RCA Remote Card Adapter Installation and Programming Manual

RCA Remote Card Adapter

Installation and Programming Manual

Revision 2.05

This document contains company confidential information. Do not distribute any part of this manual without written permission from Valcom Incorporated located in Roanoke, Virginia.

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2010 Valcom, Inc. 5614 Hollins Road

Roanoke, VA 24019 Telephone: 877.427.2166

Introduction The VCRCA/VERCA Remote Card Adapters allow Valcom Class ConnectionTM or Valcom MultiPathTM Station (V-TCM, VETCM, V-STX, VESTX, VETCS, XPETCM12, XPETCM24) and Universal Relay Interface Cards (V-URI) to be remotely located. This capability allows users to design and install public address systems spanning multiple buildings or facilities connected through a VLAN. Applications include educational facilities, intra-building communications, municipal alert/communications systems and applications where IDF cabling is impractical due to cost, distance, the presence of asbestos, etc.

Up to 16 RCA Remote Card Adapters may be utilized in a single system to support up to 15 remote locations. Used in conjunction with the Valcom Class ConnectionTM or Valcom MultiPathTM system, up to 360 two-way stations and/or one-way zones may be available. In addition, the RCA Remote Card Adapters feature TCP/IP distribution of up to 6 relay contacts to any combination of remote locations for use in remote clock correction, door control, camera activation, etc. The VERCA additionally offers the capability to distribute RS485 clock correction data via Ethernet and features an override audio input. Installation For Ethernet access of remote cards, a VCRCA or VERCA will be required at the head end (MDF) and at each remote distribution point (RIDF). Up to 16 RCAs may be used in a system for control of up to 15 RIDFs.

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The RCA located in the MDF must be installed in the card rack with the system CPU card. This RCA must be configured as the “main”. On some VCRCAs, this is accomplished by moving the main/remote jumper (HDR1) to the main position – with the jumper connecting the 2 pins closest to R127. On HDR2, located next to the ribbon cable connector, the jumper on the “main” must be moved away from R12 – towards the board edge. Other RCAs feature a single master/slave slide switch. The RCA will connect to a system 24VDC/2A connector and to the system 40-pin ribbon cable. A 25 pair cable and 66M150 punch down block may be required for access to the RCAs 6 inputs and 6 form A relay outputs and/or the VERCAs override audio input. The 6 relay outputs on any of the system RCAs are fully programmable to follow input activation on any of the other system RCAs. This allows contact closures at the MDF or any of the RIDFs to be translated across the network for remote control of clocks, electric door locks, etc. The relay outputs are rated for 1 amp at 30VDC and are intended to drive slave relays of suitable contact rating for your intended control application. The Amphenol pin-out is shown in Table 1. CAD and PDF formatted connection drawings for remote clock correction are available on www.valcomclocks.com.

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RCA Network Requirements

General Network Requirements: Bandwidth Requirements: 1.2 MBPS TCP Requirements: Port 21 for FTP access Port 23 for Telnet access Port 80 for Web based access Bi-directional Ports: 10010, 10051, 10011, 10012 Multicast Requirements: IGMPv3 enabled network 2 Multicast addresses. Factory default addresses are 239.59.1.10 and 239.59.1.2 Network requirements for shared networks - Multicast enabled, VLAN capable 100mbps full duplex Ethernet switches with Gig fiber backbone Install the RCA cards on a dedicated port based VLAN on the network Network requirements for dedicated RCA networks - Multicast enabled 100mbps Ethernet switches Fiber Backbone Connect RCA cards to 100mbps full duplex Ethernet switches Connect backbone via plug-in Gig Ethernet interface modules Alternate Installation - Connect RCA cards to 100mbps full duplex Ethernet switches Connect backbone via media converters from Ethernet switch ports Related Note: The Class Connection ES and MultiPath CPU cards’ Ethernet connection is fixed at 10mbps ½ duplex. If utilizing the same network switches or media converters for both the RCAs and the CPU card, be certain that the switch selected can accommodate the network requirements of both devices.

