Viking CA-4 Technical Practice

Telecommunication Peripheral Products

Four Line Call Auditor

Technical Practice

CA-4

March 15, 2000

Add Call Accounting Capabilities to

Nearly Any Phone System!

The CA-4 provides a cost effective way
to add call accounting features to any
phone system.

The CA-4 monitors up to four analog
telephone lines for inbound and
outbound call duration, time, date, and
number dialed.

The CA-4 buffers up to 1820 call records
for later retrieval. The data can be

formatted

formatted in ASCII delimited text to be downloaded to a PC via a RS-232 port. It can
also be output to a serial printer in a tabular format.

http://www.VikingElectronics.com

VIKING©

[e-mail]

Features Applications

• Easy parallel wiring to analog lines/PABX
extensions.

• Monitors up to four C.O. lines or analog
PABX/KSU stations

• 1820 call record buffer

• Data button for on demand downloading

• Download data to a PC or print to a serial printer

• Download data remotely via modem

• Can output an ASCII delimited text file for use
with spread sheet and database programs

• Monitor call activity in small offices and
businesses

• Determine traffic patterns

• Verify long distance carrier charges

• Track down phone system hacking

Sales...(715) 386 - 8861

Made in the U.S.A.

Specifications

• LED indicates operational mode

• Control manually or from a PC

• Battery back-up for memory

• Built-in clock/calendar with automatic leap year
compensation

Power: 120V AC/13.8V AC, 1.25A UL listed adapter provided
Dimensions: 133mm x 130mm x 38mm (5.25” x 5.1” x 1.5”)
Shipping Weight: 0.9 kg (2 lbs)
Environmental: 0°C to 32°C (32°F to 90°F) with 5% to 95% non-

condensing humidity

Connections: (2) RJ14 jacks, (1) RS-232 serial port
Clock Battery Back-up: Approximately 24 hours using a 9V

standard or rechargeable battery (not included)
Time Base: 60Hz AC Power

Installation

A. Lines and RS-232

The analog telephone lines should be
connected in parallel. Connect the
serial output of the CA-4 to a serial
printer or a PC using a 9 position RS­232 cable. The RS-232 connector is
configured as shown in the table below.

RS-232

Pin 2
Pin 3
Pin 4
Pin 5
Pin 6
Pin 7-8

Function

Transmit
Receive
DSR
Ground
DTR
CTS/RTS

RS-232 Cable

(not included)

Personal

Computer

B. Clock Battery Back-Up

Battery back-up can be provided to maintain the clock operation. If
battery back-up is desired, remove the cover from the CA-4 and install a
9V battery onto the battery snap. Then remove the backing of the double
back tape on the inside of the cover and press the battery firmly to the
tape. The clock time will be maintained for approximately 24 hours.

USE ONLY
CLASS 2 LISTED
POWER SOURCE
120VAC 1.25A MAX

-or-

SERIAL DATA OUT

(RS-232)

Serial
Printer

LINES 1&2 LINES 3&4

2

LINES 1, 2LINES 1,

-or-

1-4 C.O. Lines or analog

PABX/KSU stations

Hayes

pwr

aa cd oh io mr

Modem

28.8

PABX/KSU

Jumper 1

The CA-4 has a built-in charging circuit for rechargeable batteries. If a

9V Battery

standard battery is used, Jumper 1 must be removed before installing the
battery (see diagram at right) to disable the charging circuit.

Important: Serious damage may occur if the battery charging circuit is not
configured correctly. When using a rechargeable 9V battery, Jumper 1 should be in place. When using a non­rechargeable battery, Jumper 1 MUST be removed (see diagram above right).

Programming

A. Date and Time

1. Programming from a Touch Tone Phone

a. Call one of the telecom devices connected to the CA-4 using a Touch Tone phone.
b. When the telcom device answers, enter a ✱ and the security code “845464” (V-I-K-I-N-G).

Note: The security code can not be changed.

c. To change the time and date, enter two Touch Tone digits for each parameter.

min hours day month year

Example: 2:30pm March 9, 1998. Enter: 30 14 09 03 98

Note: You must use a leading “0” if the value is less than 2 digits.

d. When finished, hang-up.

2. Programming from a PC

a. Connect the serial port of the PC to the DATA port of the CA-4.
b. Establish serial communications (see section C. Setting Up Your Communications Software).
c. To change the time and date, enter two digits for each, in the following order: minutes, hours, date, month

and year. Press the <Enter> key to update the time and date.

