MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 MIL-STD Data Modem Terminal User Guide Version 1.04 Current for MS-DMT v1.01 Build 1.0.1.1 POC for this document is: NNN0WWL/NNN0ASL-14 NC nnn0wwl@navymars.org nnn0wwl@marsale.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 WARNING: Do NOT use greater than a 2.8kHz filter on transmit or a 3.0kHz filter on receive. NOTE: Authorized MS-DMT users with Amateur Radio licenses be aware that Military data modem serial tone waveforms use 1200 or 2400 baud symbol rates which are NOT legal for all Amateur Radio use on HF. FCC rules that took effect on 05 MARCH 2012 for 60m permit Data transmission use as long as the emitted signal is held to 2.8Khz BW or less.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 UPDATES The MS-DMT does not automatically update. Updating is performed manually. Updates are usually provided in .zip file format without an install.exe and simply require extracting to the installed directory location. All full install and updates releases can be found in the files section of the Yahoo support forum at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MARS-ALE/ or at the open web site at: http://www.n2ckh.com/MARS_ALE_FORUM/MSDMT.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 VERSION AND BUILD NUMBERING The first formal release of MS-DMT was v1.00 build 1.0.0.0 at the completion of the initial development and testing of the tool. The correction of any bugs found or the addition of minor features shall result in the next build number being incremented, e.g. v1.00 build 1.0.0.0 would be incremented to v1.00 build 1.0.0.1 and successive builds in kind would result in another increment to build 1.0.0.2, 1.0.0.3 etc.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 to provide full install release and install update distributions if more than a .zip file is required to just drop in the .EXE for use. LICENSE FILE REQUIREMENTS: There is no license file required at this time to run the software. This may change with future versions of the tool depending on the features added during the tools life cycle.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS UPDATES .......................................................................................................................................... 2 SUPPORT.......................................................................................................................................... 2 VERSION AND BUILD NUMBERING .................................................................................................. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ..........
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 SETTING UP RX AUDIO................................................................................................................... 43 LOOP BACK TEST ............................................................................................................................ 46 RADIO RECEIVER SETTINGS ........................................................................................................... 47 MS-DMT USER INTERFACE....................................
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 PREFACE The MIL-STD Data Modem Terminal (MS-DMT) application has been developed to provide the MARS member that cannot afford or otherwise acquire a MIL-STD hardware data modem an optional means of MIL-STD data modem communications interoperability by using a General Purpose MS-Windows computer and PC Sound Device as the modem hardware device. The results from use of this software depend on the user adhering to all recommendations herein.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 Aside from non modem related processes causing CPU loading and latency issues, the PC sound device sample clock accuracy, first program capture of the sound device issue under some OS’s and sample clock stability come into question as does sound device noise floor, deterministic phase jitter and other parameters.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 OVERVIEW The MS-DMT application is a software modem based communications terminal tool developed as a Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) based (and not .NET thus it will work under Wine and Winskins) Multi-threading 32 bit application currently designed to run under MS-Windows XP SP3 and later versions of both 32 and 64 bit MS-Windows operating systems.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The MS-DMT baselines also serves as the basis for Research and Development (R&D) in pursuit of improved 110A serial tone modem development and additional MIL-STD and STANAG waveforms in support of MARS. Already a more advanced Metric Inversion Equalization (MIE) based MS110A modem vs. the existing Decision Feedback Equalization (DFE) MS110A modem and an STANAG 4285 based modem are under in development.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 parameters and also the continuing use of on-board AC’97 sound devices. However reliable 600bps FEC operation is a huge step forward for MARS FEC communications and the use of 110A ST FEC is just the first FEC ST protocol MARS has started using which provides for MIL-STD interoperability with our Military sponsors.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 MIL-STD MODEM IMPLEMENTATION A MIL-STD/STANAG modem has traditionally been implemented in hardware as an Embedded System, designed specifically to perform its functions as a military data modem. Embedded systems contain processing cores that are typically either Microcontrollers (MCU), Microprocessors (CPU), Digital Signal Processors (DSP) or Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) based or some combination of processors.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 complex Military serial tone PSK waveforms being supported by this software have much higher symbol rates, wider bandwidth and higher data rates than do the Amateur Radio, Commercial and Military FSK (RTTY) digital modes commonly used by MARS in the past and implemented on the PC Sound Device as the modem.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 issues. This configuration does however present the worst case as to PC sound device noise floor and jitter and other PC based artifacts when testing is conducted using a laptop and AC’97 onboard sound device which is always used in addition to the best case use of an external USB sound device in all use of the HF channel simulator.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 CURRENT M110A DMT FEATURES PC Sound Device for selection is provided by both Name and Number with no need to shutdown and restart the software. Supports multiple USB 2.0 or greater devices of the same or different make/model for clean selection. Where for example, if using two Signalink USB devices, the 2nd device shows up as "USB Codec 2".
