Overview of the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool
The MLC 8000 Configuration Tool is used to define channel clusters and to configure both the MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converters (also referred to within the configuration tool as AGUs) and the MLC 8000 Analog Comparators (also referred to within the configuration tool as VGUs).
Channel clusters are comprised of up to four channels, and therefore up to four comparators. Each comparator in the cluster can be connected to up to 64 Base Radios (BRs) as long as the total number of AGU ports associated with all the VGUs in a single channel cluster is no more than 64 AGU ports. While a non IP simulcast channel cluster can support up to four channels maximum, an IP simulcast channel cluster can support just one channel. If an MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converter port is connected to a comparator, then it must be a comparator from the same channel cluster. A subsite link converter can belong to just one channel cluster but can serve up to four comparators as long as all these comparators belong to the same channel cluster.
The following figures show an example of an and an example of a non IP simulcast channel cluster. Note the IP simulcast channel cluster contains a single channel while the shows two channels and the MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converters (AGUs) serving both channels.
In an analog ASTRO® 25 system, the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool is used to configure the MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converters and the MLC 8000 Analog Comparators. In a digital ASTRO® 25 system, the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool is used to configure the MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converters because the GCM 8000 and GRV 8000 Digital Comparators are configured using Configuration/Service Software (CSS). In a mixed mode system, the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool is used to configure both the MLC 8000 Subsite Link Converters and the MLC 8000 Analog Comparators, and the CSS is used to configure the Digital Comparators.
Updates to some MLC 8000 Analog Comparator and MLC 8000 Subsite List Converter parameters require that the MLC 8000 Configuration Tool reset the device to implement the new parameter value. Link type and device name are examples of parameters which when changed require a device reset. Device parameters are defined in Chapter MLC 8000 Configuration Tool Operation. Parameters which require a device reset when modified are noted.