DASDEC
Digital/Analog Emergency Alert System Encoder/Decoder
Users Manual
Model DASDEC-1EN
Version 1.5-0
Digital Alert Systems, LLC
PO Box 5107
Oracle, AZ 85623-5107
FCC Information
FCC ID: R8VDASDEC-1EN
The DASDEC is fully compliant with FCC Part 11.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
Copyright © 2004, 2005, 2006
Digital Alert Systems, LLC
All Rights Reserved
DASDEC is a Trademark of Digital Alert Systems,LLC
Chyron CODI is a Trademark of Chyron Corporation.
NDU is a Trademark of Vela Inc.
Cable Envoy and CEMS is a Trademark of Monroe Electronics
VDS-840 is a Trademark of Keywest Technology.
SAGE is a Trademark of MegaHertz Corp.
All other Trademarks are hereby acknowledged.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Digital Alert Systems, LLC
PO Box 5107
Oracle, AZ 85623-0303
Sales:
Bruce Robertson
Office : 520-896-0303
Cell : 520-488-8667
bruce@digitalalertsystems.com
Technical support:
Tom Wood
Office: 801-272-0418
wood@digitalalertsystems.com
This version of Users Manual: December 2006
INTRODUCTION TO THE DASDEC and the USER MANUAL
The DASDEC is an Emergency Alert System (EAS) Digital Encoder/Decoder platform. It is easy to use and easy to learn. Generally, DASDEC screens (web pages) are self-explanatory. However, the sheer number of features, variety of shortcuts, and power of automated functions may be overwhelming to the first time user. Some users may be able to experiment with features with satisfactory results. Most users will find that referring to this manual will increase understanding and decrease learning time for successful, customized operation.
DASDEC features are licensed. Limited licensing permission allows use of only the limited features. The full range of licensing permissions enables use all available features. This manual reviews every DASDEC screen and explains all DASDEC features and options, regardless of the user’s licensing permissions.
We suggest you first review the Manual’s Table of Contents for an overview of features and tasks you need to complete. The Table of Contents presents the SETUP chapters in the most efficient way to configure DASDEC step-by-step. To further assist you in setting up the DASDEC platform, this edition of the manual has a checklist of tasks for DASDEC Setup, in the order they should be completed. See Chapter 11 DASDEC Task Checklist. For best results, we strongly suggest first time users follow the instructions in order they are presented.
Besides the Table of Contents and the DASDEC Task Checklist, other Chapters of the manual that will improve efficiency in set up for you are:
- an explanation of how DASDEC screens are organized and how to navigate within DASDEC. (Refer to Chapter 4.3 DASDEC Page Organization, Web Interface and Navigation)
- A list of acronyms used.
- An Index with a list of keywords so you can find the page(s) on which the feature is mentioned.
Electronic version of the DASDEC Manual
An electronic version of the DASDEC Manual is on the DAS website (www.digitalalertsystems.com) in both pdf and HTML formats.
Your comments!