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The software is compatible with MIL-STD-188-110A hardware modem SYNC (EOM enabled or disabled) or ASYNC (EOM enabled) modes in support of FEC based ASCII dumb terminal messaging using the internal terminal. Also provided is SYNC with EOM enabled for transparent operation via the Data Port for external applications use for Binary, ASCII or Binary/ASCII data streams.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 MARS-ALE Radio Emulation (REM) can be used to facilitate follow on to ALE. ICOM or KNWDxxx radio types are used with the REM port. The MARS-ALE Radio Emulation (REM) can also be used in CAT Server Modem to control any make/model radio selection and PTT type which that software supports that is not directly supported by the DMT tool. Radio CAT Comport defaults settings default to those for the selected radio model automatically to include any require handshaking.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 FEATURES PLANNED FOR DEVELOPMENT Additional modem support, where S4285 is currently under development. Integration of Listen Before Transmit (LBT) technology. Data Link Protocol layer Broadcast mode support in addition to ASYNC and SYNC modes. Data Port streaming of unknown data for transmit with minimal buffering where transmitting of the preamble and known data will begin immediately vs. requiring to buffer all the data prior to transmitting the data.
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MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 https://assist.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch/ http://groups.yahoo.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 PC HARDWARE AND OS REQUIREMENTS The best results when using this software are obtained when it is run on a dedicated PC that has been configured with a fresh OS install that has no networking enabled, especially no wireless networking or other non-essential MS-DMT related applications in use. There are significant CPU and memory demands on the PC due to the modems receiver DSP processing and significant demands on the PC sound device.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 provide proper results. However the minimum configuration running the MS-DMT requires any external terminal application running on a second PC via an RS-232 null connection. However the use of an external terminal application on the same PC via VCP based communications requires more processing power and RAM. A minimum system based on a 1.86Ghz Intel Pentium M or 1.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 INSTALLING MS-DMT FOR THE FIRST TIME The install program, INSTALL.EXE, by default installs to “C:\MS-DMT\”. The software may be installed to any Windows directory on your computer using Windows XP. However, Do NOT install the software under “C:\PROGRAM FILES\” when using either MS-Vista, MS-Windows 7, MS-Windows 8 or later due to file access restrictions imposed with these operating systems and be sure to install using Administrator rights.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 INSTALLING AN MS-DMT UPDATE The process for installation of a software update can be one of two methods as detailed below. NOTE: If you have NOT previously installed an earlier MS-DMT version, then you MUST run the current full install of MS-DMT before installing an update version. 1. With an existing MS-DMT installation that has been properly configured and tested, make sure you save the existing MSDMT_32.EXE and DMT.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 REQUIRED FOLDERS There are three folders or directories if you prefer, that are created during the execution of the INSTALL.EXE which must exist, the “dalog, owlog and Download” directories as seen below. When installing the software for the first time these directories will be created, the same is true of installing any updates that provide an INSTALL.EXE, which will create the directories should they not exist. However, when extracting an update where no INSTALL.
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MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 TESTING FOR SYSTEM LATENCY Windows latency must be tested and any excessive latency must be mitigated to within tolerances for real-time audio streaming applications for best results using MS-DMT. MSWindows versions are not true real-time operating systems and do not provide low-latency response to events, predictable time-based scheduling or explicit resource allocation.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The process of determining what process is the offending one requires motoring all processes with the Windows Task Manager or better yet Process Explorer (procexp.exe) available free from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653 to associate the timing of CPU loading or RAM increases with latency spikes and disabling the process to see the results on latency.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 and malware, firewall, anti-virus and anti-malware software, screen savers, system hibernate, resources that power down devices, any process that automatically starts whenever it wants, especially ones that try to connect via the Internet, e.g. GoogleUpdate.EXE and other such processes that load CPU, RAM and cause DPC.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 Under Windows XP to achieve better Latency navigate to System Properties and click Advanced > Performance options. Optimize performance for Background Services, not Applications which can enhance sound device driver performance. A decent reference on many more issues and OS versions can be found at: http://www.tweakheadz.com/troubleshooting_audio_cards.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 However if the computer is to be used for general application and connected to the Internet at times, it is recommended that either the computer run software applications such as real-time anti-virus and anti-malware when being used for such purposes that that such software be disabled prior to the use of the MS-DMT tool. At a minimum, the computer should be checked prior to the use of the MS-DMT tool for any infestation.