Altinex MULTI-TASKER MT108-102 User manual

MULTI-TASKER
MANUAL PART NUMBER: 400-0162-002
1-IN, 4-OUT STEREO AUDIO DISTRIBUTION
AMPLIFIER CARDS FOR MULTI-TASKER™
USER’S GUIDE
MT108-102 is shown above.
MT108-102/MT108-103

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PRECAUTIONS / SAFETY WARNINGS..............2
1.1 GENERAL...................................................2
1.2 INSTALLATION ..........................................2
1.3 CLEANING..................................................2
1.4 FCC / CE NOTICE......................................2
ABOUT YOUR MT108-102/(103).........................3
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ..........................3
DESCRIPTION OF MT108-102/(103) ..................4
APPLICATION DIAGRAM....................................4
INSTALLING YOUR MT108-102/(103).................6
OPERATION (FOR MT108-103 ONLY) ...............6
7.1 RS-232 CONTROL ....................................6
7.2 DESCRIPTION OF COMMANDS...............6
7.3 SUMMARY OF COMMANDS...................10
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE...........................11
8.1 LED IS NOT LIT.......................................11
8.2 NO SOUND..............................................11
8.3 SOUND DISTORTION.............................11
8.4 SOUND LEVEL IS LOW ..........................11
ALTINEX POLICY..............................................12

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PRECAUTIONS / SAFETY WARNINGS 1
Please read this manual carefully before using your
MT108-102/(103) Distribution Amplifier. Keep this
manual handy for future reference. These safety
instructions are to ensure the long life of your
MT108-102/(103) and to prevent fire and shock
hazard. Please read them carefully and heed all
warnings.
1.1 GENERAL
•Qualified ALTINEX service personnel, or their
authorized representatives must perform all
service.
1.2 INSTALLATION
•To prevent fire or shock, do not expose this unit
to rain or moisture. Do not place the
MT108-102/(103) in direct sunlight, near heaters
or heat radiating appliances, or near any liquid.
Exposure to direct sunlight, smoke, or steam
can harm internal components.
•Handle the MT108-102/(103) carefully. Dropping
or jarring can damage the card.
•Do not pull the cables that are attached to the
MT108-102/(103).
•Insert the card carefully into the slots of the
Multi-Tasker™ without bending any edges.
•When removing a card, please make sure that
the card to which it is attached is also pulled out
simultaneously.
1.3 CLEANING
•Clean only the connector area with a dry cloth.
Never use strong detergents or solvents, such
as alcohol or thinner. Do not use a wet cloth or
water to clean the card. Do not clean or touch
any component or PCB.
1.4 FCC / CE NOTICE
•This device complies with part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
•This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class A digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment generates, uses,
and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. Operation
of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause harmful interference in which case the
user will be required to correct the interference
at his own expense.
•Any changes or modifications to the unit not
expressly approved by ALTINEX, Inc. could void
the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

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ABOUT YOUR MT108-102/(103) 2
MT108-102/(103)
1-in 4-out Stereo Audio Distribution
Amplifier Cards
The MT108-102 and MT108-103 are Stereo, Audio
Distribution Amplifier Cards designed for use with
the Multi-Taskersystem. When installed in a
Multi-Tasker, these cards allow the connection of
a single stereo, audio source to four receiving
devices. All inputs and outputs are balanced,
allowing longer cable runs and superior noise
reduction.
As “transparent” distribution amplifiers, these cards
utilize AC coupling on their inputs for ideal signal
transfer characteristics. The power indicator on the
card doubles as a signal detection indicator,
allowing easy troubleshooting in complex
configurations. Each card consumes one slot in the
Multi-Taskerenclosure.
The MT108-103 also has the ability to
independently turn on or off each output under the
control of RS-232 commands sent to the
Multi-Taskerenclosure.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 3
FEATURES/DESCRIPTION MT108-102/(103)
GENERAL
Inputs
Input Connector (1) 5-pin terminal block
L+, L-, GND, R+ & R-
Outputs
Output Connector (4) 5-pin terminal blocks
L+, L-, GND, R+ & R-
Compatibility Balanced Stereo Audio
Table 1. MT108-102/(103) General
MECHANICAL MT108-102/(103)
Basic Enclosure Slots
Required One
T° Operating 10°C-40°C
T° Storage 0 to 50°C
Humidity 90% non-condensing
MTBF (calc.) 40,000 hrs
Table 2. MT108-102/(103) Mechanical
ELECTRICAL MT108-102/(103)
Audio Input
Impedance 10k Ohms
Coupling AC
Audio Throughput
Gain 0 dB
Signal Amplitude +/-3V
Frequency Response 10Hz to 20kHz
(+/-0.05dB)
Noise Floor -100 dB @ 20 kHz
CMRR >80 dB, 10 Hz to 20 kHz
Audio Output
Level, Each Channel 1V p-p
Impedance 600 Ohms
Gain 0 dB
Power
Power from
MT100-100 +6V +13V -13V Power
Consumption
MT108-102 45 mA 45 mA 45 mA 1.2 watts
MT108-103 80 mA 45 mA 45 mA 1.7 watts
Table 3. MT108-102/(103) Electrical