Note: You must use a leading “0” if the value is less than 2 digits. If there is an invalid entry, “PROGRAM­ MING ERROR” will appear on the screen. Simply reenter the values and press the <Enter> key again.

d. Once the new programming values have been accepted by the CA-4, the new values will appear on the PC
screen.

Snap

B. Inbound DTMF Screening

The CA-4 does not monitor for ring voltage. The only method of determining whether a call is an “inbound” or
“outbound” call is the Touch Tones recorded. In certain situations Touch Tones may be entered on inbound calls,
such as when an Auto Attendant or voice mail system is called. To compensate for these applications, you may set
a maximum inbound Touch Tone filter. This filter will determine any call that uses fewer Touch Tones than the filter
setting to be “inbound.” All other calls will be labeled “outbound.”

1. Programming from a Touch Tone Phone

a. Call one of the telecom devices connected to the CA-4 using a Touch Tone phone.
b. When the telecom device answers, enter ✱ and the security code “845464” (V-I-K-I-N-G).
c. Enter the Touch Tone filter number (0 - 9) + #.
d. When finished, hang-up.

2. Programming from a PC

a. Connect the serial port of the PC to the data port of the CA-4.
b. Establish serial communications (see section C. Setting Up Your Communications Software).
c. Enter the Touch Tone filter number followed by <Ctrl+E>.
d. Once the new programming values have been accepted by the CA-4, they will appear on the screen.
e. To check the Touch Tone filter number without changing it, enter <Ctrl+F>.

C. Setting Up Your Communication Software

Important: Viking Electronics will NOT support computer software or hardware problems. If you experience these

problems, research your hardware/software instruction manuals or contact the manufacturer’s technical support
department.

Start your communication software. For example, “Terminal” is the communication software supplied

with Windows 3.x and “Hyperterminal” is supplied with Windows 95. Configure a profile called “CA-4” as follows:

Com = that of your serial port (1 - 4)
Baud rate = 9600

Data bits = 8
Stop bits = 1

Parity = none
Flow control = Xon/Xoff

Parity check and carrier detect should be left unselected. Save your settings. This will allow you to retrieve your
settings whenever you wish to download CA-4 data without having to manually set the parameters each time.

D. Setting Up Your Printer

Important: Viking Electronics will NOT support printer problems. If you experience these problems, research your

hardware/software instruction manuals or contact the manufacturer’s technical support department.

Configure the serial printer as follows:

Baud rate = 9600
Data bits = 8

Stop bits = 1
Parity = none

Flow Control = Xon/Xoff

Operation

The CA-4 monitors the voltage between Tip and Ring to determine if the line is in use. If the voltage is below 18V DC,
the line is deemed in use and the CA-4 notes the time and date of the call. At this point the call timer is started. While
the line is in use, if any Touch Tones are detected, they are buffered, up to a maximum of 20 digits. When the call is
complete, (minimum 5 sec.) the call timer is saved and all the call data is stored in the call buffer.

In the Buffer mode, call records are held in the CA-4 for later retrieval. In the Dump mode, all stored call data is output
to the serial port. As long as the CA-4 is in the dump mode, subsequent call records are output as soon as the calls are
terminated. Output of the CA-4 can be controlled either manually by using the DATA button on the front panel or by
entering <Ctrl> characters when interfaced with the serial communication software of a PC. Following are the <Ctrl>
characters and their operations:

<Ctrl+X> = Statistics reset
<Ctrl+Z> = Send date, time & mode
<Ctrl+B> = Buffer mode

VIKING©

CALL AUDITOR

MODEL CA-4

DATA

READY

A. Data Output Modes

1. Buffer Mode

In the “Buffer” mode, the CA-4 will store up to 1820 call records. If the maximum buffer capability is surpassed,
the oldest call records will be purged.
a. Manual Operation - To change the output mode, momentarily press the DATA button. The CA-4 will toggle
between modes. The “Buffer” mode is indicated by a slow flash (1 second on, 1 second off).

b. PC Operation - To enable the “Buffer” mode, enter <Ctrl+B>.

2. Dump Mode

In the “Dump” mode, all buffered data is downloaded to the RS-232 port. If left in the dump mode, each
additional new call will also be downloaded.
a. Manual Operation - To change the output mode, momentarily press the DATA button. The CA-4 toggles
between modes. The “Dump” mode is indicated by a fast flash (1/2 second on, 1/2 second off).

b. PC Operation - To enable the “Dump” mode, enter <Ctrl+D>.

