Crestron Control Systems; Why Program Control Systems; Elements Of A Control System; Main Processor - Crestron SIMPL Windows User Manual

Crestron SIMPL Windows

Crestron Control Systems

Primer – DOC. 6253

Why Program Control Systems?

The term program refers to the instructions loaded into the control processor that
cause it to operate in an intended way. For example, to control a DVD player, you
must write a program that tells the control system which port the unit is connected to,
what IR codes to send to it, and which buttons on a touchpanel trigger those
functions. A typical program may contain hundreds of similar instructions designed
to allow control of an entire rack full of audio/visual equipment. All programs are
written in the SIMPL programming language. Crestron has created the SIMPL
Windows development application expressly for writing in this language.

Elements of a Control System

Main Processor

The Crestron control system processor is the heart of a complete remote control
system. Its basic function is to integrate and communicate with equipment made by
other manufacturers. To do this the control system's working memory (RAM) must
be programmed to use the specific instructions, or program, to communicate with the
devices being controlled.
In addition to working memory, control systems contain an operating system (OPS).
Similar to the operating systems that run personal computers, the OPS is a set of
instructions that enables the control system to understand the program that has been
loaded into it and to control equipment connected to the system by various
input/output devices (an infrared module, for example).
The need to upgrade the OPS will arise if programmers want to take advantage of
new programming capabilities, new Crestron hardware devices, or to correct a
problem found in a previous version. You can download control system updates from
the Crestron Web site. Operating system files on this site have file names such as
c2.v3080.cuz, with different extensions depending on the type of processor. Before
downloading, make sure the update is compatible with your control system by
verifying that the file name matches the OPS version number and the extension
corresponds to your control processor model.
2-Series processors use a CUZ file to load the operating system to the control
system. 2-Series processors provide 32 MB of DRAM, which is expandable to 4GB
for processors that include a Compact Flash slot. The size of the program, and
number of analog, digital, and serial signals that can be processed are limited only by
the amount of available RAM. In addition to RAM, the processor provides 256KB of
NVRAM (non-volatile RAM) that is used to store SIMPL+ variables and variables
expressly written to it by some "memory" symbols in SIMPL. These symbols
include Analog RAM, Digital RAM, and Analog Non-Volatile Ramp, and are
commonly used for lighting or volume presets. Non-volatile RAM retains data
written to it when power is turned off. The 256K of NVRAM may also be split to use
64K or 128K as an NVRAM disk.
X-Series processors have a base Monitor in addition to the operating system, as well
as separate TCP/IP stacks, all contained in a UPZ file. The separate stacks are for
systems that include the CNXENET or CNXENET+ card for Ethernet
communication. X-Series processors allow a total of 16373 user-defined digital
Software
Crestron SIMPL Windows • 5