Technical data

ASTi DACS: Operation & Maintenance Manual (Version 4, Rev. B.1) www.asti-usa.com

Interconnection:

As with the Waveform Synthesizer, a high speed communication port connec-

tion is provided. This port provides the capability to link up to three TDM Controller cards

together to form large communications networks.

Audio Processor Conﬁguration

In general, any combination of Waveform Synthesizers and TDM Controllers can be installed in a

2U or 4U DACS. The number of audio processing cards or modules is limited to three, providing

there are enough slots available in the chassis.

In a multiple Synthesizer/TDM Controller conﬁguration, one card or module is conﬁgured as a

master device. The remaining cards or modules must be conﬁgured as slaves. This conﬁguration is

important as sound model frame rate operation on the Model Processor is derived from the single

master.

In systems with at least one TDM Controller, the TDM Controller will be conﬁgured as the Mas-

ter.

Each Synthesizer/TDM Controller is also jumper conﬁgured for a speciﬁc address via a rotary

switch accessed directly on the card. Addresses are from one to six and also correspond to the

model number in the Model Builder software environment. Care should be taken when swapping

or replacing modules to set the address appropriately. See your DACS engineering drawings for

details on Synthesizer/TDM Controller jumper conﬁgurations.

Up to three audio processor cards or modules may be interconnected via the high speed communi-

cations port within a single DACS.

Remote Interface Units (RIUs)

As we saw earlier, Remote Interface Units (RIUs) are used in conjunction with TDM Controller

cards to form a TDM based digital communications network.

Unlike most DACS hardware components, the RIU is a small unit located separate from the main

DACS. RIUs are daisy chained together using standard category 5 UTP network cable to form a

“TDM Ring”. Both ends of the ring are connected to a TDM Controller card located in the main

DACS.

Audio is sampled by the RIU and passed in digital format to the TDM Controller. Audio mixed

and/or generated by the TDM Controller is also passed in digital format to the RIU.

The RIU provides both audio input/output capability and some limited digital I/O capability. In

addition two serial ports are provided for connection of devices such as Hand Held Terminals and

simulated or actual operator panels.

The RIU is a continually evolving product and multiple versions exist with varying specs and fea-

tures. Care should be taken when ordering spares to include the full part number. Consult your

engineering drawing set shipped with your equipment or examine the part number indicated on

the RIU itself to determine which version you have. At the time of this writing, RIU version 4.1 is

the current hardware version.

This manual is only concerned with the operation of version 4.1 and later RIUs.