INSTALLATION & PROGRAMMING MANUAL
ISM4
INTELLIGENT SYSTEM MANAGER
ISM4 INSTALLATION & PROGRAMMING MANUAL
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................................................... 3
ISM4 FEATURE DESCRIPTIONS............................................................................................................................ 4
ISM4 FRONT PANEL FEATURES....................................................................................................................... 4
ISM4 REAR PANEL FEATURES......................................................................................................................... 5
ISM4 BOTTOM PANEL FEATURES.................................................................................................................... 7
SYSTEM APPLICATIONS...................................................................................................................................... 11
HOME THEATER SYSTEM (Figure 4).............................................................................................................. 11
Other Applications........................................................................................................................................... 11
MULTI-ZONE A/V SYSTEM (Figure 5).............................................................................................................. 12
INSTALLATION ...................................................................................................................................................... 13
CONNECTIONS...................................................................................................................................................... 13
HOME THEATER SYSTEM (Figure 4).............................................................................................................. 13
MULTI-ZONE SYSTEM (Figure 5)..................................................................................................................... 14
OTHER CONNECTIONS.................................................................................................................................... 16
RS232............................................................................................................................................................. 16
EXPANSION................................................................................................................................................... 16
PROGRAMMING..................................................................................................................................................... 18
SOURCE ON/OFF MACROS............................................................................................................................. 18
COMMAND STRUCTURE.................................................................................................................................. 18
NAVIGATING AND EDITING MACROS............................................................................................................ 18
PROGRAMMING MACROS............................................................................................................................... 19
MACRO PROGRAMMING TABLE .................................................................................................................... 19
Learn IR .......................................................................................................................................................... 20
IR Learn Error ................................................................................................................................................. 20
No Delay – with additional Command Structures in the Macro...................................................................... 20
Delay – with additional Command Structures in the Macro............................................................................ 21
No Delay – no additional Command Structures in the Macro......................................................................... 21
Test Macro...................................................................................................................................................... 21
Program Remaining Macros........................................................................................................................... 21
Exit Edit Mode................................................................................................................................................. 21
Test ISM4 (All Macros) ................................................................................................................................... 21
PROGRAMMING RC68 ON/OFF TRIGGER COMMANDS............................................................................... 22
RC68 Discrete ON/OFF Trigger Command Programming............................................................................. 22
RC68 Toggle ON/OFF Trigger Command Programming............................................................................... 22
RS232 CONTROL AND PROGRAMMING ........................................................................................................ 24
RS232 Com Port Settings............................................................................................................................... 24
RS232 Command Strings............................................................................................................................... 24
ISM4 Queries.................................................................................................................................................. 24
CLONING THE ISM4.......................................................................................................................................... 26
OPERATING THE ISM4.......................................................................................................................................... 27
System ON Mode................................................................................................................................................ 27
System OFF Mode.............................................................................................................................................. 27
RC68 Triggered Commands............................................................................................................................... 27
RS232 Triggered Commands ............................................................................................................................. 28
APPENDIX .............................................................................................................................................................. 29
NAVIGATING AND EDITING MACROS............................................................................................................ 29
Normal Operating Mode.................................................................................................................................. 29
Edit Mode - Navigate Macros.......................................................................................................................... 30
IR Learn Mode................................................................................................................................................ 31
Delay Program Mode...................................................................................................................................... 32
SPECIFICATIONS................................................................................................................................................... 33
ISM4 INSTALLATION & PROGRAMMING MANUAL
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Xantech ISM4 Intelligent System Manager. The ISM4 is the
answer to the age old problem of simply and inexpensively keeping Home Entertainment System devices in sync.
The ISM4 can sync up to four IR controlled devices when referenced to one of those devices, typically a Video
Monitor, Home Theater A/V Receiver or Whole House Audio/Video Entertainment System Controller. All four
system devices are referenced to the ISM4 via Xantech Sensing Modules. There are 6 different sensors that can
be used to detect voltage, contact closure, video, audio, light or current. When the System Reference Device is
turned ON, the ISM4 will detect the change of state for the referenced device (from OFF to ON) and ‘look’ at the
state of the other devices. If any or all are OFF, the ISM4 will automatically output IR Commands to turn those
devices ON for proper system sync.
The ISM4 Processor constantly scans the Sense Inputs, whether any of the system devices are ON or not. This
serves multiple purposes. First, when the System Reference Device is ON, it keeps the other system devices ON.
