User manual XTA REMOTE INTERFACES

Application Note XTA Electronics Ltd. The Design House Vale Business Park Worcester Road Stourport-on-Severn Worcs. DY13 9BZ. England Tel: 01299 879977 (Intl. +44 1299 879977) Fax: 01299 879969 (Intl. +44 1299 879969) Web: www.xta.co.uk Interface options Rev 1.0 Oct 2005 This document outlines all the currently available interface combinations and options available for remote control of DP series processors. Please use the decision tree to help you choose the correct interface for your application. If you would like to discuss the options with us, please feel free to email us. Interface Options Page 2 INT-232 ­ Serial Cable What is it? It is a lead to connect directly from the "External" port on the back of a unit to a 9-pin (Serial) port on a PC or laptop. What is included? One 9-pin male to female serial lead, approximately 2 metres long. When should I use this? If your first unit is no more than 25 feet (approx 7.5m) from the computer, and you have a spare 9-pin COM port available, this is the simplest and cheapest way to get connected. What else should I know? · The maximum cable length we recommend for RS232 is 25 feet (7.5 metres) running at 38400 baud. · This cable MUST be a 1-1 serial connection ­ i.e. pin 1 to pin 1, 2 to 2 etc. A null modem cable will NOT work, as the "transmit" and "receive" connections are swapped. · Units may be cascaded from this first one, using the RS485 ports on the rear of the unit and standard XLR mic leads. Where do I get one? This type of cable is generally available in most computer hardware stores, but do be sure to get a one to one cable as explained above. Alternatively, it can be purchased from your local XTA supplier or directly from XTA by credit card. See the end of this document for details. XTA Part Number: INT-232 For technical support on this product please email tech@xta.co.uk. Interface Options Page 3 INT-485 ­ RS232 to RS485 Conversion Kit What is it? A kit to convert the standard 9-pin RS232 serial connection from a COM port on a PC into a balanced 2-wire + shield connection on male XLR. What is included? 1 x KK Systems "K2" RS232-RS485 converter; 1 x 9 pin D-type male to 3 pin XLR male adapter; 1 x 3 pin female XLR to RJ45 adapter cable. When should I use this? If the first unit in the system cannot be placed closer than 25 feet from the PC/Laptop, it becomes necessary to use an RS485 serial connection. As this is a balanced system and uses higher voltages for signalling, it is more robust and can travel distances up to 1000 metres down simple balanced mic cables , or a multicore channel. What else should I know? · The standard "K2" converter has a set of DIP switches to adapt the system for various uses. These are set correctly by XTA when leaving the factory and should not be adjusted. If for any reason they are different, the correct settings are shown in the diagram to the left. · · · The wiring for the 9 pin D-type to 3 pin XLR is as follows: D-type XLR 1 1 3 2 8 3 The wiring for the 3 pin XLR to RJ45 is as follows: RJ45 XLR 1 1 2 2 3 3 The converter requires no external power and no drivers need to be installed. Where do I get one? This kit can be purchased from your local XTA supplier or directly from XTA by credit card. See the end of this document for details. XTA Part Number: INT-485 For technical support on this product please email tech@xta.co.uk. Interface Options Page 4 USB-232 ­ USB to Serial Converter What is it? An electronic adapter that intelligently converts a USB interface into a standard 9-pin serial COM port. What is included? 1 x Aten "UC232a" USB to Serial adapter; 1 x INT-232 Serial Cable; 1 x Driver disk; 1 x Manual. When should I use this? Newer PCs and laptops tend to not include traditional 9 pin serial connections any longer, and AudioCore works through a serial port. Therefore one of these converters may be plugged in to provide a "virtual COM port" and RS232 serial output. What else should I know? · The converter requires no external power, but does require a driver to be installed from the disk supplied. It is compatible with Windows 98 onwards. · The XTA Interface system has been optimised for use with this converter. It generally installs itself as a virtual COM port on the next available port number on your system. The easy way to check which COM port it is on is through Control Panel -> System > Hardware -> Device Manager -> Ports. · As this is a USB device designed for "hot swapping", remember that if the device is unplugged the virtual COM port will disappear, and depends on which USB port the device is plugged into. A different USB port may well install it on a different COM port. · The maximum cable length from the output of the converter is 25 feet or approximately 7.5 metres. Where do I get one? There is a multitude of very similar looking USB to serial devices available in most computer stores but in our experience, they can prove unreliable due to timing of data through the converter, and inconsistencies between manufacturers. It is highly recommended that the XTA converter be used! The converter can be purchased from your local XTA supplier or directly from XTA by credit card. See the end of this document for details. XTA Part Number: USB-232 For technical support on this product please email tech@xta.co.uk. Interface Options Page 5 USB-485 ­ USB to RS485 Conversion Kit What is it? A combination of a USB to serial interface and RS232 to RS485 converter to provide direct balanced 2 wire + shield connection. What is included? 