Creating a Conventional Channel Cluster

Prerequisites:

When and where to use:

Use this procedure to create and define a channel cluster in the Configuration Tool, including MLC 8000 Analog Comparators, MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converters, base radios, and any digital comparators it may contain.
ImportantThe contents of a channel cluster (the list of devices pertaining to the channel cluster) are saved when you close the channel cluster. In the rare circumstance that a restart occurs to the PC on which the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool is installed, channel cluster updates are lost if they have not been saved. To avoid loss of changes, enter Channel Cluster → Save after you change the channel cluster and periodically to ensure that the latest version of the channel cluster is saved. Alternatively, we recommend that you prepare a .csv file that has a list of IP addresses for the MLC devices of that channel cluster. In the event that the PC crashes while you are in the midst of adding devices to the channel cluster, you can follow procedure Creating a Conventional Channel Cluster from a File and provide the .csv file to the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool to restore the channel cluster.
NoteA non admin OS Windows 7 user is able to perform MLC 8000 Configuration tool operations.

Procedure:

  1. Define the name and type for the channel cluster. See section Defining a Conventional Channel Cluster.
  2. Define the Site ID and Site Name for the channel cluster. Perform procedure Entering Site ID and Site Name for a Conventional Channel Cluster.
  3. Define subsites in the subsite list using procedure Modifying the Conventional Channel Cluster Subsite List.
    NoteIn digital systems, the Subsite ID is crucial because of its use in audio packets. In analog systems, the Subsite ID and associated name are informational and provided for convenience to remember where the devices are installed.
  4. If the system is an analog only (non IP simulcast) system, IP simulcast system, or mixed mode system (both analog and digital), add MLC 8000 Analog Comparators (VGUs) to the channel cluster. Follow procedure Adding an MLC 8000 Analog or Mixed Mode Comparator to a Conventional Channel Cluster.
    NoteThe MLC 8000 Analog Comparator can be configured at this time, or Write to Device can be clicked to save the default configuration. Then the full configuration can be performed in 6. See 6 for the correct configuration procedure to reference if you are performing the full configuration now.
  5. If you have added MLC 8000 Analog Comparators, download appropriate software using procedure Downloading a Software Update to an MLC 8000 Device.
    NoteThe software download must be performed separately for each MLC 8000 Analog Comparator in the channel cluster. Software download can be performed either before or after configuring the MLC 8000 Analog Comparator.
  6. If you have added MLC 8000 Analog Comparators, and they are not fully configured after step 4, configure them using the appropriate configuration procedure.
  7. If this system is a digital system, add digital comparators to the channel cluster. Perform procedure Adding a Digital Comparator to a Conventional Channel Cluster.
    NoteDigital comparators are added here so that the MLC 8000 system is informed of the existence of the digital comparator and so contact information is provided. These GCM 8000 or GRV 8000 digital comparators are configured in a separate tool called Configuration/Service Software (CSS).
  8. Add MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converters (AGUs) to the channel cluster. Perform procedure Adding an MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converter to a Conventional Channel Cluster.
    NoteFull configuration of the MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converter can be performed now or Write to Device can be clicked to save the default configuration. Then, the MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converter can be fully configured in 10. See 10 for the correct configuration procedure to access.
  9. Download latest MLC 8000 software to the MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converters (AGUs) by performing procedure Downloading a Software Update to an MLC 8000 Device.
    NoteThe software download must be performed separately for each MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converter in the channel cluster. Software download can be performed either before or after configuring the MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converter.
  10. If you have not fully configured the MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converters in step 8, configure them (and the associated AGU ports referred to from this point forward as base radios) using the appropriate configuration procedure.
    NoteThe configured MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converter (AGU) port is referred to as the “base radio”. It is important to note that the procedure for configuring MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converters configure the side of the link to the base radio at the AGU. The base radios themselves are configured using Configuration/Service Software (CSS).
  11. Perform audio calibration for the MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converters. See procedure Performing Calibration for an MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converter.
  12. Perform audio calibration for the MLC 8000 Analog Comparators. See procedure Performing Calibration for an MLC 8000 Analog Comparator for a TRC Console.
  13. For IP simulcast systems, calibrate the devices. Perform procedure Calibrating Conventional Analog IP Simulcast.
  14. If you must modify any of the default channel cluster parameters, modify them and assign the modified configuration to the channel cluster devices by following the steps in procedure Setting Channel Cluster Parameters.
  15. Associate base radios with each MLC 8000 Analog Comparator. Perform procedure Associating a Base Radio with an MLC 8000 Analog Comparator.
  16. View the channel cluster that has been created to check for accuracy. Perform procedure Viewing a Particular Channel Cluster Tree.