PSM-500/500L/500LT SCPC Satellite Modem
Operation
PSM-500/500L/500LT - Rev. 0.91
Page 3-5
3.1.3 Guide to Front Panel Monitor and Control
The front panel can be used to perform complete monitor and control of the modem setup and
operating parameters. The operation of the front panel should be intuitive after very little use to
familiarize the user with basic concepts and operations. Parameter entry operations have two
methods of accomplishing the same goal and the method used is up to the user although in most
cases one method will have potential advantages.
3.1.3.1 Navigating Modem Parameters
Consider that there are over 180 programmable or monitored parameters on the PSM-500 and
that the LCD display can only show one parameter at a time. To simplify locating any desired
parameter, they are organized into a 3 dimensional table or matrix form with 4 layers or “sheets”,
each one having 4 to 10 columns and up to 32 rows. This matrix is shown in Tables 3-1 through
3-4. Each matrix sheet represents a major functional area of modem operation (i.e. Unit,
Modulator, Demodulator and Interface) while the columns represent groupings within those
functional areas and the rows represent individual parameters associated with that function. The
columns include such divisions as Status, Alarm and Test areas. The LCD display allows viewing
only one of the many parameters at one time. At any time the LCD display shows the monitored
parameter value on the lower line of the two-line display. The upper left line of the display shows
the column name (such as Status, IF, Data, Alarm and Test) while the upper right shows the
parameter (row) name.
Data Bit Rate
256.000kbps
Unit
Mod
Dem
Int'f
Front Panel Parameter Matrix Navigation
Matrix
Column
Matrix Row
Matrix Sheet
Parameter
The four arrow keys located to the right of the LCD display are used to scroll through the rows
and columns of each parameter matrix layer or sheet. The left and right arrow keys scroll through
the columns and the up and down arrow keys scroll through the available parameters in each
column. Both the columns and rows “wrap around” such that scrolling past the last item in a row
starts with the first item in the same row again, and the same for columns.
In this manual operation of the keypad to access a certain parameter is shown in the format
<Function: Column – Row>
. For example, to get to the Modulator IF Level the method is to
press the “Mod” key then use the left and right arrow keys to access the “IF” column and the up
and down arrow keys to arrive at the “Level” parameter. This is shown by convention in this