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Date: 2008-06-20
Version: 1.0
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Content
1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 3 1.1 About this document ...................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 What is MultiChannelServer? ........................................................................................................ 3 1.3 Referenced documents.................................................................................................................. 3 2 Installation............................................................................................................................................. 4 2.1 Server............................................................................................................................................. 4 2.1.1 Software Licensing .................................................................................................................. 4 2.1.2 Configuring MultiChannelServer ............................................................................................. 5 2.2 Clients ............................................................................................................................................ 6 3 MultiChannelServer GUI....................................................................................................................... 7 3.1 Status tab ....................................................................................................................................... 7 3.2 Commands tab............................................................................................................................... 8 3.3 Current Settings tab ....................................................................................................................... 9 3.4 Logging tab .................................................................................................................................. 10 4 Jobs .................................................................................................................................................... 11 4.1 Generic Jobs ................................................................................................................................ 11 4.1.1 FFM ....................................................................................................................................... 11 4.1.2 SCAN .................................................................................................................................... 12 4.2 Master Jobs.................................................................................................................................. 12 4.2.1 SCAN .................................................................................................................................... 12 4.2.2 FFM ....................................................................................................................................... 13 5 Features and Restrictions with MCS .................................................................................................. 14 6 Abbreviations ...................................................................................................................................... 15
Date: 2008-06-20
Version: 1.0
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1 Introduction
1.1 About this document
The purpose of this document is to describe DDFControls software option MultiChannelServer (MCS) and to explain how to use it. It is assumed that the reader has good knowledge about dealing witch DDFControl and knows its user manual [1].
Date: 2008-06-20
Version: 1.0
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2 Installation
2.1 Server
MCS is shipped together with DDFControl. Its installation is part of the installation of DDFControl. To install MCS you just have to select DDFServer during the setup of DDFControl.
Date: 2008-06-20
Version: 1.0
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Date: 2008-06-20
Version: 1.0
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2.2 Clients
If you have performed the steps described above you are ready to establish your first MultiChannelClient connection. There for you will need to enter a new connection set. Under Connection Type select MultiChannel Server. Under DDFServer Address type the ip-address or hostname of the PC hosting the MCS application. The image to the right shows a valid example. Test: Now MCS has a complete basic configuration and can be tested. Try to connect a DDFControl to the recently created connection set. Then connect another DDFControl to the MCS. Both GUIs are able to perform SCAN and FFM measurements. But note that an IF spectrum is never available.
Date: 2008-06-20
Version: 1.0
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3 MultiChannelServer GUI
In this section we will describe the GUI of the MCS application in detail. When MCS is running an icon is displayed in the system tray. In case that the GUI isnt visible, you can show it by right-clicking the tray icon and selecting Show R&S DDF MultiChannel Server This might happen if you deselected the check at Show this window on next start (see screenshot below).
Rows in detail: Name DF Device MultiChannel Server Boot State Operation Mode Sweep Time Frequency Channels for FFM Current Job Type Multiplexed DFs Date: 2008-06-20
Description connection state between directionfinder and server Online means MCS is active; otherwise Offline boot state of the directionfinder directionfinders current operation mode shows time for one scan sweep if operation mode is Scan number and usage of fixed frequency channels either Master Job or Generic Job (see section 4) number of clients using MCS Version: 1.0 Page 7 of 15
The listbox under the labels shows information about all connected clients. A blue LED marks a client that runs a master job (see 4.2). A green LED marks a normal client. When the LED is dark (LED is off) the corresponding client is in operation mode STOP.
Date: 2008-06-20
Version: 1.0
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Rows in detail: Name DF Station Name DF Address Connect on startup Force connection if DF device is already in use Number of Frequency Channels for FFM Save to configuration
Description enter station name and/or comments here ip-address of the directionfinder connect MCS to the device when application is started disconnect a possible device occupier if MCS tries to connect to the directionfinder possible FFM channels for generic jobs (see 4.1); Note that master jobs (see 4.2) ignore this. save all settings manually
Date: 2008-06-20
Version: 1.0
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Date: 2008-06-20
Version: 1.0
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4 Jobs
As described in 1.2 MCS collects all FFM and SCAN requests of the connected clients and creates an overall SCAN that is sweeped on the directionfinder. But there are two different kinds of jobs MCS is able to perform. We got generic jobs (see 4.1) and master jobs (see 4.2) which have different advantages and disadvantages.
4.1.1 FFM
The number of FFM measurements is limited to the number specified in the Current Settings tab of the MCS application.
Date: 2008-06-20
Version: 1.0
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User Manual - MultiChannelServer DDFControl clients can inspect the maximum number of FFMs by looking at the MCS state dialog that is accessible by clicking the icon on the lower right corner of the DDFControl window.
If the LED is yellow MCS is offline.
This display shows the same information as the Status tab in the MCS GUI.
4.1.2 SCAN
The number of SCANs is not limited. But, similar to FFM, you will be able to see the directionfinders scan speed shrinking with each partial scan that contributes to the overall scan. Take a look at the Sweep Time (see above) to see this effect.
4.2.1 SCAN
For a master job we need one client that defines and runs this job. The only thing that makes a normal job to a master job is the MultiChannel Server Master Job entry in the JobEdit window.
After starting a master job all FFM operators will be able to see corresponding RF spectrum in DDFControl as described below. Date: 2008-06-20 Version: 1.0 Page 12 of 15
4.2.2 FFM
When a master job is running, it is indicated in the status bar of the DDFControl window. Then we can not enter any SCAN requests any more, since the directionfinder is processing the master job exclusively. But this restriction provides a variety of advantages to the operator as described below.
The Multichannel Server toolbar: Watch Rf spectrum from Master Job This button enables displaying the RF spectrum below the windrose. Read single bearings from master jobs range button This button enables to read bearings directly ot of the master jobs spectrum. If you use this the respective client will not use its own frequency channel for getting bearings. This saves FFM channels for other clients.
Date: 2008-06-20
Version: 1.0
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Settable Update Intervall in Scan Averaging IF spectrum in FFM mode Audio in FFM mode Auto Threshold in Scan SCANLOC Maximum channel number for Scan Sweep time Suppress ranges in scan Alarms in Scan mode PreClassifier in Scan mode Watching one scan from multiple DDFControls Master Slave Handover Recording
yes no up to maximum parallel scans share supported by device maximum channel number as short as each scan job supported by device makes the sweep time longer yes no yes yes no yes yes no (not yet) yes no yes no
Date: 2008-06-20
Version: 1.0
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6 Abbreviations
The following abbreviations are used in this document: DDF DF FFM GUI IF IP LED MCS PC RF R&S digital directionfinder directionfinder fixed frequency mode graphical user interface intermediate frequency internet protocol light emitting diod MultiChannelServer personal computer radio frequency Rohde & Schwarz
Date: 2008-06-20
Version: 1.0
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