PIM (Plug-In-Module)

Modules for advanced functionality can be purchased separately in order to tune the system to ones needs. These modules are called PIMS (Plug In Modules) In this way you can save money using only the functionality needed in that particular moment. The user can always enable new functionalities in any moment simply upgrading the software. Hereon is a brief description of each module.

Group PIM

Grant user access to specific I/Os

This will enable users (based upon username) to visualize and control selected I/Os on an RDF. 30 groups are available, every input can be associated to 1 or more groups and in the same way, every user can be associated to 1 or more groups. In addition, the user can be associate to read groups and write groups so, for example, a user can read group 1 and 2 but can only command outputs on group 2. A user, as another example, can be enabled, to view input 2,3 and 4 but not 1,5 and 6 on a certain RDF. In this case he will read ‘UNAUTHORIZED’ instead of seeing the meter. At the same time, alarms generated from unauthorized inputs will not be seen so will not bother him. The group PIM is very useful for service providers: an RDF in a site, can serve multiple broadcasters without the fear of the competing companies, putting each other out of service.

Technician PIM

Extend alarm forwarding rules

This PIM enables the system to call technicians by phone, SMS or e-mail taking care of shifts and areas of responsibility. The system administrator will assign a series of technicians (that not necessarily are system users) to the manager, associating them with one or more RDFs they are responsible for. It is possible to configure the system to send voice alarms, e-mails, sms or by other means (on request). The system can be configured to expect a return call to confirm the reception in a certain amount of time. If the confirmation call is not received, the alarm can be sent to another tech. on the list … or… to his boss!

SNMP PIM

Enable NetPOD to the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)

Normally when you use standard SNMP software, the data is available in a format that is usually a tree-view. This makes visualizing data a non standard process if using different equipment. The module we propose here deposits the data in our database in ANT’s standard format in order to retrieve and view data like the non SNMP equipment connected to the system. The configuration is very simple, by using an application, you can map the inputs (from the MIB file) to ANT’s inputs. In the same way traps (alarms) can be associated with phrases that will be sent to the alarm list in case of an alarm.

HTTP Proxy PIM

Integrates the direct management of devices configurable via web browser

The complexity of last generation equipment has led to the development of easier and userfriendly configuration interfaces. The web technology solves this need, becoming in fact the quickest and easiest way to modify the functioning parameters of the equipment. Unfortunately, for security purposes or more simply for network structure problems, some equipment could be on a private network or on a public network but encapsulated inside a VPN (virtual private network), and therefore not reachable via internet. The “http proxy” module overcomes this obstacle allowing the management of web server enabled equipment for the NetPOD interface. Moreover, the SW module is transparent to the internet, as it allows to access the equipment without knowing its IP address, at it is safe, as it allow the connection only if you have an access authorization. The access is simple and user-friendly: as soon as you have opened the widow of the selected device, a button will invite you to ask for access to the web server.

Timed Outputs PIM

To activate commands at preset timetables

The timed outputs module allow the supervisor to set up the SET and the RESET of a RDF output at a preset time or even to enable an ‘automation program’ periodically. Periodical activation can be programmed daily or according to a weekly timetable. The module is therefore very useful whenever you want that the RDF execute a command, or a sequence of commands, autonomously at preset times (absolute programming) or at regular intervals (periodic programming). When the intervention time has to be precise, with additional hardware you can lock it to a GPS reference, and have the command executed within the fraction of a second.

Matrix PIM

Switching matrixes remote management

The Matrix Control Module allows configuring and managing switching matrixes to route audio, video and IF signals. The module has an editor and a display editor to configure the matrix and to display its status. The editor allows setup the matrix network and the signal routing. A simple click will then be enough to make the system find the best routing for the signal. The control system is composed of a RDF with a dedicated firmware, to be installed where the matrix is mounted, and of a matrix that must have a serial control interface, with available protocol. Matrix management can be performed via trunked Radio, GSM/GPRS/CDMA or via IP connection.

GPRS-CDMA PIM

GPRS & CDMA modem management module

The GPRS (General packet radio service) and the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) use the internet over GSM (GPRS) and internet over CDMA to carry data from one remote site data concentrator (RDF) to the control center. At any connection the telecom network manager assigns an IP address, and this IP address changes every new connection. That’s why we have designed a dedicated SW to manage these connections. The IP address of the control center is fixed. This module has an additional exclusive feature: it can setup the connection at request or when necessary. This feature will let you spare a lot of money with your telecom provider, when the data traffic is computed on the time used instead of on the data amount. In addition the module stores a log-file of the connections.

Server Automation PIM

SW Module designed for local and remote automation

The “PIM Server Automation” module allows creating, in an easy and intuitive way, any “server side” automation. It means that the automation is not stored in the peripheral, like using “PIM RDF Automation”, but it is stored in the system database, inside the NetPOD Manager software. The great advantage of this SW module resides inside this characteristic: as seen as the automation is stored in the server, you can create an unlimited number of automation routines, with any combination and control possibility. The unlimited power of the automation will, in fact, controls any analog/digital input, alarmed or pre-alarmed, of any RDF and can run a command on any output of any RDF, including itself. We talk of Alarm/Pre-alarm because the automation works according to both thresholds, when from a programmed input an alarm/pre-alarm arrives or when the alarm/pre-alarm stops.

RDF Automation PIM

To add local and remote automations managed by and performed on the RDF

The “ RDF Automations PIM” enables and configures in an easy way some automation routines that the RDF can perform on its own. You can create and store in the peripheral some “automations” and the RDF will perform them without asking or needing to connect to the control center, while using the “Server Automations PIM” local automations are anyway stored and launched in the system software NetPOD Manager. Automations will be started following an event or a level measurement ad a set input and can start on the RDF itself or on other RDF, according to the automation type, without any intervention of the control center. The automation can end automatically or after the input level, that has started the automation, return inside e set limit. Actually the following automations can be managed: Pumps management: an analog input signal controls the start/stop of the automation and sets/resets an output on the same or on another RDF of the network, according to a preset couple of thresholds. A typical application is the level control of a reservoir, where when the level goes beyond a limit a pump will be activated until the nominal revel is reached again; the pump can be in the same site (same RDF) or remote (another RDF), miles away. Antenna positioning: with a single command, equivalent to activating a relays, you can move horizontally a directional antenna with rotor in order to find the maximum signal level. Transmitter switchover: you can build the basic switching logic between main and backup without a dedicated device On request, we can build additional and custom automation macros into the RDF

UDS PIM

User Definable Screen

The UDS module is a very powerful graphical instrument allowing the user to easily and completely configure graphic windows: in other words, the user can define on the system custom windows and views while data arrive from a number of sites. The editor allows also to insert one or more background images or “devices”, and to connect inputs and outputs to them. The UDS, in fact, provides a powerful tool to concentrate in one single window a number of data according to user priorities and to build windows displaying custom status summaries: data arriving from the field often arrive in a confused manner, and therefore they are difficult to interpret. The UDS module solves any views need: more than ordering and eventually eliminating useless data, it allows to associate different data typologies (analog inputs, digital inputs, enumerated values and outputs) and to put them in the same window. For example, UDS can be used to concentrate all temperature measurements or radio links of a number of broadcasting sites, or to monitor the complete STL chain from the studio to the last transmitter, or to design a command panel to manage switching matrixes, or to see the status of a transmitter as you were in front of it. All this can be set in one or “n” UDS windows.