FAQs from Rohde & Schwarz

TCE900 - mixing different processor boards (IPS1 & IPS2) within one system

Question

Pros and cons of mixing different processor boards (IPS1 & IPS2) within one system.

Answer

During the lifetime of TCE900 the internal processor board IPS1 has been replaced by the new IPS2. The IPS2 uses a different CPU and allows better system performance. The boards can be easily identified from outside by the colour of the built-in USB connectors (IPS1 -> white connector, IPS2 -> blue connector).

With the software versions (starting with 19.0.0) we support mixing different CPU-boards within a transmitter system. Mixed configurations are regularly tested in the release test phase. Nevertheless it is impossible to test all possible configurations (exciter reserve, n+1, all TV & radio standards).

We do not recommend this configuration since there are some things (side-effects) to keep in mind:

  • IPS1 and IPS2 run at different speed, so several functions like exciter-automatic, n+1-automatic, boot time etc. are different.
  • This may lead to unwanted automatic switchover situations, when a standby unit reboots faster than an active TCE900.
  • When operating the transmitter system via GUI, make sure that all devices have finished their boot sequence and the given status of all devices is the actual.

Exchanging IPS1 with IPS2 may be useful => it’s a hardware upgrade.

Exchanging IPS2 with IPS1 is not useful => it’s a hardware downgrade. This slows down the overall speed of the system.

Summary:

We do not see general compatibility problems when mixing IPS1 and IPS2 within a system, but customers should be aware of possible individual characteristics of such a mixed system.