DASDEC
Digital/Analog Emergency Alert System Encoder/Decoder
Users Manual
Model DASDEC-1EN
Version 1.8-0
Rev 2 - Feb 10,2008
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, 2007, 2008
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 are Trademarks of Monroe Electronics
VDS-840 is a Trademark of Keywest Technology.
SAGE & ENDEC are registered Trademarks of Sage Alerting Systems, Inc.
SqueezeMax is a Trademark of Utah Scientific Inc.
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: February 2008
INTRODUCTION TO THE DASDEC and the USER MANUAL
The DASDEC is an Emergency Alert System (EAS) Analog and Digital Encoder/Decoder platform. It is easy to use and relatively easy to learn. Generally, DASDEC Web interface screens (web pages) are self-explanatory. Some users may be able to experiment with features with satisfactory results. However, DASDEC offers a large number of features and automated functions, plus a variety of shortcuts. Referring to this manual frequently will increase understanding and decrease learning time for successful, customized operation.
All DASDEC features are licensed. The full range of licensing permissions enables use all available features. Limited licensing permission allows use of only the limited 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, 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, Notes)
2.4 Your Responsibility as a Broadcaster
3.7 General Purpose Input and Output (GPIO)
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
4.3.3 Standard Links at Bottom of Page
4.3.4 Web Interface and Navigation
4.3.4.1 Back and Refresh Buttons
4.3.5 How to Make Changes and Update
4.3.5.1 Pages with an Accept Changes Button
4.3.5.2 Pages without an Accept Changes Button
5.1 Setup > Server: Setup Server
5.1.1 Main/License: Server Name & License Key Configuration
5.1.2 Configuration Management: Server Configuration Management
5.1.3 Upgrade: Server Software Upgrade
5.2 Setup > Network: Setup Network
5.2.1 Configuration: Server Network Configuration
5.2.1.1 Server Network Hostname
5.2.1.2 Network Gateway Configuration
5.2.1.3 Network Address Configuration
5.2.1.4 Network Status Information
5.2.1.5 Static Route Configuration
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
5.7 Setup Video/CG > Video/Character Generator Configuration
5.8 Setup > Decoder: Setup Decoder Forwarding Options
5.8.1 Forwarding: Decoder Forwarding Configuration
5.8.1.1 Forwarding: Multistation Decoder Forwarding Configuration
5.8.4 Other: Setup Decoder Option Links
5.9.1 General: Main Encoder Configuration
5.9.1.1 General: Multistation Main Encoder Configuration
5.10 Setup > Net Alerts: Setup Network Alert Protocol Options
5.10.2
DVS644 (SCTE18): Configure DVS644(SCTE-18) Client Alert Send to DVS644
(SCTE 18) device
5.10.3 Stream MPEG: MPEG Streaming Clients Alert Send
5.10.4 CODI CG Net: Configure CODI CG Net Clients
5.10.5 Net GPIO: Configure NET GPIO Clients
5.11 Setup > GPIO: Setup General Purpose IO Options
5.12 Setup > Printer: Setup Printer
5.12.2 Generic Postscript Printer Setup using "printconf"
5.13 Setup > Alert Storage: Setup Storage Management Options
6.2.1 Incoming & Incoming/Decoded Alerts : Multistation Mode
6.4Originated/Forwarded Alerts
7.1.1.1 General EAS : Multistation mode
7.1.2.1 One-Button EAS: Multistation mode
7.3 Originated & Forwarded Alerts
8 Testing DASDEC Encoding and Decoding
9.1 Server > Help: Server Help
9.1.1 About DASDEC-1EN: DASDEC-1EN 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
9.4 Server > DebugLogs: Server DebugLogs
10.2 Monroe Electronics Cable Envoy and CEMS 500/1000
10.3 Keywest VDS-830/840/Starmu/Star-8
10.8 Other Character Generators
10.9 Utah Scientific SqueezeMax
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.
The Manual describes all DASDEC features, gives step-by-step instructions, and includes sample screen shots for quick reference. Chapters are organized in the order that tasks should be completed to configure DASDEC and set up the DASDEC platform.
The Manual includes:
- A Table of Contents with a list of DASDEC features and tasks.
- A checklist of tasks for DASDEC Setup in the order they should be completed. (Chapter 11 DASDEC Task Checklist)
- An explanation of how DASDEC screens are organized and how to navigate within DASDEC. (Chapter 4.3 DASDEC Page Organization, Web Interface and Navigation)
- A list of acronyms.
- An Index with keywords and page references.
Licensed Features: DASDEC features are licensed. Users with limited licensing permissions access a limited number of DASDEC features. Users with all licensing permissions can use the entire scope of features. This manual explains all features, regardless of licensing permissions.
New features continue to be added to the DASDEC platform. This manual is updated either in entirety, or by addendum, as new features become available.
1.3.1 Organization of Manual for Setting Up DASDEC
The SETUP chapters are in the order the tasks should be completed. The order guides a first time user through basic setup in the most efficient way to configure DASDEC step-by-step and set up the DASDEC platform. Common functions have step-by-step instructions. Example screen shots are included for quick reference.
For best results, we strongly suggest first time users follow the setup instructions in the order or close to the order presented. Chapter 11 has a DASDEC Task Checklist in the recommended order.
After basic setup instructions, the manual continues with advanced configurations. When you complete basic set-up and the DASDEC is operating successfully, you may wish to explore advanced features. These include detailed discussion of customizing features and integrating DASDEC with other software applications.
1.3.2 Conventions Used in this Manual (Symbols, Links, Screen shots, Notes)
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 is typically presented in bold type, followed by a discussion of its use and instructions.
A screen shot is an image to show the visible items on the monitor when certain DASDEC selections are made or activity is ongoing. The image demonstrates a feature or particular setup. A screen shot is generally the result of following the instructions in the manual for a particular task. Each screen shot is labeled underneath with the name of the DASDEC screen, or web page.
A NOTE offers general information about the feature discussed or a suggestion to avoid problems.
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 th