MCS station
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Contents
Features
Special Control Room Station Features
The Control Room Stations are designed to provide good control and easy operation in situations where many calls are directed to one central point, for monitoring and talking into conferences and monitoring of other activities in the system:
- Access to more than 10 Single-touch keys on one station for quick and easy handling of calls to and from a large number of stations/features.
- - 20 Single-touch keys on an MCS station
- Call priorities shown by display, LED and buzzer indication (programmable).
- Noise-canceling goose-neck microphone
- Headset option.
Multiconference Features
- Mixing of audio from up to six simplex conferences in one loudspeaker.
- Easy programming of control keys for the multiconference features, like TalkBack key and Activate key.
- Special Multiconference station MCS with two loudspeakers for mixing of audio and 20 single-touch keys giving enhanced control when using the Multiconference features.
Note that any station with display and single-touch keys can be used but with a somewhat reduced function pattern compared to the MCS station.
System Features Useful on a Control Room Station
- Display information giving names and numbers of call-in points.
- Programmable function keys for station transfer, program selection, etc.
- Parallel service provides flexibility in manning of control stations.
- Off-hook time-out. The station goes on-hook and becomes free after 25 seconds (programmable) when not in conversation.
- Line monitoring provides automatic checking of stations’ lines, reporting to the control room station as well as to a central service point (programmable) on line failure.
Number of MCS Stations in One Exchange
- The MCS station can be connected to any type of AlphaCom exchanges. The maximum number of MCS stations in one exchange is set to 25, considering system load due to LED updates on all stations simultaneously.
Additional Information: MCS can not be used with TouchLine or TouchLine Compact exchanges.
Feature Description
Calling a station
When the single-touch (DAK) keys have been programmed, you just press the key to activate the call or feature programmed on the station. To cancel the call, press the C-key. If you hold down the key, it works as an M-key. When it is released, the M-key state is terminated, and the ordinary M-key must be used later during the conversation.
Additional Information: The M-key/C-key function for the single-touch keys is intended for announcements: Press the key, keep it down while speaking and release it to cancel.
Simplex Conference
A simplex conference has one speaker and many listeners. There is no upper limit; all stations in an exchange can be members of one conference and thus listen to the same source. This concept is also called program conference, as it uses the same hardware as audio program distribution. You can speak into the conference from one station at a time simply by pressing the M-key while listening to a conference. To interface e.g. to mobile radio systems, each conference can have a default member, which also can be default speaker. The default member is forced into conference when the first normal member joins. If it’s the default speaker, it will feed the conference without any active use of M-key. When a normal member uses it’s M-key, the conference is fed temporarily from that station, but returns to the default speaker after the M-key has been released again. The AlphaCom has 50 simplex conferences. One station can be member of one conference at a time. A station can join the conference by dialing 82xx, or one or more stations can have access to remote setup to station/group by dialing 75 + station/group + 82xx. A station leaves a conference by dialing 8200.
Simplex Multiconference
A single station can be member of many Simplex Conferences at the same time. To be able to use the full functionality, a dedicated MCS station is required. It has two speakers; each can be a mix of up to 6 conferences. In addition, it has a dedicated single-keyboard with 20 Single-touch (DAK) keys that can be programmed with the special keys used to control the multiconference features. The MCS station is basically a standard intercom station, i.e. in addition to the multiconference feature, full AlphaCom functionality is available. Note that any station with display and single-touch keys can be used for the Multiconference feature but with a somewhat reduced function pattern compared to the MCS station.
Single-touch Keys for Multiconference Control
Before you can use the station, you must program the keys Select (SEL), Activate (ACT), Priority (PRI) and the off key.
- TalkBack
- This key is used when you want to talk into the conferences. As many conferences are monitored at the same time, each conference has its own TalkBack key. During commissioning you link an AGA board/port to the station’s TalkBack keys.
- SELect
- The Select key is used when you assign a conference to a TalkBack key. Select modifies the TalkBack key’s conference parameter.
- ACTivate
- This key is used when you activate monitoring of a conference. When the TalkBack key is pressed, this station goes in or out of the corresponding simplex conference depending on the previous state. Audio is controlled immediately on/off. Several TalkBack keys can be pressed during one Activate session, which is terminated by another press of the Activate key.
- PRIority
- The Priority key is a variant of activate and one channel is forced active, all others off.
- OFF
- The DeActivateAll is a variant of activate and all channels are switched off.
Station Description
The Multiconference Station MCS
Station Controls
The station is equipped with:
- 16 single-touch keys each with a green and a red LED.
- 4 single-touch keys without LEDs.
- Two loudspeakers, each can mix the audio of 6 simplex conferences.
- The speakers are 45-ohm speakers.
- External loudspeakers may be added, minimum 8 ohm.
