A Sierra Monitor Company
Driver Manual
(Supplement to the FieldServer Instruction Manual)
FS-8700-105
National Time & Signal FACP
(Fire Alarm Control Panel) Driver
APPLICABILITY & EFFECTIVITY
Effective for all systems manufactured after May 1, 2001
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1.
National Time & Signal FACP Driver Description
Fire Alarm Control Panels (FACPs) are manufactured by the National Time and Signal Corp.
The series 900 and 902 FACP’s can be purchased with a ‘BACnet’ interface option. When
suitably equipped and when this interface is enabled, the FACPs can transmit data to a
FieldServer which can, in turn, make this data available to other devices including devices which
are capable of communicating using the BACnet and other protocols.
This driver is a passive client driver. This means that the driver does not actively poll for data but
listens passively for data to be sent by the FACP’s that it is connected to. Messages sent by the
panel are either ignored stored by the FieldServer based on panel status. How these messages
are processed is dependent on the configuration.
No automatic panel data synchronization technique exists. The data in the FieldServer and the
panel status have to be synchronized manually.
This is a serial driver. Data is transferred using RS-232 or RS-485 (with converter).
The driver provides both client and server emulation. The server side of the driver is intended to
support FieldServer’s Quality Assurance program and is not intended to provide complete
emulation of a FACP. Thus the server side is not fully documented. However, at a customer’s
request the server side functionality can be documented and enhanced. If you are interested in
this functionality, then please contact FieldServer’s sales group.
Max Nodes Supported
FieldServer Mode
Nodes
Comments
Client
1
One such connection can be made per FieldServer port.
Server emulation provided for QA purposes only. Not
supported or documented except at customer request.
Server
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2.
Driver Scope of Supply
1.01
Supplied by FieldServer Technologies for this driver
FieldServer Technologies
PART #
Description
FS-8917-16
FS-8700-105
RJ45 pigtail cable.
Driver Manual.
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3.
Hardware Connections
The FieldServer is connected to the ‘BACnet’ port of the FACP as shown in connection drawing.
1.02
Connection Notes
A FACP network consists of up to 32 panels. One of those panels acts as the network
interface by means of its ‘BACnet’ interface port. This interface serves data to the
FieldServer by means of a serial connection. Each one of these connections requires
exclusive use of a FieldServer port. Thus, only one network of FACP’s can be connected to
one FieldServer serial port.
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4.
Configuring the FieldServer as a National Time & Signal FACP Client
For a detailed discussion on FieldServer configuration, please refer to the FieldServer
Configuration Manual. The information that follows describes how to expand upon the factory
defaults provided in the configuration files included with the FieldServer (See “.csv” sample files
provided with the FS).
This section documents and describes the parameters necessary for configuring the FieldServer
to communicate with a National Time & Signal FACP Server.
1.03
Data Arrays/Descriptors
The configuration file tells the FieldServer about its interfaces, and the routing of data
required. In order to enable the FieldServer for National Time & Signal FACP driver
communications, the driver independent FieldServer buffers need to be declared in the “Data
Arrays” section, the destination device addresses need to be declared in the “Client Side
Nodes” section, and the data required from the servers needs to be mapped in the “Client
Side Map Descriptors” section. Details on how to do this can be found below.
Note that in the tables, * indicates an optional parameter, with the bold legal value being the
default.
Section Title
Data_Arrays
Column Title
Function
Legal Values
Up to 15 alphanumeric
characters
Data_Array_Name
Provide name for Data Array
Float, Bit, UInt16, SInt16,
Packed_Bit, Byte,
Array can only take on one format. Packed_Byte,
Swapped_Byte
Provide data format. Each Data
Data_Array_Format
Number of Data Objects. Must be
larger than the data storage area
required by the Map Descriptors for
Data_Array_Length
1-10,000
the data being placed in this array.
Example
// Data Arrays
Data_Arrays
Data_Array_Name,
DA_AI_01,
DA_AO_01,
DA_DI_01,
Data_Format,
UInt16,
UInt16,
Bit,
Data_Array_Length,
200
200
200
200
DA_DO_01,
Bit,
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1.04
Client Side Connection Descriptions
Section Title
Connections
Column Title
Function
Specify which port the device is
connected to the FieldServer
Legal Values
P1-P81
Port
National_Time_FACP,
National_Time_Fire,
natsco_facp
9600 Baud (Vendor
limitation)
Protocol
Baud*
Specify protocol used
Specify baud rate
Parity*
Specify parity
Specify data bits
Specify stop bits
None (Vendor limitation)
8 (Vendor limitation)
1 (Vendor limitation)
None
Data_Bits*
Stop_Bits*
Handshaking*
Specify hardware handshaking
Specify a time in seconds. The
driver reports the connection as
being offline when a new valid
message has not been received on
the connection during this interval.
