1. Gateway Training Workshop Module Three
Hands-on Configuration Audio Control Units (ACU)
Patrick R Kempker
Gateway Instructor
OEC/ICTAP
(619)

2. Glossary
COR/COS Carrier Operated Relay/ Carrier Operated Squelch - A receiver signal that gives a COS positive indication a carrier or signal is being received and the receiver is unsquelched.
CPM-2/4/6 Control Processor Module - This ACU module controls all aspects of system operation.
DTMF Dual Tone Multi Frequency - The standard touch-tone telephone dialing method sends DTMF characters over the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) line.
DSP Digital Signal Processing (or Processor).
DSP-1/2/2IP The Digital Signal Processor Module, the main radio interface of the ACU system. DSP algorithms provide Voice Operated Transmit (VOX), Voice Modulation Recognition (VMR), Audio Delay, Noise Reduction, and Tone Keying functions.
Extension Each interface module in the ACU-1000 system is given an extension number. A user enters this extension number to make a communications link through the selected module
HSP-2/4/2IP The ACU-1000 Handset/Speaker/Prompt Module provides a local operator interface and the system voice prompt circuitry.

3. Glossary Cont. INMARSAT International Marine/Maritime Satellite
PSTN-1/1IP Public Service Telephone Network module to interface to the Public Switch Telephone Network
PTT Push to Talk
RX Receive or Receiver
SIP Session Initiation Protocol
SCM-1/2 SIP Channel Module
Squelch A means of detecting audio and causing some action when it is present, such as keying a transmitter or unmuting an audio path.
TX Transmit or Transmitter.
VMR Voice Modulation Recognition. A type of squelch, which is activated only by spoken words and not by tones, noise, or other audio information.
VOX Voice Operated Xmit (Transmit). A circuit or algorithm, which causes a transmitter to key or some other action when voice is present. This squelch type is activated by any audio signal, and is not restricted to voice only.

4. Advanced Gateway Operations Overview
Specific Requirement & Capabilities
Setup & Configuration
Adjustments

5. Overview Types of Ports (Purpose) Optional Equipment
ACU Control Console
Module Adjustments
Questions

6. Specific Requirement & Capabilities Functional Diagram
Baseband Voice
VoIP

7. Specific Requirement & Capabilities
LEDs provide connection status and diagnostics for each port
Interconnects 4 audio devices; 2 VoIP channels; and local operator
Can interconnect radios in any band including HF, VHF, UHF, P25, 800Mhz, and Nextel iDEN phones
Internal pre-configured radio template library for all supported devices
Water-resistant front panel with integrated keys and displays provides a standalone interface to the device in lieu of configuring and controlling by use of a PC
Local monitor functionality
External audio connectors for a variety of handset and headset support
Standard DB15 connectors labeled P1 – P12
Expansion Connector 37 pin female D-sub P14
Cooling is accomplished by air circulation must have 1” clearance top and bottom.
To heavy for front panel, it be mounted on L brackets

8. ACU-M Back Connectors
Power On/Off Switch - Controls the DC input power to the unit.
Handset Connection - RJ-12C jack to connect the Handset with integrated PTT switch (provided).
Internal Speaker - Provides the Local Operator the means of hearing RX Audio from selected ports.
Serial - Male DB-9 connector provides serial RS-232 interface for remote control capabilities.
Power Connector – 4-pin CPC connector to input +9 to +15 VDC.

9. ACU-M Back Connectors (continue)
Ethernet - Female RJ-45 connector provides Ethernet network interface for remote control and VoIP capabilities.
Ext Speaker - Female 3.5 mm audio connector to interface external speaker.
Ear Phone - Female 3.5 mm audio connector for external headset use.
MIC - Female 3.5 mm audio connector for external headset use.
Port R1 thru R4 – Male DB-15 connectors interface a radio/resource to a specific ACU-M™ port.

