6 — Troubleshooting
Notes
Rev 3-97
@ Crown
ONLINE Indicator
After running a Roll Call and finding components you need to be able to
maintain communication with the system. Each component has an ONLINE
indicator available in the software. This indicator is a software tool that lets you
know you are in contact with the desired unit. If the ONLINE indicator goes off
you should be able to reestablish contact by running a Roll Call, using
E, loading a dataframe file, or by using On Line Search.
Engage (^E)
If you have either had and lost communication or you have loaded a dataframe
without successfully communicating you may engage the dataframe by using
E. This key combination engages the dataframe and forces all the
settings in the software out through the com port of the computer. The settings
for each component that are in the inventory of the dataframe file will be forced
to the system. If the system is there and all loops and communication pathways
are intact all settings should be engaged and all components should come on
line. Part of the process of engaging the dataframe is to check each component
in the inventory and ensure that they are present and on line.
On Line Search (DOS Software Only)
The On Line Search feature, found on the F10 control panel screen, performs
a function which is similar to Roll Call. When you run a Roll Call the system takes
an inventory, uploads component settings, and fills in control blocks with data.
When you use On Line Search the software compares the inventory against the
actual system. This is done automatically at regular intervals. It serves to
automatically refresh On Line indicators. If a component drops off line for some
reason, such as power loss, the On Line Search feature will automatically
reestablish communication with that component when power is restored. It will
also restore communication to a whole loop of components if the loop becomes
broken and is later restored. While the software contains more components in
its inventory than are actually on line this feature will cause the software to
temporarily pause while the on line search is in progress.
On Line Search is the feature you want to use to build a dataframe file manually.
When a component is added to a dataframe manually the on line search feature
not only finds the component and brings it on line, but it also uploads the
settings from the component into the software and makes any changes
necessary to settings in the dataframe. On Line Search will upload settings
even if you are only reestablishing communication. On Line Search is a feature
that may be turned on and left on at all times in many systems, but it is important
to understand the effects of this feature so that the software does not surprise
you. Note that On Line Search does not actually locate or identify breaks; it
continuously verifies the dataframe inventory.
Break Detect
Break Detect is a feature that can be switched on at the F10 control panel screen
of DOS software; it is always on in IQ For Windows. It allows the software to
automatically listen for signals from components that identify breaks. Before
you can understand what this feature really does it is important to understand
what happens in the system when a break occurs in the Crown Bus loop.
All IQ components sense Crown Bus data input continuity. A logic low is actually
a high current condition and a logic high is a low current condition. When a
component goes for a period of time without seeing a high current (more than
12 milliamperes) input the unit recognizes the condition as a break in commu-
