LED’s only illuminate when the input is
within the range of the panel. For example, if the panel is set for sources 1-32, but the Level 1
window is displaying 108, no LED will be on. This may occur if the switch was performed by a
different control panel or via the serial port.

The group select DIP switch on the rear of the control panel determines to which group of 32
sources this panel is assigned. This panel can control sources 1-32, 33-64, 65-96 or 97-128. Refer
to the chart in the next section to select the desired source group assignment.

The SBX-32 will only function with valid source data received from the SCI-ADX system
control interface module. If SCI-ADX is set for 16 sources, the only SOURCE switches that are
functional are 1-16. Another example would be if the SCI-ADX is set for 48 sources and the SBX
panel was set to the SOURCE group 33-64, only switches 33-48 would be operational on the
panel.

TAKE: The red switch on the right side of the control panel is the TAKE button. When pressed, it
sends the SCI-ADX a request to change the OUTPUT to the preset condition. The status of the
switch request will be transmitted back to the panel by the SCI-ADX. When the control panel
receives the updated status, the display will stop flashing and reflect the current status of that
output. It should be noted that although there may be a slight delay before the display stops
flashing after pressing the TAKE button, the actual switch is made immediately by the SCI. The
control panel update is slightly delayed as it awaits the response from the SCI-ADX. If the displays
remain flashing after a TAKE is generated, there is possibly a problem with the SCI or the COMM
line.

The selected OUTPUT of the control panel can be reviewed by pressing the TAKE key. The
OUTPUT will be displayed in the LEVEL 4 window for 2 seconds. This must be done when there
are no preset conditions.

AUTOTAKE: The panel is also capable of switching without the use of the TAKE switch. This
is accomplished by setting DIP switch S1,7 to ON, at the rear of the control panel. Reminder:
power to the control panel must be reset whenever the DIP switch configuration is changed. In the
AUTOTAKE mode, the transaction is performed at the completion of the source selection.

OUTPUT: The panel is capable of addressing any output from 1 to 128. The charts in the
following section will show how to set the switches for the desired outp u t .

ERROR MESSAGES: There are two possible errors that can occur if the rear panel DIP
switches are not set to a valid configuration.

If the panel is set up for an OUTPUT address that exceeds the maximum output value on the
SCI-ADX, the illuminated keys will scan rapidly from the right to the left.

If the panel is set up for a SOURCE group that exceeds the maximum input value on the SCI­ADX, the illuminated keys will scan rapidly f rom the le f t to th e righ t. For exam ple, if th e pa ne l is se t
for Inputs 97-128, but the SCI-ADX is set for Inputs 1-64 or less.

In either case the problem must be corrected at the control panel or the SCI-ADX. Typically
this problem will be due to the control panel being improperly configured. The control panel must
be turned off and on again before proper operation will begin.

In addition to these error indicators, there is one other potential problem in which the SBX will
raise a flag. If for any reason the SBX is unable to communicate with the SCI-ADX, which is the
control interface card located in the master frame, the requested input will flash. This is an
indication that there is a communication problem in the system. The most likely cause would be a
faulty or disconnected coaxial COMM cable.

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