Baud Rate Specifications

One way only systems 700 Kbps Talkback/Mixed Systems 1.1 Mbps

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Table 1 – Amphenol Pinout

I/O Description 25 Pair Color Code Amphenol Pin

Override Audio w/bl 26 VERCA ONLY

bk/w 1

Override CC w/o 27 o/w 2

Input 1 bk/bl 36 bl/bk 11 C

Input 2 bk/or 37 or/bk 12 C

Input 3 bk/gn 38 gn/bk 13 C

Input 4 bk/br 39 br/bk 14 C

Input 5 bk/sl 40 sl/bk 15 C

Input 6 y/bl 41 bl/y 16 C

Relay 1 y/gn 43 S gn/y 18 M

Relay 2 y/br 44 S br/y 19 M

Relay 3 y/sl 45 S sl/y 20 M

Relay 4 v/bl 46 S bl/v 21 M

Relay 5 v/or 47 S or/v 22 M

Relay 6 v/gn 48 S gn/v 23 M

Note that pair 17 is not used

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Example application showing 3 Remote

Intermediate Distribution Frames (RIDFs)

MDFMain Distribution Frame

6 Talkback

Stations +

6 One Way zones

19 Talkback

Stations

RIDF1Remote Intermediate

Distribution Frame


Distribution Frame


Distribution Frame

4 One Way

Zones

3 Talkback

Stations

7 Talkback

Stations

15 Talkback

Stations

10 Talkback Stations

+ 3 One Way zones

7 Talkback

Stations

IDF1Intermediate

Distribution Frame

IDF1Intermediate

Distribution Frame

IDF2Intermediate

Distribution Frame

IDF1Intermediate Distribution

Frame

V-CPU4

2 V-TCM

1 VCRCA

2 V-TCM

1 VCRCA

1 V-TCM

1 V-STX

1 VCRCA

1 V-TCM

1 VCRCA

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Card Addressing Each system feature card (V-TCM, VETCM, V-STX, VESTX, VETCS, XPETCM12, XPETCM24 and V-URI) must be set to unique addresses starting with 0. This is accomplished by setting the individual hex selector switches on each of the cards to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, or E. Use the following worksheet to assign sequential numbers to feature cards located on the MDF and each RIDF. In order to track card type versus location, use “s” for V-TCM cards, “p” for V-STX cards and “u” for V-URI cards. For example, if 3 V-TCM cards will be installed in the MDF, mark “s” in the 0, 1, and 2 columns of the MDF row. If a V-URI and a V-STX card will be installed in RIDF1, mark columns 3 and 4 in the RIDF1 row with “u” and “p” respectively. Be certain to set the address switches in each location accordingly. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E MDF RIDF1 RIDF2 RIDF3 RIDF4 RIDF5 RIDF6 RIDF7 RIDF8 RIDF9 RIDF10 RIDF11 RIDF12 RIDF13 RIDF14 RIDF15

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Setup

To prevent causing possible conflicts and network problems, no devices should be connected to any LAN without the knowledge and assistance of the local IT Manager. IP numbers must be obtained from the IT Manager.

A) Install the VCS IP Setup Tool

1. Insert the Valcom IP Tool CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.

2. Use Windows Explorer to view the contents of the CD-ROM, and then double-click the SETUP.EXE program.

3. Follow the prompts (typical Windows installation) to install the program.

4. Click Finish to complete the installation.

B) Gather Network Information The following information is required from the Network Administrator for each RCA:

• The Class C subnet number • The default gateway IP address • The static IP address for the RCA device being added to the

network.

C) Connect the main RCA to the LAN Connect the main RCA to the network using a standard RJ45 network cable connected to a network switch, and connect your PC to the same subnet of the network, or Connect directly from your computer to the RCA with a network crossover cable.

D) Configure the IP Tool’s Subnet Information

1. Start the Valcom IP Tool program.

2. To begin configuring a subnet, click on the Network Tool button on the toolbar. This will bring up the Networks dialog box where the configuration takes place.

3. Click the Add button. This brings up the subnet configuration dialog

box.

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4. Enter the information for the subnet. If the network administrator provided you with a series of IP addresses, fill in the lower host ID and the upper host ID boxes then click the ADD button.

E) Program the main RCA’s Network Parameters –

The steps to setting LAN parameters in a new RCA device are:

1. Scan the network using the VCS IP Setup Tool software

Click the Scan button to find the new RCA device in the local network.

2. Select the RCA device

In the left-hand pane (tree view), select the RCA device to which you wish to assign the new IP address. A new device is identified by its MAC address.

