Alphawave CAM Release Notes

1.90 - 2010-02-09

  • General
    • Added activity indicator function using on-board LEDs on TS-7200 hardware.
    • Added support for CP210x USB driver to CAM200 kernel 2.4
    • Improved serial port support for improved resilience with absent hardware.
    • Support for PMD 1024LS now handled in separate pmdhid daemon.
    • Xicom/XicomHPA device simulator.
    • Support for MAC OSX (native not cross compile).
  • New drivers
    • Tandberg/EN8040 - Video encoder.
    • Tandberg/RX1290 - Video receiver.
  • Updated drivers
    • Added logging and enable messages to Alphawave/Switcher device.
    • Added in /d flag to SNMP OID specifier to help provide sparse arrays.
  • ADIO
    • Support for TS-DIO64 and TS-DIO24 add-on cards.
    • Support for serial port communication on /dev/ttyAM1.
    • Support for command aliases.
  • Daemon
    • Added command line option -t to auto-quit after the given number of seconds.
    • fix: Correct handling of system return codes in CAM serial port setup.
    • fix: Corrected handling of user_cant_see in server.
    • fix: Increased CSV file logging stability that caused occasional coredumps.
    • fix: Preventing SEGV coredump when using telnet access to server port.
  • GFX
    • Added command line option -S so that the server login box will always be displayed on the login screen.
    • Added command line option -@ to take an options file.
    • Added local overrides in CAM-Site directory to resource file search paths.
    • Added Retry button on the server timeout box.
    • Added Quit button to login screen.
    • Removed Reset Login button from login screen.

1.89 - 2009-07-30

  • General * Correct paths for windows shortcuts. * Front-end to modem QoS plotter. * Updates for gcc 4.3.1 * Fixes to TCP 'serial' ports to improve connectivity. * Install CAM into $USER rather than ProgramFiles (for Vista). * Improved cam_sendmail (in py) for sending mail on alarms. * Fixed windows GFX (re)connection to daemon. * ADIO stand-alone application for TS7200 control lines. * Support the IO lines on a TS7200 (ARM) board. * Serial ports (specifically TCP ones) can have a 'soft' target baud rate. * fix: better handling of queued (serial) commands. * Added local_devices_only for use on low memory boxes to not store network. * Every device alarm has a soft 'note' which can be set by the user. * Putting a serial device into service mode stops sending data. * Corrected sorting of columns in GFX. * 'summary_alarm' view showing a single line per alarm.
  • New drivers * Satori/PowerSensor - USB RF power sensor. * Alphawave/Link - Shows devices as end-to-end 'Links'. * Advent/ACU4000 - Antenna controller. * Advent/SF4000 - Satellite finder. * Perle/IOLAN - Digital IO on ethernet. * Vocality/V100 - Data/voice multiplexer (displays stats only). * Advantech/SSPB - Amplifier. * CPI/Amplifier - Unified driver structure. * Gigasat/GigaTB - Tellback alarm device. * Dalman/RAU - Remote alarm panel. * Novella/BRXL - Beacon receiver. * Newtec/AZ710 - Upconverter. * Timetech/Satre - Rangefinding modem. * Gigasat/UCD - Up/down converter. * Vertex/SSPA - Amplifier. * Symmetricom/TP1100 - Time provider (alarms only). * Alphawave/IO [ADIO] - TCP access to a (remote) TS7200's IO lines. * Alphawave/Switcher - Switch multiple (CAM) switches together.
  • Updated drivers * Comtech/CDM-600 - Corrected tx/rx frequency read/write. * Symmetricom/9611 - Fixes after live test. * Gigasat/STC - Support beacon_type (added in V5.55). * ResearchConcepts/RC-AC - Updates to support az/el.
  • Paradise/Evolution driver * Front panel LED fixes. * Correct handling of BERmax. * AUPC parameters. * upgrade-firmware.py script to upgrade firmware without web interface. * IF/LBand frequency display, but hide if not available. * Updates as new firmware introduces new features. * Spectral plot. * Attempt to force 'remote' mode automatically on reconnection. * Better alarm handling. * Support revised, unified, BERT/PRBS tester. * Send a 'commit' after every 'set' command to ensure 'rx' values up to date.

1.88 - 2008-06-03 - "Bolton"

  • General
    • CAM Demo with real data now available.
    • CAM device drivers can writable entirely in python for speed of development.
    • CAM now requires a working python 2.4 install.
    • A .deb/.rpm/python setup for python CAM interface modules on request.
    • Changes to licence files.
  • GFX
    • Device lock on all panels to soft lock for a given user or site.
    • Mimic - can install python scripts into the GFX for customer specific displays and mimics.
  • New drivers
    • ASC/ASC300 - Beacon receiver.
    • Agilent/Analyzer - E440x spectrum analyzer.
    • Alphawave/Link - Device to monitor groups of devices as a whole.
    • Alphawave/Script - For customer specific drivers.
    • CPI/CMPA2 - Newer amplifier hardware.
    • DoubleD/DDA235 - Waveguide switch controller.
    • ETL/RFSwitch - Redundancy Controller.
    • Gigasat/RFS2 - Updated Redundancy Controller.
    • Gigasat/STC - Antenna controller.
    • Paradise/Evolution (P3000/PD25) - Satellite modem.
    • Radyne/RCS20-4 - Updated redundancy control system.
    • ResearchConcepts/RC2500 - Antenna controller.
    • Symmetricom/9611 - Clock distribution unit.
    • Tandberg/TT1220 - MPEG-2 Decoder.
  • Updated drivers
    • Paradise/CSSPA - Updates and fixes.
    • ETL/RFMatrix - Updated and reworked.
    • Gigasat/MuxIO - Rework.
    • Xicom/XicomHPA - Support cut down model.