1 x Aten "UC232a" USB- Serial adapter with driver disk & manual; 1 x KK Systems "K2-ADE" RS232-RS485 converter; 1 x 9 pin D-type male to 3 pin XLR male adapter cable. When should I use this? When the (first) unit to be controlled is more than 25 feet from the PC/laptop AND the computer doesn't have a standard 9-pin COM port (but does have a spare USB port!). What else should I know? · The KK systems "K2-ADE" RS232-RS485 interface supplied in this kit is NOT the same as the one in the standard 232-485 kit ­ note the "ADE" suffix which stands for Automatic Device Enable. The non-ADE version will not work reliably! · The "K2-ADE" converter has a set of DIP switches to adapt the system for various uses. These are set correctly by XTA when leaving the factory and should not be adjusted. If for any reason they are different, the correct settings are shown in the diagram to the left. · The wiring for the 9 pin D-type to 3 pin XLR is as follows: D-type XLR 1 1 3 2 8 3 Maximum cable length from the output of the converter is 1000 metres. · Where do I get one? There is a multitude of very similar looking USB to serial devices available in most computer stores but in our experience, they can prove unreliable due to timing of data through the converter, and inconsistencies between manufacturers. It is highly recommended that the XTA converter be used! Similarly, many RS232 to RS485 converters are available through specialist suppliers, but the KK systems converter has been proven by XTA to work reliably in all cases and we recommend you use this device. The kit can be purchased from your local XTA supplier or directly from XTA by credit card. See the end of this document for details. XTA Part Number: USB-485 For technical support on this product please email tech@xta.co.uk. Interface Options Page 6 INT-WLAN ­ Walkabout Kit : WiFi Conversion Kit What is it? A combination of a WLAN to serial interface and a high power wireless PCMCIA card to provide a remote connection using standard WiFi/WLAN 802.11b technology. What is included? 1 x OTC Wiser 2400 WLAN / WiFi to serial converter; Serial cables to connect Wiser to unit or PC for programming; Power supply for Wiser; Netgear WG511T WLAN Card; All required setup software and manuals supplied on custom CD. When should I use this? If it is impossible to get a wired connection to the unit(s) for remote control or there is a requirement to be able to move around a venue whilst controlling the unit(s). This provides a cost-effective solution. Only one kit is required per system, as the Wiser WiFi to serial converter connects to the standard RS232 port on the first unit in the system. All other units are cascaded via the RS485 as with a normal wired connection. What else should I know? · A free PCMCIA slot will be required on the laptop or PC for the Netgear card. Whilst built-in WiFi (as with Intel "Centrino" processors) will work, the range will be limited in comparison to the external card, and we recommend using the card wherever possible. XTA is unable to support technical queries about problems using built-in WiFi devices, or those involving other WiFi components such not included in the kit. · The range of the system is approximately 100 metres in free space with line of sight between the computer and the Wiser. This range will be affected by environmental and structural conditions ­ this is standard for the 802.11b WiFi specifications. · For more details about the kit, please download the Walkabout Kit manual from the XTA website. · No hardware upgrades are required on the units, but the software will need to be upgraded to the version supplied on the CD (or higher). · Currently, SiDD (DP324) is not supported. Where do I get one? This kit can be purchased from your local XTA supplier or directly from XTA by credit card. See the end of this document for details. Please note we will only supply this kit in full ­ components cannot be supplied separately. XTA Part Number: INT-WLAN For technical support on this product please email tech@xta.co.uk. Interface Options Page 7 OPT-GPI ­ General Purpose Interface Kit What is it? An interface card that replaces the standard RS232 card for the DP224/6/6i to add closed contact memory recall facilities. What is included? 1 x RS232/GPI interface card; 1 x 15 way D-type to 9 way D-type adapter; 1 x 15 way D-type plug & shell; Manual and fitting instructions. When should I use this? If remote change of memories is required, without involving a PC or other electronic device. This interface allows memories to be recalled (input, crossover or both) via simple switch closure. What else should I know? · The kit does not contain any external hardware for actually selecting and recalling memories ­ the switch arrangement has to be built by the user. Full instructions are supplied giving examples and details of how to connect a suitable device. · An RS232 interface is included on the GPI interface, so remote PC access and software updates are still possible via the supplied adapter cable. · Any connected slave units (on the RS485 bus) will also recall memories when the master unit is triggered, so only one GPI kit has to be fitted to the master unit. · This interface is currently unavailable for the DP324 and DP428. Where do I get one? This kit can be purchased from your local XTA supplier or directly from XTA by credit card. See the end of this document for details. XTA Part Number: OPT-GPI For technical support on this product please email tech@xta.co.uk. Interface Options Page 8 Hints and tips about using external interfaces Always read the manual supplied with the unit for the most detailed information regarding the setup and use of external remote interfaces. In the case of special or older interfaces such as MIDI or LAN to serial converters (for example the MOXA N-port Express) please feel free to email tech@xta.co.uk. A few things worth remembering about using the RS232 and RS485 interfaces in general: · Maximum recommended cable length for RS232 is 25 feet or 7.5 metres. · Maximum recommended cable length for RS485 is 1000 metres ­ from the PC to the FINAL device ­ NOT in between devices. · If a unit is at FOH or close to the computer, if can be used to perform the RS232 to RS485 conversion for you. The RS485 port from this local unit can then be used to connect to the other units that are not nearby. · If a Wiser wireless link is being used and it sometimes makes more sense for the receiver to be placed at FOH or somewhere other than the remote units location due to signal strength / line of sight problems. Purchasing any of these interfaces... All of the interfaces can be ordered through your local distributor. If you're not sure who that is, go to http://www.xta.uk.com/distributors.htm to find the one nearest you. Alternatively, you can buy one directly from us with a credit card. Just call us and we can arrange it all over the phone. You will then be sent receipt of purchase and credit card receipt with the interface and emailed the tracking number of the courier for the package. XTA Electronics Ltd. The Design House Worcester Road Stourport on Severn Worcs. England, UK. DY13 9BZ Tel: +44 (0) 1299 879977 Fax: +44 (0) 1299 879969 Web: www.xta.co.uk Interface Options Page 9