3. Assign the new device an IP address

In the right-hand pane, type the new IP address into the IP Address text box. If the network administrator provided you with a series of IP addresses then click the ASSIGN ADDRESS button.

4. Name the new device (optional)

In the right-hand pane, type the new name into the Name text box.

5. Update the device

After the IP address or the name of a device is changed, the device must be updated by clicking the Update Device button in the right-hand frame.

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F) Changing the main RCA Device’s IP Number

1. Plug a PC into the same subnet as the RCA and give it valid IP and Gateway numbers for the subnet (Note: changing a PC’s IP number may require use of your Windows operating system CD.

2. Using the IP Setup Tool, scan for the RCA.

3. Select the RCA and change its IP number.

4. Update the device

1. RCA System LAN Factory Defaults

The factory defaults for a RCA device are:

Network defaults IP Address 1.1.1.1

G) VCS IP Setup Tool Minimum System Requirements

The VCS IP Setup Tool has very few requirements in order to run. The system minimums are outlined below.

Hardware Minimum required to support the Operating System

Operating System Windows XP 0r Higher

Network 10 Mbps connection

Once you have assigned an IP address to your main RCA and have powered and connected each of your remote RCAs to the network, browse into the main unit by entering its IP address into your browser. Typically remote RCAs are automatically configured from the main RCA. A remote RCA’s IP address, subnet mask, gateway, control multicast address and control port may optionally be changed by browsing into it’s assigned IP address.

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The following pages show the detail of RCA setup.

The default password is “valcom”.

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This is the main browser interface screen. Click NETWORK to begin.

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The information on the NETWORK screen will automatically be set to default settings. In most cases, these default settings will be adequate. Check with the facility’s network administrator. If the network has more than one main RCA, each one must be assigned a unique One-Way Multicast Address and unique One-Way and Handsfree port numbers. This must also be changed on the each RCA in the modified system. The control multicast address and control port must be the same on all RCAs in the system and in the IP Setup Tool. If the network has more than one main RCA, the control multicast address as well as the control and scan ports should be the same on both. “Auxiliary Audio Control” allows user to choose VOX or contact closure activation of the override audio input. “Auxiliary Audio VOX Timeout” allows users to choose the duration of silence (1 to 10 seconds) required to release a VOX connection.

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“Ignore Auxiliary Audio When Connected” Checkbox The main purpose of this selection is to modify the behavior of remote RCAs based upon whether or not the network communications between the main RCA and its remotes is established. A common practice is to take a line level audio output from a station card that is directly connected to the system CPU and wire it to the override audio inputs on each remote RCA. This single looped connection will allow the station cards that are connected to remote RCAs to receive all call audio, even if the network communications between the main RCA and the remote RCAs fails. Checking this box ensures that the override is only recognized during network communication failure. When “Ignore Auxiliary Audio When Connected” is checked and the remote RCA can communicate with the main RCA, override audio via contact closure or VOX is disabled. When “Ignore Auxiliary Audio When Connected” is checked and the remote RCA cannot communicate with the main RCA, activity on the override input will force the remote RCA into override mode and all current handsfree or one-way pages will be dropped. Station cards connected to the remote RCA will receive the override audio. If an override is still active when the network connection to the main RCA is reestablished, the override audio will not be interrupted. When “Ignore Auxiliary Audio When Connected” is not checked, overrides are always recognized. If override audio is still active when the network connection to the main RCA is reestablished, the override audio will be interrupted. Handsfree calls originated during overrides are processed normally. A system reboot is required following system changes.

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The BOARDS screen is used to define each remote RCA in the system. Click ADD to define a new remote board. You may also click on the board number hyperlink to edit a main or remote RCA.

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Each remote RCA should be named. The MAC address will be found on a barcode label adhered to the RCA. Each RCA has 6 inputs, which may or may not be used in your specific application. These inputs are used to activate relays on any of the other system RCAs. For your reference, you may name the inputs on each RCA.

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After all of your remote RCAs have been defined, a system reboot will be required. Simply click on the Reboot System hyperlink to initialize a reboot.

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Click MAPPINGS to define the operation of the inputs of your RCAs. Any of the 6 inputs on any of the RCAs may be assigned to operate any of the relays on any of the RCAs. Default relay mappings associate the 6 inputs on any system RCA to close the numerically corresponding relay on all system RCAs. Click on the + or – next to a relay name to select or deselect that relay for all boards. Click on the Load System Defaults button to load default mappings.