And many other small fixes and improvements.

1.87 - 2005-08-01 - "Bafly"

  • New web-based supervisor / plugin system.
    • Plugin: Scheduler.
    • Plugin: Redundancy Controller.
    • Plugin: Sync Device time.
  • Updated drivers
    • Fix to SNMP-controlled devices enabled HEX strings to be manipulated (enables BISS keys to be set in TT1260).
    • ETL/RFMatrix - uses new menu_max variable to split the 64 menu options into columns.
    • ETL/RFMatrix - added CLI-like interface for bulk setting of routes.
    • Xicom/XicomHPA - Tidy main panel. local/remote indicator fixes.
    • Andrews/StepTrack - Allowed smartrack table to be selected + other fixes.
    • Alphawave/E2V/Stellar - Tidy main panel.
    • IO - Fix for PMD driver 'bus'.
  • Manual updated

1.86b - 2005-06-21 - "Solstice"

  • GFX
    • fix: bookmark generation panel.

1.86 - 2005-06-16 - "Ticktock" (not released)

  • Daemon
    • New device_time variable in all devices to facilitate time sync.
  • GFX
    • Bookmarks extended to set all devices to the same value.
    • Bookmarks can be generated from middle-click over a variable or panel.
    • fix: unit height in rack mode.
  • New drivers
    • Xicom/XTC - Amplifier redundancy controller.
    • E2V/Stellar - SSPA.
    • Measurement Computing PMD 1024 IO device.
  • Variable/log query system extended to enable QoS plots from log dumps.

1.85 - 2005-03-04 - "Blogger"

  • Updated drivers
    • fix: PModem log reading over unreliable links.
    • fix: Anritsu failure to fetch trace.
    • fix: Gigasat/RFS tested with final firmware.
  • Updated Web page online at http://www.alphawave.net
    • Documentation.
    • Supported Devices.
    • Downloads.
  • Daemon
    • fix: excessive memory usage when under exceptional strain.
  • GFX
    • fix: allow gfx to run from a read-only environment.

1.84 - 2005-02-07 - "Eudrevo"

  • New drivers
    • Anritsu/MS2600 - Spectrum analyser.
    • Comtech EFData/CDM-600 - Modem.
    • Comtech EFData/SDM-300 - Modem.
    • ETL/RFMatrix - NxN Matrix Switch.
    • Gigasat/FVE - MPEG2 Encoder.
    • Gigasat/Mux - IO.
    • Gigasat/RFS - Redundancy Controller.
    • Hughes/UMOD-9100 - Modem.
    • Isis/Innovation16x1 - Video router.
    • Miteq/MT3200 - Amplifier.
    • Miteq/RSU - Converter redundancy controller.
    • Miteq - Up/Down converters (now unified).
    • Paradise/ODU-BUC - Outdoor block upconverter.
    • Paradise/SSPA - Indoor.
    • Radyne/DMD20 - Satellite modem.
    • Research Concepts/RC-1000/1500/2000 - Antenna Controller.
    • Research Concepts/RC3000 - Antenna Controller.
    • Tandberg/E5740 - MPEG encoder.
    • Tandberg/TT1260 - DVB receiver.
    • Telindus/Mux - telnet interface driver script.
    • Alphawave/IO - Digital IO ('comedi' card) based device.
    • Alphawave/Script - Facilitates easy to write device drivers.
  • Updated drivers
    • new: Paradise/PModems with > v4.05 provide read LCD and key press messages.
    • mod: Paradise/PModem panel reorganization into 'Unit' and 'Modem' submenus.
    • fix: Paradise/PModem logging.
    • fix: Paradise/PModem L-band modem detection.
  • Daemon
    • Devices have Manufacturer, Model and Category variables.
    • Variable logging
      • Changes to variables and commands logged to a CSV file.
      • Automatic min/max/average stat calculations for variables.
      • CGI for viewing logs in browser as HTML, PDF or CSV.
      • Specialised QoS graphing for Paradise PModem.
      • Specialised Graphing for APC Smart-UPS.
    • Python interface to CAM
    • Fix
      • Crash on quit.
      • Prevent saved variable files being written out with null values.
    • Preload system
      • Variables can be loaded all in one go.
      • Used by scripts to restore the state of a device from a file.
      • Can be used via the GFX for instant updates.
  • Alarm system
    • Templates and triggers.
    • cam_sendmail: script to send mail, can be used as an alarm trigger.
    • cam_sms: script to send SMSs, can be used as an alarm trigger.
  • GFX
    • Graph objects: line graphs and labelling and grids.
    • Site-specific panels.
  • SNMP
    • SNMP proxy functionality added.
    • Complete coverage of all CAM devices.
    • MIB files generated for all devices.
    • Use net-snmp library.
  • CAM200 released
    • Port of CAM for an embedded ARM system.
    • Can be used for adding SNMP to existing devices.
    • Small, low power (5V only), no moving parts.
    • 2 serial ports.
    • Easy to use configurator (telnet, ssh or serial).
    • Supplied as bare board for integration or boxed.
  • CAM600 released
    • Port of CAM for an embedded 'VIA' miniITX motherboard.
    • 1U rackmount chassis with 2 line LCD and keypad.
    • No moving parts, removable, CF-based, storage.
    • Redundant 12V DC power.
    • 8 serial ports.
    • 1 PCI slot for expansion or synchronous serial.
  • Installer
    • Now adds "open GFX in a window" shortcut.
  • Update Manual