- 2 Volume adjustment potentiometers, one for each loudspeaker.
- LCD display with backlight.
- The LCD display has 4 lines with 20 characters on each.
- 0-9 digit keypad.
- M-key for manual control of speech direction.
- C-key for canceling calls.
- Noise-canceling gooseneck microphone.
- Microphone LED.
- Buzzer.
- Relay output (for external buzzer or general RCO).
The building blocks
The Multiconference Station (MCS) is presented to the user as an integrated exchange feature, but it actually consist of several independent parts. You should understand the properties of the different building blocks, as it will make configuration easier, and will also allow you to see possible variant applications.
- MCS station. Other station types with display and single-touch keys can also be used, but the MCS station is designed to use all control possibilities for a multiconference.
- AGA board. The exchange must be equipped with minimum one AGA board to use the Multiconference features. The ports on the AGA board used for connection to MCS are set in conference mode.
- Software features. You must have AMC software 07.60 or later to use the Multiconference features.
Configuration Guidelines MCS
MCS stations per AGA board:
- When using the multiprogram connection board:
- 4 MCS stations per AGA board.
- When using ASLT cables and connection board:
- 3 MCS stations per AGA board.
AGA boards in MCS mode
There can be a maximum of 24 AGA boards in one AlphaCom 138 exchange, corresponding to 96 (72) MCS stations. These must be in the master module of a multi-module exchange.
Remember that in a high traffic multi-module exchange you will need 3 AGA positions for the multi-module audio ring (24 channels), possibly 1-2 AGAs for audio program (22-38 programs), and 1-2 AGAs if AlphaNet is used.
Max simplex conferences in one module (master or slave): 50
Max simplex conferences when more than one module is involved: 24
Feeding 50 conferences into the master module can be tricky, especially if you need many MCS AGAs which block ASLT positions. 50 conferences correspond to 9 ASLT boards. You can get 24 conferences in from slave modules. On top of this you must consider where the MCS station’s abcd wire ASLT interface is located. They can be in a slave, but in that case TalkBack is limited to the 24 conferences in the multi-module ring.
MCS stations in one system
The maximum number of MCS stations in one exchange is set to 25, considering system load due to green LED updates on all stations simultaneously.
This is not an absolute figure. The limitation is due to the large number of display data messages that must be sent when audio comes and goes, as worst-case all MCS stations monitor the same channel. The processing will delay other exchange operations, so that response to dialing becomes noticeable slow, tones long, etc.
AlphaNet
A large system may be running each module as a standalone exchange, connected to the others via AlphaNet. This increases the number of master modules available, and the MCS stations may be divided among the exchanges, thus reducing system load. Such a setup also gives some redundancy, as one failing exchange will take out only some of the MCS stations. Use of AlphaNet may require special interfaces to radios etc. to feed several exchanges in parallel.
Software: AMC 08.00 and later to have Multiconferences in AlphaNet.
Installation
Multiconference Station MCS
The MCS is a semi-intelligent station that is controlled completely by the AlphaCom exchange. All configuration of single-touch keys is stored inside the processor board AMC in the exchange, and the display and LEDs in the DAKs are controlled from the AMC via display data on the station’s ab wires.
Equipment Overview
Use this list to check that you have received the correct modules:
| Equipment | Item Number | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| MCS Multiconference Station with gooseneck micrphone | 100 7006 201 | Mandatory |
| Desktop housing for MCS with cable set. | 100 7006 280 | Optionally, the station cen be flush mounted in any type of control room desk |
| Headset | no supplied by Stentofon | Can be used in stead of a handset |
| Local power supply for the station | EQPOW 20490 | Local Power is mandatory. For example: Mascot 6823 - 220V/12V DC, 1 Amp |
| Upgrade kit for AMC software | 100 9290 001 | To latest version |
| Upgrade kit for AlphaPro software | 100 9291 110 | To latest version |
Hardware and Software Requirements MCS
- AMC-board with AMC SW 07.60 or later.
- Multiconference Station; see the Equipment Overview above.
- AlphaPro programming tool, 1009291100 version 07.20 or later.
- Local +12V DC / 700 mA power supply for the station. (If ordering from Stentofon: EQPOW 20490 Mascot Power 6823/6-12).
- Station cable must be supplied locally. The cable is connected to the Main Module with screw connectors.
Circuit Boards
The MCS station is in general a mechanic variant of the station type CRM IV Control Room Master. The Main Board and the TouchLine Interface Board are identical to the ones used in the CRM IV station. The station has four circuit boards:
- The Main board controlling the station software.
- The TouchLine Interface board holding the electronics for the audio control and audio interface to the exchange.
- The Main Keyboard holding the electronics for the keys.
- The Audio board with special features for the MCS station.
