PRODUCT SUPPORT MANUAL Y1-03-0149 Rev. D PPP ACR/FPR-100TM Product No. 2781 2785 Field Programmer Reader ACR Electronics, Inc. 5757 Ravenswood Road Fort Lauderdale, Fl 3331p2 +1(954) 981-3333 · Fax +1 (954) 983-5087 www.acrelectronics.com Email: Info@acrelectronics.com A Chelton Group company TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 2.0 3.0 3.1 3.2 4.0 4.1 5.0 OVERVIEW.........................................................................................................................2 WARNINGS .........................................................................................................................3 BEFORE YOU RUN SETUP..............................................................................................3 FPR-100 COMPONENTS .......................................................................................................3 CHECK THE HARDWARE AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS .......................................................3 INSTALLING THE FPR-100 SOFTWARE .....................................................................4 ADDING A PRINTER..............................................................................................................4 USING THE FPR-100 .........................................................................................................5 5.1 PROGRAMMING....................................................................................................................5 5.2 PRINTING HEXADECIMAL LABELS........................................................................................7 5.3 VERIFYING A SELF-TEST MESSAGE .....................................................................................7 5.3.1 Conditions for Test.......................................................................................................7 5.3.2 Live Message Transmission .........................................................................................7 5.3.3 Performing Self-Test ....................................................................................................7 5.4 PRINTING A SELF-TEST VERIFICATION REPORT...................................................................9 Figure 1 ..................................................................................................................................9 Figure 2 ................................................................................................................................10 Figure 3 ................................................................................................................................11 Figure 4 ................................................................................................................................12 Figure 5 ................................................................................................................................13 Figure 6 ................................................................................................................................14 1 Y1-03-0149 Rev. D 1.0 OVERVIEW The FPR-100 (Field Programmer Reader ­ 100) is designed to be both a re-programming and verification tool for the ACR Satellite 406, Satellite 2, RapidFix, GlobalFix and GyPSI PLB. In addition the FPR-100 can decode any 406 MHz radio frequency burst that contains a Cospas/Sarsat approved message for EPIRBs or PLBs containing serial, MMSI, or call sign protocol. Programming of the above mentioned beacons is done through a programming head. Each beacon type has a unique programming head. In order to program different types of beacons, only the programming heads have to be changed. When a user wants to reprogram a beacon he/she is guided through a series of questions to determine the information that will be input to the beacon. Verification of the beacon's message is done through the self-test mode. This mode allows the user to test that the beacon's battery and electronics are properly working without sending an alert to the GMDSS satellites. After a user chooses the Verify SelfTest option and sends the radio frequency message, all of the data captured is sent back to the PC. The PC then decodes the message based on the guidelines mandated by Cospas/Sarsat. After a successful decode the user can then print out a report which will indicate if the beacon has passed or failed. In order for a beacon to receive a "PASSED" the PC must be able to decode each part of the message successfully. If one piece of the message is unknown or cannot be decoded then the beacon receives a "FAILED" on the report. If a beacon receives continuous failing reports then it indicates a malfunctioning beacon. The FPR-100 has also been designed to accept frequencies that are within the tolerance range mandated by Cospas/Sarsat. If a beacon's oscillator is not within the specified frequency then the FPR-100 will not be able to decode the message. This also indicates a malfunctioning beacon. The order in which the screens appear on the PC are the same regardless of the product chosen. After the opening screen with the ACR logo and other information the user will see the Product Selection Menu. After choosing the product there will be a Model Selection screen if there is more than one model of the desired beacon. The user will then be guided to the Option Selection Menu where he or she may choose the action to be performed. If a mistake is made then the user can return to the previous screen by choosing the Back button on each form. The user can exit the program at any time using the Exit button and return to the operating system. Refer to figures 1 ­ 3 for explanation of the different menus. In order for all screens of the FPR-100 to be seen in their entirety, the screen resolution must be at 800 x 600. When the FPR-100 is started the resolution is automatically changed to 800 x 600. If the program is exited through the Exit button the screen resolution will return to its original values. If the program is exited improperly, the resolution will remain at 800 x 600. The resolution can be changed through the display option of the Control Panel in your WindowsTM operating system. 