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 SpyBot Search and Destroy: Advanced Spyware protection for home use without the always resident running code and nagging messages to update the database, the user looks after their updates to the tool manually and decide what actions to take regarding potential threats found. http://www.safer-networking.org/dl/ MalwareBytes: Advanced Malware Detection and Removal of Viruses, Worms, Trojans, Rootkits, Dialers and Spyware.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 STARTING THE PROGRAM When the program is started for the first time after initial install or update it may generate a “Windows Security Alert”, if so just click just on “Unblock”. In addition, any Anti-Virus or other such tools may also need adjusting to allow the MSDMT_32.EXE executable to run, but such programs should really be disabled during the use of MS-DMT. When the MS-DMT software is started for the first time a DMT.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 If the prerequisite mono spaced font “Letter Gothic MT” is not installed then the screen will appear as seen below using the MS Dlg Font size 8, which is not a mono spaced font.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The default coding of the application requires that “Letter Gothic MT” be installed, otherwise check “User Font” and click the “FONTS” button to select a mono spaced font for best text display and proper operation of the ‘Ruler” display bar.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The “Ruler” display bar is setup to the same font as the message windows and thus allows the user to keep an eye on their text line length during composition based on the GUI being sized large enough to display the entire message as the “Ruler” does not scroll at present.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 Windows computers with reduced screen sizes and resolution, however resizing requires some attention to detail, see Appendix A for the full details. The size, location and state of the GUI is saved upon normal termination of the program for use upon restart. When the MS-DMT software is started for the first time, the main screen divided into three panels from top to bottom; “Receive”, “Common” and “Transmit”.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The program is easy to use, just select the configuration settings for your station particulars then close the “Common” panel or leave it open, then select the desired data rate and interleaver for transmit and the other terminal parameters as detailed herein and you are ready to automatically receive using MS110A at any incoming settings and to edit or paste or load from a file your message and to send your message.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 SETTING MS-DMT PRIORITY If a program (windows process) has a higher priority, it gets more processor time compared to a process having lower priority. The MS-DMT tool will work ok with the “Normal” priority level as the most important threads in the application itself are prioritized, however running MS-DMT “Above Normal” or higher can be an advantageous, especially on decoding during receive.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 administrative privileges. You can download PRIO using following links for 32 and 64 versions supporting through Windows 7: http://www.prnwatch.com/prio.exe http://www.prnwatch.com/prio_x64.exe Alternately, you could launch MSDMT_32.EXE via a batch file and set the priority for the duration of each use by creating a Batch file such as DMT.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 only on multiprocessor computers supporting its use. To set affinity, you can go to the Processes tab in the Windows Task Manager. The process for making use of the Task Manager to set affinity if supported on the system in question is to first right click on the application and click on “Go To Process” as seen below. Then the MSDMT_32.exe will be highlighted and again right click and click “Set Affinity”.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 In Windows, if you have a dual core processor, it will look like there are two processors in Windows, however there really is only one processor and TWO cores. So in a single dual core system you’ll see CPU 0 and CPU 1. The first one is the physical process and the second one is the virtual processor.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 Set processor affinity can be set automatically from a batch file down to Windows XP using Microsoft's Sysinternal's psexec's -a flag. Usage: psexec [\\computer[,computer2[,...] | @file][-u user [-p psswd]][-n s][-l][-s|-e][-x][-i [session]][-c [-f|-v]][-w directory][-d][-][-a n,n,...] cmd [arguments] -a Separate processors on which the application can run with commas where 1 is the lowest numbered CPU.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 PC SOUND DEVICE SELECTION All PC Sound Devices (a.k.a. Sound Cards) are not created equal and all operating systems do not treat the same sound device equal. There are a number of important considerations when selecting the sound device for use as the hardware modem portion (PC Sound Device Modem) of this software solution.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The sound device characteristics will determine its usefulness as a PC Sound Device Modem for use with the software due to the complex 110A waveform and its constant 2400 baud symbol rate, decoding 110A and similar waveforms planned to be supported by the software. An accurate and stable sample rate is critical for accurate Digital Signal Processing (DSP).
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 with HF radio communications will offer higher immunity to an RF environment then do general purpose sound devices in the same cost range. There are many expensive Outboard professional sound devices that are very well shielded and offer TXCO referenced sample clocks with many other outstanding features. Outboard devices should provide reliable operation through 2400bps for MS110A class waveform data rates.