Each time one is received the
interval is restarted. If this parameter
is omitted then the driver assumes a
period of 180 seconds.
0-600 seconds.
Default = 180Secs.
NATSfacp_Timeout*
Use this parameter to specify a Data
Array. The Data Array need only
contain one element as only the 1st
element is used for the connection
status. If the connection is ‘online’
then the 1st element is set to 1. If the
connection is offline then the 1st
Up to 15 alphanumeric
characters
NATSfacp_Status_DA* element is set to zero.
We recommend that the Length of
the DA be set to 33. One element for
the connection status and the other
32 elements for Node / Panel Status.
Further information is provided in
Appendix A.7
1
Not all ports shown are necessarily supported by the hardware. Consult the appropriate Instruction manual for
details of the ports available on specific hardware.
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Example
Page 6 of 25
//
Client Side Connections
Connections
Port, Protocol,
P8,
Baud, Parity, NATSfacp_Timeout, NATSfacp_Status_DA
National_Time_Fire, 9600, None, 120s,
DA_NATS_STATUS1
1.05
Client Side Node Descriptors
Create one node for each panel connected to the National Time & Signal Network. You can
have multiple nodes on the same port.
Section Title
Nodes
Column Title
Function
Legal Values
Node_Name
Provide name for node
This parameter is used to specify
the PANEL number.
Up to 32 alphanumeric characters
Node_ID
Protocol
1-32
National_Time_FACP,
National_Time_Fire, natsco_facp
Specify protocol used
Specify which port the device is
connected to the FieldServer
Connection
P1-P82
Example
// Client Side Nodes
Nodes
Node_Name,
Panel1,
Panel2,
Node_ID,
1,
2,
Protocol,
National_Time_FACP, P1
National_Time_FACP, P1
Connection
2
Not all ports shown are necessarily supported by the hardware. Consult the appropriate Instruction manual for
details of the ports available on specific hardware.
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1.06
Client Side Map Descriptors
4.1.1.
FieldServer Related Map Descriptor Parameters
Column Title
Function
Name of this Map
Descriptor
Legal Values
Up to 32 alphanumeric
characters
Map_Descriptor_Name
Name of Data Array where One of the Data Array names
Data_Array_Name
data is to be stored in the
FieldServer
from “Data Array” section
above
Starting location in Data
Array
Function of Client Map
Descriptor
0 to maximum specified in
“Data Array” section above
Data_Array_Offset
Function
RDBC, WRBC, WRBX
4.1.2.
Column
Title
Driver Related Map Descriptor Parameters
Function
Legal Values
One of the node
names specified in
“Client Node
Node_Name Name of Node to fetch data from
You must specify one of the 4 choices.
Descriptor” above
If the ‘Any’ type is used then all messages will be
stored using the MD irrespective of the Data
Type.
Alarm
Trouble
Supervisory
Other
Data_Type
Do not create two MD’s with all parameters the
same except that one has a specific Data Type and
the other has ‘Any’. The driver can only store data
in one MD.
Any
The Board Number. One set of Map Descriptors
required for each board.
The Loop number on the Board. One set of Map
Descriptors required for each loop.
Board
1, 2, 3 etc...
1,2,3 etc
Loop
Use one of the 4 permitted values shown on the
Input; Output;
Fault; P(Other)
Port-Type
Address
right. You can abbreviate the port-types to use the
1st character.
The address and length are used to specify a range
of Port Numbers. Think of the Address as a
synonym for port.
1,2, 3 … etc
Starting address of read block
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1, 2, 3 etc.
Length of Map Descriptor. Specifies the number
Ensure that the
length added to the
offset is no greater
than the Data Array
length.
of ports processed by the MD.
Length
Thus if address is 1 and length is 10 the Map
Descriptor processes ports 1... 9 inclusive.
