ASTRA Automation Modules - Aveco
ASTRA Automation Modules - Aveco
ASTRA Automation Modules - Aveco
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>ASTRA</strong> HARDWARE<br />
<strong>ASTRA</strong> <strong>Modules</strong><br />
AVECO Americas Incorporated<br />
468 Beacon Street<br />
Boston, MA 02115<br />
tel: (303) 588.5528<br />
www.aveco.com<br />
This section describes the hardware building blocks of <strong>ASTRA</strong>. <strong>ASTRA</strong> is built with a Client-<br />
Server architecture. The simplest <strong>ASTRA</strong> system requires only an <strong>ASTRA</strong> <strong>Automation</strong> Server<br />
that can be configured to run the Client as well. Larger <strong>ASTRA</strong> systems have a central PC<br />
Server and one or more discless PCs as Clients. <strong>ASTRA</strong> is scalable and can provide integrated<br />
automation solutions with multiple operators at one location or at several cooperating broadcast<br />
sites. With built-in network transparency, <strong>ASTRA</strong> <strong>Automation</strong> servers can be added and<br />
interconnected easily to expand the capabilities of the <strong>ASTRA</strong> <strong>Automation</strong> system.<br />
<strong>ASTRA</strong> <strong>Automation</strong> Server (rackmount, industrial PC)<br />
The central piece of hardware of <strong>ASTRA</strong> is a standard rackmount industrial PC that functions as<br />
the automation server and contains:<br />
• PC computer: industrial 19“ rack Axiom PC, Acquire processor card (PIII 533, 256 MB<br />
RAM), 2 x HD 8GB (run in either mirrored or back-up configurations), FDD 3.5“, 19“<br />
Axiom keyboard, or better<br />
o QNX 4.25 or better as the operating system<br />
o Sybase Anywhere SQL server V 5.5 or better as the database platform<br />
• 2 Intelligent Line Control (ILC) cards for a total of 8 ports. A microprocessor placed on<br />
each ILC card manages RS422 traffic in the SONY, Odetics, Louth or Profile Native<br />
protocols to offload the host PC processor. Each ILC card contains 8 bit microprocessor<br />
and 16 kB RAM. To increase the number of devices controlled, up to 6 ILC cards can be<br />
installed on a single automation server for a total of 24 intelligent serial ports.<br />
• 2 MOXA RS422 and 2 MOXA RS232 cards for a total of 8 RS422 and 8 RS232 ports.<br />
(MOXA are general purpose serial cards.) The server has room for a total of 32 cards<br />
to provide a total of 128 serial ports.<br />
• 8 GPI inputs and 8 GPI outputs.<br />
• 1 VRP Genlock Card: The server uses this card for locking to the studio reference signal.<br />
The card also holds eight optoisolated GPI inputs and sixteen GPI relay outputs.<br />
• 2 Ethernet Network Cards. The Ethernet network cards connect the servers to the<br />
network of <strong>ASTRA</strong> terminals. If connection to an external planning system is required,<br />
another network card is installed for this purpose.<br />
The automaton server runs the <strong>ASTRA</strong> software modules and the character based interface used<br />
for system maintenance.<br />
<strong>ASTRA</strong> Mirrored control server with Serial Switchover Unit<br />
A mirrored control server is a fully equipped <strong>ASTRA</strong> <strong>Automation</strong> server plus a serial switchover<br />
unit that runs synchronously with the main automation server, frame by frame. When the<br />
3
Change language