Specifications
HARDWARE OVERVIEW AE/LZB 119 1897 R1A
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2.1.1.1 Windows NT Compatibility
First and foremost, a PC must be approved for use with Windows NT. Microsoft publishes a list of Windows NT-
compatible computers. This listing is available from Microsoft (see Table 1-2). Only approved computers are used by
Ericsson for the C3 Maestro console for Windows NT product. These PCs also meet or exceed all minimum hardware
specifications listed in section 2.1.1. In most cases, Ericsson field-support will not be provided for non-approved computer
systems.
2.1.1.2 Plug-In RS-422 Serial Interface Board
Since RS-422 (four-wire) serial interfacing is superior to RS-232 (three-wire) serial interfacing, RS-422 is recommended
for all co-located console-to-CEC/IMC serial control data link hook-ups. Normally, the console’s PC ships from the factory
with a plug-in RS-422-capable serial interface board installed in one of the PC’s expansion slots. This board provides an
RS-422 serial communications port at PC for the PC-to-CIM serial control data link between the console and the CEC/IMC.
Typically, this port is set for operation as COM3. At the CEC/IMC, the CIM’s serial port supports both RS-422 and RS-232
hook-ups. The factory configuration for a plug-in RS-422 board is:
•
port = COM3 • operational mode = RS-422
•
interrupt = IRQ11 • driver control = RS-422
•
I/O base address = 3E8 • receiver echo = enabled
In some cases, a special console equipment order may request no RS-422 board in the PC. This may be desired if, for
example, the console will be connected to the CEC/IMC via a full-duplex modem link. In this case, the plug-in RS-422 board
is removed from (or never installed in) the PC at the factory. This configuration is desired since RS-422 interfacing is not
required for a short (PC-to-modem) cable distance and/or the utilized modem is not equipped with an RS-422-capable serial
port on its PC-interface (terminal) side.
For additional details on RS-422 (four-wire) vs. RS-232 (three-wire) interfacing, refer to the console’s maintenance
manual (see Table 1-1). The maintenance manual includes wiring details.
2.1.2 Video Display Monitors
Many different video display monitor types may be used with the C3 Maestro console for Windows NT, including touch-
screen units. The primary requirement is of course IBM PC-AT compatibility. All monitors available from the factory are
CRT-type (cathode-ray tube) monitors; hence, the C3 Maestro console is sometimes referred to as a “CRT console.”
2.1.2.1 Standard Monitors
A C3 Maestro console for Windows NT equipment package includes a PC-AT compatible 14-inch monitor as standard
equipment. Optionally, a 17-inch monitor may be substituted for the smaller monitor when the console equipment package is
ordered from the factory. Resolution on a factory-supplied 14-inch monitor is typically VGA or super-VGA and all 17-inch
monitors are super-VGA units. Currently, monitors larger than 17 inches are not available from the factory. A standard
monitor may be optionally substituted with a touch-screen monitor.
2.1.2.2 Touch-Screen Monitors
A touch-screen monitor allows the user to control the console/computer by directly touching the monitor’s screen surface
with a finger or any small pointer-like object. Basically, a touch is equivalent to a mouse point-and-click action in the same
approximate area of the screen. The C3 Maestro console for Windows NT graphical user interface was designed for 100%
touch-screen dispatch operability without the need of any other user input device such as a mouse or the dispatch keyboard. In
addition, since mouse and dispatch keyboard operation is not disabled when a touch-screen monitor is added to a console, the
addition of the touch-screen monitor adds user input redundancy to the console. In summary, the addition of a touch-screen
monitor greatly enhances the console’s operational value.
In reality touch-screen resolution is much higher than mouse point-and-click resolution. However, to most users it will
appear lower simply because of the size of the pointing object. Buttons on the console’s command panels and page button
panel are purposely large in size to enhance touch-screen dispatch operations. It should also be noted that most touch-screen
monitors do have a slight parallax error whereas mouse point-and-click operations do not. For example, the user may touch a