Broadcast device controller with high density I/O
The Pharos Control Platform (PCP) is a key building block in Pharos' distributed control architecture. The PCP has been designed to provide a platform for running Pharos device drivers in a broadcast environment, and fully integrates with core Pharos technologies such as the X/Y Dual System, Pharos Information centre and Pharos Alarms.
Key features
- Standard 1U PC running a real-time broadcast tuned version of Suse Linux.
- Solid State Hard Disk (SSD).
- 4 RS422/RS232 switchable.
- Balanced XLR linear timecode input providing frame accurate reference for control operations as well as time stamped messaging and log files.
- Up to 72 hours of events held within the PCP.
- VGA and 2 x USB sockets for linking to KVM systems or for local administration.
- Dual Network Connections.
- Front Panel display for easy access to PCP configuration and critical status information.
- 8 GPIs, with optional GPI logic card provides an additional 96 inputs and 96 outputs.
Solid OS fundamentals
Based on OpenSuse Linux 10.2, the OS provides a stable platform for distributed device control and provides standard tools such as FTP, Telnet, SMB/Samba and shell scripting for managing and maintaining the unit. The Operating System has been specially customised to provide a frame accurate environment suitable for broadcast operations, while unnecessary components of the OS have been removed to keep the platform as lightweight and dependable as possible.
The latest technology for lower running costs
The Mark 5 PCP features upgraded components that offer better performance, lower running costs and longer service life, even while running continuously and under heavy loads.
The most significant change of the Mark 5 introduces a 32GB Solid State hard Disk (SSD), replacing the traditional mechanical Hard Drive. The latest in SSD technology offer extremely fast access times of around 100 microseconds, very high data transfer rates of between 90MB/s and 120MB/s, massively reduced power consumption of 2.7W when active and significantly reduced heat output. The latest SSD's now offer data retention and sustained performance over at least 10 years.
These factors have many other benefits in the Mark 5 PCP. The power supply now runs at lower utilisation, not only increasing its life span but also reducing heat dissipation throughout the unit. This further increases the stability and life span of the all other components in the unit, providing the most reliable and dependable PCP to date.
System-wide timecode locking
The PCP receives station timecode through a standard XLR socket on its back plate and distributes Time-Of-Day around the system to all other applications, drivers and modules. This keeps the entire system locked, frame accurately to the station timecode enabling the PCP to respond quickly to system commands, frame accurate control and status.
Local event store
All database-enabled applications and drivers have their own local event store, meaning if they lose connection with the database, they have up to 72 hours of events held locally. Because of the timecode feed into the PCP, the event store will continue to playout, frame accurately, ensuring transmission integrity even with a core hardware failure.
Local clock sync
Every minute the PCP syncs the internal hardware clock to the incoming LTC, so should the LTC be disconnected, the PCP will revert to the internal clock and stay locked until the timecode is reconnected. This keeps the driver event stores synchronised as closely as possible to the original scheduled time as is possible.
Time stamped logs
The incoming LTC feed also enables all log files to be time stamped to the frame, enabling faster and easier fault finding. Very detailed logs can be created due to the large internal SSD (Solid State hard Disk).
Front panel display
The PCP features an illuminated front panel display that shows critical PCP information such as the network IP configuration, alarms, driver status, overall system status, event status and more.
Easy swap-out and easy replacement
Should something go wrong, the PCP's configuration is not stored on the unit itself. At every boot, the PCP downloads it's configuration from the system's X-CORE subsystem, providing the PCP with the latest configuration every time. A replacement PCP is simply given the same name and is up and running in under a minute.
Standard hardware platform for better scalability
The standard PCP hardware uses off the shelf IT components such as RAM, its CPU and SSD, enabling easy and cost effective sourcing and upgrade of components if required. The standard PCP will run 4 serial drivers and/or 12 IP or API drivers simultaneously, even under heavy load.
Dual NIC
The PCP features two independently configurable 100Base-T network ports enabling the PCP to connect to two networks to improve resilience and security.
Information Centre integration for fast fault diagnostics and configuration editing
The Pharos Information Centre is a centralised web based administration tool for that allows maintenance and Pharos Support Services to remotely administer Pharos systems. Each driver's configuration and current status can be viewed remotely in any standard web browser, providing a unique tool for the Pharos Support Services to remotely diagnose and fix problems, often before they surface operationally. All a PCP's driver settings can be edited remotely using the password protected web based editor. Existing driver settings can be cloned, making setting up a duplicate device a simple matter of a few click and a few seconds.