The Futurecom Vehicular Repeater (VR) is designed to seamlessly interface with Remote Mount APX Series Mobile Subscriber Units (MSU), with or without a control head. When interfaced with a Motorola APX Mobile Radio, the complete equipment package is referred to as a Digital Vehicular Repeater System (DVRS). The VR firmware can be flash upgraded or downgraded in the field. The Futurecom Repeater Configurator (FRC) is the primary tool for servicing all hardware programming needs for supported VRs, including VRX1000, DVR, and DVR-LX®. It is continually updated with business rules to ensure data integrity.
Function Description:
The VR extends portable-to-portable voice and data range by repeating Local PSU (optionally MSU) communications without keying up the Mobile radio interfaced to the VR. It supports various operating modes: OFF, LOCAL, and SYSTEM. The VR mode can be changed by a Local PSU, a Dispatcher/System PSU, or through automatic VR activation.
- OFF Mode: The VR is inactive.
- LOCAL Mode: The VR repeats local PSU communications without transmitting to the Fixed Network Equipment (FNE).
- SYSTEM Mode: The VR repeats local PSU communications to the FNE and vice-versa.
The VR supports several features, including:
- Automatic VR Activation (AVRA): Allows automated activation of the VR using a VIP input on the MSU Control Head or DEK, or a pin on the VR Auxiliary cable. The AVRA Function can be set to 'Activate Only' (VR stays ON once activated), 'Activate / Deactivate' (VR switches ON/OFF with trigger assertion/de-assertion), or 'Toggle' (VR switches ON/OFF every second trigger assertion).
- GPS Driven Deactivation: Enables the VR to deactivate based on speed and/or distance thresholds. This feature requires a specific license.
- In Car Monitor (ICM): When enabled in the MSU, allows the MSU user to monitor voice traffic to and from the local PSU.
- Remote Activation: Allows the VR to be activated remotely via Call Alert from the FNE.
- Mode Change Notification: Sends a status message to the FNE after every VR mode change.
- Local Repeat/Fallback: Manages how the VR handles outbound FNE calls and MSU Mic PTT transmissions in Local Mode, including fallback to local VR audio repeat if MSU Mic PTT fails to transmit to FNE.
- MSU Scan: Allows MSU Scan feature while the VR is active, supporting Trunking Scan, Conventional Scan, Mixed Conventional Voting Scan, Legacy Voting Scan, Multi System Scan, and Priority Monitoring.
- P25 Trunking OTAR via VR: Enables packet data services for associated PSUs on a P25 Trunking system, requiring the MSU to be configured for packet data operation and context-activated.
- NAC Linking: Allows the VR to link Network Access Codes (NACs) for digital channels, ensuring compatibility between PSUs and the VR.
- TPS Signaling: Supports Tactical Public Safety (TPS) signaling for specific VR channels.
- Talkgroup Matching: Enforces that the PSU talkgroup matches the MSU talkgroup for communication.
- Talkgroup Proxying: Allows local PSU users to switch to different talkgroups, with their calls proxied by the VR regardless of the selected MSU talkgroup.
- Talkgroup Translation: Translates the PSU talkgroup ID to match the currently selected MSU talkgroup.
- Unit ID Translation: Replaces the local PSU's ID and TG with the MSU's ID and TG for digital channels.
- PSU Scan: Permits Conventional Scanning in conjunction with Talkgroup scanning for comprehensive monitoring.
- SmartConnect In-Vehicle Range Extension: A licensed feature that enhances VR functionality.
- Authentication: Prevents unauthorized access for Conventional 'DVRS Enabled' PSUs.
- P25 Encryption Pass Through: Enables P25 encryption pass-through for VRX1000 models with Tier 3 features.
- VRS-EP (Enhanced Protocol): A feature set for VRX1000 models, including advanced steering modes and access tones.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Operating Systems: Windows 10 or Windows 11 for FRC.
- Processor: 400 MHz or higher Pentium grade processor for FRC.
- Peripherals: USB Port for FRC connection.
