Control Unit IV Reference Manual Product Description
529-0004 Ver.3 1-5
1.3 Features
1.3.1 Billing system and host computer interfaces
The Control Unit is normally used with a host computer such as a billing system. The
purpose of a billing system or other host computer is to update the status information in the
Control Unit’s memory. The underlying concept is the same for updating the status of
subscriber taps, CLEARPath modules and Test Point Selectors. Note that each addressable
device installed in the network is linked to a physical location at the time of installation, and
this link is recorded in the billing system or the host computer. The Control Unit does not
keep track of street addresses; it only stores the status information for each Electroline
group-tap address.
The Control Unit receives status information from the host computer on one of its RS-232
ports, using either a direct or modem connection or an Ethernet–RS-232 bridge. The Control
Unit accepts a variety of protocols (see Chapter 3). If the Control Unit is used in a return path
monitoring system, then Electroline’s proprietary communication protocol, ICOR, must be
used on the Control Unit’s port. For more details on Electroline’s control software and
communication protocols, contact an Electroline representative.
When the host computer modifies the status of a subscriber, it sends a message to the Control
Unit to update the subscriber status memory. The Control Unit always refreshes each
subscriber address as it scans its memory. The full scan cycle can be as short as a few
seconds or up to 25 minutes, depending on the Control Unit’s capacity (see Chapter 4 for
scan times).
1.3.2 Tiering systems
Each Control Unit can support one of the two main system types for controlling subscriber
tiers in the Electroline addressable system: off-basic-pay (OBP) or multi-tier. The system
type determines the number of tiers that the Control Unit can control for each subscriber
address.
An OBP system provides one or two exclusive service tiers. Exclusive tiers are tiers that
cannot be combined with each other. If only one tier is required, the choices are off and pay.
In a two-tier system, the choices are off, basic and pay.
A multi-tier system provides up to eight tiers and can be exclusive or inclusive. Inclusive
tiers can be combined with each other. The tiers are encoded using the letters A, B, C, D, E,
F, G and H. Only the tiers that are required are used. For example, if four tiers are offered,
then the choices will be A, B, C, and D.
You cannot modify the tiering system (OBP or multi-tier), which is set by Electroline
according to customer specifications. Contact Electroline’s technical support department if
you would like to change the tiering structure.
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