7500EXL

Summary of software updates. There have been no firmware updates associated with these releases.

Updates performed on the 7500EXL from software version 19.30.50 (GA on 04 November 2009) to version 19.30.52 (GA on 03 March 2010)

1. Added new feature for RS De Scrambler IESS Format.  This is a Synchronous PRN format specific to IESS (Intelsat).

2. Cleaned up File Save feature to remove unused commands from the file structure when no screen data is present in the command's respective field.

3. Modified the screen to hardware communications application, to increase reliability. This reduces the past issue of requiring the user to reselect an item to fully enable the feature.

4. Fixed the code that was incorrectly setting the Decoder Processor build number to version 27, no matter which build was actually installed.

5. Updated all GUI screens to reflect the 7500EXL name change (instead of 7500EX).  Also, updated all company information, to the current Signami, LLC references.

Summary of Software and Firmware updates

Updates performed on the 7500EXL since software version 19.30.32 release (GA on 30 June 2009) with S80 firmware version 200.4 and decoder processor firmware version 27.0B until software version 19.30.50 (GA on 04 November 2009) with S80 firmware version 200.43 and decoder processor firmware version 27.0B.

1.    Unusable buttons have been disabled during ABR insert on the Analysis Screen.

2.    Added additional Ambiguity States for 32QAM and 64QAM.

3.    Improved Slicer MAP algorithm for 8PSK.

4.    Improved all FSK and specifically improved performance of 8FSK maps and algorithm.

5.    *Added AGC stage within S80 and software support in Diagnostic Screen.  This fixes issues with levels that are too low coming from the simulator as well as external levels (e.g.,  Baseband input) and provides a stable reference level for the equalizer to work with all modulations types, specifically higher order QAMs.

6.    *Added Auto clock phase timing recovery selection (this solves the problem of equalizer working with clock phase less then optimum for best operation).

7.    Cleaned up SAM Diagnostic Functionality and File Recall.

8.    Added level monitoring to software and firmware. This added the ability to monitor for incorrect levels and initiates corrective actions.

9.    Resolved issue with the Q channel error reporting, levels indicated the Q channel had elevated levels above the I Channel.

10.    *Added second lock Phase Bias control, this optimized BER performance and allowed the system to obtain the best possible performance.

11.    *Added enhanced reset controls and PSK lock status indicator for the tracking and acquisition of the signal. This provides less false lock conditions and is configurable for every modulation.

12.    *Added Full Viterbi and Reed Solomon controls for the IESS formats. This permits programmable N and K with any selected Viterbi or Trellis supported by IESS formats, also under this control are tuning parameters to optimize the lock and hold of the Viterbi or Trellis Algorithms under adverse conditions.

13.    *Reconfigured the S80 Diagnostic Screen into a new user screen called "Tune Control" providing the user the ability to fine tune controls for more difficult signals. This has been successfully used in the field to achieve lock on signals that the standard modem with the same signal inputs, could not lock too. "Tune Control" provides the ability to save and recall parameters within the system configuration. Added is the capability to restore the factory parameters that were optimized with noise injected signals. In addition to configuring the internal (S80) digital filter parameters controls were added to support the analog signals feeding the digital filtering circuit. Analog level control and Low Pass Filter frequency controls were also added.

14.    Changed user and factory passwords.

15.    Added FSK Gain to File save and recall function for user configuration recalls of SOI's.

16.    Added two input Monitors for SAM screen if using S80 Version > 200.42 this allows user to identify possible imbalance between I and Q inputs. This is to identify the need for repair or adjustment.

17.    Added Configuration Id to the top Display bar during configuration, this will allow the user to identify the loading configuration file and to identify the completion of the load.

18.    Fixed File Search based on Bit Rate. During the opening of files with FEC formats the system would crash.

19.   Added a filter for the input source select screen. The IF source may now remain unchanged by the new configuration files being loaded.  Recalling the configuration files now allows the operator to keep the current selected IF input source.

20.    Increased speed and reliability of Auto Library Search mode, added countdown to Auto Library Search to permit the user to visually see activity. This provides the user an indication of how long before the next file is loaded.

21.    Using Bit Sync lock during countdown of Auto Library Search to determine if file loaded could possibly work, if not synchronized after about 30 - 60 sec load next file.

22.    Special Format File size limit was too small to fully support the hardware limit "maxfilesize = 524288L" was increased to support file size of 560,904 bytes.

23.    Cleaned up screen buttons in Raster Scan window, deactivated buttons that should not be used while processing data either for FLA or PRN Analysis.

24.    Added Stop to FLA in the Raster screen. If accidentally selecting FLA, and having no way to stop it other than terminating the program, this caused the user to wait an unacceptable amount of time to resolve the condition.

25.    Added a Process QPSK Ambiguity box to PRN Magic options, to enable automatic Ambiguity step processing.  Disabling this prevents going through the QPSK Ambiguity steps automatically for non QPSK modulations, thereby increasing the speed of processing of the Analysis.

26.    Fixed the occasional Startup DSP Error during power on initialization.

* Denotes significant improvements to the System.

A flashing yellow indicates a too high signal from the receiver and a flashing red indicates an overload condition.

In each case, the gain of the receiver should be reduced.

Below is a table that shows the Modulation type and the symbol rate in Kilohertz for E1, E2 and E3 signals.

Once you have a signal of Interest that you wish to capture from the 7500EX here are the instructions to save for Matlab use.

1.    Click on Raster Button.

2.    Click on the New Capture Button. Once the capture is acquired, the new capture is ready to be saved in the Source Select drop-down window under “FILE”.  Insert “FILE”.

3.    Click on “Save Button” to the right of drop-down window. The “Save As” window will appear prompting you to save in the Snapshot Folder.

4.    In the “Save as type” drop-down window at the bottom of the screen Select file type MatLab Files (*.dat) and save to whatever filename you wish.

5.    The file will be saved in the Snapshot Folder which can be found in the following directory: My Computer/Application(C:)/DCS7500EX/Snapshot

6.    When you retrieve the file the prompt will display unable to read file type.

7.    You will have the option to select the file format you wish to use, select Notepad.

8.    The file displays 000  0 000 000  000  000   00  0    000  ...where you will see rows of nothing but zeros separated by white space that represent the ones from the 7500EX signal

9.    This Notepad file can now be imported into MatLab.

Check to make sure that the software application version that you are running is compatible with the firmware currently loaded in your 7500 EXL system.

If if is not compatible, please reload the correct application program that will run with your current firmware.