Your comments on the usefulness of the manual, or suggestions for improvement, are welcome. Please let us know how we can serve you better. Send comments to Digital Alert Systems; specifics are on the second page of this manual.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Getting Started with the DASDEC
1.1 DASDEC: An Emergency Alert System Analog/Digital Encoder/Decoder Platform
1.2 DASDEC Features and Specifications
1.3.1 Organization of Manual for Setting Up DASDEC
1.3.2 Conventions Used in this Manual (Symbols, Links, Screen shots)
2.4 Your Responsibility as a Broadcaster
4.1 Power Up, User Interface and Initial Setup
4.1.1 Using a VGA monitor, keyboard, and mouse with a DASDEC
4.1.2 Directly connecting a networked host computer
4.1.3 LAN connection with a networked host computer
4.3 DASDEC Page Organization, Web Interface and Navigation
4.3.2 Interactive DASDEC Pages
4.3.3 Standard Links at Bottom of Page
4.3.4 Web Interface and Navigation
4.3.4.1 Back and Refresh Buttons
4.3.4.2 How to Make Changes and Update
5.1 Setup > Server: Setup Server
5.1.1 Main/License: Server Name & License Key Configuration
5.1.2 Configuration Management: Server Configuration File Management
5.1.3 Upgrade: Server Software Upgrade
5.2 Setup > Network: Setup Network
5.2.1 Configuration: Server Network Configuration
5.2.1.2 Network Gateway Configuration
5.2.1.3 Network Address Configuration
5.2.1.4 Network Status Information
5.2.2 Security: Server Network Security Configuration
5.3 Setup > Time: Server Date and Time Configuration
5.5.1 EMail Server: Server EMail Server Configuration
5.5.2 Event Email: Server Event EMail Configuration
5.5.3 Decoder Email: Decoder EMail Configuration
5.5.4 Encoder Email: Encoder EMail Configuration
5.6.1 Audio Output Levels/Tests: Direct Audio Output Levels and Tests
5.6.2 Decoder Audio: Alert Decoding Audio Configuration
5.6.4 Radio Tuners: Radio Configuration
5.7 Setup Video/CG > Video/Character Generator Configuration
5.8.1 Forwarding: Decoder Forwarding Configuration
5.9.1 General: Main Encoder Configuration
5.10 Setup > Net Alerts: Setup Network Alert Protocol Options
5.10.2 DVS644 (SCTE18): Alert Send to DVS644 (SCTE 18) device
5.10.3 Stream MPEG: MPEG Streaming Clients Alert Send
5.10.4 CODI CG Net: CODI Digibox Client Alert Send
5.10.5 Net GPIO: Alert triggered Net GPIO
5.12 Setup > Alert Storage: Setup Storage Management Options
6.3Originated & Forwarded Alerts
7.3 Originated & Forwarded Alerts
8 Testing DASDEC Encoding and Decoding
9.1 Server > Help: Server Help
9.1.1 About DASDEC: DASDEC Emergency Alert System Encoder/Decoder Platform
9.1.2 About EAS: The Emergency Alert System
9.1.4 EAS Codes: EAS Code Table
9.2 Server > Status: DASDEC Server Status
9.3 Server > Logs: Server Logs
9.3.1 Web Session Log: DASDEC Emergency Alert System Encoder/Decoder Platform
10.2 Monroe Electronics Cable Envoy and CEMS 500/1000
10.3 Keywest VDS-830/840/Starmu/Star-8
10.6 Other character generators
1 Getting Started with the DASDEC
1.1 DASDEC: An Emergency Alert System Analog/Digital Encoder/Decoder Platform
The DASDEC is a State-of-the-Art Emergency Alert System (EAS) Analog/Digital Encoder/Decoder platform. First introduced in 2005, this system is being deployed around the United States in a wide variety of Cable, Broadcast, IPTV, and Emergency Operation facilities. The DASDEC is built with the latest digital PC computer technology. The DASDEC encoding/decoding technology is software based, and is built upon the Linux OS. The DASDEC core hardware is a standard PC motherboard and digital audio sound cards. The DASDEC is easy to upgrade, not requiring custom ROMS. The DASDEC also exploits the benefits of modern network technology. It is fully operable over a LAN using secure network protocols. In addition, it supports existing methods of device control using a serial port. The DASDEC is representative of the continuing advance of PC hardware into technological areas that only a few years ago required custom hardware.
1.2 DASDEC Features and Specifications
The DASDEC provides a number of features for easier management of FCC EAS requirements. The DASDEC has been designed to improve the EAS system for radio and TV broadcasters, Cable TV headend facilities, LP1 and LP2 designated stations, and Public Safety and Emergency Service personnel.
DASDEC hardware specs
• 2x20 backlit LCD display for monitoring unit and decoder status
• Operational status LED
• Alert decoding/output LED
• Cool running, low power CPU
• Ethernet port for network access
• Base unit has one 3.5mm mini-jack audio input port that supports Scanning/decoding EAS on two radio channels
• Hard drive or flash drive options
• 3.5mm mini-jack stereo audio output port
• 3.5mm mini-jack microphone input
• 1 RS-232 Serial port, supports a variety of serial control protocols, including industry standards like TFT Standard and Sage Generic.