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DESCRIPTION OF MT108-102/(103) 4APPLICATION DIAGRAM 5
Application 1

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Application 2
Internal View of the MT108-102/(103) Card

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INSTALLING YOUR MT108-102/(103) 6
Step 1. Slide the MT108-102/(103) into an
available slot in the Multi-Tasker™ Basic
Enclosure in order to connect to the bus.
Make sure that the MT108-102/(103)
Stereo Audio DA Card fits into place.
Secure the card to the Multi-Tasker™ by
tightening the retainer screws located on
the top and bottom of the
MT108-102/(103) Stereo Audio DA Card.
Step 2. The LED on the card panel will turn red
indicating that the card is in full operation.
A green LED indicates that an input signal
is present. An LED that is blinking red
indicates that the card is experiencing a
problem. If the LED is blinking, see the
Troubleshooting Guide in section 8.
Step 3. Connect an audio cable from the audio
source to the input connector of the
MT108-102/(103). Connect any or all of
the four available outputs of the
MT108-102/(103) to audio equipment.
Step 4. Starting from the left, identify the slot
number where the MT108-102/(103) card
is plugged into the Enclosure and note
that it is for RS-232 control.
OPERATION (for MT108-103 only) 7
7.1 RS-232 CONTROL
The outputs of the MT108-102 are always
enabled; therefore, no RS-232 control is
necessary.
When used in the Multi-Tasker™ Basic
Enclosure, the MT108-103 has many advanced
remote control capabilities, which are accessible
through standard RS-232 communication. The
actual control may be performed using a
computer control system or any other device
capable of sending RS-232 commands.
7.1.1 RS-232 INTERFACE
The RS-232 commands for the MT108-103 are
in a simple ASCII character format.
1. Square brackets “[ ]” are part of the
command.
2. Use uppercase letters for all commands.
After processing a command, an OK or ER
string will be returned as feedback if "F" is
included at the end of a command string or if
the unit ID is zero.
7.2 DESCRIPTION OF COMMANDS
Each command consists of three parts: function,
card ID, and unit ID. [Function, Card ID,
Unit ID].
Example:
[VERC3U2]
VER = Function
C3 = Card ID
U2 = Unit ID
For function, see a detailed explanation under
each command description.
The Card ID is an assigned value from 1 to 19,
based on which slot the card is put in. The Card
ID 0 (C0) is used for the controller (see user’s
guide for the MT100-100). Changing the
position of a card will significantly affect the
commands recorded on software definitions or a
third party control system.
Unit ID has a value from 0 to 9. Unit ID 0 should
be used for single unit operation. If the Unit ID is
set to 0, then each command can be used
without Ui (use command [SETU0]; see user’s
guide for the MT100-100).
Example:
[VERC3]: for unit ID zero
[VERC3Ui]: for unit ID other than zero
[VERC3]: equivalent to [VERC3U0]
1. [VER]
This command displays the software version
and card type of the MT108-103 card.
Command Format: [VERCnUi]
Cn = card ID number (n = # from 1 to 19)

