iPump 6420 User’s Manual
new versions of application software, and the maintenance of the basic non-volatile unit parametric settings.
The Hard-drive (HDD) storage is provided to store all the media and objects needed for the full Store/Forward mission. From the satellite, media file content, transmitted in the MPE/IP encapsulation, is extracted and the file then stored to the HDD. The database which captures the location, playability, and lengths, of all audio files is also resident on that HDD. Later, on command, those same audio files must be read from the HDD and passed to audio decoders for mixing into the output audio track. When playlists of audio files are built, the results are stored to the HDD. As new events are added, and old ones executed or deleted, the internal scheduler database on the HDD is read and written. As new OAR recordings are captured, the new compressed mp3 files are stored to the HDD. As the unit performs its basic functions, depending on its Log Level, various status data is logged to the HDD.
To provide the ability to seamlessly splice or overlap audio sources, the iPump6420 supports up to three instances of software-based audio decompression per audio Output. These software decoder stages may actually decompress live classical MPEG audio, or they may operate on wave (16b PCM), mp2, or (optionally) mp3 audio files. Their outputs feed an audio re-sampling stage, which translates their sample rates to the final user-set sample rate for that audio Output. Then the audios are muted or attenuated, as required, and fed to an audio mixer. The mixer output then feeds the final digital and analog audio outputs. Note that the entire structure shown is duplicated for both the two main audio outputs, as well as the “Aux” audio #3, though only one example is shown in the Figure.
As companions to each of the two main audio outputs, a bank of 16 cue relays and an RBDS serial output is associated with each. These are logically grouped together as a “Port”, for purposes of control and advanced operations. The cue relays are used to provide the synchronizing signals to local station equipment. The RBDS serial output, along with the main audio output, may feed the local radio station exciter. This provides the local station listeners with the added experience of station, song, and artist identification.
In addition to the main audio, cue relays, and RBDS, each “Port” may also be provided an associated (optional) AM/FM tuner. This tuner is connected to an external radio antenna and is used to pick up the local radio station driven by that Port of the iPump 6420. Under network COMPEL control, the audio feed from the local station is captured, compressed to mp3 file format, and then recorded to the HDD storage. This “Off Air Recording” (OAR) feature is expected to be executed during spot file insertions, so that the uplink control may request return of the recorded file (method to be discussed) for commercial audits.
Moving on in Figure TBD, the iPump 6420 features two 100 base-T Ethernet adaptors, the “LAN” and “WAN” ports. The LAN port is used to transmit various Return Path reports (or OAR files) back to the uplink control system via HTTP. It also supports its own web interface, for local user control. It also provides various other network services, such as SMB or FTP access to the folder containing all audio files. It also provides access to a telnet server, which allows either Terminal control, or diagnostic access to Linux. For advanced users, an SSH server is also provided for diagnostic access. Of all these services, only the Return Path capability is also provided in the WAN port. This is a more secure port, as it only allows the outbound HTTP connection and blocks all inbound services, even Ping.
Where internet connections are not available from the LAN or WAN ports, an optional modem may be installed to allow dial-up connections back to the uplink control systems. This
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