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MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 PC SOUND DEVICE DRIVER All sound devices under Windows (and most all operating systems) require a device driver. A driver is a low-level program that handles the data connections between the physical hardware and the operating system. Traditionally the manufacturers of sound devices provide drivers for their sound device hardware or family of sound device hardware.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 Although PC sound devices appear to support different sample rates, they actually have only one raw hardware sample rate which is the maximum rate that can be used for modem applications and achieve the effect of lower (and some times higher) sample rates by means of sample rate conversion. Such conversion is performed by the sound device driver and cannot be monitored or disabled by application software.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices > Audio > Advanced (Advanced Audio Properties) > Performance as seen below under Windows XP Home as seen above.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The technical read on all this is that the hardware is programmed with the sample rate at every call to KsCreatePin: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff561652.aspx Each exclusive mode stream results in a call to KsCreatePin. A shared-mode stream will either: 1 .Result in a call to KsCreatePin (if there are no other shared-mode streams active) 2.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 application must be using the required 48khz sample rate as used by the MS-DMT, otherwise aliasing will occur which will degrade modem performance on both transmit and receive.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 PC SOUND DEVICE CONFIGURATION At this point the selection of your PC Sound Device is required, do so by clicking on “PCSDM” (PC Sound Device Modem) button on the Common panel, and the “PC Sound Device Setup” dialog as seen below will open. This dialog supports the selection of the PC Sound Device to be used as the modem for the software. The device selected should be a sound device dedicated to radio communications and not the system default sound device.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 By default Line In is selected, but can be changed. Line In is preferred over MIC In for the radio RX audio.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 the sound card settings to Normal Windows. You may workaround this problem by setting the Sound Card Manager to Run as Administrator (right click, select properties, compatibility) , but then you lose the capability of dragging and dropping programs into the Sound Card Manager.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 PC SOUND DEVICE MODEM TESTNG The requirement for synchronization clocks between 110A ST terminals is 10ppm of the sample clock. Clock accuracy for generation of the 1800-Hz carrier shall be within ±1 Hz. At the symbol rate of 2400 symbols-per-second this requires accuracy of 0.024 (10 ppm) symbols-per-second. Thus the PC Sound Device sample clock accuracy and stability is very important in the role of a PC Sound Device Modem for our application.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The test program Check Sample Rate (CheckSR.EXE) from MixW is the simplest way to test sample rate error on both input and output. However making use of HF reception of WWV using various software programs is the most accurate way to test your RX sample rate error. Once your receive sample rate error is known, you can then perform a loop back test to determine your TX error.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The CheckSR program, upon startup selects the ”Default sound card” and 11025hz as the sample rate. Select the Input and Output device of interest and 48000 for the test. The resulting “Sample rate, Hz” must be less +/-5hz different from 48000Hz or the "Difference, ppm" must be less than +/-100ppm at 48000Hz for the PC Sound Device to be usable at all with this software and then only when the TX station is near 0.0ppm.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 NOTE: Some professional and even some lesser sound devices provide for an external clock source, however most devices do not. Many devices can be modified without much effort for referencing the sound device to an external frequency standard. The common 24.576Mhz (or other frequency) reference crystal used in sound devices can be swapped out for a more accurate crystal or better yet a TXCO reference can be soldered in place of the crystal.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 .
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 HF SSB RADIO REQUIREMENTS In general, an HF SSB transceiver with TXCO and 100w pep or greater output is required. A radio capable of data transmission at 100% duty cycle is highly recommended for long broadcast message transmissions.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The capability of radio remote is supported for PTT requirements, but not required.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 SETTING UP TX AUDIO Select the same sound device for use as the Input as the Output device using Line In vs. Mic in if possible. Leave the Modulation level at the default 75% to start, only use it if the sound panel and other controls do not provide enough range in setting your radio ALC to zero.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 NOTE: In a dire emergency situation use of this software via close acoustic coupling between a PC speaker output into the radio microphone will support sending a message, use of this technique at 300bps and below is recommended.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 SETTING UP RX AUDIO Never use the radio speaker out port. Most all HF radios provide a fixed radio line out at 100 mV rms @ 600 ohms either on a dedicated data modem port, on a separate port and often on the MIC port connector. Only make use of radio line out for the data modem RX audio.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 A typical incoming serial tone signal will cause an increase in radio line out by 25db regardless of actual S meter reading for an audible by ear signal. The capture below depicts an MS110A 300bps signal from a Micom transceiver using its 3kHz data filter (into a dummy load), while the FT-890 receiver output displayed is -55db.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 Here is the same signal displayed using MixW with an 80db dynamic range setting and an average curve setting of normal. You may also want to maintain a database of sound device settings if you plan to make use of different sound device modem based communications applications and forego just setting the input sound panel level to max so that you return to the proper settings. The following tools are popular for this purpose: QuickMix (http://www.ptpart.co.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 LOOP BACK TEST There are a number of purposes of the loop back test: Verify that the operating system latency issues have been mitigated. Check the effects of sound device distortion, noise and jitter. Determine a relative starting point for RX and TX sound device level settings. Check the effects of cable wiring as to noise when the radio cables are jumpered for loop back testing.