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Click on COPY MAPPINGS to copy input/relay mappings between system RCAs. You may copy a single input to another input on the same RCA or on a different RCA. You may also copy input to relay mapping from board to board.

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Click on PASSWORD to change the system password (default is valcom).

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Click on FIRMWARE to ascertain system version information and/or to initiate factory suggested firmware upgrades. Note: There is an alternative method of upgrading RCA firmware. Contact Technical Support for details.

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Should firmware upgrades be necessary, they will provided by the factory in the form of an upgrade file (*.tar file format). This file will appear to be a ZIP file. DO NOT UNZIP THE FILE PRIOR TO INITIATING THE UPGRADE PROCESS. Step 1 – Uploading Locate the new system file (upgrade file) by use of the Browse Button. Click Submit. DO NOT REMOVE POWER FROM THE RCA

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Step 2 – Erasing DO NOT REMOVE POWER FROM THE RCA

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Step 3 – Programming DO NOT REMOVE POWER FROM THE RCA

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Step 4 – Reboot DO NOT REMOVE POWER FROM THE RCA

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Step 4 – Reboot DO NOT REMOVE POWER FROM THE RCA

Repeat the upgrade process for each system RCA by browsing into each individual RCA and repeating the steps listed in this section.

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Click on System Status to view the status of slave RCAs including a report of which card addresses are recognized on each.

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LEDs The RCA has a row of LEDs next to the Amphenol connector. These LEDs indicate the addresses of the feature cards to which the RCA is connected. The main RCA’s LEDs will indicate the addresses of all of the system feature cards connected to remote RCAs.

LED Board Address

D22 0 D21 1 D20 2 D19 3 D18 4 D17 5 D8 6 D7 7 D6 8 D5 9

D31 A D30 B D29 C D28 D D27 E

Other LEDs

D24 MultiCast Reception (OK when Blinking)

D26 System Heartbeat

D23 Reset Active

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RCA Echo Canceller Training Procedure THIS PROCEDURE IS TO BE USED ONLY WHEN INSTRUCTED BY VALCOM PERSONNEL. This procedure is only to be used in circumstances where the RCA board is not able to properly cancel echoes using the factory-default settings. This can be caused by installation of the talkback speaker in a high-noise environment. Using this procedure allows the RCA boards to “train” themselves to the noise levels in the installation area. This procedure should be done after construction is completed in the area of the talkback speaker, since the acoustics of the area can (and probably will) change during construction. Training should not be done while unusual noise is present (hammering, etc.). The configuration screen to run this process is hidden, meaning the page does not have a link in the web configuration interface that can be clicked. The page address must be typed into the address bar in the web browser to access it. The installed firmware version of the RCA board should be 1.31 or higher. Step 1: Access the CPU programming and turn OFF all system tones, such as pre-announce. This is required so that the RCA boards do not “hear” the tones while training. Note the settings so that they may be restored to the original programming when finished with this operation. Step 2: Connect to a RCA board using the built-in web-based configuration interface. After logging in, click on the address bar in the browser and change the “screen=0” to “screen=5”, as shown in this example: http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/cgi-bin/web_config.cgi?screen=5&session=xxxxx The IP address and session number will be different, depending on the local subnet and board address. Step 3: Click the checkbox for “Enable Echo Canceller Training” and click Submit to enable training mode. (See the screen capture below) Repeat Steps 2 & 3 for ALL RCA boards in the system. Step 4: Determine the dial code for one station connected through a remote RCA board (i.e. one dial code per remote RCA board). Try to choose a station where the ambient noise is average, not the quietest or noisiest station. Call that dial code 8 times (once for each audio path). With each call, an approximate 1 second burst of static will be generated by the system. When the static noise ends, hang up and call the dial code again until all 8 cycles have been performed. This will train all 8 audio paths.

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Repeat this step for each RCA board in the system. Step 5: Access the web interface (from Step 2) for each RCA board, uncheck the “Enable Echo Canceller Training” option, and click Submit to disable training mode. Access the CPU programming and restore the system tones to the pre-test state. Step 6: Test the functionality of the talkback circuit by placing a call from the affected stations. Confirm proper functioning.

Documents

RCA Remote Card Adapter Installation and Programming Manual