That doesn’t just mean at the initial power up, but for as long as the reference device is ON. Some devices such
as DVD players will time out after a certain period of inactivity. If a device were to time out or otherwise turn OFF,
(as long as the System Reference Device is ON) when the ISM4 Processor scans the Sense Inputs, if any device
is OFF the ISM4 will output the proper IR Command to turn the device ON and restore proper system sync.
The opposite is also true. If the System Reference Device is OFF and the ISM4 detects any of the other three
devices are ON, the ISM4 will output the proper IR Command(s) and turn it/them OFF to restore proper system
sync.
In addition to issuing power commands to maintain sync, each device can have a macro of up to five IR
Commands and Delays associated with the sync mechanism so anytime a device is synced to the system, a
default mode for each device (and ultimately the system) can be implemented. This allows the reference device to
be set to a specific input at specific volume and audio mode (depending upon device capability). Sources can be
set to Play (DVD/CD, Media Servers, etc) or tune to a specific channel (Cable, Satellite, XM, Sirius, AM/FM).
There is no special remote or keypad required to activate the ISM4. It will automatically respond to the status of
the System Reference Device to sync the other system devices. However, the ISM4 can be controlled via IR. For
IR control, the ISM4 responds to Xantech RC68 Commands. Any programmable controller that can learn RC68
Commands can be used with an ISM4. There is an IR Control Input that can be integrated with most IR repeater
systems and an IR Receiver Jack that is compatible with any Xantech IR Receiver with a stereo mini pl ug. (291
Series or ‘Dash 30’ Type 480-30, 490-30 etc). The IR Inputs will also pass through IR Commands, allowing dire ct
control of the system devices, so typically no additional connecting block or other IR system components are
required.
The RS232 Protocol allows for a bi-directional interface between the ISM4 and the RS232 Control Device.
Incoming ASCII Text Commands can be associated with IR Commands for Discrete ON/OFF or Toggle Power of
the System Reference Device, Query Source Power State and request general System Info. The ISM4 will return
an ASCII Text Status Message to the control device for use as system status indication or other logic as
implemented per system design.
The ISM4 is a stand-alone programmed device and does not require any programming software for setup. A
simple, logical progression of IR Code Learning is used with each step prompted by the Front Panel LED's.
Specific LED modes indicate which Source macro is being programmed right down to which step in the macro,
and how many seconds are in the delay. All programming can be tested right from the ISM4 while learning for
individual code confirmation or when programming is complete for system function confirmation. ISM4
Programming can be cloned from one unit to another via the RS232 Port on the Rear Panel.
Multiple ISM4 Modules can be linked for expansion in systems with more than four devices. All devices will be
synced to the System Reference Device on the Primary Module.
Xantech ISM4 – Intelligent System Management made simple.
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ISM4 INSTALLATION & PROGRAMMING MANUAL
ISM4 FEATURE DESCRIPTIONS
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Figure 1 – ISM4 Front Panel Features
ISM4 FRONT PANEL FEATURES
1. IR Learning Eye. The IR Learning Eye allows teaching IR Commands to the ISM4 for programming Source
ON and OFF Macros and Command Structures.
2. Source 1-4 LED’s. These LED’s are primarily used to indicate the sensed state of a corresponding system
device (Source 1-4). When a sensed device is ON, the LED for that device will illuminate solid green. When
that device is OFF the LED will be OFF. A Source LED will flash green when the ISM4 is outputting IR for that
source. These LED’s will also illuminate individually during IR Programming to indicate which device the IR
Commands being learned are being associated with. Several of the function buttons on the front panel are
capable of launching different functions based on the current programming state and the duration of the
button press. The allowed elapsed times are; 1 second, 2 seconds, 5 secon ds and 10 seconds. To eliminate
the burden on the programmer to have to keep track of time, the ISM4 will prompt the programmer when all
but the 1 second elapsed time intervals have expired. This is true for all buttons that have time
dependencies. Upon initiation of a press of a button with time dependencies, the unit starts tracking time.
Upon crossing the 2 second threshold, the unit will quickly flash the current active SOURCE LED. If the
button remains pressed beyond this point the unit continues to monitor elapsed time. After 5 se conds of
continuously pressing the button, the current active SOURCE LED will blink once again. Finally after 10
seconds of a continuous press, the LED will blink a third time. Given that there is not time dependency that
exceeds 10 seconds the unit starts to blink rapidly to indicate that the max time duration has been exceeded.
• First Blink: 2 second elapsed time indication.
• Second Blink: 5 second elapsed time indication.
