By Donald E. Groff, Jerrold Division General Instrument Corporation
A trunk amplifier status monitoring and control system is described. Its features include an addressable receiver, a variety of control functions, including reverse feeder switching, and an independent upstream status signal. Addressing is done by means of an FSK'ed signal similar to a sound carrier. The status signal carried information on various aspects of the station status. The status signals are all on a common frequency, occupying minimal bandwidth, and are addressed exclusively, only one replying at a time. The command functions are described in detail, both as currently implemented, and possible. future applications. Also described in detail is the status information returned, both as currently implemented and possible alternatives. A simple control unit is described and a more sophisticated means of control is discussed.