Ready LED

<Ctrl+D> = Dump mode
<Ctrl+S> = Start/Stop (toggle)
<Ctrl+H> = Halt and return to start

Flash Length

Long

Long
Short
Short

# of Flashes

<Ctrl+A> = ASCII Delimited format
<Ctrl+T> = Tabular format

Mode/Format

1
2
1
2

Buffer Mode/Tabular Format
Buffer Mode/ASCII Format
Dump Mode/Tabular Format
Dump Mode/ASCII Format

3. Deleting Data

To delete all stored data, press <Ctrl+X> (PC mode only).

B. Data Format

1. Tabular Format

In the tabular format, the data is spaced to form a table. This is best for downloading to a serial printer.

Manual Operation - To change the data format, hold in the DATA button. After one second, the CA-4 will

a.

begin flashing the LED, first consecutive five single flashes, then five double flashes and then repeating the
pattern as long as the button is held in. Continue to hold the button down while watching the flashing LED.
Release the DATA button when the LED produces a single flash to put the CA-4 in the tabular mode.

b. PC Operation - To enable the “Tabular Format” mode, press <Ctrl+T>.

2. ASCII Delimited Text Format

In the ASCII delimited text format, a text file is produced with commas delimiting the individual data fields. This is
best for downloading to a PC.

Manual Operation - To change the data format, press and hold the DATA button. After one second, the CA-

a.

4 will begin flashing the LED, first five single flashes, then five double flashes and then repeating the pattern

as long as the button is held in. Continue to hold the button down while watching the flashing LED. Release
the DATA button when the LED produces a double flash to put the CA-4 in the ASCII delimited mode.

b. PC Operation - To enable the “ASCII Delimited” mode, press <Ctrl+A>.

Note: While in the ASCII

Delimited Mode, no screen prompts will be returned from <Ctrl> commands.

C. Printer Mode

Connect your serial printer to the RS-232 port of the CA-4 and set up your printer as shown in “Programming
section D.” For ease of viewing, the Tabular mode should be used (see B. Data Format, 1. Tabular Format)

You may download records individually using the dump mode or store the records and dump all of the records at
once using the buffer mode. Below is a sample printout/terminal screen.

month/day/year time line # number dialed call length inbound (I) or outbound (O)

| | | | | |

09/30/1998 12:41 4 5551212 00:00:09 O

D. PC Mode

Note: Communication software menu commands may vary with brands and versions. The commands listed are

only the most common. If your software does not use these menu commands, use the commands that most closely
correspond.

1. Connect your PC to the RS-232 port of the CA-4.

2. From the personal computer, start the communication software and, open the profile as
explained in Programming section C. Setting Up Your Communications Software.

3. From your communication software select “Transfer...” or “Transfer File...,” then “Receive text...” or “Capture

text...”

4. In the file name box, create a name with a .txt extension (Example: data.txt). Click “OK” or “Start.” Your PC is
now ready to receive the call data from the CA-4.

5. Enter <Ctrl+Z>. The CA-4 will respond with time, date and mode, verifying communications between your PC
and the CA-4.

6. Enter <Ctrl+D> to begin dumping the data. The call records will appear in the terminal window of your PC.

Notes: You may momentarily pause and restart the data transfer by entering <Ctrl+S>. Alternatively, you may

also abort and restart the transfer from the beginning by pressing <Ctrl+H> followed by <Ctrl+D>.

7. When the file transfer is complete, click on “Stop” or “Stop Transfer” button.

8. If desired, enter <Ctrl+B> on the PC keyboard to put the CA-4 back into the call “Buffer” mode.

To use the data in a spread sheet, import the ASCII Delimited Text file you have just created and manipulate
the data as necessary.

E. Modem Mode

You may download the CA-4’s data remotely using a modem, a null modem adapter and telephone line. Connect
the modem with the null modem adapter (Radio Shack # 26-1496 or 26-264 or equivalent ) to the RS-232 port.
When you configure your communications software (see Programming section C ), enter the phone number
attached to the null modem.

Product Support Line...[phone] Fax Back Line...[phone]

Due to the dynamic nature of the product design, the information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Viking
Electronics, its affiliates and/or subsidiaries assume no responsibility for errors and/or omissions contained in this information. Revisions
of this document or new editions of it may be issued to incorporate such changes.

Printed in the U.S.A. ZF300970 Rev BFax Back Doc # 650