• Third Blink: 10 second elapsed time indication.
th
+ (Rapid Blink): Maximum Elapsed time exceeded indication
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3. Program LED. This LED will illuminate different colors during the progressive steps of Source Programming
to indicate which Macro (by Source) is being programmed.
Normal Mode
• LED Off – Normal use mode. (Power Management)
• Solid Red During IR Generation – Retry Source ON or OFF Macro (up to five times).
• Flash Red – Flash at a rate of 1/3 of a second indicates that the unit is processing a long delay.
ISM4 INSTALLATION & PROGRAMMING MANUAL
Edit Mode
• Solid Green – Program ON state Macro.
• Solid Orange – Program OFF state Macro.
• Solid Red – Program Error.
4. Prev Button. This button has multiple functions, depending upon ISM4 programming mode including:
Navigate Backwards through Source ON/OFF Macros, Navigate Backwards through Macro Command
Structures (individual commands and delays) within ON/OFF Macros, decrease individual Delay value, Exit
Programming Mode and Initiate the Clone Process to copy the Macro Tables from one ISM4 to another ISM4.
5. Test Button. This button has three functions, depending upon the ISM4 programming mode including: Test
Source Macro, Test Learned IR Command and Test Delay.
6. Next Button. This button has three functions, depending upon the ISM4 programming mode including:
Navigate Forward through Source ON/OFF Macros, Navigate Forward through Macro Command Structures
(individual commands and delays) within ON/OFF Macros and Increase individual delay value.
7. Delay Button. This button is used during Source ON/OFF Macro prog ramming to allow setting a delay
duration within a Command Structure.
8. Sequence Button. This button has multiple functions, depending upon the ISM4 programming mode
including: Enter Source ON/OFF Macro Programming Mode, Enter IR Learn Mode, Save Learned IR and
Save Delay Value.
9. Delete Button. This button has multiple functions, depending upon ISM4 programming mode including:
Delete selected Source ON/OFF Macro, Delete Command Structure, Delete entire Macro Table (all macros),
remove last unsaved Learned IR Command, Remove Delay from selected Command Structure.
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Figure 2 – ISM4 Rear Panel Features
ISM4 REAR PANEL FEATURES
10. IR Out. Four 2-circuit (mono) 3.5mm mini jacks connect to the IR Emitters for Sources 1-4.
11. IR RCVR (IR Receiver Port). One 3-circuit (stereo) 3.5mm mini jack connects to any Xantech IR Receiver
with a stereo mini plug. (291 Series or ‘Dash 30’ Type 480-30, 490-30 etc). This jack provides 12 VDC to the
ISM4 INSTALLATION & PROGRAMMING MANUAL
IR Receiver and receives IR signals from the receiver. IR signals input on this jack can control the ISM4 and
pass through to control the individual sources via the Source 1-4 IR Outputs.
12. IR Control. One 2-circuit (mono) 3.5mm mini jack connects to a normal Emitter Output on an IR repeater
system or IR Output on a system controller or A/V Receiver. IR signals input on this jack can control the ISM4
and pass through to control the individual sources via the Source 1-4 IR Outputs.
13. Power. 2.1mm coaxial jack connects to the included 12VDC 0.5A Power Supply (Xantech Part No
781ERGPS).
14. Expansion. One, 2-circuit (mono) 3.5mm mini jack connects to the Source 1 “Sense In” on a secondary ISM4
for system sync of three additional devices. When the Source 1 “Sense In” on the Primary ISM4 senses an
ON state (12VDC), this jack outputs 12VDC to the Source 1 “Sense In” on the Secondary ISM4 to indicate the
system ON state. The Source 2-4 devices on the Secondary ISM4 will then sync to the system as
programmed (turn ON). When the Source 1 “Sense In” on the Primary ISM4 senses an OFF state (0VDC),
this jack outputs 0VDC to the Source 1 “Sense In” on the Secondary ISM4 to indicate the system OFF state.
The Source 2-4 devices on the Secondary ISM4 will then sync to the system as programmed (turn OFF).
15. RS232. One, 3-circuit (stereo) mini jack connects to the RS232 Output on a system control device such as an
A/V Receiver, Whole House System Controller, etc. RS232 Commands Input on this port can trigger ISM4 IR
output for Source 1 Power (discrete ON/OFF, toggle ON/OFF) as well as Query Source Power State and
System info. This Port is bi-directional and will automatically send ISM4 System Status Info (Provided
Automatic Source Power State Notifications are enabled. Refer to the RS232 Control and Programming
section) when any Source state change has occurred or when queried by the RS232 control device.