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Ui = Unit ID (i = # from 0 to 9) (refer to the
MT100-100 user’s guide for explanation)
Example:
If one MT108-103 card is plugged in slot #2 of
unit 3: Sending the command [VERC2U3],will
yield the following feedback from the
Multi-Tasker™
MT108-103 690-0127-007
MT108-103 = card type
690-0127-007 = software version
2. [C]
This command receives the status of the card.
Command Format: [CnUi]
Cn = card id (n = from 1 to 19)
Ui = unit id (i = from 0 to 9) (refer to the
MT100-100 user’s guide for explanation)
Example:
If one MT108-103 card is plugged into slot #2 of
unit 3 with outputs 1 and 2 ON, sending the
command [C2U3] will yield the following
feedback:
ON: 1,2 C02
If there is no card plugged in slot #2 of unit 3,
the Multi-Tasker™ will not return any feedback.
3. [CiS]
This command saves the current status of the
card's output enable configuration. This
configuration will be restored after system is
reset or powered off then on.
Ci = card number
S = save configuration
If Inputs 1,2,3 and 4 are enabled, the feedback
after sending the command [C4S], for slot 4,
would be:
ON:1,2,3,4 C04 Saved
4. [SIG]
The Signal Present command tests for the
presence of a signal on the input. After sending
the command, the feedback will be either "1"
signifying a signal is present, or a "0" indicating
no signal was detected.
Command Format: [SIGCnUi]
Cn = card number
Ui = unit ID
Example:
To check for the presence of an input signal on
card 4, send the command [SIGC4] and verify
feedback of "1" or "0".
5. [ON]
This command enables one or more outputs of
a single card or a group of cards.
[ONmCnUi]: for a single card
This command enables output “m” without
affecting any other outputs.
m= Output number (m = 1 to 4)
n= Card ID number (n = 1 to 19)
i = Unit ID number (i = 0 to 9)
Example:
1) [ON12C5U3]: Turns ON only outputs 1
and 2 of the MT108-103 card located in slot
#5 of the MT100-100 Enclosure with unit
ID3.
2) [ON3C5U3]: Turns ON only output 3 of the
MT108-103 card located in slot #5 of the
MT100-100 Enclosure with unit ID3. After
the [ON12C5U3] and [ON3C5U3]
commands have been executed, outputs 1,
2 and 3 will be ON.
3) [ONC5U3]: Turns ON all outputs of the
card. This is the equivalent of sending the
command [ON1234C5U3].
[ONmGkUi]: for a group of cards
This command enables output "m" for each card
in group "k" of unit "i".
m= card output (m = # from 1-4)
k= group number (k = # from 1-9)
i= unit number (i = # from 0-9)

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Example:
1. [ON1G5U1]: Turns ON output 1 for each
card in group 5 of unit 1.
2. [ONG5U1]: Turns ON all outputs for each
card in group 5 of unit 1.
[ON…P]: sets path
This command will set the path for the output,
but it is not active until the switch command,
[SW], is executed. Commands ending in "P" are
not executed immediately. The path for outputs
on multiple cards or the same card can be
preloaded.
Command Format: [ONmCnUiP]
m= number (m =1 to 4)
n= card ID No. (n = a slot # from 1 to 19)
i= unit ID
P= path
Example:
If 2 cards are in slot 6 and 7 of unit 3: To enable
outputs 1 and 2 of card 6 and outputs 3 and 4 of
card 7 simultaneously, use the following
commands:
[ON12C6U3P]
[ON34C7U3P]
[SW]
If "F" is included use the [ONmCnUiPF]
command or the [ONmCnUiFP]command.
[ON…..F]: feedback
After processing a command, an OK or ER will
be returned as feedback if "F" is included at the
end of a command string.
Example:
[ON1C2U3F]: if path is not set
[ON1C2U3PF]: if path is set
6. [OFF]
This command disables one or more outputs of
a single card or a group of cards.
[OFFmCnUi]: for a single card
This command disables output “m” without
affecting any other outputs.
m= output number (m = 1 to 4)
n= card ID No. (n = slot # from 1 to 19)
i= Unit ID number (i = 0 to 9)
[OFFCnUi]: Turns OFF all outputs of the card
Example:
1) If card 5 of unit 3 has output 1, 2 and 3 ON:
a) [OFF1C5U3]: Turns OFF output 1 while
outputs 2 and 3 remain ON.
b) [OFF23C5]: Turns OFF outputs 2 and 3.
2) If card 5 of unit 3 has outputs 1, 2, 3 and 4
ON:
a) [OFFC5U3]: Turns OFF all outputs,
which is equivalent to [OFF1234C5U3].
[OFFmGkUi]: for a group of cards
This command disables output "m" for each
card in group "k" of unit "i".
Command Format: [OFFmCnUiP]
m= card output (m = # from 1-4)
k= group number (k = # from 1-9)
i= unit number (i = # from 0-9)
Example:
1. [OFF1G5U1]: Turns OFF output 1 for each
card in group 5 of unit 1.
2. [OFFG5U1]: Turns OFF all outputs for each
card in group 5 of unit 1.
[OFF…..P]: sets path
This command will set the path for the output,
but it is not active until the switch command,
[SW], is executed. Commands ending in "P" are
not executed immediately. The path for outputs
on multiple cards or the same card can be
preloaded.
Command Format: [OFFmCnUiP]
m= number (m =1 to 4)
n= card ID No. (n = a slot # from 1 to 19)
P= path

