OPERATION SECTION

Operation Section || Maintenance Section || Serial Protocols

INTRODUCTION

This section explains in detail the operation of the RS8x8HB using either the front panel push-button switches or the RS232 port.

CONNECTIONS

When installing balanced audio connections, use the center pin for the common or ground wire. The top or bottom pin may be used for either + or - , however the connections must be consistent throughout.

Connect audio and video sources as described in sections 2.4 and 2.5. There is no requirement that all inputs be used.

If outputs are left over they may be used like a distribution amplifier to buffer and distribute an input signal. To use extra outputs in this way simply route the input you wish to distribute to as many outputs as desired.

Outputs may be looped back to unused inputs via short cables for the purpose of adding delays, but be aware that if an output is then routed to that same input an illegal condition will exist and the output will oscillate at frequencies which could spill over onto other crosspoints.

ROUTING VIA THE FRONT PANEL SWITCHES

HOW TO ROUTE AUDIO AND VIDEO TOGETHER

Select the destination (output) you wish to route a signal to and push (and release) the front panel button with the number; the row of LEDs to the right of the button you pushed will flash. Then select the source (input) audio and video you wish to have routed to that output and push the front panel button with that input number. The row of LEDs will stop flashing and the lamp corresponding to that crosspoint will then glow steadily.

If you do not push an input button within ten seconds, the LEDs will stop flashing and the crosspoint will remain where it was.

HOW TO ROUTE AUDIO SEPARATELY

Select the destination (output) you wish to route an audio signal only to and push the front panel button with that number twice (two quick pushes). The row of LEDs to the right of the button you pushed will flash, as when you route both signals together. Then select the source (input) audio you wish to have routed to that output and push the front panel button with that input number. The row of LEDs will stop flashing and the lamp corresponding to the audio crosspoint will flash slowly, while the LED corresponding to the video crosspoint will glow steadily.

If you do not push an input button within ten seconds, the LEDs will stop flashing and the crosspoint will remain where it was.

HOW TO STORE AND RECALL CROSSPOINT PATTERNS

The RS8x8HB has 8 stored routing map configuration memory locations. These stored configurations are non-volatile and are thus maintained during power interruptions.

To RECALL and load one of the stored eight crosspoint patterns from the front panel, push and hold input button #1; an R will appear on the LED display. Then release button #1 and push an output button, 1 to 8, corresponding to the crosspoint pattern you wish to recall.

To STORE the currently loaded crosspoint pattern to one of the eight pattern storage areas, push and hold input button #8; an S will appear on the LED display. Then release button #8 and push an output button, 1 to 8, corresponding to the storage area you wish to store the crosspoint pattern in.

HOW TO START THE TIMED SEQUENCER

The RS8x8HB can be set to cycle continuously through its eight stored patterns on a timed basis. To start the cycling, push and hold input button #4.

Push and hold input button #4 to stop the cycling.

The Timed Sequencer can be disabled by putting dipswitch 4 in the ON position.

SERIAL PROTOCOLS

Operation Section || Maintenance Section || Serial Protocols

ROUTING VIA THE RS232 INPUT

A simple protocol allows all crosspoints to be set through the RS232 port. The RS232 port will accept inputs from a terminal, computer, or other software-driven control device. No handshaking is required, but the RS8x8HB will answerback in one of two modes to each command received.

The RS8x8HB RS232 Port is configured as a DCE. The pin-out of this Port allows connection to an IBM-PC or compatible 9 pin serial COM Port with a 1:1 cable.

Pin connections for the DB9 are as follows:
Data is sent from the router on pin 2.
Data is received by the router on pin 3.
Pin 5 is ground.

SETTING THE BAUD RATE

The router is shipped with the baud rate set at 9600.  The baud rate may be reset using positions 1 and 2 of the dip switches located on the rear panel of the router.  Set the switches for the desired baud rate as follows:

*All baud rates are 8 bit, no parity, one stop bit.