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 into the lower “Outgoing Message Window”. Then click “Send” to start the test and do nothing else on the computer during the test. The message will take 1 minute and 10 seconds to complete if uninterrupted. Review the loop back message on the RX instance of the software and verify that you displayed the message 100% correct. If 100%, your system (aside from possible sample clock error and drift when not using the sound device in loopback) has passed the basic test.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 wider filter installed. For reliable performance at data rates of 1200bps and higher the transmitting station must be using filters of 2.7-2.8kHz. Above is the passband display of an old TS-450 captured while monitoring a 4Mhz channel where its 2.4kHz first IF filter is selected and the 2nd filter is in the THRU position and the IF Shift set at the normal 1500hz center during the intercept of MS110A from a station using 3kHz filtering on TX.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 Military radios run their receivers wide open, they do not provide the type of receiver features found in most Amateur and some Commercial radio equipments. In taking some of those nonMilitary radio receiver features into consideration the following settings are recommended: IF BW as close to 2.8kHz on TX as possible and no more than 3.0kHz on RX. IF Shift if equipped, set to 1800Hz instead of 1500Hz center if using filters under 2.8kHz.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 should be bypassed. If not selectable for bypass, use the widest filter in the highest IF, such as the FM or AM filter and a filter closest to 2.8kHz at the lowest IF stage. Where one button on the radio drops or adds a stage of amplification, be it called PREAMP or other, the user can make use of this amplification stage as long as it does not cause non-linear characteristics or introduces an undue amount of noise that reduces the SNR of the channel.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 MS-DMT USER INTERFACE The software defaults on first start to the configuration seen below and returns to the same configuration should the required DMT.DAT database file which resides in the same directory as the MSDMT_32.EXE either be missing or corrupt. Otherwise the program retains all user changed parameters in the DMT.DAT for use on the next program start.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The software provides an upfront display of all user entered parameters aside from those pertaining to PC sound device on first start. Many of the parameters will likely be changed infrequently if at all after initial setup which are found on the “Common” and can be hidden by unchecking the “Common” checkbox. However many MARS members will find the need to change some of these often and thus the display design.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 immediate select to parameters up front speeds the process verses navigating menu’s to find the needed selection in the heat of two-way communications. The software’s user interface is presented with the top most panel for “Receive” parameters and display, the center most panel for “Common” parameters which can be hidden and the bottom most panel for “Transmit” parameters and message origination.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 COMMON PANEL This panel contains parameters that aside from mode selection and perhaps PSK carrier are basically one time set and forget unless a hardware change is required. Buttons “FONTS” - The FONTS button when enabled by “User Font” being checked, selects the Font dialog for custom user font selection parameters vs.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 “FONT x” - The default font is configured for a size of 8, clicking “FONT x” when enabled will toggle between a size of 8 or 12 for the default font when in effect.. “PCSDM” - As used earlier this guide, the “PCSDM” (PC Sound Device Modem) button provides access to the Sound Device Setup dialog when clicked.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 MODE The MODE pull down provides for all over the air modes which can be used with both the internal display window as well as an external terminal. At present there are three mode selections provided: ASYNC_EOM, SYNC_EOM and SYNC_NOE (no EOM). ASYNC_EOM is the default mode when the program is run for the first time or whenever the DMT.DAT file is missing or corrupted as ASYNC_EOM is the most commonly used of the MS110A modes in MARS.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The mode selections when the DATA PORT is active (not 0) can be overridden by “TRANS” when checked, which places the tool into SYNC with EOM compatible mode of operation setup for a binary data streams rather than just ASCII. In addition, “TRANS” also bypasses the internal message and data windows during DATA PORT operation, thus all use of the modem is with the external software application only.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 MODEM At present the Modem selection pull down is disabled as the MS110A modem is the only selection, however that will change in the future when S4285 will likely be the next selection. PSK CARRIER The PSK carrier selections provided will follow the mode selected as additional modes selections become available. For the MS110A ST waveform the 1800Hz selection is the standard PSK carrier and the default for MS110A in the software.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 are required. For those radio models that require handshaking, the appropriate handshaking is hard coded for the radio type selected and not user selectable. You can also set the CAT com port to 0 temporarily to run another program, this is faster than shutting down the MS-DMT to start another program and also alleviates the possibility of shutting down and starting the next program too fast and having com port access issues.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 external interface be in use that requires D.C. power from the RS-232 port, check “RS232 Power”, whichever line, RTS or DTR is not being used for PTT will be used for DTR power. RIG The RIG pull down menu is used to select the radio type for CAT support. By default when the program is first started radio type NONE is selected, which precludes the sending of any CAT commands.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 internal display of incoming data would display very slowly and the tool would appear to crash. As of MS-DMT v1.00 Build 1.0.0.0 the Data Port can now be active without the need of an external terminal being active, however “enable buffer overrun” must be enable if a VCP port is being used and the external terminal flow control must not being using any handshaking or asserting the RTS line for PTT.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 RECEIVE PANEL Buttons “da. Log” - Displays the .da log for the current Zulu day by launching an instance of MS-Notepad with the .da log, if no messages have been received during the current Zulu data a message box is displayed attesting to that fact. NOTE: Additional logging events an take place during the log file being opened, however at this time the log being displayed in Notepad is not updated, only the log file itself is updated. At this time the ".