16. Sense In. Four, 3-circuit (stereo) 3.5mm mini jacks connect to any of the Xantech SM Series Sensor
Modules. The ON/OFF state for each of Sources 1-4 will be detected by a Sensor Module appropriate for that
device, (i.e. SMVID01 Video Sensor for a DVD Player, SMVLT01 Voltage Sensor for a device with a 12V AC
or DC output such as an A/V Receiver or Whole-House System Controller). Each "Sense In" Jack is
associated with two IR Macros (ON/OFF) and a Source IR Output.
Before proceeding with this discussion, it is important to note that the Programming Procedure
imposes a requirement on the Source 1 (System Reference Device) macros that it do es not impose on
any other macros. The requirement is as follows; on either the ON or the OFF Macros, the ISM4
assumes that the IR content (if programmed) of the first Command Structure (refer to the COMMAND
STRUCTURES section for a thorough description of Command Structures) be a Power Command. It
is left up to the programmer to ensure that this rule is strictly abided by. The problem is as follows; if
the System Reference device is manually (or by Remote Control) turned on, the resulting transition on
the System Reference Sense Input would be an Off-to-On transition. As a result, the ON Macro would
be launched. Given that a Toggle Power command is present in the macro, the Reference dev i ce
would immediately be turned off. Therefore, Toggle commands would not be permissible. The
programmer would be limited to discrete type of Power IR ONLY. Unfortunately, Discrete IR
commands are not as common as Toggle commands. To avoid this difficulty, the requirement stated
above was imposed. For any “Sense In” transition detected by the ISM4 on the Source 1 (System
Reference Input), the IR Content of the first Command Struc ture (containing a Power Command) will
be bypassed. If a Delay is programmed, however, it will be processed. The end result is that
regardless of whether or not a Toggle or a Discrete Power Command is present, the undesirable
situation described above would not take place. Hence, the more prevalent Toggle Power commands
can be utilized without any adverse effects at all. Please note that the IR content of Command
Structure 1 is only bypassed during execution of a “Sense In” initiated macro on the Source 1
(System Reference) Input. On every other case, the full macro will be executed. For instance, if the
trigger is a “Discrete Power On” RS232 (or IR) command, the entire macro would be executed. As a
result, having executed the first Command Structure, the System Reference Device will be turned on
as desired.
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ISM4 INSTALLATION & PROGRAMMING MANUAL
When Source 1 (System Reference Device) is turned ON, the Sensor Module for that device will show an ON
state (+12V) to the Source 1 “Sense In”. The first task that the ISM4 will take is to launch the ON Macro for
Source 1. Based on the discussion above, the entire macro will be executed with the exception of the IR
content of Command Structure 1. The ISM4 will then ‘look’ at the ON/OFF state of Sources 2-4. If any is
sensed to be OFF, it will be turned ON utilizing its associated ON Macro. If at any time that Source 1 (System
Reference Device) is ON, any of the other Sources is sensed to be OFF, the ISM4 will output the ON Macro
associated with that device to sync it with the system. (System ON Mode)
When Source 1 (System Reference Device) is turned OFF, the Sensor Module for that device will show an
OFF state (0V) to the Source 1 “Sense In”. The first task that the ISM4 will take is to launch the OFF Macro
for Source 1. Based on the discussion above, the entire macro will be executed with the exception of the IR
content of Command Structure 1. The ISM4 will then ‘look’ at the ON/OFF state of Sources 2-4. If any is
sensed to be ON, it will be turned OFF utilizing its associated OFF Macro. If at any time that Source 1
(System Reference Device) is OFF, any of the other Sources is sensed to be ON, the ISM4 will output the
OFF Macro associated with that device to sync it with the system. (System OFF Mode)
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Figure 3 – ISM4 Bottom Panel Features – Cover Plate Removed
ISM4 BOTTOM PANEL FEATURES
17. DIP Sw itch. Four Position DIP Switch sets associated Source 1-4 IR Output signal strength. ON = low output
(470 ohm resister) OFF = high output (100 ohm resister).