Set this parameter to ‘None’ to store data for a
range of ports which do not have sub-ports. To
store data for a specific port, set the sub-port type
appropriately. If the sub-port-type is ‘Other’, it
must be specified in the configuration file as
‘S(Other)’ or 'S'. Only the first character is used,
therefore the configuration may omit the rest of
the term (e.g. it is sufficient to specify ‘I’ for
‘Input’)
Input; Output;
Fault; S(other);
None
Sub-Port-
Type
Sub-Port
May be omitted if sub-port-type=None.
1,2,3 etc
4.1.3.
Timing Parameters
This commonly used parameter has no meaning for this
driver as the driver is a passive client driver and does not
poll for data.
Scan_Interval
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4.1.4.
Map Descriptor Example 1 – Port has no Sub-Ports.
This Map Descriptor is used to store messages from ‘Panel2’ if they meet the following criteria
Panel
= Node ‘Panel2’‘s Node_ID
Number
Board
Loop
= 1
= 2
Port-Type
Port
= Inputs
= 1 to 100 (Address and length
parameters)
Data_Type
= Alarms
Typically you will create one MD for each of the 4 data types for each Panel/Board/Loop/Port-Type/Port combination. Only messages
which report trouble allocated to the ‘Alarm’ category will update the DA below. Appendix A.4 provides more information on which
messages are allocated to each data type.
If any of the Port’s has a sub-port then additional MD’s must be created because the Sub-Port_Type = None.
Map_Descriptor_Name,
P2B3L4_ia,
Data_Array_Name,
P2B3L4_iA ,
Data_Array_Offset,
0,
Function,
Passive_Client ,
Node_Name
Panel2 ,
Board
1
Loop
2
Data_Type
Alarms
Port_Type
Input
Address
0,
Length
100
Sub-Port_Type
None
Driver cannot poll.
Always use this
keyword.
Address is a synonym for
‘Port’. Use the length to
tell the driver the Port
range
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4.1.5.
Map Descriptor Example 2 – Port has Sub-Ports.
This Map Descriptor is used to store messages from ‘Panel2’ if they meet the following criteria
Panel Number
Board
= Node ‘Panel2’s Node_ID
= 1
Loop
= 2
Port-Type
Port
= Inputs
= 20
Data_Type
Sub-Port-Type
Sub-Port-
Number
= Alarms
= Output
= 1
Map_Descriptor_Name,
P2B3L4_ia,
Data_Array_Name,
P2B3L4_iA ,
Data_Array_Offset,
0,
Function,
Passive_Client ,
Node_Name,
Panel2 ,
Board,
1,
Loop,
2,
Data_Type,
Alarms,
Port-Type,
Input,
Address,
0,
Length,
1,
Sub-Port-Type
Output
Sub-Port
1
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5.
Configuring the FieldServer as a National Time & Signal FACP Server
Server side emulation has been developed and is functional. (FST use this functionality to
complete the QA requirements and to ensure that the driver is compatible with firmware changes
not directly related to this driver.)This has, however, not been documented and is not supported.
If you require the server side of this driver for one of your projects then contact the sales group at
FST.
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Appendix A. Advanced Topics
Appendix A.1.
Modifying the Trouble String Table
The trouble string table can be modified/extended using the configuration file.
In the example below, the keyword ‘Broken’ is added and allocated an index value of 1 and a
trouble type of 1. When this message is received it will not be used to clear the Data Arrays
The following are permitted Trouble_Types
1 – Alarms
2 – Troubles
3 – Supervisories
4 – Others
Use the same system to modify existing entries in the table. If the Trouble string exists then
the driver updates the other values. If the string doesn’t exist then a new entry is added. The
table has space for 100 strings.
Driver_Table
Trouble_String,
Broken,
Fixed,
Index_Value,
1,
0,
99,
Trouble_Type,
Is_Reset, Protocol
1,
1,
2,
No,
No,
No,
National_Time_Fire
National_Time_Fire
National_Time_Fire
DigiFail,
Appendix A.2.
Controlling which arrays get cleared when a Reset is received.