Switches are ON when pushed to the right (as viewed from the back of the panel)  The switches are read by the microprocessor only at power up; for switch configurations to take effect, cycle the power input to the router.

ROUTING AUDIO AND VIDEO

To route video only, send a four-byte command in the form:

Vxy (ENTER), where x is an output number and y is an input number.

To route audio only, send a four-byte command in the form:

Axy (ENTER), where x is an output number and y is an input number.

To route both audio and video, send a four-byte command in the form:

Bxy (ENTER), where x is an output number and y is an input number.

To route both audio and video from different inputs, send a five-byte command in the form:

Bxyz (ENTER), where x is an output number, the first y is a video input number, and z is an audio input number.

A crosspoint can be turned off by routing it to input zero; e.g., B10 (ENTER) turns output number 1 OFF.

Each time a routing command is sent, the RS232 output line responds in accordance with the verbose/non-verbose switch setting (see section 2.7).

SENDING A SALVO COMMAND DESCRIPTION

It is possible to send the same input to a number of sequential outputs by a single 5-byte command of the form:

Lmno[ENTER]

Where L means X for both audio and video, Y for video only, or Z for audio only, m is the first output number, n is the last output number and o is the input number.

For example, X148[ENTER] sends the audio and video from input 8 to outputs 1 through 4.

SENDING A STRING OF COMMANDS TO BE EXECUTED AT THE SAME TIME

It is possible to send a set of commands to the routing switcher that will be held until the final command is received, then all the commands are executed at the same time. For all but the final command in the set use the form:

Lmno[ENTER]

Where L means E for both audio and video, F for video only, or G for audio only, m is the output number and n is the input number. The final command must start with the letter B, V, or A instead of E, F, or G – or send the command EE to TAKE the string.

For example, the following commands sent over some period of time E11[ENTER], E22,[ENTER], E33[ENTER], B44[ENTER] will result in connecting input 1 to output 1, 2 to 2, 3 to 3, and 4 to 4 when the last [ENTER] is received.

STORING AND RECALLING CROSSPOINT PATTERNS

To RECALL and load one of the eight crosspoint patterns in the battery backup memory, send the three-byte command:

Rn (ENTER), where n is a number from 1 to 8.

To STORE the currently loaded crosspoint pattern to one of the sixteen pattern storage areas, send the three-byte command:

Sn (ENTER), where n is a number from 1 to 8. The pattern stored in that memory area will be overwritten with the current pattern.

TIMED SEQUENCER

The RS8x8HB can be set to cycle continuously through its eight stored patterns on a time basis. To set the time interval and start the cycling send the four-byte command:

Tnnn (ENTER), where nnn is a one-to three-digit number from 1 to 999.

To stop the cycling, send the two-byte command:

N (ENTER).

ANSWERBACK MODES

The user may choose between two modes of answerback: verbose and non-verbose. Select the mode using position 3 of the programming switch located on the rear panel of the RS8x8HB. Position 3 ON is verbose, Position 3 OFF is non-verbose.

In the verbose mode, each time a routing command is sent, the current routing map will be reported on the RS232 line followed by the word DONE.

The switches are read by the microprocessor only at power-up; for switch configuration changes to take effect, cycle the power input to the RS8x8HB.

OUTPUT 1 VIDEO 3 AUDIO 1

OUTPUT 2 VIDEO 2 AUDIO 2

OUTPUT 3 VIDEO 1 AUDIO 3

OUTPUT 4 VIDEO 6 AUDIO 6

OUTPUT 5 VIDEO 7 AUDIO 7

OUTPUT 6 VIDEO 8 AUDIO 8

OUTPUT 7 VIDEO 5 AUDIO 1

OUTPUT 8 VIDEO 4 AUDIO 1

Figure 3.1 Typical Routing Map Status Report

In the non-verbose mode only the word DONE will be reported.

