CTI Products MCN RCD System Overview - Manual (Page 12)

MCN System Manual User Interface Modules
CTI Products, Inc.
68-10833-120
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3. User Interface Modules
An MCN User Interface Module connects the MCN network to various User
Interface devices. The user interface may be simple lights and push buttons, such
as a console, or the user interface may be a program running on a PC to monitor
and control the comparator.
The following are CTI Products’ MCN User Interface Modules:
• Host Computer Interface Module (HIB) for PC interface (serial)
• Input/Output Interface Module (IIB) for console interface (parallel)
Each module is briefly described below. General information about the operation
of each of these modules is provided in this manual. For more information about
features specific to an individual module, refer to its hardware reference manual.
3.1 Host Computer Interface Module (HIB)
The HIB provides a serial interface to a PC and works with CTI Products’ Remote
Comparator Display (MCNRCD) software to provide comparator monitoring and
control. Features of the HIB/MCNRCD combination are:
• Support for up to 512 receivers per system with up to 88 receivers
viewable on a single screen.
• Configurable receiver names and screen positions.
• Displays VOTE, RECEIVE, DISABLE and FAIL information for each
receiver on the screen.
• FORCE VOTE and DISABLE switch functions are controlled with
either a mouse or keyboard.
• Allows logging (to the screen and/or to a disk file) of receivers that fail
or become disabled.
• Optional modems allow remote monitoring and control.
• Provides transmitter status monitoring and control for systems that use
the TIB module for controlling individual transmitter sites.
Because the module can be used with modems for remote operation, a technician
no longer has to travel to the comparator site to diagnose system problems since
he can monitor and control the comparator from a PC anywhere there is a dial-up
phone line.