When a reset message is received on a port then all Data Arrays being used by the Map
Descriptors on that port will have their values set to zero. Specifically: each Map Descriptor
is associated with a section of a Data Array based on the ‘Data Array Offset’ parameter and
the ‘Length’ parameter specified on the Map Descriptor. It is these sections that get reset
when a reset message is received. It is possible to modify this behavior by poking the value
1 into offset 5 in the stats Data Array. You can do this on a temporary basis using the Ruinet
utility or on a permanent basis by including the following in your configuration. Only the
Data Arrays associated with Map Descriptors with panel numbers matching the panel number
of the incoming message are reset.3
Data_Arrays
Data_Array_Name,
natsfacp-stats,
Data_Format,
natsfacp-stats,
Data_Array_length
1000
3
If you cut and past the above text into your configuration file ensure that you do not duplicate the line which says
“natsfacp-stats, natsfacp-stats, 1000,” Duplication will cause an error.
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Preloads
Data_Array_Name,
natsfacp-stats,
Preload_Data_Value,
1,
Preload_Data_Index
5
Appendix A.3.
Controlling case sensitivity in Trouble String Matching
When a message is processed the driver extracts the 8 character trouble string from the
message and compares it against the contents of the table provided in Appendix A.4. The
comparison is case sensitive by default. It is possible to modify this behavior by poking the
value 1 into offset 1 in the stats Data Array.
You can do this on a temporary basis by using the Ruinet utility or on a permanent basis by
including the following in your configuration.
Data_Arrays,
Data_Array_Name,
natsfacp-stats,
Data_Format,
UINT32,
Data_Array_length
1000
Preloads,
Data_Array_Name,
natsfacp-stats,
Preload_Data_Value,
1,
Preload_Data_Index
1
Appendix A.4.
Trouble Strings
The table below outlines the various messages which are reported by a National Time &
Signal FACP. Each message is allocated to a data type. The data type can be changed – refer
to Appendix A.1.for more information.
If a message is processed with a trouble string corresponding to a row in the table indicating
that the string is used for a reset then the Data Arrays used for that connection will be
cleared.
Index
value
Trouble String
Data_Type
Used to Reset Data Arrays
Alarm
Suprv
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Alarms
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Supervisories
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
OutpShrt
OutpOpen
OutpOcur
InpOpen
I/PwrFail
Wdt Fail
Low Batt
AC Fail
9
10
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Index
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Trouble String
Data_Type
Used to Reset Data Arrays
value
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
GndFault
CommFail
WalkTest
InpDsbl
OutpDsbl
CommDsbl
Sys Fail
24V Fail
LoopTbl
InputTbl
AudioLink
DVR Fail
DirtySnsr
MicTimer
DeviceErr
Addr Err
ExtraDev
ShortTbl
Open Tbl
OverHeat
DigiFail
Switch
RemoteAct
Monitor
AlrmSilG
PnlSil L
Reset G
Brd Dsbl
PortDsbl
ActnDsbl
Drill G
Drill L
AlrmSil L
PnlSil S
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Others
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Others
Others
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Alarms
0
0
IS_RESET
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Alarms
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Others
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Others
Reset L
Burglar
DuplAddr
TechMode
ConfigErr
DigiClasA
City Dis
Dev Stat
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Index
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Trouble String
Data_Type
Used to Reset Data Arrays
value
53
Call In
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
Troubles
0
0
0
0
MicSwitch
PnlSil G
Unknown
54
55
56
Appendix A.5.
Panel / Driver Synchronization
There is no automatic system of synchronizing the Fire Alarm Panels and the data in the
FieldServer. This is because the FieldServer cannot poll for status information from the panel
but has to rely on the panel sending messages with changes in status.
To synchronize the panel to the FieldServer you should push the reset button on the Fire
Alarm Panel. When this is done the driver clears all the Data Arrays associated with the
connections. In this case ‘associated’ means those DA’s used by the Map Descriptors
logically connected to the serial port on which the message was received. This is the default
behavior of the driver – however it is possible to limit the Data Arrays which get cleared so
that only those DA’s associated with the panel which sent the message get cleared. Further
information is provided in Appendix A.2
Appendix A.6.
Connection Status
This is a passive client driver connected to a Fire Alarm Panel. Normally there are no alarms
and thus there would be no way for the FieldServer to know if it was still connected to the
FACP network. The National Time & Signal panel, however, sends a message at a regular
interval of approximately one minute. This driver uses this message to monitor and report the
status of the connection.
A connection timeout may be specified. Read about the NATSfacp_Timeout and
NATSfacp_Status_DA connection parameters in section 1.04.
