User guide
16
USER
PORT
S
COMPUTER PORTS
2
1
CO
M
USER PO
RT
S
COMPUTER PORTS
2
1
CO
M
Slave AdderView Matrix
Master AdderView Matrix
Master monitorSlave monitor
Computers tted
with dual video
heads
Serial
synchronisation
cable
Multiple video head connections
Two or more AdderView Matrix units can be connected together so that
they operate in a synchronised manner. Synchronised operation is useful for
applications that require multiple video signals to be switched together. This
type of operation is usually required where each computer is tted with multiple
video cards or video cards with multiple video heads. Such congurations are
typically required in banking and engineering applications where greater video
‘real estate’ is required. Whenever the AdderView Matrix channel is switched
it sends an RS232 command out on its serial interface (marked COM on the
rear panel). The AdderView Matrix switches its channel if it receives the same
command on its serial interface. Consequently, by linking the serial interfaces,
a master unit may be made to automatically switch one or more slave units as
shown in the diagram.
It should be noted that the synchronisation cable deliberately does not have the
transmit pin of the Slave End connector linked to the receive pin of the Master
End connector. To do so would cause the Slave unit to be able to switch the
Master unit. This would setup an endless cyclical switching sequence that would
prevent the AdderView Matrix devices from operating correctly. For more details
about the serial synchronisation cables, see Appendix 3.
Ensuring that the serial port is available
The AdderView Matrix has a single RS232 COM port which is used to send/
receive conguration data, control power switches and synchronise multiple
video head switching. The port can only be used for one of these tasks at any
one time. To use the COM port for multiple video head switching, ensure that
the power control option is disabled.