ISM4 INSTALLATION & PROGRAMMING MANUAL
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Figure 4 – Typical ISM4 System – AV Receiver Triggered Home Theater/IR Receiver Input
ISM4 INSTALLATION & PROGRAMMING MANUAL
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Figure 5 – Typical ISM4 System – TV Triggered Home Theater System/IR Receiver Input
ISM4 INSTALLATION & PROGRAMMING MANUAL
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Figure 6 – Typical ISM4 System – Multi-Zone Controller Triggered System/IR Control Input
ISM4 INSTALLATION & PROGRAMMING MANUAL
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SYSTEM APPLICATIONS
The ISM4 is a versatile device with endless possible applications. For the purpose of this ma nual, two basic
applications will be described. One is a typical Home Theater application with the ISM4 managing system sync for
an A/V Receiver and three source components. The other is a multi-zone application integrating the ISM4 with a
multi-zone controller that does not provide intelligent source power management to keep the sources in syn c with
whole-house system status.
HOME THEATER SYSTEM (Figure 4)
In this configuration, all system components can either be controlled directly with a programmed system remote or
exclusively through an IR Receiver connected to the ISM4. In this configuration the A/V Receiver will be turned
ON/OFF with the remote (or receiver front panel power button). When the receiver turns ON, the switched AC
Outlet on the rear panel will also turn ON, energizing the connected 12V Power Supply. The SMVLT01 Voltage
Sensor will detect the change of state, (in this case from OFF to ON) and show a control voltage to the Source 1
“Sense In” on the ISM4. (ISM4 System Status is always referenced to the device sensed by the Source 1 “Sense
In”). The first task that the ISM4 will take in response to the Off-to-On transition is to execute the Power ON Macro
associated with the Source 1 “Sense In” input. Recall that in executing this macro (launched by a Source 1
“Sense In” trigger) the IR content of the first Command Structure will be bypassed. Refer to the Sense In section
for further information. The ISM4 will then ‘look’ at the other Source Sense Inputs and if they are OFF (no sensor
control voltage), the ISM4 will output the Power ON Macros associated with each source to turn them ON. THE
SYSTEM POWER ON COMMAND IN THE REMOTE SHOULD ONLY CONTROL THE A/V RECEIVER. The
ISM4 will control the other devices for turn ON and sync. Additionally, each Source Power ON Macro can be
programmed for up to five IR commands (and associated delays). If the sources are to be set to particular settings
at turn on, these commands will be issued by the ISM4, and NOT the system remote. If at any time that the
System Reference Device (A/V Receiver) is ON, any of the other sources turn off, for any reason, the ISM4 will
sense the variation from system sync (source OFF vs system ON), and the ISM4 will automatically issue the
Power ON Macro for the device that is out of sync.
IR commands from the remote can be passed through the ISM4 via the IR Receiver to the emitters, allowing the
system components to be hidden in a cabinet or closet, as long as the IR Receiver is positioned in ‘line-of-sight’ to
the system remote. The system components can also be controlled directly from the remote, but no power
commands should be issued from the remote other than for the A/V Receiver.
Turning the system OFF is the opposite process. When the A/V Receiver is turned OFF with the system remote
(or receiver front panel button), the switched AC outlet on the rear panel will turn OFF, de-energizing the 12V
power supply. The SMVLT01 Voltage Sensor will detect the change of state, (ON to OFF), and cut the control
voltage to the Source 1 “Sense In”. The first task that the ISM4 will take in response to the On-to-Off transition is
to execute the Power Off Macro associated with the Source 1 “Sense In” input. Recall that in executing this
macro (launched by a Source 1 “Sense In” trigger) the IR content of the first Command Structure will be
bypassed. Refer to the Sense In section for further information. The ISM4 will then ‘look’ at the other Source
Sense Inputs and if they are ON, (sensor control voltage) the ISM4 will output the Power OFF Macros associated
with each source to turn them OFF. THE SYSTEM POWER OFF COMMAND IN THE REMOTE SHOULD ONLY
CONTROL THE A/V RECEIVER. The ISM4 will control the other devices.
Other Applications
Using the same basic scheme described above, there are many options as to what device will be the System
Reference Device. In some cases it will be most intuitive to have a TV, Video Monitor or projector be the System
Reference Device. (See Figure 5 in this manual and the ISM4 Quick Start Guide for configuration and
programming instructions) Any time the TV is turned ON, by incorporating a SMVID01 Video Sensor on a TV
Video Output, the ISM4 will execute ON Macros to turn ON an A/V Receiver, DVD Player, Cable Box and Satellite
Receiver, for example. Another possibility would be to have a Video Game trigger the system. By making the
Video Game the System Reference Device, any time the Video Game is turned ON, the ISM4 will activate and
sync all appropriate devices for extreme gaming. The possibilities are endless. When incorporating an ISM4 into a
system, ask the question: “What device or appliance do I want to use to trigger other devices or applian ce s ?”
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