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User Manual - MultiChannelServer

Date: 2008-06-20 Version: 1.0 Page 1 of 15


Version 1.0

Enables multiple operators parallel use of one directionfinder

Refers to DDFControl Version 2.7 and higher


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Content

1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 31.1 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


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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].

1.2 What is MultiChannelServer?

The MultiChannelServer is a software that is able to provide multiple client applications with

measurement data of only one physical directionfinder.

To use this functionality you need the option DDFx-MC, whereas x stands for the type of

directionfinder that is used.

The basic idea of MCS is to integrate several scan jobs and FFM requests from multiple

DDFControl and Locate applications into one overall scan job running on the DDF hardware

and distributing the measurement data to the individual applications again.

1.3 Referenced documents

Since MCS is no stand-alone application we often need to refer to the documentation of

related software.

[1] ddf0xX_e.pdf DDFControls user manual of the respective directionfinder


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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.

For how to install DDFControl please see [1] section 2.2.2.

2.1.1 Software Licensing

After restarting the operating system the MCSapplication will tell you to insert your option codes.

This is described in section 2.3.2 of [1].

Note that you will not be able to use MCS without

inserting the option code for DDFx-MC.


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2.1.2 Configuring MultiChannelServer

A properly licensed MCS still needs

some configuration before it is ready for

use.

It needs to connect to the directionfinder

in order to supply client GUIs with

measurement data.

Therefore enter the ip-address of the DF

into DF Address and make sure that

the PC running MCS is able to reach this

address.

It is highly recommended to selectConnect on startup and Force

connection if DF device is already in

use if the MCS is at a site were no

operator is available.


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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.


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3 MultiChannelServer GUIIn 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).

3.1 Status tab

As the name is telling, the status tab shows information about MCS status.

Rows in detail:

Name Description

DF Device connection state between directionfinder and server

MultiChannel Server Online means MCS is active; otherwise Offline

Boot State boot state of the directionfinder

Operation Mode directionfinders current operation mode

Sweep Time shows time for one scan sweep if operation mode is Scan

Frequency Channels for FFM number and usage of fixed frequency channels

Current Job Type either Master Job or Generic Job (see section 4)Multiplexed DFs number of clients using MCS


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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.

3.2 Commands tab

Currently there is only one command

available at the Commands tab.

The Shall be connected to DDF

checkbox shows whether the server

application is connected to the

directionfinder.To connect to the device set the check.

Upon this Trying to connect will

appear in the status bar.


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3.3 Current Settings tab

The Current Settings tab has already

been used in section 2.1.2 to configure

the MCS.

It is used to define which

directionfinder should be controlled

and how to establish connection to it.

Rows in detail:

Name Description

DF Station Name enter station name and/or comments here

DF Address ip-address of the directionfinder

Connect on startup connect MCS to the device when application is started

Force connection if DF device

is already in use

disconnect a possible device occupier if MCS tries to

connect to the directionfinder

Number of Frequency

Channels for FFM

possible FFM channels for generic jobs (see 4.1);

Note that master jobs (see 4.2) ignore this.

Save to configuration save all settings manually


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3.4 Logging tab

The logging tab shows information

about internal actions of MCS.

Since the operator should not care

about this, it is not thought to support

him, but you might deliver R&S

support engineers with saved logging

files.


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4 JobsAs 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 differentkinds 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 Generic Jobs

A generic job is the easiest way to use MCS. When the server is properly configured (see

2.1.2). Clients instantly can start to connect to it and enter their requests.

4.1.1 FFM

The number of FFM measurements is limited to the number specified in the CurrentSettings tab of the MCS application.

In this case only 3 FFMs are allowed.


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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 Master Jobs

A master job isnt that liberal then a generic job. One client defines a job with scan ranges and

some dummies for fixed frequencies.

All operators are then able to look at the RF spectrum (as a substitute for the non-existing IF

spectrum).

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 spectrumin DDFControl as described below.


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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.


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5 Features and Restrictions with MCS

Feature Exclusive Mode Generic Job Master Job Scan

Number of parallelFFMs bearings 1 configurable inMCS determinded by numberof single frequency

definitions in job

Number of parallel

Scans

1 no restriction

except performance

1

WFFM mode yes not yet no

Search mode yes no no

GSM mode yes (with option

DDF-GSM)

no no

Settable Update

Interval in FFM

yes yes, but not exact

due to possibly

longer sweep times

yes, but not exact due

to possibly longer

sweep times or theMaster Jobs Update

Interval

Settable Update

Intervall in Scan

yes no yes

Averaging yes yes yes

IF spectrum in FFM

mode

yes no no

Audio in FFM mode yes no no

Auto Threshold in

Scan

yes no no

SCANLOC yes no yes

Maximum channel

number for Scan

up to maximum

supported by device

parallel scans share

maximum channel

number

maximum channel

number supported by

device

Sweep time as short as

supported by device

each scan job

makes the sweep

time longer

as short as supported

by device

Suppress ranges in

scan

yes no yes

Alarms in Scan mode yes no (not yet) yes

PreClassifier in Scanmode

yes yes yes

Watching one scan

from multiple

DDFControls

no no yes (on master and

several slaves)

Master Slave

Handover

yes yes yes

Recording yes no no


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6 AbbreviationsThe following abbreviations are used in this document:

DDF digital directionfinder

DF directionfinder

FFM fixed frequency mode

GUI graphical user interface

IF intermediate frequency

IP internet protocol

LED light emitting diod

MCS MultiChannelServer

PC personal computer

RF radio frequency

R&S Rohde & Schwarz

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