Software Instruction Manual

IQ–MSD Turbo 1.4 Advanced IQ System Software
Page 124
5.3.3 Manual Control from a Graphics Plate
Earlier we saw that amplifier GDMs, like the ones shown in Figure 5.7, provide basic monitoring features and
manual controls. Graphics plates provide for tremendous flexibility to design custom screens with custom controls.
One aspect to custom controls that is very appealing is the capability to limit the range of a control on a graphics
plate. Instead of providing a user with a level control having a fixed range from 0 to –50 dB, you could provide
them with a level control having a range of –10 to –30 dB to prevent them from turning a level too high or too low.
Depending on how you design the level control, it can still appear to have a full range of movement. See Section
3.1.1 for a description of the sample shown below in Figure 5.10.
Another advantage of designing a control on a graphics plate is that you can control the size and color. For
example, you can easily design a large Power on/off button that is bright green when the power is on and dull red
when the power is off.
You can also choose to omit controls that you don’t want a user to have. For example, you don’t want the user to
toggle the polarity of a channel, don’t give them a control for it on the graphics plate. In a control block, users always
have access to every manual control. In a graphics plate, you can limit that access.
Fig. 5.10 Manual Amplifier Control with Custom Controls on a Graphics Plate