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Example:
If 2 cards are in slots 6 and 7 of unit 3:
To disable outputs 1 and 2 of card 6 and
outputs 3 and 4 of card 7 simultaneously, use
the following commands:
[OFF12C6U3P]
[OFF34C7U3P]
[SW]
If "F" is included use the [OFFmCnUiPF]
command or the [OFFmCnUiFP]command.
[OFF…..F]: feedback
After processing a command, an OK ER will be
returned as feedback if "F" is included at the
end of a command string.
Example:
[OFF1C2U3F]: if path is not set
[OFF1C2U3PF]: if path is set
7. […S] – Save
This command will save the configuration
command being sent in memory. When
sending the command [ON1C4S], after reset or
power up, output 1 on C4 will be enabled.
8. […F] – Feedback
After processing a command, an OK or ER will
be returned as feedback if "F" is included at the
end of a command string.
9. […P] – Path
This command will set the path for the output,
but it is not active until the switch command,
[SW], is executed. Commands ending in "P" are
not executed immediately. The path for outputs
on multiple cards or the same card can be
loaded. See examples in ON and OFF
commands.
10. [SW] – Switch
The switch command immediately connects
inputs and outputs, which were previously set
with the PATH command on this card and all
other cards in the MT100-100.
11. [HELP]
This command displays all information available
for user Multi-Tasker interface commands.
Command Format: [HELPCnUi]
Cn = card ID number (n = # from 1 to 19)
Ui = Unit ID (i = # from 0 to 9) (refer to the
MT100-100 user’s guide for explanation)
Example:
In order to view the RS-232 commands
available for the MT108-103 card in slot 2 of
unit 3, send the command [HELPC2U3]. The
commands along with a brief description will be
displayed in the Terminal Window.
12. [WR]
This command groups multiple cards in the
MT100-100 Enclosure. Each unit contains a
maximum of nine groups.
Command Format: [WRCn…GkUi]
n= card ID No. (n = slot # from 1 to 19)
k= group number (k = # from 1-9)
i= unit number (i = # from 0-9)
Example:
To group cards #1, 2, and 3 as group 5 of unit
#1, send the command [WRC1C2C3G5U1].
After executing this command, cards 1, 2, and 3
of unit 1 will be grouped together as group 5.
13. [CLR]
This command clears the members for a single
group or for all nine groups.
Command Format: [CLRGkUi]
k= group number (k = # from 1-9)
i= unit number (i = # from 0-9)
Example:
a) To clear group #1, send the [CLRG1U1]
command. This command clears the
members for the specified group only.
b) To clear all groups of unit 1, send the
[CLRG[U1] command.

