UserManual MultiChannelServer

User Manual - MultiChannelServer

Version 1.0
Enables multiple operators parallel use of one directionfinder

Refers to DDFControl Version 2.7 and higher
Date: 2008-06-20
Version: 1.0
Page 1 of 15
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
Page 2 of 15
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
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.
For how to install DDFControl please see [1] section 2.2.2.
2.1.1 Software Licensing

After restarting the operating system the MCS application 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.
Date: 2008-06-20
Version: 1.0
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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 select Connect on startup and Force connection if DF device is already in use if the MCS is at a site were no operator is available.
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).
3.1 Status tab

As the name is telling, the status tab shows information about MCS status.
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.
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.
Date: 2008-06-20
Version: 1.0
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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 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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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.
Date: 2008-06-20
Version: 1.0
Page 10 of 15
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 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 Current Settings tab of the MCS application.
In this case only 3 FFMs are allowed.
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 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 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
Page 13 of 15
5 Features and Restrictions with MCS

Feature Number of parallel FFMs bearings Number of parallel Scans WFFM mode Search mode GSM mode Settable Update Interval in FFM Exclusive Mode 1 1 yes yes yes (with option DDF-GSM) yes Generic Job configurable in MCS no restriction except performance not yet no no yes, but not exact due to possibly longer sweep times no yes no no no Master Job Scan determinded by number of single frequency definitions in job 1 no no no yes, but not exact due to possibly longer sweep times or the Master Jobs Update Interval yes yes no no no yes maximum channel number supported by device as short as supported by device yes yes yes yes (on master and several slaves) yes no
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 yes yes yes yes
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
Page 14 of 15
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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