If the driver doesn’t receive a ‘valid’ message within this timeout period then the driver
considers the connection as lost. It reports this providing a connection status bit which can be
monitored by the upstream node. The bit is set to 1 when the connection is good and set to
zero when the connection is lost.
A ‘valid’ message is one that does not fail parsing.
Appendix A.7.
Node Status
If the FACP sends a message that one of its networked panels has a communications failure
by sending a message with the Trouble String = “CommFail” then the driver reports that
panel/Node as offline. If the event is restored to normal then the driver reports the node as
being online. Furthermore, if a valid message is received from a panel in an offline state then
the driver sets the node status to online.
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Thus: A Comms Fail message puts the node offline and the node is put online when either a
valid message is received from the panel or the Comms Fail event is restored.
The driver reports the node status by updating the Data Array specified by the
NATSfacp_Status_DA parameter specified on the connection. If this parameter is not
specified then the node status cannot be reported. Ensure the Data Array is at least 33 items
long. The 1st element is used for the connection status. The remaining 32 elements are used
for node status. One element for each node and the offset corresponds to the Node_ID/Panel
number.
This is the only way that an upstream node can monitor if the node is online/offline. The
data obtained by this driver will always be made available to other drivers even if the node
associated with the driver is offline.
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Appendix B. Troubleshooting tips
Appendix B.1.
Connection Tips & Hints
The Panel must be configured to send ‘Extended’ Messages. This is not the default state. The
following procedure is used to achieve this setting.
1) Hit Menu/Exit
2) Use arrow keys to go to Tech Menu
3) Press up arrow twice to enter password of 2000
4) Hit Enter (at this point the panel makes a beeping noise)
5) Hit Panel Silence
6) Use arrow keys to move to Factory
7) Hit Enter
8) Use arrow keys to move to RS232CNFG
9) Hit Enter
10) Use arrow keys to move to Settings
11) Hit Enter
12) Use arrow keys to move to Expanded
13) Hit Enter
14) Hit Exit
15) Hit Exit
16) Use arrow keys to move to Tech Exit
17) Hit Enter
Appendix B.2.
Exposing Driver operating Statistics
The driver makes some of its operating statistics available in a Data Array where they can be
read by an upstream device. The lines from the example below can be cut and pasted into a
configuration file.
Data_Arrays
Data_Array_Name,
natsfacp-stats,
Data_Format,
UINT32,
Data_Array_length
1000
The driver maintains one set of stats for each communication port.
To determine the base offset use the following formula:
Base Offset = Port Number * 100 where Port Number is the port number printed in the error
log by message #22.
Relative
Description
Offset4
4
Add this number to the Base Offset
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Relative
Description
Offset4
6
7
Increments each time a port 'Alive' message is received
Increments each time a message is received and is sent to the parsing routine
Increments by message length each time a message is received and is sent to the
parsing routine
8
9
10
Increments each time a message is received and is sent to the parsing routine
Increments each time a message is received and is sent to the store routine
Increments each time a message is received and is sent to the store routine and
results in a store
Increments each time a message is received and is sent to the reset routine
Increments each time a message is received and is sent to the reset routine and
at least one DA was reset
11
12
13
14
15
16
Panel Number: Most recent message (after parse, prior to store)
Board Number: Most recent message (after parse, prior to store)
Loop Number: Most recent message (after parse, prior to store)
Port Type: Most recent message (after parse, prior to store). ASCII value
shown. ASCII value shown.
Port Number: Most recent message (after parse, prior to store)
Sub Port Type: Most recent message (after parse, prior to store). ASCII value
shown.
17
28
19
20
21
Sub Port: Most recent message (after parse, prior to store)
Trouble String Index: Most recent message (after parse, prior to store)
Trouble Level: Most recent message (after parse, prior to store). Ascii value
shown.
22
Data_Arrays,
Data_Array_Name,
natsfacp-stats,
Data_Format,
UINT32,
Data_Array_length,
1000,
Appendix B.3.
Driver Error Messages
Message
Interpretation and Corrective Action
This message is normally only printed when the driver is
being tested for QA purposes. If it is printed during
normal operation, take a log and call Technical support.
There are a number of variants of this message. Be sure to
quote the correct one when reporting the error.
NATS:#01a FYI Validation
ignored for simulation.
MD=%s
NATS:#02a Err. Bad Port-
Type=0x%x. Expected
I/O/F/P.