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 “Copy All” - A single click copy of the entire contents of the Incoming Message Window to the Windows Clipboard for pasting its contents into another application. This saves the right click menu selections or manual high lighting steps to copy from the message window. “Grab Last” - Grabs the last message received and clears and replaces the outgoing message window contents.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 “ERROR” - The Doppler Spread or Frequency Error has a display range of -999.99 to 999.99hz where the modem must properly decode an incoming signal that is off frequency by as much as +/- 75Hz (including transmitter/receiver frequency variations and doppler spread). The modems RF frequency error correction in this software exceeds that requirement of the standard. The sample clock error does not enter into this error correction.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 currently active during this process, they really should not be used until the entire message has been displayed. NOTE: Display on EOM does not support the use of MS110A 4800bps uncoded. “FIFO” - When "Display on EOM" is not checked and "FIFO" is checked, the latest message received shall be inserted at the top of the messages displayed buffer and done so character by character during decoding.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 TRANSMIT PANEL Buttons “Inc” - This button increments the data rate. “Dec” - This button decrements the data rate. NOTE: 600bps is the default the first time the program is run, it and 300bps are the most commonly used data rates for MARS-to-MARS use. “Int’ - This button toggles the Interleaver between SHORT or LONG. NOTE: The LONG interleave setting is more resistant to channel noise bursts and fades.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 “Send” - Sends the message located in the “Outgoing Message Window” if any message is present. The “Send” and “Send HL” buttons and other selections are disabled during transmitting as seen in the screen capture at the end of this section. The EXIT button is active during transmitting should the transmission require termination.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 “ReSend” - Grabs the last message sent using by the 3 party software via the Data Port and paste is into the Outgoing Message window for editing and resending. Status “MODE” – This status window displays the current selected transmit mode is displayed. It follows the mode selected in the Common panel. For MS110A the default TX mode when the program is run for the first time or when the DMT.DAT file is missing or corrupted is 600BPS LONG.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The main outgoing message buffer size is limited to 32k (32,378) at this time. If a message is entered that exceeds the limit an error message will be displayed. If a message is entered that is longer than will display in the window at one time, vertical scroll bars will automatically turn on for scrolling and will turn off when the "Clear" button is used. There is no LINE WRAP taking place, thus long lines will not wrap on the RX end.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 Thus there is now a selection check box of "Insert TODz" which will upon sending the message insert the TOD in Zulu time. This selection and "Add TODz" can both be active at the same time and work with all available means of sending a message. “Add TODz” - When "Add TOD" is checked, the Zulu time shall be appended to the outgoing message sent.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 "Save on Send" and "Add and Insert TOD" features do not apply to use of this message window. A carriage return and line feed is inserted and appended to what is sent. The "Clear on Send" is not supported as the keyboard message window automatically clears on sending the message when Enter is pressed. The “Repeat” button will refill the window with the last sent message for reediting or resending immediately.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 APPENDIX A: RESIZING THE MS-DMT GUI Below are screen shots dealing with the features in support of “Resizing” the tool were the first new feature is the presence of the Maximize box as seen circled in red below. There has also been a Resizing Grip Anchor added at the lower right corner which can be seen a below circled in red. However resizing via dragging can be achieved by left clicking on any border and releasing the button and dragging via the mouse vs.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 interrupts just click on the anchor with the mouse and then you the Left/Right and Up/Dn keys on the keyboard to resize and then click the anchor to release. Below is the tool resized full screen by use of the single click of the new maximize button where the font is Letter Gothic MT size 14 and the display configuration is 1024x768 96dpi.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 Resizing is enabled at all times, to include during transmitting, in testing during receiving and transmitting a normal amount of resizing does not seem to be a problem but it cannot be ruled it out if over used. The layout that everyone is used to has been preserved, however being as MS-DMT is an MFC Dialog based application, where everything involving resizing requires custom code development. The current layout limits certain aspects of resizing.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The cursor will change and you can then resize without the need to make that final click to disengage. Save/Restore of MS-DMT Position, Size and State has been implemented. When the program is run for the first time it will be at its default size and centered in the middle of the screen. Thereafter, it will be at whatever location and size the user last resized and positioned it.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The "Send File" button takes the previous position which has been relocated to the left of the "Send" button. of the "Clear" button The use of "Send File" follows the selected MODE pull down choice in the Common panel. As such the current modes provided will send the contents of the selected file and not an image of the file as would be the case with the FS-1052DLP FTP selection found in the MARS-ALE application.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 However, if at any time the \FILES\ directory is created under where MSDMT_32.EXE resides, it will always be the directory opened by the use of "Send File", at least that is the intent, it may or may not work out that way under all versions of Windows and of course the use of Wine etc. under other operating systems.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 By default files with the extension of .TXT are listed, however the user can change that to files with any other extension or all files by using *.[extension] or *.* or any wildcard a position filler combinations on each use of "Send File". When a file is single clicked it’s displayed for use, another click on OPEN sends it. If the file is double clicked on then the file is sent immediately.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 There is also an option to view the contents of the file by checking the “View File” box where the selected file will be loaded into the outgoing message box where any existing contents will be cleared. So rather than just sending from the file immediately this option allows the user to review the file contents first in case they may have selected the wrong file At this point the file can be reviewed and edited as any pasted message and then sent.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 ASCII files only are the desired file type for Drag & Drop operation at this time. However there is currently no mechanism in place to alert the user that a file contains non-printable characters.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 For each file the dialog which lists that files ranking and the number of files selected beginning with a file "1 of x" statement and the full path and file name of the current file being presented for sending. The user can choose one by one to send by clicking YES or to pass on sending by clicking NO until file "x of x" files has been reached or exit the entire process by clicking CANCEL.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 If any selected file is empty of any character, it will be processed in that it will be opened, but nothing will transpire, it will be listed as a file to send if multiple files are dropped, but it will not result in a transmission. The added "x1" checkbox works in conjunction with the state of the "View File" checkbox as applied to Drag & Drop of files as detailed above.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 ***Sent File Contents As Message Starts Here: snip....
