Description of Head-End Equipment

ICP provides complete, redundant and non-redundant, head-end systems and equipment. Our product offerings include a network control and monitoring system, TDM multiplexer, sub-rate/packet multiplexer, agile modulator, and MPEG audio encoder.

No satellite broadcast communications family is complete without the key components of the broadcasting (uplink) earth station, and ICP's uplink subsystems are unsurpassed in their usability and practicality. The key subsystems are the Network Control and Monitoring System (NCMS), TDM Multiplexers, Sub-rate/Packet Multiplexer, Agile Modulator and Audio Encoder.

The Network Control and Monitoring System (NCMS) is a graphical interface Microsoft Windows based software package running on an PC-based subsystem which provides the user total capability to monitor and control the system including receiver authorizations, channel assignments, data rates, port configurations, and status of all key elements (even the receivers, if they are provided with terrestrial modems).

In MCPC audio/data systems, in addition to the audio and voice/data channels there is an 8 kbps network control (NCS) channel multiplexed into each carrier which allows complete control of each audio receiver from its associated multiplexer. In SCPC audio systems where only one or two mono channels or a single stereo channel is broadcast, and if no control over the link is required, then the multiplexer and NCMS are not required.

The DCM-960, DCM-970 and the downlink receivers are controlled via the NCMS. The NCMS computer is either a PC running a windows based ICP NCMS software package or is provided as part of the DCM-970 software. The NCMS software provides an easy to use operator interface to allow configuration of the system as well as ongoing performance monitoring. The features of the NCMS software are summarized below:

Sample Receiver Configuration Screen

Sample Performance Monitor Screen

The DCM-960 TDM Multiplexer provides standard T1 and fractional T1 multiplexing to allow for mixing multiple high speed data channels, multiple concentrated low speed channels and multiple program audio channels into a single data stream. The DCM-960 also provides for introducing the network control sub channel which is transmitted to all receivers in the network. The DCM-960 provides 8 input data ports.

DCM-960 TDM Multiplexer

DCM-960

The DCM-970 TDM/Packet Multiplexer provides standard T1 and fractional T1 multiplexing to allow for mixing multiple high speed data channels, multiple low speed channels and multiple program audio channels into a single data stream. The DCM-970 also provides for introducing the network control sub channel which is transmitted to all receivers in the network. The DCM-970 provides up to 48 input data ports in 8 port increments. The NCMS is part of the DCM-970 capability.

When used with the DCR-974, Store and Forward receiver, this unit provides multiplexing of the real-time signals as well as forwarding audio files to be stored in the receivers. The DCM-970 is built on a compact PCI® industrial computer platform. This platform provides the speed and flexibility of a PCI based computer but is housed in a rugged, reliable and easily serviced compact PCI format.

The DCM-970 utilizes the computer platform to provide configuration and control of the multiplexer function and to process non-real-time information.

The multiplexer hardware consists of proprietary cards designed by ICP to perform the multiplexing function. By maintaining this separation of functions, the reliability and availability of the DCM-970 is improved. If a computer fault should occur, the multiplexer section will continue to operate. If a momentary power outage should occur, the multiplexer section will recover and return to normal operation in less than 5 seconds.

DCM-970 TDM/Packet Multiplexer

DCM-970

The AD-3311 Sub-rate/Packet Multiplexer is an industrial PC based unit which processes multiple input channels of the same or different types (low speed asynchronous, high speed synchronous, or contact closures) into a single higher speed channel suitable for input to the DCM-960. The basic AD-3311 provides 8 data input ports and can be expanded up to 32 ports in increments of 8 ports.

AD-3311 Multiplexer

AD-3311

A typical Redundant Audio Head-End system with DCM-970 multiplexers, modulators and seven audio encoders:

head-end rack

Redundant Head-End Audio Rack

The DAE-102 Audio Encoder provides for encoding in standard ISO/MPEG Layer II format of analog audio inputs into a digital audio channel of 64, 96, 128, or 256 kbps. Each encoder accepts two audio inputs.

The head-end equipment can be provided as individual items or in an equipment rack and is available in a redundant or non-redundant configuration. The redundant configuration contains back up multiplexers and modems along with a 1:1 redundancy switch for automatic or manual switch over.