2 Y1-03-0149 Rev. D 2.0 WARNINGS To test whether an EPIRB or PLB operates satisfactorily, always perform a self-test as described in the beacon's operating manual or contact the beacon manufacturer for instructions as to how to perform a self-test. When performing a verification of the self-test message on the RLB-23, RLB-23E, RLB23E1, or RLB-24, never allow the EPIRB under test to remain active for more than 35 seconds at a time. Upon activation, an ACR/RLB-23 or RLB-24 series EPIRB will transmit a TEST message format that GMDSS satellites will ignore. However, after 35 seconds of operation live transmissions will be sent which will alert GMDSS/SAR authorities. If the FPR-100 does detect a live transmission from any manufacturers beacon during a self test verification, there will be a visible and audible warning from the PC. If this happens, turn the beacon off and contact your local authorities to report inadvertent activation. 3.0 BEFORE YOU RUN SETUP Before you run the FPR-100 software, please make sure that your computer meets the minimum requirements in section 3. If you purchased the FPR-100 with the laptop computer option then ACR Electronics has already verified that the computer meets all of the requirements. 3.1 FPR-100 Components See Figure 6 for a visual representation of each component listed below. · · · · · · · · FPR-100 Interface Unit (Module Assembly) PLB Interface Box Programming Head, RLB-27/28 Programming Head, RLB-32/33 Programming Head, RLB-35 Serial Cable Assembly Cable, 6 Conductor Power Cord A3-06-2118 A3-06-2117 A3-06-2120 A3-06-2119 A3-06-2245 A3-06-2129 A2-07-0137 A2-07-0135-1 for 2781 A2-07-0139 for 2785 3.2 Check the Hardware and System Requirements To run the FPR-100, you must have certain hardware and software installed on your computer. The requirements include: · · Microsoft Windows 95 / 98 / or NT4.0. Pentium 75 MHz microprocessor (minimum). 3 Y1-03-0149 Rev. D · · · · · · A hard disk with at least 10 megabytes of available storage. VGA or higher-resolution screen supported by Microsoft Windows. 16 megabytes of RAM. A mouse or other pointing device. 1 available serial port. Printer (optional) 4.0 INSTALLING THE FPR-100 SOFTWARE The FPR-100 software is installed using the setup program included on disk 1. The setup program will install all of the needed files to your hard disk automatically. The software must be installed in the C:\FPR100 directory to work correctly. This directory is the default directory in the setup program. Place the disk marked 1 of 4 into the floppy drive of your computer. Click the START button on the bottom of your Windows operating system. Type "a:\setup.exe" without the quotation marks and press ENTER. Choose the RUN option from the menu. Follow the installation directions on the screen. The FPR-100 must be installed in the "C:\Fpr100\" directory. This directory is already set when you run the setup program. 6. If you purchased the FPR-100 with the laptop computer, please refer to section 4.1 to set up your printer for use with the system. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 4.1 Adding a Printer 1. 2. 3. 4. Click the START button on the bottom of your Windows operating system. Click the Settings option on the pop up menu. Click the Printers option on the Settings menu. From the Printers box that appears click Add Printer and follow the instructions. If you are using a computer purchased from ACR Electronics and you are asked for the Windows disk do the following. A. When you get the message "Please insert the disk labeled `Windows 95 CDROM' and then click OK" click the OK button. B. There will then be an input box with the title Copying Files... In the space provided under the Copy files from: text type the following: C:\Windows\Options\cabs then press ENTER. C. If this does not work or if the computer cannot identify your printer, contact the printer manufacturer for more information. 5. The printer setup as your default printer will be used by the FPR-100 for printing labels and reports. 4 Y1-03-0149 Rev. D 5.0 5.1 USING THE FPR-100 Programming The FPR-100 can program the ACR/RLB-27, RLB-28 (Satellite 406), RLB-32 (Satellite2), RLB-33 (RapidFix), RLB-35 GlobalFix and PLB (GyPSI 406). Programming is accomplished by first generating a message in the computer by inputting information based on the unit and protocol selected. Data is then sent to the interface unit and the interface unit handles all further communications with the beacons via infrared light. To program any of the above mentioned products perform the following steps: 1. From the Product Selection Menu click the button for the product you wish to program. 2. Click the model of the product you want to program, e.g. 2754 / 2756 / 2758 / or 2759 for a Satellite 406. 3. From the Option Selection Menu click the Generate New Hex ID button. 4. Choose the country you want to input into the beacon by either typing the name of the country or scrolling to the country. Once you have selected the country, press Enter or double click the mouse on the desired country. 5. From the Protocol Selection Menu click on the appropriate protocol. See notes below for clarification of the different protocols. 6. When prompted enter the value corresponding to the protocol chosen, e.g. if serial protocol is chosen enter the appropriate serial number. Note 1: MMSI is defined as the 9 digit ship identification number. It is the country code followed by the ship's unique numeric identifier. If less than six digits are entered, the FPR-100 automatically enters zeros in the beginning of the value. For example, if the unique identifier is 123456 and you enter 12345, the MMSI will be saved as 012345. There will be a warning from the PC if this occurs before it is automatically saved. Note 2: When programming a maritime call sign, the ranges of allowable call sign prefixes are shown on the call sign entry page. These values are updated periodically as different ranges are added. If you enter a value that is not in the allowable range, there will be a warning displayed. If you are sure that the call sign is valid for the beacon you are programming just press the YES button when asked if you want to continue. Note 3: In some areas the only change necessary to the GyPSI 406 PLB is changing the serial number. There are 2 ways to recover the existing serial number of the unit. The first way is on the hexadecimal identification label. After the Unique Identifier Number (UIN) there is a dash and then a serial number. This number is the present serial number in the unit. If the label is defaced in any way there is a second way to recover the serial number. Perform a verify self-test message as described in section 5.3. The decode form that 5 Y1-03-0149 Rev. D appears on the screen will show the existing serial ...