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14. [G]
This command is used to request group data.
With the command, the user can identify which
input or output of a particular group is on.
Command Format: [GkUi]
k= group number (k = # from 1-9)
i= unit number (i = # from 0-9)
Example:
If group 1 has DA Cards with outputs 1 and 2
on, while group 2 has SW Cards with input 2 on:
[G1]:will return feedback as ON12 G1U0.
[G2]:will return feedback as ON2 G2U0.
15. [RD]
This command displays the members in each
group. Members can be any card in enclosure
slots 1 to 19.
Command Format: [RDGkUi]
k = group number (k = # from 1-9)
i = unit number (i = # from 0-9)
Example:
To read member data for group 1 of unit 1, send
the [RD] command. The system will return
feedback as C1C2C3 G5U1.
7.3 SUMMARY OF COMMANDS
1) [VER] Receives software version
2) [C] Receives status of the card
3) [CiS] Save card configuration
4) [SIGCi] Check for input signal
5) [ON] Turns on one or more outputs for
a single card or a group of cards
6) [OFF] Turns off one or more outputs for
a single card or a group of cards
7) […S] Save the command configuration
8) […F] Provides feedback upon sending
9) […P] Sets the path, preload for [SW]
10) [SW] Switch, preloaded outputs
11) [HELP] Display available commands
12) [WR] Groups multiple cards
13) [CLR] Clears members of a single
group or all groups
14) [G] Requests group data
15) [RD] Displays group members

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TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE 8
We have carefully tested and have found no
problems in the supplied MT108-102/(103);
however, we would like to offer suggestions for the
following:
8.1 LED IS NOT LIT
Cause 1: Card cage is not plugged in.
Solution: Plug card cage in. If the LED lights,
the problem is solved. If the LED is
still not ON, see Cause 2.
Cause 2: Card is not plugged in all the way.
Solution: Push the card in all the way. If the
LED is still not ON, see Cause 3.
Cause 3: Card cage slot has a problem.
Solution 1: Test the card in other slots of the
card cage. If the slot was damaged,
the card may work in other slots. If
other slots work and the LED lights,
the problem is the card cage slot.
The card cage may require service.
Call ALTINEX at [phone]. If
the other slots do not work and the
LED is still not lit, see Solution 2.
Solution 2: Take any other known good card
with an LED and verify that the slot
used is good by seeing if the other
card’s LED lights in that slot. If it
lights, then the original card may be
the source of the problem. Call
ALTINEX at [phone].
8.2 NO SOUND
Cause 1: The source has a problem.
Solution: Check the source and make sure
that it is working at an appropriate
volume level and all source
connections are correct. If the
source is working and there is still
no sound, see Cause 2.
Cause 2: The card output is turned OFF.
Solution 1:Turn ON the card output that is
used. See RS-232 accessible
commands in section 7. If no sound
is present, see Solution 2.
Solution 2: If there is still no sound, see
Cause 3.
Cause 3: Cable connections to the
destination are incorrect.
Solution: Make sure that all cables are
properly connected. Also, make
sure that the continuity and wiring
are good. If there is still no sound
present, see Cause 4.
Cause 4: The destination amplifier has a
problem.
Solution 1: Make sure that the destination
amplifier has power. If there is still
no sound, see Solution 2
Solution 2: Set the volume of the destination
amplifier to a reasonable level. If
there is still no sound, call ALTINEX
at [phone].
8.3 SOUND DISTORTION
Cause 1: The source level is above 1V p-p.
Solution: Make sure that the source level is
below 1V p-p. If the sound is still
distorted, see Cause 2.
Cause 2: The destination amplifier provides
excessive amplification.
Solution 1: Make sure that the source signal
level is high enough so that the
destination amplifier does not have
to provide excessive amplification
and thereby distort the signal. If
there is still sound distortion, see
Solution 2.
Solution 2: Call ALTINEX at [phone].

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8.4 SOUND LEVEL IS LOW
Cause 1: The volume levels are inappropriate.
Solution 1: Turn up the source volume. If sound
level is still low, see Solution 2.
Solution 2: Turn up the destination amplifier
volume. If the sound level is still low,
see Cause 2.
Cause 2: Poor signal transmission.
Solution: Check the cables for continuity and
make sure that connections are
wired properly to verify that there is
good signal transmission.
Note: Test the system by removing the
MT108-102/(103) card from between
the source and the destination
amplifier. If the problem persists, call
ALTINEX at (714)-990-2300.
ALTINEX POLICY 9
9.1 LIMITED WARRANTY/RETURN POLICY
Please see the Altinex website at
www.altinex.com for details on warranty and
return policy.
9.2 CONTACT INFORMATION
ALTINEX, INC
592 Apollo street
Brea, CA 92821 USA
TEL: [phone]
TOLL FREE: 1-800-ALTINEX
WEB: www.altinex.com
E-MAIL: [email protected]