AsaCom - AlphaCom interface

SYSTEM BUILD-UP AND DESCRIPTION

General Description

The existing ASACOM system ASA101 can be expanded by adding one or more STENTOFON AlphaCom E exchanges. The two systems are interconnected via a SGA65008 interface unit that acts as a virtual AlphaCom E node. The interface is handling all the signaling between the systems. Audio links are connected to the standard multi purpose interface cards for the respective system. Stations and equipment in both systems will interact as part of the same system. The AlphaCom E IP services can be accessed from the ASA101 system.

Data

Data are transmitted via Ethernet link between the AlphaCom E and the interface. The interface will convert and send information to the ASA101 system via the proprietary serial protocol ASKNEW.

Audio

The audio interconnection between ASA101 and AlphaCom E is analogue. - There are maximum 4 channels in twisted pair cables between the multi purpose board(s) ETCB in the ASA101 and the multi purpose board AGA in AlphaCom E.

Audio switching control (Duplex/Simplex)

The voice switching will take place individually in the different systems.

Programming

Individual programming will be carried out in each system: - In ASA101 the programming for ETCB is performed from a programming station - AlphaPro and AlphaWeb are used for the AlphaCom E part - Interface programming with standard Windows® text editor.

Basic System Features

All internal features in both systems will remain as they are. The following features will be included in the interface between ASA101 and AlphaCom E:

• Station to station calling, two-way hands free and private
• Display information - Call number of calling station
• Call request (Emergency Call) and queuing from stations in ASA101 to master stations in AlphaCom E.
• Global number plan or prefix dialing from ASA101
• Door opening
• Microphone mute
• Camp-On-Busy
• Setup of internal All-Call and Group-Call in ASA101 from AlphaCom .
• 2,3 or 4 digits in ASA. 4 digits in AlphaCom

Software Description

ASA 101

The Tie-Line Protocol communication software ASKNEW is included in the ETCB revisions GE 03.1 and higher. The system can be run on EXCP software revisions ASA5 and higher.

AlphaCom E

AMC-IP software releases 10.60.3.5 or 10.60.3.10 are recommended.

Interface SGA 65008

The “ASA-ACE Application software 2.17” is running under Windows- XP® Professional operating system.

Interface description

The interface SGA65008 is setup as a Virtuel AlphaCom node in an AlphaNet configuration. The interface consists of a 19”, 1U height rack housing including a built-in standard PC equipped with Intel® Atom 200/300 processor. The interface is running application software “ASAAC. exe” under Windows-XP® Professional to control the signaling to/from ASACOM protocol “ASKNEW” and the “Stentofon Simple Link Layer-PC” protocol used by AlphaCom E. All customer specific setup, such as node numbers for the different systems, number of used channels, numbers for call request and Group call numbers to ASA101 are located in a Configuration file used by the application. Built-in in the housing is also an additional Serial converter board that holds 4 converters from the ASA101 ETCB current loop serial ports to 4 internal USB serial ports to communicate with the application program. In addition it holds 2 internal USB serial channels used for conversion from RS485 to USB serial and one USB serial port for control of internal watchdog. The RS485 port(s) can be used for optional ASA applications such as Alarm Call. Maximum capacity for signaling and speech channels between the two systems is four channels. The audio channels are direct connected with a 4-wire cable for each speech channel from the Multi purpose board ETCB in the ASA101 exchange to the General purpose Audio interface AGA in the AlphaCom E exchange. Together with the interface it is delivered a complete cable set for the connection from ASA101 ETCB boards and AlphaCom AGA board to the interface. The cable set is made for one ETCB board with 2 channels and have also twisted pair cables for 2 channels to the AlphaCom AGA board. Length of cable in all directions is 10 meters. Cable set for 4 channels on request. The AlphaCom E and the interface are interconnected via:

• one Ethernet link The ASACOM and the interface are interconnected via:
• one or up to four current loop serial communication ports
• optional RS485 communication port (E-bus) for Alarm call The audio links are provided via direct wire connections between the ETCB and AGA analogue interface boards:
• one or up to four 4-wire, 0 dBm audio links.

Interface Front side

The front side has a LED panel for indication of the standard PC behavior and power ON/OFF switch.

Interface Rear side

The rear side has the ordinary PC connections such as Ethernet, keyboard, mouse and terminal connections. The serial conversion board with connector for wiring and LED indications for the signaling channels to ETCB is also found.

1:Status LED’s Channel 1. 2: Status LED’s Channel 2. 3: Status LED’s Channel 3. 4: Status LED’s Channel 4. 5: Status LED’s Run mode, Watchdog. 6: Status LED’s E-Bus RS485 port. 7: Status LED’s Auxiliary RS485 port. HEADER: Ribbon cable connection from ETCB boards.

Installation. Wiring and Connections

Together with the interface it is delivered a complete cable set for the connection from ASA101 ETCB boards to the interface. The cable set is made for one ETCB board, two speech links cannels and twisted pair cables for speech channels to the AlphaCom AGA board. Length of cables in all directions is 10 meters.

Serial Data Links ETCB – SGA65008

Each of the ETCB boards in ASA101 is using two current loop serial ports. These ports are located on board front connector J3. The used ports are port 6 and port 7 on each board which are connected to the ribbon cable header in the interface.

