Comtech EF Data RCS10 - Manual (Page 54)

RCS10 Redundant Communication System Operation
TM058 - Rev. 2.3 Page 3-7
The backup algorithm operates in both manual and automatic revertive and non-revertive modes with
automatic backup assignments and priority levels. There is a limit on the total number of backup
attempts for any prime. Once a failed prime is flagged for backup, a ‘ * ‘ is displayed on the prime
backup assignment front panel screen to indicate a backup is in progress. A ‘ B ‘ or a ‘ BB ‘ will
replace the ‘ * ‘ if the backup is successful, otherwise another backup attempt is made. After three
failed backup attempts, an ‘ F ‘ or ‘ FF ‘ is displayed and the prime is removed from the ‘backup
modem’ backup pool. No further backup attempts are made. The backup modem is now available to
backup any other failed prime in its pool.
There are two ways a failed prime can be placed back in the backup pool. The first is when the
summary fault status changes, the other is through user intervention. Setting of the backup
assignment, priority, and backup modes clears the total number of backup attempts.
3.2 Guide to Front Panel Monitor and Control
The front panel can be used to perform complete monitor and configuration of the RCS10. The
operation of the front panel becomes easy after a short period of use in which the user becomes
familiar with the basic concepts and operations. Front panel control is implemented as a series of
data entry ‘screens.’ The screens are organized into several groups that contain related
parameters and status values. Screens allow the modification of control parameters, display of
status parameters, or both. Different screens will be displayed on the front panel based on
keypresses from the front panel. The screens will be displayed in order; this order defines the
‘menu tree’ for a particular group of related screens.
3.2.1 Remote Port Control
When in Computer Mode, the RCS10 uses an RS485 Serial Control Port (Remote Port) for use with
computer-controlled remote monitor and control systems. The Remote Port is a 9-pin female ‘D’ sub
connector (J3) located at the rear of the unit on the External Reference Card. The pinouts for the
remote port are listed in Section 2. The remote port supports standard UART asynchronous
protocol with 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit (8N1) at 4 baud rates: 9600, 4800, 2400, and
1200. The Remote Port utilizes a binary protocol called Radyne Link Level Protocol (RLLP). The
RLLP is a multi-drop, packet-oriented protocol with handshaking, and is described in Appendix B at
the end of this manual.
3.2.2 Terminal Port Control
When in Terminal Mode, the RCS10 uses an RS232 serial port (Terminal Port) for use with a
separate terminal or computer running a terminal emulation program. The Terminal Port is a 9-pin
female ‘D’ sub- connector (J2) located at the rear of the unit on the External Reference Card. The
pinouts for the RS232 port are listed in Section 2, “Installation.” The terminal port supports
standard UART asynchronous protocol with 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit (8N1) at 3 baud
rates; 19200, 9600, and 2400.
The Terminal Interface is menu-driven and allows complete monitoring and control of all RCS10
parameters. Three terminal emulation protocols are supported: DEC VT-100, Wyse-50, and ADDS
Viewpoint. The terminal display is a full-screen presentation of the current status of the RCS10
modes and variables. The screens will display both status and control variables. The status
variables cannot be modified, but the control variables can be. Each variable that can be modified
will have a display number next to the value. Changing the value is accomplished by typing the
number of the variable to be changed. Two types of input may then be requested from the user. If
the input is multiple choice, the space key must be pressed to cycle the available choices until the
desired value is displayed. The ‘Enter’ or carriage return key must then be pressed for the new
value to take effect. If the input is numerical, the desired value should be typed using number keys