Drake SCT4860 8PSK Sat-1024QAM Cable Transcoder - Manual (Page 13)

13 Additional Features (continued)
RS232 REMOTE CONTROL AND MONITORING
the SCt4860 provides for remote control and/or monitoring of all transcoder parameter settings. it is possible
to view all of the current parameter settings including the output level setting for each transcoder. it is also
possible to remotely monitor the SNR level and the baud rate. the LBS2250 settings may monitored or changed.
the transcoder parameter settings may be uploaded to a PC file for saving on the PC or a new parameter
configuration from the PC file can be downloaded to the SCt4860. A single parameter may be adjusted if desired.
it is possible to put all transcoders in or out of CW mode with a single command. A unit may be placed in or taken
out of the standby mode. A password can be assigned to prevent unauthorized changes to parameter settings but
the present settings can be read out remotely without entering the password. further details on the RS232 control
program are provided with the instructions included with the CDRom containing the control program (shipped
with your PS151 power supply).
the previously described remote interface is accomplished by connecting an RS232 interface cable between the
PS151 power supply DB9 iNPut connector and a PC serial port. the required program is supplied by Drake with
the PS151 power supply. this setup will allow RS232 interfacing to up to ten SCt4860 transcoders connected to
the PS151. When more than one tray of transcoders is used, the outPut DB9 connector on the PS151 can be
used to link to a second PS151 as well as a PS150 (SCt1860s) or a PS100 (SCt860s) in the same headend.
use a DB9 to DB9 RS232 jumper cable from the outPut of the first supply to the iNPut of the second supply.
you can extend this to additional supplies as long as the total number of PS151s to control does not exceed 7
(70 SCt1860/2860/3860/4860s) and the number of SCt860s does not exceed 64.
in order for the PC software to identify the proper SCt4860 to which you wish to connect, each SCt4860 must be
assigned a unit iD number. the unit iD number consists of the rack number, a dash, and the number of the unit
in a given rack. for example, the third unit (plugged into power socket numbered 3) in rack number one would
have a unit iD number of "1-3", and the tenth unit in rack number three would have a unit number of "3-10". the
number of each unit in a given rack is determined by the connector number on the PS151 power supply to which
it is connected. Programming the rack number is easily accomplished by using the PS151 "RACK iD:" menu and
setting the iD number with the PS151 front panel set up buttons. if no RS232 control is desired, this RACK iD
number should be set to 0.
the PS151 will not respond to RS232 activity when its RACK iD is 0. Any number of PS151s can have a rack iD
of 0.
When using RS232, assign a unique iD, between 1-1 and 7-10, for each SCt4860 to be controlled. Do not duplicate
a number among any of the up to 70 transcoders that are to be connected through the same RS232 path to the PC.
this RS232 connection can be used by directly connecting to a PC serial port or remotely by interfacing through
modems. if an auto answer modem is used at the headend, one can interface via telephone connection. the RS232
connection can be used to download new operating firmware to the SCt4860, if needed for use with future options.
for remote control operation, PS150/SCt1860 systems and/or PS100/SCt860 systems can be “daisy chained”
with PS151/SCt2860s, SCt3860s, and SCt4860s, if desired, and can be controlled by the same PC using the
Drake supplied software. A maximum of 64 SCt860s can be connected in this fashion in addition to the maximum
of 70 SCt1860/2860/3860/4860s. Any combination of PS100s, PS150s, and PS151s can be connected in this
manner as long as the maximum numbers indicated above are not exceeded.