A Map Descriptor is being validated and has been rejected
because the ‘Port-Type’ has not been correctly specified∗
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Message
Interpretation and Corrective Action
NATS:#02b Err. Bad Port-
Type=%c. Expected I/O/F/P.
The sub-port type has not been specified for the Map
Descriptor.∗
NATS:#05 Err. Bad Sub-
Port=%d.
NATS:#06a Err. Bad Sub-
Port-Type=0x%x. Expected
I/O/F/S/N.
NATS:#06b Err. Bad Sub-
Port-Type=%c. Expetced
I/O/F/S/N.
A Map Descriptor is being validated and has been rejected
because the ‘Sub-Port-Type’ has not been correctly
specified.
NATS:#07 Err. Loop Not
specified
NATS:#08 Err. Board Not
specified
The Loop has not been specified for the Map Descriptor.∗
The Board has not been specified for the Map Descriptor.∗
A message is being processed to determine the event that
is being reported. During the processing an error was
found. If this error occurs occasionally then you could
assume that it is an occasional corrupt message. You
could determine this yourself. The driver prints a copy of
the incoming messages on the ‘F’ screen (when using
NATS:#09 Err. Parse: Found a Ruinet). Note the messages and look for corruption. If
'%c' instead of a 'L' for Loop.
there is any take steps to improve the connection.
If it occurs frequently then assume that there is a
systematic error. Take a log, note the error and call Tech
Support.
Valid Port Types are I/O/F/P.
The parameter heading ‘Loop’ has been provided on the
Map Descriptor in the configuration CSV file, but the
parameter value has not been specified.∗
NATS:#10 Err. Undefined
Loop
This message is normally only printed when the driver is
being tested for QA purposes. If it is printed during
normal operation, take a log and call Technical support.
There are a number of variants of this message. Be sure to
quote the correct one when reporting the error.
The parameter heading ‘Board’ has been provided on the
Map Descriptor in the configuration CSV file, but the
parameter value has not been specified.∗
NATS:#11a FYI Validation
ignored for simulation.
MD=%s
NATS:#12 Err. Undefined
Board
The parameter heading ‘Sub-Port’ has been provided on
the Map Descriptor in the configuration CSV file, but the
parameter value has not been specified.∗
NATS:#13 Err. Undefined
Sub-Port
NATS:#14 Err. Undefined
The parameter heading ‘Port-Type has been provided on
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FS-8700-105_National_Time_and_Signal_FACP Manual
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Message
Interpretation and Corrective Action
Port_Type
the Map Descriptor in the configuration CSV file, but the
parameter value has not been specified.∗
NATS:#15 Err. <%s> file not
found.
NATS:#16a Err. Diagnostic 1
NATS:#16b Err. Diagnostic 2
This message is normally only printed when the driver is
being tested for QA purposes. If it is printed during
normal operation, take a log and call Technical support.
FieldServer’s provide ‘write-through-read’ technology but
it has been defeated for this driver because this driver
cannot write to the FACP panel as it is a passive client
driver. When you see this message you know that some
other node (or possibly a ruinet user) has poked a value
into one of the Data Arrays used by the driver. When this
occurs the FieldServer attempts to write the new value to
the FACP. This is not permitted and the message is
printed. You can review the configuration checking to see
if any Data Array areas used by the different drivers
overlap. Or you can check to see that the other
NATS:#17 Err. Driver cannot
poll. Cache MD Ignored.
nodes/connections in the configuration are not writing to
the Data Array being used to store panel data.
The trouble string in the message is contained in character
positions 28-36. The driver extracted a trouble string
from an incoming message and then compared the string
to a look-up table of trouble strings. There was no match.
Apply one of the following:
Determine if this is a legitimate trouble string. Is the rest
of the message corrupt or valid? Do other messages have
the same trouble string? Does the equipment vendor
confirm that this is a new trouble string? If it is a
legitimate trouble string and the driver does not recognize
it then you need to add the string to the driver’s look-up
table. More information is provided in Appendix A.1 .
Once you have added the new string to the configuration,
reset the FieldServer for the changes to take effect. Now
generate the same event again. This time there should be
no message.
NATS:#18 Err. Parse: Trouble
String Unknown.
The case sensitivity of the look-up can be controlled.
More information is provided in Appendix A.3
If neither of the previous strategies work and you are sure
this isn’t a rare corrupt message then take a log and call
tech Support.