10. Specific Requirements and Capabilities WAIS Software Requirements
OS Windows 98 Me, NT, 2000, XP, or Vista (XP Recommended)
Video card and display support 1280X1024 resolution at 16 bit color (24 or 32-bit color recommended)
128MB RAM minimum
50 MB free hard drive space
Ethernet Card , TCP/IP network protocol capability
Any type of pointing device will work, but a two-button mouse is recommended

11. Setup & Configuration JPS Updates
NOTE: Before making your initial adjustments make sure you have the latest software and firmware. Information can be found at (XXX = ACU1000, ACU2000IP, ACU_M, or ACU_T)
Request the latest updates at:
Useful Downloads:
IPSetup - displays the IP address of any JPS proprietary equipment connected to your network
NXU-2 Setup Utility – Allows quick configuration of NXU-2 and NXU-2a
PCNXU Software - With a ACU Controller Software this turns your computer with speaker and MIC into a VoIP Dispatch Center)
ACU Simulator – Allows you to run the ACU Controller software without using a live system

12. Setup and Configuration – ACU Controller Installation
Verify you have the latest controller software
If not Version 5.42, request it at:
and Raytheon JPS will provide a download link
Contains the latest radio templates & cable schematics
Extract the files from the acuc5_42.zip file (Be sure to note the location of the extracted files)
Go to the extracted file’s location

13. Setup & Configuration ACU Controller Installation
Double click on the Setup program

14. Setup & Configuration ACU Controller 4.2 Install Shield
Click Next

15. Setup & Configuration Welcome Screen

16. Setup & Configuration License Agreement
Read the End-user License Agreement
Accept the terms and click Next

17. Setup & Configuration Readme Information
Read the information the click Next - it explains additional programs needed to fully utilize the controller software (i.e. Adobe Acrobat Reader)

18. Setup and Configuration Installation Location Screen
Accept the default installation location or press change and enter a new location. Click Next

19. Setup & Configuration Installation Progression Screen
The program starts installing and the progression screen show were it is

20. Setup and Configuration Installation Complete
Installation complete click finish

21. Setup & Configuration Interfacing to the ACU
Determine the Interface Devices (Radio, Cell, Satellite, VoIP – IP address, port)
Insure you have the proper interface cable
Connect the interface cable to the proper port (R-1 through R-4) and the interface device

22. Setup & Configuration Interfacing to the ACU
Connect the maintenance computer to the ACU
RS-232 serial port of the maintenance/controller computer to the Serial port
Computer’s Network Interface Card (NIC) RJ-45 port with a crossover CAT-5 Ethernet cable to the RJ-45 port
Computer’s Network Interface Card (NIC) RJ-45 port with a straight through CAT-5 Ethernet cable into the Local Area Network (LAN) for this to work the ACU must also be connected to the LAN
Turn on the ACU wait to hear “System Ready”
Double click on the ACU Controller ICON

23. Setup & Configuration Ethernet Connection Screen
All JPS equipment come with a factory default IP address of

24. Setup & Configuration Serial Connection Screen

25. Setup & Configuration Default Controller Screen
To enter the module configuration screen double click on any module’s icon (R1-R4 or V1-V2)

26. Adjustments R1-R4 Port Settings

27. Adjustments General Module Settings
Description – User Friendly Name of original radio net/talk group (i.e. Frequency, Organization,…)
ICON
Color – Adjusts Icon color to help distinguish one radio from another
Custom – Change module icon to a custom version (user is prompted for a location) Custom icons are stretched/compressed by the program to the correct size for a 1280x1024 display, which is 76x90, before again being stretched/compressed to the appropriate size for the actual ACU Controller window size that is running.
NOTE: These settings are not stored in the ACU, they only help identify the module. They’re stored in the configuration file of the ACU Controller Software and must be reloaded at the start up of the Controller Software

28. Adjustments Templates
Supplied by Raytheon JPS
Contain optimum radio setup values as determined by JPS System Engineering Department
Settings are optimized when a specified radio is used with the radio configuration parameters and interface cable schematics (radio properly adjusted and JPS furnished cables)
User Created
Saves and restores all settings for an individual module