• 1 parallel port will support a variety of printers
• 2 USB ports - will support a 2nd ethernet port, extra serial ports, printers, modems, wireless ethernet, flash drives, etc.
• VGA out for console or desktop GUI interface
• One NTSC video output
• Standard PS/2 keyboard/mouse ports
• Supports two PCI expansion cards, use with audio card for scanning two more Audio inputs (total of up to six EAS audio sources)
• Internal speaker for monitoring
• Can be safely powered off/on without disk damage
• Optional 3 internal radio receivers, GPI input/output and balanced audio output module.
• Optional MEPG2 and MPEG4 video/audio encoding card
DASDEC general software features/specs
• Linux 2.4.24 operating system
• Built in multi-user, password protected Web interface for control/status/monitoring of all activity.
• Web interface supports 128-bit encrypted Secure Socket Layer (SSL).
• KDE desktop available via directly connected keyboard/mouse/VGA monitor
• Email for decoded/forwarded/originated/errored alerts & system status
• Supports 2nd network interface via USB
• Supports a variety of printers via USB/Parallel
• Operational status indication via LED and LCD
• Web interface for easy software update
• Programmable GPI input to trigger actions and GPI output relays during alerts.
• English and English+Spanish EAS text translations. Editable EAS translations.
• Configurable audio output port selection for alert origination and forwarding.
• Audio level input/output controls via Web Interface.
• Audio file upload.
• Configuration file download/upload.
DASDEC Decoder/Forwarding features
• Decodes FCC EAS codes and NOAA SAME codes from radio transmissions or other analog audio input.
• Automatic audio level correction for reliable operation. Advanced error detection, correction, and logging for noisy EAS transmissions and troubleshooting quality of service problems.
• Supports fully unattended operation.
• Supports manual and user configurable filtered automatic alert auto-forwarding. Easy to use web interface for configuration of auto-forwarding locations and codes.
• Web interface makes it easy to review and print logs of active and expired decoded/forwarded alerts.
• Automatic alert storage management.
• Manages and displays multiple unique simultaneous active decoded alerts.
• Decoding status displayed on unit LCD and LED & Web interface.
• Stores each audio section of EAS alerts into digital files.
• Supports TFT-911 serial protocol for alert audio playback and alert translation data transfer from devices requiring TFT. Supports a variety of other serial protocols for operating CGs.
• Will support scanning up to six decoder input channels (depends on hardware expansion)
• Optional support for a variety of network forwarding protocols: EAS NET (with DVS-168), DVS-644(SCTE-18), and streaming MPEG2 and MPEG4 output digital interfaces.
DASDEC Encoder/Origination features
• Easy to use Web interface for creating and sending FCC EAS alerts.
• Web interface makes it easy to configure commonly used locations and alert types.
• Web interface makes it easy to review and print logs of active and expired originated alerts.
• All audio sections of encoded alerts are stored into separate digital audio files.
• Automatic originated alert storage management.
• Supports multiple unique simultaneous active originated alerts.
• Automatic randomized Weekly test generation within user configurable calendar time spans.
• User programmable length of 8 to 30 seconds for FCC EAS 853 Hz and 960 Hz Two-tone Attention Signal.
• Web interface upload feature for digital audio files makes it easy to encode the audio portion of EAS alerts.
• Supports direct recording of EAS alert audio into digital files.
• GPI input controlled alert audio dubbing.
• Optional support for a variety of network origination protocols: EAS NET (with DVS-168), DVS-644(SCTE-18), and streaming MPEG2 and MPEG4 output digital interfaces.
Generally, all DASDEC features are explained in this manual. The manual is organized into chapters to guide you from basic setup for a first time user through advanced configurations.
For first time users, this manual offers an overview of features and step-by-step instructions for common functions. Example screen shots are included for quick reference. More experienced users will find detailed discussion of customizing features and integrating DASDEC with other software applications.