- Frequency Bands: VHF (2.5, 5, 6.25 kHz step), UHF (6.25 kHz step), 700MHz (6.25 kHz step), 800MHz (6.25 kHz step).
- Channel Spacing: Narrowband (12.5kHz / 1.5kHz) or Wideband (25kHz / 3kHz) or NPSPAC (25KHz / 4kHz).
- Tx Output Power: +20 to +40 (+30) dBm for DVR/DVR-LX®, +20 to +34.75 (+30) dBm for VRX1000. Minimum recommended power is 1W (+30dBm) for DVR/DVR-LX and 0.5W (+27dBm) for VRX1000.
- Continuous Carrier Timer (CCT): 0 to 60 minutes (0=OFF for continuous duty).
- RSSI Threshold: -127 to -50 (-115) dBm.
- Busy Lockout Threshold: -105 to -65 (-100) dBm (DVR/DVR-LX 800 MHz only: -95 to -65 (-80) dBm).
- Rx NAC (Hex): 0 to FFF (293).
- Tx NAC (Hex): 0 to FFF (293).
- Tx RSSI Threshold: -110 to -60 (-100) dBm.
- MDC Decode Delay Time: 0 to 1000 (0) ms.
- MSU Mode Steering Hang Time: 0 to 60 (0) sec.
- System Channel Acquisition Time: 600 to 6000 (2000) ms.
- VR ID: 0 to 16777215 (MSU ID).
- PSU Affiliation Timeout: 0 to 72 (12) hrs.
- P25 Preamble Length: 7.5 to 265 (40) ms.
- Network Status Reporting Interval: 0 to 255 (45) sec.
- PSU Digital Audio Queuing: 700 to 1800 (1250) ms.
- Low Battery Alarm: 0 to 13 (10) Volts.
- Engine Start Alarm: 0 to 9 (0) Volts.
- Temperature Alarm: Min/OFF (0), Default (70), Max (100), Range 50-100 Celsius.
- Output Power Alarm: Min/Default (OFF) (0), Max 5dB.
Usage Features:
- FRC Programming Files: The FRC uses three types of files:
- EEPROM Data file (EPR): Contains all data for a specific VR (calibration, electronic label, personality, VR ID). Used by Futurecom Support.
- Device Programming Data file (DPD): Contains personality data for a configuration template. Used for cloning multiple VRs and by Futurecom Support.
- Device Configuration Data file (DCD): Contains personality data for a configuration template. Used for cloning multiple VRs, by Futurecom Support, and for sending configuration changes via the Motorola Radio Management tool.
- Offline Editing: FRC allows viewing, modifying, and saving codeplugs offline.
- Cloning: VRs can be cloned by applying a common set of field values from DPD or DCD templates.
- Feature Licenses: Software options can be purchased and applied via FRC (direct connection) or Radio Management (via DCD file).
- Menu Bar: Provides access to file operations, repeater commands, application logs, user management, and help resources.
- Find Feature: Quickly search for specific fields within FRC.
- Compatibility Charts: Access static versions of compatibility charts from the Futurecom website.
- Encryption: Codeplug files can be saved with default or custom encryption.
- MSU Control Head Display: Provides status messages and error codes for the VR.
Maintenance Features:
- Monitoring Screen: Assists field technicians with VR setup and troubleshooting by providing real-time indications of RSSI level, SINAD, RF Power, PL detection, and other parameters.
- RSSI Setup Screen: Optimizes voting algorithm parameters by simulating real-life scenarios and running automated VR tests.
- RSSI ON Level Test: Sets RSSI ON Threshold levels for desired coverage area.
- Busy Lock. Thresh. Test: Sets busy lockout threshold and Tx RSSI threshold levels.
- Primary Range Test: Defines the Primary/Secondary boundary for a desired coverage area.
- EEPROM Maintenance: Allows for maintenance operations on the EEPROM.
- Firmware Upgrades/Downgrades: The Flash Downloader Utility, integrated into FRC, enables updating or reverting VR firmware.
- Error Reporting: FRC reports invalid changes with visual cues (red shading, flashing icons, exclamation marks) and provides detailed error messages on the MSU control head for troubleshooting.
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