1.83 - Not formally released

1.82 - 2004-03-18 - "Wilson"

  • New Devices
    • New device: Gigasat DCU and updates to UCU.
  • Updated Devices
    • Paradise/CSSPA to Rev K.
    • Xicom/XicomHPA driver.
    • Alphawave/Site Re-instated 'notify' system as part of the device.
  • Daemon
    • MAC address based licences.
  • Alarm system
    • Mute changed to Ack and Acknowledged alarms don't flash.
    • Commands to Ack all faults etc.
    • User definable alarms.
    • Commands to copy alarms, locally or globally to this type or all types.
    • User definable bulletin alarm (for Post-It notes about equipment faults).
    • Extra levels of alarm: Info / Notice / Warning (as before) / Fault (as before) / Critical.
  • GFX
    • New rack and chain buttons.
    • Bookmarks system.
    • Can now work with single button mouse.
    • Old sites not removed automatically.
    • Devices can be hidden temporarily or permanently. Hidden devices are visible in the hidden tab.
    • Many new icons and graphics.
    • Bottom 'CAM Bar' removed - all functionality contained within title bar.
    • Select devices panel menu from the 'device' icon in top left hand corner.
    • Old style 'buttons-to-open-panels' removed. All devices now 'tab' based.
    • Can open any sub-panel (and contained panels) from the tree, or by right-clicking tab.
  • Major re-organisation of the internals
    • Convert CAM Variables files and some GFX files into validated XML.
    • Compile the whole CAM with C++.
    • Factor out major parts of Daemon and GFX into common library.
    • Internal regression tests for:-
      • CAM Variable numbering.
      • Library core features.
  • Update Manual

1.81 - 2003-09-16

  • New device: Gigasat/UCU.
  • New device: PModem BUC/FSK support (untested with real hardware).
  • Initial work on XMLizing all datafiles.
  • Fixed latched 'changed' alarms (e.g. stream flipping).
  • Fixed dialler name/number entry.
  • More old devices brought into the new style.
  • Fixes to SDM6000 panels.

1.80 - 2003-05-29

  • Major testing of P300/P310/P300i/P400 and P500 and P230 drivers with Paradise.
  • Fixed broken RS232 control in paradise drivers.
  • L-Band support fully working.
  • GCC 3.2
  • Revamped panels for some old devices: Pico, RS232ctrl, 1:1 switch, Varian, Miteq, Filer, SFT, Chooser.
  • Sacrificial ACKs for Codan (for linked Async devices).
  • Sacrificial ACKs for Anacom (for linked Async devices).
  • New logo!
  • Many GFX tweaks.
  • Padlock locks all panels to Read Only after 30s (can be disabled).
  • freetype2 support.

1.79 - Internal test

  • Not released externally.

1.78 - 2003-03-13

  • Alarm system
  • GFX
    • Alarm LEDs for every device plus Alarm GUI (click on the LEDs) flashing lights and noises.
    • Frontpanel mode changed to the neater horizontal view.
    • Bottom panel of explorer is gone and all windows are now floating.
    • Rack / Chain / Table modes.
    • Alarm / Devices / Network views.
    • Sorting in all views (by name, value, etc).
    • Major speedups.
  • Daemon
    • Alarm system implemented - unlike all the other data in the CAM this is private to the server you connect to so each server can have a different alarm system configuration. The daemon calculates the alarm status.
    • Speed improvements for server interface.
  • Updated drivers
    • Alarms added to Paradise PModem, Codan 5000 and Test device. Alarms are easy to add for the rest of the devices.
    • Codan 5000 driver made over.

1.77 - 2003-01-16

  • Major new interface for GFX and speed improvements.
  • Fix GFX crash on Windows XP.
  • Serial port and modem improvements and new Dialler.
  • PModem control will now work over dodgy ESC channels.

1.76 - 2002-10-28 - Paradise Demo

  • See previous ChangeLog file.
2010-02-17