TransOceana

The DSC decoder is a windows application that runs on an industrial rack mount computer, a desktop computer or a laptop.  It uses an internal or external audio interface module (soundcard) to receive the radio audio signals.

Each decoder can service two radios, radio 1 and radio 2.  Radio 1 can be a MF or HF or VHF radio and Radio 2 can be a MF or HF or VHF radio.  The radios do not have to be the same.  For example, a typical A1/A2 station would have a VHF radio on radio 1 and a MF radio on radio 2.  One decoder can service both radios.

Multiple decoders can be placed on a single PC to handle more radios.  For example, an A3 station would run 3 decoders on the same PC:

Decoder 1: 2Mhz, 4Mhz

Decoder 2: 6Mhz, 8MHz

Decoder 3: 12Mhz, 16MHz

The number of decoders on a single PC is limited to the memory and cpu speed.  We have tested systems successfully with as many as 14 DSC receivers on a single PC.

 Each decoder can be configured to send the DSC messages to one or more operator consoles on the network.  For example, the decoder could be configured to send its messages to an operator console on the same PC (local station) and also send a copy of the messages to a central monitoring facility located elsewhere in the country.

The decoder is limited to a maximum of 100 operator console addresses.

The DSC messages from the decoders are displayed on one or more operator consoles (see operator console page for more information).

The display can be filtered to display messages from selected decoders or from all decoders.

If the network between the decoder and operator console should go down, the decoder will continue to capture traffic and store it locally.  When communications is restored the decoder will automatically update the console with all lost messages.

The status of each decoder is displayed on the operator console using a DSC Decoder panel.  Multiple decoders are stacked on top of each other in a manner similar to a 19" equipment rack.  The user can scroll up and down the stack to view the status of each decoder.

The operator can temporarily suspend the operation of each decoder and restart it as required.

The communications link between each decoder and operator console is monitored using a software watchdog timer.  If the communications link fails an alarm is sounded to alert the operator.