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 APPENDIX C: RECEIVED DATA LOGGING For “Save on EOM” to work properly, the Data Logging directory, “..\dalog\” must exist, else a warning message will be displayed if it is missing and “Save on EOM” is checked when a message is received and no log will be created. The file naming convention for data log files is “MMDDYYYY.da”, for example: 06082012.
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MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 ***Received Message Starts Here: 0202Z THE QUICK BROWN FOX JUMPED OVER THE LAZY DOG'S BACK 1234567890 TIMES.
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MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 ============================================================ FILE OPENED Jun-08-2012 04:32 Greenwich Mean Time ============================================================ Received using Mode: SYNC_EOM Received at Data Rate: 600 BPS LONG Received at Freq. Error: -0.06 Hz ***Received Message Starts Here: This is a test.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 As the log file is an ASCII file rather than a binary file, you can open them to access the information using Notepad or just about anything. Having the file open when the software writes to it does not cause any issues under MS Windows, running the software under a Windows emulation such as Wine may be another matter.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 APPENDIX D: SENT DATA LOGGING When “Save on Send” is checked, each message sent using the “Send”, “Send HL” or “Send File” buttons or the “Drag & Drop” method will save message text sent is saved to the current log file. For “Save on Send” to work properly, the Outgoing Message Logging directory, “..\owlog\” must exist, else a warning message will be displayed if it is missing and “Save on EOM” is checked when a message is received and no log will be created.
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MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 THE COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT) PROGRAM IS AN ALL-RISK, ALL-HAZARD TRAINING. THIS VALUABLE COURSE IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU PROTECT YOURSELF, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR NEIGHBORS AND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 ***Sent File Contents As Message Starts Here: snip....
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 APPENDIX E: DATA PORT The Data Port parameters are locked to 8 data bits, no parity and 1 stop bit and No Handshaking. The DTR line is asserted to indicate a high PTT state for any applications that requires the monitoring of the PTT state. The Data Port support is either accomplished by a paired (null modem) set of Virtual Serial Ports (VCP) where a server application such as the recommended use of com0com (http://sourceforge.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 An option when the system resources are too low or DPC latency is too high on the same PC to support both the MS-DMT and external terminal or when the DMS-DMT is running under another operating from the external terminal application, real physical serial ports can be used along with a Null Modem. It is not recommended to use real serial ports on the same PC running both applications as the effects of RS-232 interrupts has on DPC latency.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 by the MS-DMT for later re-use by pressing the DataPort button, which pastes it into the MSDMT Outgoing Message window. 3rd party terminal applications may send unprintable characters (between ASCII decimal 0-31) any such characters when pasted for sending or when received will be automatically displayed as a box () character within the MS-DMT display.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 APPENDIX F: CAT RADIO SUPPORT The list of supported computer controlled HF SSB transceivers and receivers herein is current as of this build. Additional make/model radios equipments are always being added. Should your make/model radio not be listed, please provide the any documentation you may have for computer control programming. All CAT modes operation listed below require that the CAT COM port be set correctly and not 0.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 commands are sent but no CAT PTT commands are sent if RS232 or EXTERNAL is selected as the PTT TYPE. REMOTE = The Radio requires Remote Enable and Remote Disable CAT commands, thus the radio must be powered and properly connected to the PC before the software is started and the software must terminate normally via EXIT for the radio to exit Remote configuration.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 jack “SP” on the front panel of radio, therefore during the PC control you must an external speaker connected to the phone jack but the AF power is very low so a use of commonly available PC speaker with internal amplifier. Takes 8 to 16 ohm impedance speakers. 2. This method is more complicated and not tested. Pins 1, 2 and 6 of the 8-pin Modular RJ45 jack may possibly be used if the control panel is separated from the radio and a Y splitter cable is used. 1.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 4800, 8N2 890, FT-900, FT920, FT-990, FT1000D, FT1000MP, SB-140, Vertex System 600. NOTE: FT-920 PTT works even though not documented. NOTE: FT-990 requires ROM version 1.2 or later. NOTE: FT-1000D requires ROM version 6.0 or later.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 NOTE: Radio Address: 88h IC7200_DV CAT D/V 19200, 8N1 Supports IC7200 DATA Mode with wide filter FIL1 designated for ACC and USB port.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 respond to regardless of actually address. JSB176 CAT PTT Also supports Raytheon RAY 152 and possibly RAY 150. REMOTE JSB196 1200, 8N1 NOTE: Optional RS232C unit CMM-741 must be installed piggyback on the CPU Unit CDC-493R. The radio must be in RMT via the front panel. A straight RS-232 cable is required. CAT PTT JRC JSB-196 and JSB-196GM Marine SSB radios using firmware older than v1.7 that requires data string checksum support.