Resource Management

The Remote Control and Monitoring System (RC&MS) is a client/server system which interfaces to and controls and monitors radio communication and site facilities equipment at local and remote sites. In the event of a resource failure, all clients actively (logged into÷ the server at the time will be notified of the failure by means of an error message and the operator will be alerted by a flashing light on the display panel. The RC&MS can automatically reassign resources to compensate for a detected failure, without adversely affecting any operational circuits, and clients actively (logged into÷ the server effecting the change will be notified of the change.

Frequency Management System (FMS)

The RC&MS includes the ICEPAC frequency management system software. Where the ICEPAC software allows configuration data to be predefined, the RC&MS defines such data, including time of day, fixed transmitter and fixed receiver site location, antenna bearing, list of frequencies assigned to services, transmitter power, receiver site noise floor and antenna database. This minimizes the need for direct operator intervention.

Automatic Link Establishment (ALE)

The RC&MS includes software for the control and monitoring of ALE equipment.

Diagnostics

The RC&MS allows any (logged in÷ operator to command the execution of the Built-In-Test (BIT) on any equipment under RC&MS control that provides a BIT function.

Facilities Management

The RC&MS, if required, can control and monitor the (facilities÷ such as the (Environmental Control System÷, the (Electrical Power Control System÷, and the (Fire Detection/Suppression System÷ for remote sites. These systems provide an intelligent interface to the following facility assets:

• Smoke Detectors and Fire Suppression System;

• Lighting (internal and external);

• Auxiliary power; and

• Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning (HVAC).

• Other analog/digital sensors can also be controlled and monitored.

The RC&MS functional capabilities are as follows:

• Expandability/Growth Capability. The client/server architecture of RC&MS is its key to expandability and growth capability. Within a controlled site, new resources can be added by either modifying the existing server software, or if the new resources are totally different or independent, by adding a new server (hardware and software) on the site¦s existing local network. Any such new server can then be accessed via the existing inter-site network, and via the existing clients. If necessary, the clients can be modified to support any radically different new resources. If the new resource is another instance of a currently supported generic resource (i.e., a receiver or transmitter), the changes required would be isolated to the server.

• Interfaces and Connectivity. The main intra-site RC&MS interface is an IEEE 802.3 Ethernet. The sites are inter-connected via single or multi line PSTN, ISDN, Internet, or TCP/IP links. All communications between RC&MS servers and RC&MS clients are TCP/IP based.

• Historical Records and Logs. The RC&MS maintains a detailed log of all system events, systems messages, error messages and systems alarm, each with a timestamp and other relevant information. New alarms are displayed as the event occurs. The RC&MS also maintains a complete record of user activity, including log-in, log-out, and commands (including reconfiguration commands). Data logs are maintained in disk files and are available for review at any time. The RC&MS constantly reports the status (or health) of the various components to the operator. Any changes in status are logged.

• Data Retrieval. The time period that can be (covered÷ by the on-line storage and the off-line storage is very dependant on a number of highly variable factors such as: Traffic load, logging level (detail level), storage capacity, maintenance activities, the number of active users, BITs executed, and faults detected. Under normal operation the RC&MS is capable of data retrieval for periods in excess of one week on-line storage and 30 days for data stored by tape.

• Fault Display. The RC&MS advises an operator of any alarms via a pop-up message box and audible alarm. Once a fault is identified, the operator can query the system for details of the fault.

• System Shutdown. The RC&MS provides a safe exit point for the clients and the servers, from which the operating system can easily be shut-down and the computer can be cycled off. Note however, that the normal mode of operationis to log-off the operator console and leave all systems running, even when not in active use.

• Alarms. When a fault is detected by a server, it immediately broadcasts the fault indicator to all connected clients. Both audible and visual alarms are provided.

• System Management. The RC&MS is a comprehensive and tightly integrated communication asset control system. As such, it provides complete general status for each site, including type of transmission, and provides access to status information for individual equipment via a generalized graphical representation of the equipment. Such equipment representations reflect the status of the equipment via meters, digital displays, indicators lights, text, and (sliders÷ as required. The operator is free to view any so represented equipment at any time. However, even if the equipment is not specifically displayed, any faults will be reported via a pop-up alarm box. Clicking the indicator light will then cause the equipment representation to be displayed with all current status information. Generally, RC&MS commands issued by an operator will cause an immediate reaction and hence no command status information is required. The client/server architecture of the RC&MS allows for normal network interoperability. That is, the operator at one station can, with administrator rights, access any other computer on the network to perform system administration duties such as uploading or downloading new RC&MS software or configuration files. Furthermore, the client/server architecture allows any client to access any server, hence equipment can be accessed from any position with client software and status reports can be printed from any client. The RC&MS is fully configurable (systems, assets, devices, attachments, alarms, and events) by the operator or supervisor, locally or remotely all configurations can be stored for later re-use.

• System Architecture. The RC&MS is based on a TCP/IP, Ethernet LAN/WAN to maximize flexibility and growth potential. The RC&MS adheres to government security requirements for information technology and physical infrastructure.

• Man-Machine Interface (MMI). The RC&MS MMI conforms to industry standards for Windows type applications, and includes the use of a button-bar, pop-up windows, frames, pull-down menus, etc. Equipment faceplates are represented by generalized graphics with the appropriate meters, lights, indicators, readouts, pushbutton, slide-pots, etc. Although the core software of the RC&MS is reused from an existing family of products, the MMI is usually customized for each application. Customization of the MMI will be executed in consultation with the customer to ensure that it is effective with respect to the customer¦s operational requirements.

• Flexibility. The RC&MS is very flexible and easily adaptable to accommodate growth potential and system modifications. The RC&MS¦ client/server LAN/WAN architecture complies with the unified open systems concept. This architecture allows sites to be operated locally or remotely, equally. The supervisor role is available from any console in the system. The RC&MS hardware core components and peripheral devices have maximum flexibility of operation.

• Safety. The RC&MS includes safety features to ensure that mis-keyed commands and unsafe commands are not permitted by users during normal operations.

• Training. The RC&MS minimizes formal operator training requirements through provision of an instruction-oriented help file. A training mode is incorporated into the system where the server bypasses equipment communications and where test points automatically update the database.

• Shutdown. The RC&MS has a shutdown procedure and will return to an offline state on-startup and initiate communication with the equipment.

• System Crash. The RC&MS minimizes the possibility of system crash and provides optimal system capability to reduce the effects of this occurrence. In the event of system crash, the RC&MS system is re-bootable and fully recoverable.

• System Configuration. The RC&MS can store to memory and/or print the system set-up/configuration. The RC&MS provides a feature which saves settings/system configuration on exit or in the event of system failure, power outage, and other key system status.

• Help. The RC&MS on-line help provides the operator with schematics, detailing site layout, logical equipment overview, and separate wiring/interface details. The RC&MS system design architecture, including schematics, wiring diagrams, flow charts, pinouts, definitions, equipment lists, communications links and protocols is also available.