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FS-8700-105_National_Time_and_Signal_FACP Manual
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Message
Interpretation and Corrective Action
When the driver was parsing a message it found that it
could not correctly extract some data. It is possible that
new versions of FACP firmware support new values that
this driver does not know.
NATS:#19 Err. Parse: Found a
'%c' instead of a 'P' for Panel.
If this error is printed on rare occasions then it could be
attributed to a corrupted message. You can choose to
ignore the problem, or you could resynchronize the panel
to the FieldServer. Appendix A.5 in this manual provides
information on how to do this.
NATS:#20 Err. Parse: Found a
'%c' instead of a 'B' for Board.
NATS:#21 Err. Parse: Found a
'%c' instead of a '%s' for
PortType.
If it is printed often then assume that there is new
permitted value. Confirm with the equipment vendor and
then take a log and call tech support.
NATS:#22a FYI. Port(=%d)
Supervision Timeout set to %d
Secs
NATS:#22b FYI. Port(=%d)
Supervision Timeout reset to
%d Secs
When the driver starts up it prints this message to alert
you to the default ‘timeout’ value. You can safely ignore
this message if you are satisfied with the setting. If you
want to change the setting then read about the
‘NATSfacp_Timeout’ parameter in section 1.04
NATS:#23 Err. Parse: Found a
'%c' instead of a '%s' for
SubPort.
Please read and apply the same notes as with message 19.
The driver needs a Data Array to store the status of the
connection. A different DA is required for each
connection. Only the 1st element of the DA is used.
Create the DA (See section 1.03) and then use that name
when specifying the ‘NATSfacp_Status_DA’ parameter
on the connection. More information is provided in
section 1.04
NATS:#24 FYI. Can’t store
connection status. DA
required.
If no valid message has been received in the connection
timeout period then this message is printed. The
connection status is updated too, if a
NATS:#25 Err. Going offline. NATSfacp_Status_DA’ parameter is specified on the
No msgs in last %ld Secs.
(%d)
connection. More information is provided in section 1.04.
If the loss of the connection corresponds to your
expectations then ignore the message. If not, then
investigate why the panel lost its connection to the
FieldServer.
When a valid message is received on a connection then
this message is printed. No corrective action is required.
NATS:#26 FYI. Going online. However, if the message was unexpected then it may
New msg rcvd. (%d)
indicate that the connection between the Panel and
FieldServer was lost for a period of time and recovered.
You may wish to investigate the loss of the connection.
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Message
Interpretation and Corrective Action
The message is also printed the very 1st time that a valid
message is received.
Typically the message preceding this one provides the
reason and that issue must be resolved to prevent this
message being printed. The message is printed a small
number of times and is suppressed for subsequent similar
errors.
NATS:#27 Err. Parse Failed
This message will typically be printed when the
terminating characters of a message are not received and a
new message is received from the panel.
NATS:#28 Err. Parse: Msg too If the message is printed rarely, you could treat the source
long. Ignored. Len=%d
as an occasional corrupt message. Reset the configuration
error light by clearing the error log using the <R>eset key.
If the message is printed frequently or can be produced
systematically take a log and call Tech Support.
The address/port contained in a message is used to
determine the offset into a Data Array when data is stored.
This message is printed when the required storage offset
is larger than the range of addresses specified on the Map
Descriptor being used to store the data. Edit the
NATS:#29 Err. MD=%s too
short. Act=%d Rqd=%d
configuration, adjusting the Length parameter. Download
the modified configuration file to the FieldServer and
reset the FieldServer for your changes to have effect.
A message has been received and when its Panel number,
Board number, Loop Number, Port-Type, Port Number
(and possibly Sub-Port-Type and Sub-Port-Number) are
analyzed, the driver cannot find a Map Descriptor suitable
for the storage of the event contained in the message.
You need one node configured for each Panel that will be
sending messages to the FieldServer using a single
connection. The Node_Id must match the panel number.
NATS:#30 Err. Message
ignored. No suitable storage
location.
Then, for each node, you need one Map Descriptor (MD)
for each Board in each of those panels, whose events, will
be sent to the FieldServer. In fact you need one for each
Board / Loop / Port-Type combination in the system. Use
the parameters called Address and Length, on each MD,
to specify a range of port numbers.