DASDEC features are licensed. Users with limited licensing permissions will access a limited number of DASDEC features. Users with all licensing permissions will use the entire scope of features. This manual explains the scope of features, regardless of licensing permissions.
New features continue to be added to the DASDEC platform. This manual will be updated either in its entirety, or by addendum, as new features become available.
1.3.1 Organization of Manual for Setting Up DASDEC
The Table of Contents presents the SETUP chapters ordered in an efficient way to do step-by-step DASDEC configuration. For best results, we strongly suggest first time users follow the setup instructions in the order or close to the order presented. For your convenience, a DASDEC Task Checklist also presents the tasks in the recommended order. See Chapter 11. The Index at the end of the manual has a comprehensive list of keywords with page references.
Once you complete basic set-up and the DASDEC is operating successfully, users may wish to explore advanced features.
1.3.2 Conventions Used in this Manual (Symbols, Links, Screen shots)
To assist you in using this manual, we explain the following conventions.
The symbol -> (or >) indicates selecting a major tabbed page in the standard page header, followed by selecting a radio button. For example, Setup > Server means to first select the Setup tabbed page, then click the Server radio button.
Screen names, or page titles, are in bold text.
DASDEC screens are also referred to as web pages or pages.
Many screens have user input checkmark boxes, referred to as a checkbox or toggle.
The names of Web links are in bold type and underlined: for example, Back. Interactive features such as buttons are also in bold type and underlined: for example, Accept Changes.
Features on the interactive web page are typically presented from top to bottom within each section of the page. Many DASDEC screens are divided into sections by one or more horizontal lines. The lines are intended to assist the user by grouping related functions similarly to the way a manual is divided into sections. A feature on the interactive page are typically presented in bold type, followed by a discussion of its use and instructions.
The screen shots are images that show the visible items on the monitor when certain DASDEC selections are made or activity is ongoing. They are presented to demonstrate a feature or a particular setup. Screen shots are generally examples which result when instructions are followed. Each screen shot, even if it captures only part of a DASDEC screen, is labeled underneath with the name of the DASDEC screen, or web page.
A NOTE provides additional information that might help you avoid problems, or offers general information related to the feature being discussed.
The following chapters of this manual present descriptions and sample screen shots for each DASDEC screen.
According to the FCC, "The EAS is designed to provide the President with a means to address the American people in the event of a national emergency. Through the EAS, the President would have access to thousands of broadcast stations, cable systems and participating satellite programmers to transmit a message to the public. The EAS and its predecessors, CONELRAD and the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS), have never been activated for this purpose. But beginning in 1963, the President permitted state and local level emergency information to be transmitted using the EBS."
However, the EAS system is used for much more than to support a method of communication that has never been (and hopefully never will be) used. The EAS system provides state and local officials with a method to quickly send out important local emergency information targeted to a specific area. This includes weather alerts as well as local emergency alerts such as child abductions and disasters. The EAS system also runs test alerts on a weekly and monthly basis in order to insure operability.
The EAS system digitally encodes data into audible audio to order to distribute messages. This information can be sent out through a broadcast station and cable system. The EAS digital signal uses the same encoding employed by the National Weather Service (NWS) for weather alerts broadcast over NOAA Weather Radio (NWR). Broadcasters and cable operators can decode NWR alerts and then retransmit NWS weather warning messages almost immediately to their audiences. With the proper equipment and setup, EAS alerts can be handled automatically, making EAS information useful for unattended stations. Other specially equipped consumer products, built into some televisions, radios, pagers and other devices, can decode user selectable EAS messages.
The DASDEC is designed to facilitate the management side of encoding and decoding EAS alerts within cable and broadcast facilities. It is especially easy to use since it is IP addressable and accessible over a LAN.
The FCC designed the EAS system, working in cooperation with the broadcast, cable, emergency management, alerting equipment industry, the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).