Switches and Connectors
Audio Board
- The board holds the following features:
- -Squelch, so that the noise from several mixed channels without speech don’t become annoying
- -AGC (automatic gain control), as the AGA board has linear output (while the AlphaCom in general has AGC on line card outputs). This means that the user can turn up the speaker volume to listen to weak channels, and loud channels will not become too loud.
- -Mixer, so that the intercom station speaker signal is mixed with one (optionally two) AGA conference signals into the “right” speaker.
0dBmA and 0dBmB
The audio input connected on 0dBmA is distributed to the left loudspeaker and the audio connected on 0dBmB to the right one.
Shunts S1-S5
| Shunt | Description |
|---|---|
| S1 | By closing this shunt it is possible to use an RCO to control the mute-signal instead of the CD-wires. |
| S2/S3 | By opening S3 and closing S2 both AGA-channels are mixed together with the signal from the AB-wires. This enables the use of only one loudspeaker for monitoring. |
| S4/S5 | By openeing S4 and closing S5 the VOX for both channels are disabled. This means that the lines will always be routed directly to the output. |
MCS Station Cabling
Connection to ASLT
Connect the abcd wires as for an ordinary station. The station is not equipped with any cable for connection to a wall outlet.
Power Supply to Station
The MCS station must be supplied with +12V and GND. This must be provided locally from the mains via a 12VDC 700 mA (minimum) transformer. The transformer is not supplied with the station.
Connect the local power supply (12V DC) to the Interface Board on the screw connector J3. The power should minimum be able to handle +12V DC / 700 mA. If ordering from Stentofon we recommend the EQPOW 20490 Mascot Power 6823/6-12.
Connection to AGA Board
Inserting AGA Board
- Power OFF, or use the hot plug-in procedure, see AlphaCom Installation Manual, A100K10002.
- Remember to use the wrist strap when inserting the board.
- Insert AGA board(s) in the wanted position for the multiconference feature.
- Connect the multiprogram connection board at the back of the exchange, or in a suitable place close to the backwiring.
- Plug in the filter board at the backwiring in the AGA board position.
- Run the connection cable from the filter board to the connection board.
- Connect each MCS station to two ports on the AGA board. The audio connected to AGA 1 on the station is distributed through the left speaker and the audio connected to AGA 2 through the right speaker.
AGA Connection Board
For connection of MCS stations to the AGA board the Multiprogram Connection Board is used, which gives access to all 8 ports of the AGA board. Each AGA board can then be used for 4 MCS stations. Each AGA port distributes the audio from 6 subchannels.
| Station | Connection board numbering | Audio board connector | AGA port |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Station | P2 + and P2 | 0dBmA | AGA port 1 audio out |
| P4 + and P4 | 0dBmB | AGA port 2 audio out | |
| 2nd Station | P6 + and P6 | 0dBmA | AGA port 3 audio out |
| P8 + and P8 | 0dBmB | AGA port 4 audio out | |
| 3rd Station | P10 + and P10 | 0dBmA | AGA port 5 audio out |
| P12 + and P12 | 0dBmB | AGA port 6 audio out | |
| 4th Station | P14 + and P14 | 0dBmA | AGA port 7 audio out |
| P16 + and P16 | 0dBmB | AGA port 8 audio out |
It is also possible to use an ASLT Subscriber Connection Board for connection of audio channels to the station. This only gives access to ports 2-7 on the AGA board, and each AGA board can then serve 3 stations.
| Station | Connection board numbering | Audio board connector | AGA port |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Station | P1 cd | 0dBmA | AGA port 2 audio out |
| P2 cd | 0dBmB | AGA port 3 audio out | |
| 2nd Station | P3 cd | 0dBmA | AGA port 4 audio out |
| P4 cd | 0dBmB | AGA port 5 audio out | |
| 3rd Station | P5 cd | 0dBmA | AGA port 6 audio out |
| P6 cd | 0dBmB | AGA port 7 audio out |
AGA Board Use
The AGA board does the actual mixing of audio, and the result is available as a 0-dB signal on a pair of wires. Up to 6 timeslots are mixed per AGA channel (6 subchannels). A full-feature MCS station has two such mixers, and conference audio is sent to the station as two pairs. The drawing to the right shows how an AGA board used in an MCS configuration. The 16 channels on the AGA board are used as 8 ports. Each MCS station uses two outputs, left and right, so one AGA board is required for every 4 MCS stations.
Port: Each AGA board has 8 ports.
Channel: Each AGA port has 2 audio channels.
Subchannel: Each AGA audio channel has 3 subchannels i.e. 3 timeslots.
Thus one port gives access to 6 subchannels. One port is connected to each of the loudspeakers on the MCS station.