29. Adjustments Template (Cont.)
Save - Stores all settings for an individual module in a User-Created template, they are stored by default in the C:\ACU Controller\Template directory
Load - Restores all settings for an individual module, both JPS Furnished and User-Created Templates are located in the C:\ACU Controller\Template directory by default
Last Loaded/Saved – List the file name of the last accessed file
DSP Help – Brings up basic instructions for interfacing a radio to DSP
Open App Notes – Allows users to browse a PDF formatted application note’s library

30. Adjustments Audio Levels
RX (Receive) Level - Default is 3=0dBm
Correct level are required for proper operation
Too high will cause flat-topping and distortion
Too low will not provide adequate audio volume
Front Panel Signal LED provides a guide; raise RX volume until the Signal LED flashes momentarily on voice peaks
Positive numbers adds attenuation, Negative numbers subtract it
If it never flashes it is to low
If it is almost always on it is to high

31. Adjustments Audio Level (Cont.)
TX (Transmit) Level - Default is 6 = 0dBm
Correct level are required for proper operation
Positive numbers adds gain, Negative numbers subtract it (just reverse from RX level)
To high will cause flat-topping and distortion
To low will not provide adequate audio volume
If the actual requirement of the radio is known, select the level from below
If it is not known start at 0 and step up one point at a time until the proper level is reached.

32. Adjustments Squelch Type
DSP-1or DSP-2 must have positive knowledge an audio signal is present
For best reliability use hardwired COR signal
If no hardwired COR and the radio has a squelch circuit use the radio’s squelch in conjunction with Voice Operated Xmit (Transmit - VOX) mode
Voice Modulated Recognition (VMR) should be used with FM radios that must be operated with an open squelch

33. Adjustments Squelch Type (Cont.)
COR (0) Carrier Operated Relay/Squelch - Hard Wire COR the only parameter that needs to be set is the COR polarity
COR Polarity - Only set if hardwire core is used
The module allows the hardwired COR input to work active high or active low- Default is Active low
If the radio’s COR output goes low when a signal is being received, set the input to active low; if the radio’s COR output goes high when a signal is being received, set the input to active high

34. Adjustments Squelch Type (Cont.)
VMR (1) Voice Modulated Recognition - algorithm is not amplitude related; it specifies how stringent the algorithm is when deciding whether a signal contains speech or noise
Three parameters determine how VMR algorithm functions:
VOX/VMR Hang Time
VOX/VMR Threshold
RX Audio Delay

35. Adjustments Squelch Type (Cont.)
VOX (2) Default Voice Operated Xmit (Transmit) - algorithm will signal COR present whenever the incoming audio exceeds a set threshold (amplitude)
Three parameters determine how VOX algorithm functions:
VOX/VMR Hang Time
VOX/VMR Threshold
Rx Audio Delay

36. Adjustments VOX/VMR Threshold
VOX/VMR algorithms are not perfect and there are performance tradeoffs.
Low threshold is less likely to fail to detect speech but more likely to give a false transmit on noise
High threshold is less likely to false transmit on noise but will fail to detect some speech
Lower threshold should be used if noise is not excessive, Higher threshold is used for open-squelch FM radios

37. Adjustments VOX/VMR Hang Time
VOX/VMR Hang Time keeps the audio path enabled for an adjustable duration after the moment when speech is no longer detected preventing the audio from being muted between syllables or during pauses in speech

38. Adjustments Audio Delay
RX (Receive) Audio Delay (Input)
Prevents loss of the audio that is received before the detection takes place and the audio gates can open to send it to other modules
The amount of delay needed depends on the type of COR used
Delays should be kept at the default values unless system requirements dictate a change (slow-to-key radios…)

39. Adjustments Audio Delay (Cont.)
RX Audio Delay (Cont.)
There is never a true “zero delay”
RX delay does not delay the COR signal
If two radios are cross-connected an active COR at one module will immediately key the other module
The duration of the COR signal will be extended by the RX audio delay
Keep delay set as low as possible for clarity
If part or all of the first syllable is clipped the delay should be increased