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 MICOM CAT PTT 9600, 8O1 Supports models MICOM-1, 2E, 2B, 2BF, 2BT, 2EF, 2ES, 2ETRDP, 2ET-RDP2, 2MF, 2R, 2RS, 2TS, RM125, RM125R, RM500, RM500E, RM500R, RM1000, 3F, 3R, 3T, RDP3-DHS, MICOM-H, MICOM-Z and perhaps others. To use a radio with no control head Short pins 13 and 14. Either the MIC or AUX port of the radio using TXD, RXD and GND will work. Refer to your radios manual. Interfacing to the PC is standard RS-232 levels with straight wiring.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 SIENNA_DV1 CAT D/V 9600, 8N1 Supports SIENNA with External PC/sound device for digital comms using LINE input. The radio is switched to LINE input for TX and to Mic input on RX for Voice comms using extended Atx; commands. SIENNA_DV2 CAT D/V 9600, 8N1 Supports SIENNA with for Internal to Sienna PC digital comms. The radio is switched to DIGUSB mode for TX and to USB mode for input on RX for Voice comms using MDx; commands.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 Uses the proper CAT PTT ON and OFF commands for the DATA port if CAT PTT is selected vs. Pins 6 (DPTT) and 8 (GND) of the KCT-39 cable for hardware PTT. TT538 CAT PTT 57600, 8N1 TT538_DV CAT PTT 57600, 8N1 TT563 CAT PTT Requires the “Enhanced PC Control" firmware v1.32 update or later. The radio is being controlled in Jupiter mode, thus full manual control is available. Sent test build to AAM4SC.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 XK2100 CAT PTT 2400, 7E1 Rohde & Schwarz XK2000 family of transceivers, XK2100, XK2500 and XK2900. NOTE: Requires null modem cabling where pins 1 and 9 are not used. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR RADIO TYPE IS NOT LISTED? If your CAT radio is not listed by its model number under the RADIO TYPE column in the above chart, check to see if its listed in the COMMENTS column as being in the same family as the one listed.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 APPENDIX G: DATA RATE AND INTERLEAVER SELECTION S4415 which only supports one data rate makes life simpler for the user and provides very robust operation under all channel conditions, but it is slow and thus not the best choice if the channel supports faster data rates.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 not yield reliable good results even if one has an S4203 compliant radio system and hardware modem unless very good to excellent channel conditions exist, which can be determined if twoway contact with the audience stations is part of the scenario. Below is the section from both MIL-STD-188-110B pertaining to 110A standards “Minimum Performance Requirements” taking into account the use of an S4203 compliant HF radio.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 NOTES: 1. Per ITU-R F520-2. 2. Both signal and noise powers are measured in a 3-kHz bandwidth.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The signal to noise ratio (SNR) is defined as the ratio between the signal and noise levels, and is usually expressed in decibels (dB). 0 dB means the ratio is 1, the signal and noise power levels are the same. a 10 dB SNR means the signal power is 10 times the noise power, 20 dB means the signal is 100 times (it is a log based scale). These are for power values, for voltage ratios the SNR is twice the power value.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 APPENDIX H: STANAG 4203 STANAG 4203, “Technical standards for single channel HF radio equipment”, in summary specifies properties of the radio which receives the audio signal (3 kHz bandwidth) from the modem and modulates it onto the PSK carrier. STANAG 4203 contains the minimum interoperability standards for single channel HF radio equipment. It does not contain performance specifications.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 The radio frequency accuracy shall be within ±30Hz for manpack equipment and within ±10Hz for all other equipment. The frequency stability of the transmitter carrier frequency shall be 1 x 10-8 per day or better (± 10Hz in 30 days). The transmitter ALC action shall be implemented in such a way as to not degrade waveform performance e.g. switch-off and/or set very slow in data mode.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 b. Decay: <25ms (modes not employing amplitude modulation, e.g. PSK) c. Decay: between 500ms and 1sec. (modes employing amplitude modulation, e.g. QAM).
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 APPENDIX I: MARS-ALE RADIO EMULATION The use the MS-DMT with the MARS-ALE Radio Emulation (REM) provides for PTT access for any make/model radio supported by MARS-ALE that provides for CAT PTT (as detailed in MARS-ALE RHUG Appendix A) as well as the other PTT methods supported. The steps for using MARS-ALE REM are detailed in see RHUG Appendix C, in brief: 1. Install MARS-ALE, the LICENSE.DAT file and setup a scan group of channels from either an edited .
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 APPENDIX J: SOFTWARE PORTABILITY This application is developed solely as a Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) mutlti-threaded baseline coded in C++ and built using the MS Visual Studio 2008 Professional compiler to build a 32 bit .EXE with WINVER targeted at the MS Windows 7 OS.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 For Linux, using Wine, the in coming data logging seems to require that the programs executable (.EXE) file be located in the dalog sub directory, which leaves out the use of outgoing logging, as that logging will not work if the .EXE is separated from the log location. As we progress an effort will be made to improve the operation under Wine. For Mac OS X the "Winskin" program at http://wineskin.doh123.com/ is required.
MS-DMT Guide v1.04 Released 05-30-2014 performed under Wine on an Ubuntu 10.04 LTS 64 bit environment running on the same PC as Win 7.