Audio Links ETCB – AlphaCom E

The audio links are direct connected in between the ETCB boards and the AlphaCom AGA board. Audio connections are found on connector J2 of the ETCB board. The AGA board provides 6 audio channels between the exchanges but only 4 channels can be used for maximum capacity. The AGA board can be placed in any position. Pos 20-23 are recommended in E26 to avoid modifications of the backplane. Use the same filter board with cable and connection board as ASLT.

Ethernet connection SGA65008- AlphaCom E

The Ethernet RJ45 connection ‘GLAN1’ in the interface is connected to the Ethernet RJ45 connection ‘ETH0’ in AlphaCom E. Either direct or via an Ethernet switch connected to AlphaCom E.

Audio level adjustment on AGA board

The transmit level is fixed and cannot be adjusted in the AlphaCom. The receive level is adjusted by potentiometers on the AGA board. Potentiometers for line 1 to 4 are turned to the left for max gain.

Audio level adjustment ETCB board

The audio gain is set by programming for both transmit and receive in the ETCB channel setup. The settings are located in the addresses shown below and should be set for all used channels. Default is all channels set for 0 dB.

See also chapter 2.7.4 ETCB channel programming

Settings and programming

Interface settings

To operate, a configuration file “ASA_Setup.ini” must be found. If the configuration file is missing at first time start-up, the file will be generated automatically with default settings. The configuration file must be edited on-site with customer data for the whole system.

The file contains settings for communication with the AlphaCom E in an AlphaNet, such as IP-address, node number, Call request number(s) and conversion table for ASA Group and All-Call numbers. The file is also holding the settings for use of internal serial ports in the interface for communication with the ASA101. Below is the default configuration file for four channels.

Configuration file ASA_Setup.ini

[TCP_SOCKET]

• Socket_ip = 169.254.1.5 ; This is the default IP address of the AlphaCom .
• Socket_port = 8000 ; The AlphaCom port used for IP service. The port must also be activated in the AlphaCom firewall.

[NODES]

• AMC_node = 1 ; AlphaCom node number
• ASA_node = 7 ; Virtual AlphaCom Node number for theinterface. The node must be created inAlphaCom.

[SERIAL_COM]

• Com_Channel_1 = 6 ; Internal USB port used for ETCB Channel 1
• Com_Channel_2 = 5 ; Internal USB port used for ETCB Channel 2
• Com_Channel_3 = 4 ; Internal USB port used for ETCB Channel 3
• Com_Channel_4 = 3 ; Internal USB port used for ETCB Channel 4 Set = 0 if ETCB channel not used.

• Com_EBUS = 8; Internal USB port for ETCB RS485. Used for special ASA applications, i.e. ‘Alarm Call’.Set = 0 if not used.

• Com_AUX = 0; Auxiliary USB port for RS485. Used for special applications. Set = 0 if not used.

• Com_MCU = 9; Internal USB port used for Watchdog. If set = 0 the Watchdog is not enabled.

[E_BUS]

E_BUS_node = 3 ; The ETCB node number used for ASA ‘Emergency Call’ to AlphaCom . This must also be set in ETCB ‘General Setup’ address 43 and 44 for the appropriated ETCB.

[ASA_PARAMETER]

• AC_Digits = 4; Not to be changed. AC number plan has to be 4digits across the systems.

Group_call_0 = 9990; The table for conversion of Group Call numbers in ASA dialed from AlphaCom. The numbers specified are the call numbers programmed in AlphaCom that will be converted to the call number in ASA. Example: Group_call_0 = 9990;

Group_call_1 = 9991; Group_call_0 This is the All Call group 0 in ASA with ASA call no. 000 = 9990; This is the ‘Global Number for AlphaNet’ specified in AlphaCom to set up the All Call in ASA.

Group_call_2 = 9992;

Group_call_3 = 9993;

Group_call_4 = 9994;

Group_call_5 = 9995;

Group_call_6 = 9996;

Group_call_7 = 9997;

Group_call_8 = 9998;

Group_call_9 = 9999;

ASA_mode_callback = yes; ASA_Convert_3_to_4_digit =yes Convert 3 digits from ASA to 4 digits in ACM and reversed. Example: ASA extension number is “234”. In ACM this extension is defined as ”1234”. When dialing from ASA the number “234” is converted to “1234” by the interface. When dialing ASA extension “1234” from ACM the number sent will be “234”, i.e. first digit removed. ASA_first_digit = 1 Left most digit added to the 3 digit ASA numbers. Only used if parameter ASA_Convert_3_to_4_digit is set = yes [AC_PARAMETER] Trunk_1 = yes; Trunk_2 = yes; Trunk_3 = yes; Trunk_4 = yes; Call_request_number_1 = 1001; Call_request_number_2 = 1002; Call_request_number_3 = ; Call_request_number_4 = ; Call_request_number_5 = ; Call_request_number_6 = ; Call_request_number_7 = ; Call_request_number_8 = ; Call_request_number_9 = ; Call_request_number_10 = ; The table for conversion of Group Call numbers in ASA dialed from AlphaCom. The numbers specified are the call numbers programmed in AlphaCom that will be converted to the call number in ASA. Example: Group_call_0 = 9990; Group_call_0 This is the All Call group 0 in ASA with ASA call no. 000 = 9990; This is the ‘Global Number for AlphaNet’ specified in AlphaCom to set up the All Call in ASA.