40. Adjustments Audio Delay (Cont.)
TX (Transmit) Audio Delay - Mainly used for trunked radios
Trunked systems have a delay between when the radio’s PTT is activated and when a channel is assigned
Most systems signal this ready status by a confirmation tone, which can not be relayed by the ACU
The TX audio delay should be set to a duration that holds the TX audio until the channel is selected so the first syllable is not clipped
Note: When 2 radios are cross-connected the RX delay of one radio is added to the TX delay of the other
This is caused because the COR is not delayed so the combined delays could be as much as 1100ms

41. Adjustments Miscellaneous (Cont.)
COR Inhibit Time After PTT – Default is 1=100 ms
Used to prevent ping-ponging
Some radios produce momentary unwanted COR outputs just after their PTT inputs are de-activated, the COR inhibit cause the unwanted COR outputs to be ignored
IF the inhibit time is not correctly set, the unwanted COR signal can cause connected extensions to momentarily key

42. Audio Adjustments Ping Ponging
Ping Ponging is the effect when the radios in the patch begin bouncing between TX and RX with no signal present.
Connect all the radio interface modules together in one Net along with the HSP
Using the HSP handset key-up, speak, and release
Watch the radio icon’s COR indicator. Whichever radio icon shows activity first is the source of the problem
Remove that radio an see if the problem goes away, if not remove any addition problem radios
Patch one on the problem radios into a net with just the HSP, adjust the COR Inhibit Time After PTT up and repeat steps 2 and 3, continue the process until it fixes the problem, Remember to keep the adjustment as small as possible to avoid excess delays
Repeat for the other problem radios
Repeat steps 1 and 2 to verify the problem is corrected

43. Adjustments Audio Processing
High Frequency Equalizer – Default 4 Flat
Reshapes the high frequency response of the receive audio input
Improved DTMF detection when using radios with nonlinear response
Better-sounding audio
High Frequency response can be cut or booted by up to 5 dB

44. Adjustments Action Buttons
OK – Accepts all changes and closes the screen
Cancel – Closes the screen without accepting changes
Apply – Applies all changes without closing the screen

45. Adjustments V1-V2 Port Settings

46. Adjustments General Module Settings
Description – User Friendly Name of telephone system (i.e. Frequency, Organization,…)
ICON
Color – Adjusts Icon color to help distinguish one radio from another
Custom – Change module icon to a custom version (user is prompted for a location) Custom icons are stretched/compressed by the program to the correct size for a 1280x1024 display, which is 76x90, before again being stretched/compressed to the appropriate size for the actual ACU Controller window size that is running.
NOTE: These settings are not stored in the ACU, they only help identify the module. They’re stored in the configuration file of the ACU Controller Software and must be reloaded at the start up of the Controller Software

47. V1-V2 Adjustments
IP Address – used to distinguish between the two (2) virtual VOIP ports
ACU-M IP address – the network address given to the ACU-M (Factory default is )
Module VOIP – The specific well known address the audio goes over to get to the virtual VOIP port.
Module Command – the well known port the command signals go over (COR, PTT)

48. V1-V2 Configuration
Comm. Mode – How the communications patch is established (Normal, Multicast, Connectionless)
Role – Role of the virtual port (Server, Client)
Status – Status of the talk patch (Disconnected, Connected)
Target – Distant end’s IP address (computer running PCNXU)

49. V1 – V2 Actions buttons
Connect to Target – Create a connection to the target IP address
Disconnect – Disconnects from the target IP currently connected
Refresh Info – Updates the connection status

50. V1 – V2 Action Buttons OK – Accepts all changes and closes the screen
Cancel – Closes the screen without accepting changes
Apply – Applies all changes without closing the screen

51. Questions
????

52. OEC/ICTAP Office of Emergency Communications / Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program