If a port has sub ports then for each port that has a sub-
port you will need a set of MD’s, one for each Sub-Port-
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FS-8700-105_National_Time_and_Signal_FACP Manual
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Message
Interpretation and Corrective Action
Type / Sub-Port-Number combination.
The message which follows Message #30, in the error log
will provide a suggestion as to what a suitable Map
Descriptor might look like.
To resolve this problem you must edit the configuration
file, creating a Map Descriptor suitable for the message
whose attributes are printed in the error log. Download the
updated configuration file to the FieldServer and then
reset the FieldServer for the changes to take effect.
This message is the extreme form of message #30.
Resolve it the same way. First though, we suggest that
you review some of the Map Descriptor examples found
in section 4.1.4. Then read the notes for message #30.
NATS:#31 Err. There are No
MD's for this driver.
NATS:#32 Err. There are No
MD's for Panel/Node_id=%d
NATS:#33 FYI. Suggestion.
Modify MD=%s
Read the notes for Message #30.
This message is printed if a reset message was received
but no suitable map descriptors were found and thus no
data was reset.
NATS:#34 Err. Reset Rcvd but
ignored.
Read Appendix A.2 for more information.
NATS:#35 FYI. Use an array
called <%s> to expose
diagnostic info.
This message may be safely ignored. It is printed to
prompt you to read Appendix B.2
The driver’s default list of recognized Trouble Strings can
be amended by means of configuration. An attempt to
modify the list has failed because no Trouble String can
be more than eight characters. Read Appendix A.1 then
correct the configuration file. Download the modified file
to the FieldServer and reset the FieldServer for your
changes to have effect.
NATS:#36 Err. String <%s>
rejected. Max Len=8
NATS:#37 FYI. String<%s>
update.
ndx/typ/rst=%d/%d/%d
Based on the notes in Appendix A.1 the Trouble String
Table has been successfully amended. No corrective
action is required.
The maximum number of Trouble Strings’ is 100. There
is no corrective action you can take other than to review
the exiting list and see if they are all necessary.
Based on the notes in Appendix A.1 the Trouble String
Table has been successfully added. No corrective action
is required.
NATS:#38 Err. No space.
String <%s> rejected.
NATS:#39 FYI. String<%s>
added. ndx/typ/rst=%d/%d/%d
NATS:#40 Err. Cant set node
Valid Panel / Node_ID’s are whole numbers in the range
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Page 24 of 25
Message
Interpretation and Corrective Action
status if Node_ID < 1 (%d)
1 to 32. It is possible that this message could get pointed
as a consequence of a single corrupted message. If this
error occurs frequently then call Tech Support after taking
a log.
NATS:#414 FYI. Cant store
Node status. DA required.
See Message #24
This message is printed when a message is received that
reports that communication to the indicated panel has
failed.
NATS:#42 Err. Node /
Panel=%d offline. Comms
Failed. Port=%d
You must review and inspect your FACP equipment to
resolve this problem.
No corrective action is required. The message is printed
when a node that had been reported as having failed
communications has this state restored to normal.
This message is printed when the driver tries to update the
node status using the Data Array specified by the
‘NATSfacp_Status_DA’ parameter on the connection.
The offset used is equal to the node number and the driver
has found that the DA is too short to store the status as the
required offset. Edit the configuration file, setting the DA
length to the required length printed in the message.
Typically you will set this length to 32 as there are 32
possible panels on a connection.
NATS:#43 FYI. Node /
Panel=%d online. Port=%d
NATS:#44 Err. DA=%s too
short. Required=%d
Download the modified config file to the FieldServer and
reset the FieldServer for your changes to take effect.
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FS-8700-105_National_Time_and_Signal_FACP Manual
Page 25 of 25
Appendix C. Revision History
Driver Doc.
Date
Resp Format
Comment
Ver.
Rev.
6/29/04 PMC
6/29/04 PMC
1.00
0
Document Created
Added notes on Node Status and added some
error messages.
1.00
1.00
1.00
1
2
3
Updated formatting. Redrew connection
diagram. Some text modifications. Generally
improved readability.
7/6/04
Meg Meg
Example table added for Appendix B2 –
DUR0436.
9/13/04 Meg Meg
Updated connection diagram. Updated Max
nodes supported table. Removed reference to
R1&R2. Added connection notes. Changed
Company to Corp. Refer DUR0471
Releasing
10/15/04 Meg Meg
12/29/04 JD
1.00
1.00
4
5
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