Connection to MCS Housing
If the MCS station in mounted in the MCS housing, the included cable set is connected as shown in the drawing to the right.
Reset
A reset may be either a reset of the exchange or a reset of the station. The station performs a local reset when it is unplugged or plugged in, or the power is turned off/on.
A reset influences the control room stations in the following way:
- Ongoing calls are canceled.
- Active programs are disconnected but restored afterwards.
- Active simplex conferences are disconnected but restored afterwards.
- LED indications are not restored. All LEDs are switched off.
- Queue indications of Call Requests are restored in the display.
- On an MCS station: All conferences are deactivated after reset. No audio is heard, and no TalkBack keys are indicated active. All configuration of the keys is intact, so the user just has to do an Activate sequence to reestablish monitoring.
If the exchange is part of a network, a reset of one exchange will have the following consequences for the rest of the network:
- Ongoing calls and active conferences involving the reset exchange are interrupted and not restored afterwards.
The reset time is variable, depending on the configuration and complexity of the system.
Programming
Single-touch Key Programming on MCS
Before you can use the station, you must program the keys Select (SEL), Activate (ACT), Priority (PRI) and the OFF key.
MCS Autoload Numbers
The following directory numbers are defined in the autoload, intended for use on the MCS station. If you use an older, converted database you must create these numbers with AlphaPro.
| Dir. no in Autoload | Feature name | Feature no. | Id |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7980 | MCS Activate | 10 | 0/1 |
| 7981 | MCS Priority | 10 | 2 |
| 7984 | MCS Deactivate all | 10 | 3 |
| 7982 | MCS Select | 11 | 0 |
| 7983 | MCS Talkback | 1 | 0 |
Enabling of Single-touch Keys
The single-touch key programming for the MCS station uses DAK tables for unused stations in the system. When you enable the single-touch keys, you set forwarding to the tables you want to use, thus making them available to the MCS station.
- For an exchange with fewer than 4 modules, we recommend that you use DAK tables from station 500 upwards in module 68 (the 4th module in a multi-module system).
- For an exchange with 4 modules, we recommend that you use the DAK tables for the positions that are used by the AGA boards, etc.
Module 1: Positions 20….23 Physical numbers 115 ….. 138 Module 2: Positions 20….23 Physical numbers 253 ….. 276 Module 3: Positions 20….23 Physical numbers 391 ….. 414 Module 4: Positions 20….23 Physical numbers 529 ….. 552
- For keys 1 - 10, you enter a pointer to the DAK table for an unused station (physical number), for keys 11-20 to another unused station.
Single-touch Keys for an MCS Station
TalkBack Key Program talkback key with Multi Conference Talkback feature.
The key programmed to TalkBack (default 7983) has two parameters:
- AGA hardware pointer, 4 digits, BBps, where:
- –BB = board position, range 01 - 24
- –p = AGA port, range 1 - 8.
- Use port 2 - 7 when using subscriber connection board.
- –s = sub-channel within port, range 1 - 6.
- Example: Board 20, port 2, channel 1 = 2021
- Conference number
- Simplex conference dir.no, normally 8200 to 8250.
The TalkBack feature is designed to be used from a single-touch key. During commissioning you link an AGA board/port to the station’s TalkBack keys.
SELect Key
Program with 7982. When using Select key, dial a conference, and press a TalkBack DAK to assign a conference to the talkback key.
Select modifies the TalkBack key’s conference parameter 82xx.
It’s not allowed to do SELect on an ACTivated TalkBack key.
ACTivate
7980. The key programmed to Activate has one (repeated) parameter, a TalkBack DAK.
When the TalkBack key is pressed, this station goes in or out of the corresponding simplex conference depending on the previous state. Audio is controlled immediately on/off.
Several TalkBack keys can be pressed during one Activate session, which is terminated by another press of the Activate key.
PRIority
7981 The key programmed to Priority has one parameter, a TalkBack DAK.
Priority is a variant of ACTivate, i.e. one channel is forced active, all others off.
OFF
7984. The key programmed to DeActivateAll is a variant of activate, i.e. all channels are switched off.
Programming MCS Single-touch Keys
In principle all Single-touch keys can be programmed with any function, but the set-up below shows a suggestion for programming of the MCS station.
You can program 6 talkback keys for each AGA port. Usually you program the 8 upper keys (keys 5 to 12) as TalkBack keys for the most used conferences. The 4 keys to the left should have audio through the left loudspeaker (AGA1) and the 4 keys to the right through the right loudspeaker (AGA2).
In addition we suggest that you program:
- Key 13 with the Select function.
- Key 14 with the Activate function.
- Key 15 with the Priority function.
Program AGA ports
Each AGA channel used for mixing to the station has to be programmed as "Multiconference Monitor" in Board use (AlphaPro).