The FCC provides information to broadcasters, cable system operators, and other participants in the EAS regarding the requirements of this emergency system. Additionally, the FCC ensures that EAS state and local plans developed by industry conform to the FCC EAS rules and regulations and enhance the national level EAS structure.
NWS provides emergency weather information used to alert the public of dangerous conditions. Over seventy percent of all EAS and EBS activations were a result of natural disasters and were weather related. Linking NOAA Weather Radio digital signaling with the EAS digital signaling will help NWS save lives by reaching more people with timely, site-specific weather warnings.
FEMA provides direction for state and local emergency planning officials to plan and implement their roles in the EAS.
2.4 Your Responsibility as a Broadcaster
Your DASDEC encoder/decoder allows your facility to decode EAS alerts originated from alert sources in your area. These sources can be radio, TV, and cable TV stations. These stations can be forwarding alerts received from a web of broadcasters, or originating alerts if designated as a primary source. To meet minimum requirements of the FCC, you must send randomized weekly tests, forward monthly tests, and forward National alerts. Your state and local EAS plan may also impose other requirements.
A good source of information is the EAS website at http://www.fcc.gov/eb/eas/ . The FCC provides handbooks in Adobe PDF format for AM and FM radio, for TV and for Cable TV.
The current EAS system has been in place since 1996. While little has changed in the core EAS system since the system was implemented, an explosion of digital technology has occurred, especially in communications and with the enormous evolution of the Internet. New methods of emergency management and alerting are being built to take advantage of the digital mediums. But the EAS system will be in place for at least several more years. The new digital technologies do not replace the EAS system; they augment the system. The EAS system provides an important level of redundant backup, using reliable radio broadcast, with communication coverage for more of the United States than any other medium.
The EAS system is also evolving, with significant improvements possible, that are just starting to be addressed. Bridges between EAS systems and the new digital alerting and emergency management systems will be possible with new digital LAN based EAS encoder/decoder technology. The DASDEC provides a powerful and yet economical LAN based digital platform for this bridge to the future of EAS.
The DASDEC is a 2U rack mounted unit built with the latest digital PC computer technology. It is an embedded PC platform. The front of the DASDEC, pictured below, provides a very simple face for a very sophisticated platform. The DASDEC exposes the PC motherboard connectors and single PCI slot in the rear of the unit.
The front panel features a 2x20 character backlit LCD that indicates power-on, and realtime device status. There are also two LEDs - one red, one green - for indicating specific types of status. A small grill provides space for audio from the internal speaker. One push-button allows for initiating a simple weekly test.
The backlit green LCD provides realtime status of the DASDEC. The LCD is used for numerous purposes, all indicating system and/or encoding/ decoding and active alert status. Here is a list of information available from the LCD.
• When the DASDEC is powered on, the LCD lights up, indicating power-on state.
• While the DASDEC is booting, the LCD moves through a few display states, eventually arriving at the ready state where the first line will display DASDEC:ON followed by a crawling display showing the programmed unit name, the software version number and the IP address.
• During decoding of an incoming alert, the LCD displays information about the source and the stage of the decoding.
• While decoded, forwarded or originated alerts are active on the DASDEC, the top line repeats displaying pertinent identification for each active alert.
• During a software upgrade, the LCD displays ‘Upgrading’.
The DASDEC's two LEDS are used for a variety of status indications, making it easy to see the state of certain important system information.
System Status - Green LED
• When the DASDEC is first powered on, the green LED is dark.
• When the booting process advances far enough, the green LED begins to blink.
• When the DASDEC nears a ready state, the green LED blinks more rapidly. When the DASDEC is ready, the green LED light is on solid. A solid green LED indicates the DASDEC is operational.
• If the green LED starts blinking, the DASDEC server has become non-operational. This can happen during software upgrades.
Alert status - Red LED
• When the DASDEC is powered on, the red LEDs are dark.
• After the DASDEC becomes operational, in a ready state, with the green LED solid, the red LED indicates decoding, alert sending status, and unacknowledged, unforwarded active decoded alerts.