In either mode, an incorrect or meaningless command will cause the word ERROR to be reported.

READING SYSTEM STATUS

The crosspoint status can be read from the RS232 port at any time by sending the two byte command:

D (ENTER)

The status report does not disturb the existing crosspoint pattern.

LAMP TEST

The lamp test which occurs automatically on power-up can be initiated through the RS232 port by sending the two byte command:

T (ENTER)

The lamp test does not disturb the existing crosspoint pattern.

MAINTENANCE SECTION

Operation Section || Maintenance Section || Serial Protocols

NOTE: Maintenance of the RS8x8HB, except for changing the battery, should be performed by qualified service people only.

INTRODUCTION

The only routine maintenance the RS8x8HB requires is to change its battery located at the rear of the RS8x8HB unit.

HOW TO CHANGE THE MEMORY BACKUP BATTERY

The RS8x8HB is shipped with a memory backup battery which retains the routing crosspoint information when power is off. The battery, approximately ½ inch in diameter, is mounted in a holder on the main printed circuit board. In the event that crosspoint information is not retained during power off, the battery must be replaced.

If the battery is contained within the microprocessor chip visible in the cutout on the rear of the chassis (the chip should read DS5000, in part, in small print) the entire microprocessor chip will have to be changed when the battery fails. Change the chip (Knox part number 59646) by gently prying on each end with an integrated circuit removal tool, or small flat-bladed screwdriver.

If the battery is mounted separately it will be visible in the cutout on the rear of the chassis (approximately ½ inch in diameter). To change the battery pry up the retaining bar gently and slip the old battery out. Replace at least every five years with Knox part number 140896, or commercial type DL 1220.

Do not attempt to charge the battery inside the chip. Instead, change the chip itself by prying up gently on each end with an integrated circuit removal tool, or a small flat-bladed screwdriver. Insert the new chip by noting the pin 1 position and aligning all pins carefully; only then should you push the chip into the socket, being sure it is well seated in the socket.

Baud Rate Setting

Switch positions 5 through 8 reserved for programming options not covered here. Switches 5 through 8 should always be OFF.

SETTING THE BAUD RATE

An 8-position switch, accessible through the rear panel, is provided for setting the baud rate and certain programming functions.

Switch positions 1 and 2 are used to set the baud rate for the RS232 control port. One of four baud rates may be selected as follows:

SETTING THE ANSWERBACK MODE

The user may choose between two modes of answerback: verbose, and non-verbose. Select the mode using position 3 of the programming switch located on the rear panel of the RS8x8HB. Position 3 ON is verbose, position 3 OFF is non-verbose.

In the verbose mode, each time a routing command is sent, the current routing map will be reported on the RS232 line followed by the word DONE.

The switches are read by the microprocessor only at power-up; for switch configuration changes to take effect, cycle the power input to the RS8x8HB.

OUTPUT 1 VIDEO 3 AUDIO 1

OUTPUT 2 VIDEO 2 AUDIO 2

OUTPUT 3 VIDEO 1 AUDIO 3

OUTPUT 4 VIDEO 6 AUDIO 6

OUTPUT 5 VIDEO 7 AUDIO 7

OUTPUT 6 VIDEO 8 AUDIO 8

OUTPUT 7 VIDEO 5 AUDIO 1

OUTPUT 8 VIDEO 4 AUDIO 1

Figure 4.1 Typical Routing Map Status Report

In the non-verbose mode only the word DONE will be reported.

In either mode, an incorrect or meaningless command will cause the word ERROR to be reported.

Switches are ON when pushed to the right (as viewed from the back of the panel).

Figure 4.3 Rear Panel Components

Switches 5-8 are reserved and should always be off.

DISABLING THE TIMED SEQUENCER

The Timed Sequencer can be activated accidentally from the front panel pushbuttons. To avoid this condition, disable the Timed Sequencer by putting switch 4 in the ON position.

Operation Section || Maintenance Section || Serial Protocols