RBC User’s Guide MAEN986C, 2012-05 English
Foreword RBC Manual Foreword The Remote Backlight Controller (RBC) module is a part of the MTe monitor series and of the EPC C2D Nautic series. The main purpose of this module is to enable remote access to some of the monitor parameters or features, especially the backlight. Supported features are dependant on the device with the built-in RBC module. Dimming can be carried out using the buttons on the front, or remotely by interpreting SCOM commands received from the RS232, RS485 or USB interface.
Contents Contents 1 Hardware ................................................................ 4 1.1 Interfaces ......................................................... 5 1.1.1 1.1.2 1.1.3 1.1.4 1.2 COM A and COM B Pin Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buzzer In/Out Pin Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power Remote Pin Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . USB Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hardware 1 Hardware An RBC module is a built-in part of an EPC C2D Nautic or an MTe monitor. Supported features depend on the device.
Hardware 1.1 Interfaces Related information MTe Monitor Ports Drawing 1.1.1 COM A and COM B Pin Configuration The COM A and COM B ports are 9 pin D-SUB female ports.
Hardware 1.1.2 Buzzer In/Out Pin Configuration There is a buzzer integrated in the front behind the front foil. It can be turned on or off by a SCOM compatible RBC software command. It can also be activated by the buzzer-in hardware input according to the following table. The resulting buzzer-in signal is evaluated by an OR operation on the signals from software and hardware. Buzzer-out is a relay contact parallel to the integrated buzzer that can be used to switch an external signal device.
Hardware 1.1.4 USB Interface The USB interface of the RBC module cannot be accessed directly by a plug. In an EPC, the USB interface is built-in and internally connected to the USB root hub of the PC. This means that if the PC is running, the USB interface is always accessible. In an external MTe monitor, the USB interface is accessible if the monitor is connected to the PC by a USB cable. In detail a 4-Port USB 2.0 hub is accessible to which the RBC module and other monitor components are connected.
Hardware 1.2 DIP Switches The DIP switches can be used to adjust the mode of the serial interfaces as well as the monitor address. The four DIP switches that are used to set addresses entails setting 16 binary addresses (0–15) This makes it possible to connect up to 16 monitor for example via the RS485 interface. It is possible to ignore the DIP switch settings; instead using software settings for address and serial mode and assigning up to 240 different monitor addresses in 15 different groups.
Hardware 4. Make the desired DIP switch settings. 5. Replace the back cover. 1.2.2 Serial Mode DIP Switch Settings DIP switch 5 is used to set COM A and COM B in RS232 or RS485 mode. Mode DIP switch 5 RS485 ON RS232 (default) OFF 1.2.3 Monitor Address DIP Switch Settings DIP switches 1–4 are used to set the monitor addresses.
Firmware 2 Firmware The internal firmware is responsible for all software tasks running on the RBC module, especially the SCOM command handling, USB, RS232 and RS485 support and keyboard evaluation. The firmware is stored in a non-volatile memory in the controller and can be updated by our service team only. 2.1 Firmware Configuration The tool RBCFrmConfigurator.exe, a part of the Monitor Control Center, can be used to change some firmware properties, in order to fit the user’s needs.
Firmware 2.1.1 Using Software Settings Instead of DIP Switches The DIP switches can be used to adjust the mode of the serial interfaces as well as the monitor address. By default, DIP switch settings are used. Alternatively, it is possible to ignore the DIP switch settings; instead using software settings for address and serial mode. DIP switches allow addresses from 0.0 (Group.Address) to 0.15, i.e. 16 different addresses, always in group 0. Software settings allow addresses from 0.0 to 14.15, i.e.
Firmware 2.1.4 Startup Brightness Mode The Startup Brightness Mode specifies backlight brightness after power on or reset, in one of the following ways: • darkest (0) • brightest (255) • default brightness • last brightness before power off By changing the Default Brightness, it is possible to start the device with any brightness in the allowed range of 0 to 255. Related information Default Brightness 2.1.
Operation 3 Operation 3.1 RBC Driver The RBC hardware is based on a Microchip Technology Inc. controller supporting USB. Microchip provides a General Purpose USB Windows driver which is used together with the RBC module. The current version is v1.0.0.6 of January 4th, 2008. 3.1.
Operation 1. In the first window select No, not this time, and click Next. 2. Select Install from a list or specific location (Advanced), and click Next.
Operation 3. Select the path to the driver, and click Next. On the MTe/EPC C2D Nautic Driver and Documentation CD, the driver is located at (CD-ROM):\EPC_C2D_Nautic_PC\MonitorControlCenter\ rbcdriver_windows. The installation is now running. 4. Click Finish. The hardware can be used now, as displayed in the new message.
Operation 3.2 SCOM Protocol The implemented SCOM Protocol is designed for remote controlling of different devices over different kinds of interfaces. It is based on, and compatible with, the “SCOM Protocol” (Originally developed by Hatteland). Besides the standard command set, the implemented SCOM Protocol includes a rich set of special purpose commands for extended remote controlling options. The manual MAEN993 shows all SCOM commands supported by the RBC series.
Operation 3.3.1 Remote Dimming The Remote Dimming feature allows building local networks of connected monitors where any monitor can control the backlight brightness of any other monitor. If the Remote Control feature of a single monitor is not enabled, this monitor cannot control other monitors, but it can be controlled by other monitors. The following examples show some possible types of monitor networks. The PC shown in some of the examples can have a display with an RBC module as well.
Operation USB Network Several monitors can control each other if they have a USB connection to the same PC. To enable this feature, the RBC Router must run on the PC, and USB output must be enabled. Local Universal Network Several monitors can control each other if they have any of the supported connections RS232, RS485 or USB to the same PC. To enable this feature, the RBC Router must run on the PC, and RS232 output, RS485 output or USB output must be enabled.
Operation Global Universal Network Several monitors in different local networks can control each other if they are connected via Ethernet, RS232 (only two PCs per connection) or RS485. To enable this feature, the RBC Router must run on every PC, and RS232 output, RS485 output, USB output and Ethernet input must be enabled. Note: If the brightness is changed at different monitors at almost the same time, every change creates a command.
Operation 3.6 Additional Software Note: The delivered software is for Windows operating systems only. It was written for Windows XP and Windows 7. The software needs to access interfaces like COM ports and USB. Therefore the software needs to be run as administrator otherwise it will not function correctly. If the user is not logged in as administrator, the Windows tool "runas" can be used. The disadvantage of "runas" is that administrator and password must be known.
Operation • specifying the time-out for clearing the answer buffer The RBCRouterConfigurator must be called on the same PC where the RBC Router is running. Changes made by the RBCRouterConfigurator will be valid only after a restart of the RBC Router.
Operation 3.6.3 RBC Viewer The tool RBCViewer.exe, part of the Monitor Control Center, offers a convenient way to show all monitors connected to a PC. All reachable monitors are shown, independent of hardware connection (USB, RS232, RS485 or Ethernet). The (series) name, the address and the type of hardware connection is shown for each connected monitor. This works only, if a well-configured RBC Router is running.
MTe Monitor Ports Drawing 4 MTe Monitor Ports Drawing Buzzer in/out 1 4 Power remote 1 2 Beijer Electronics, MAEN986C COM A COM B DIP switches ON 1 5 OFF 23
Troubleshooting 5 Troubleshooting If the monitor detects an error, it beeps twice at startup and sets the factory default settings. Any customer settings will be overwritten, and need to be configured again. If the delivered software does not function correctly, please consider that the software needs to be run as administrator.
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