ffastestsPC-HSD ISA BUSS SYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATIONS CONTROLLER BOARD

The ffastestsPC-HSD board is a short slot AT-ISA buss board with physical dimensions of 7.75" depth behind rear panel and a height of 3.9" above the socket. The board will function in an 8 or 16 slot. It must be in a 16-bit AT slot to use the higher interrupts.

The Serial Communications Controller (SCC) USART is an 85C30 which is capable of both synchronous and asynchronous communications and has been tested up to 256 kbps. The board has been tested in a minimum computer configuration of a 386/33 Mhz to a Pentium III 400 Mhz system. If you wish the system to be a stand-alone communicator at speeds of 64 kbps only the 386/33 with a fast disk is a good solution. If you want the computer system to run under Windows, to be networked, and to do other things such as compression and graphics display, the more powerful the computer the better. The ffastests DOS system cannot be run as a shell from Windows, the computer must be in the DOS mode. You can run the DOS software from a Windows 95 only system by creating an MS-DOS icon to exit WIN 95 direct to DOS with an AUTOEXEC.BAT and a CONFIG.SYS that is compatible with our software. Our systems can be used as "Data Pumps" for transferring large files over V-Sat systems using dynamically assigned synchronous clear channel bandwidth.

The "ffastests protocol" is written in very tight Intel assembler code to maintain the maximum data throughput, in the presence of multiple satellite delays with high errors, and to give the user a minimum Inmarsat bill for large data file transfers. The code is very demanding on the PC's processor and the interrupts. We have tested a Windows NT version of the software and have found the hardware configuration will not support the NT operating system's demand on the CPU usage. We are now sure the Windows NT and 2000 platforms will not provide the preformance of the Windows 98, 95, and ME software platforms. Windows NT and 2000 will cost the customer money on his communications bill. Our Inmarsat throughputs, when transmitting precompressed files, of 350,000 & 400,000 bytes (8 bits per byte) per minute at 56 & 64 kbps are typical with the Windows 95, 98, 3.1X, and DOS. The ffastestsPC-HSD system is working with government supplied KIV-7 and KG-84C external encryption devices and with other commercial encryption devices.

We recommend you obtain your computer systems from a local vendor to be sure you get the best service possible when you have a problem. If you want us to supply a total solution with computer and software loaded and tested we can provide a quotation and if needed a Getac, Inc. rugged Industrial grade LapTop. Our AT-ISA buss card will function in 95% of the 386, 486, and Pentium computers manufactured. Our PCMCIA card will function in 95% of the LapTops under Windows 3.1X, 95, 98, or with an MS-DOS loadable Card & Socket services for the Type 2 cards.

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ffastestsPCMCIA TYPE II SYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATIONS CONTROLLER CARD

The ffastestsPCMCIA card is installed in any LapTop PCMCIA Type II standard location. To save TSR memory under DOS we do not load a resident driver. We load and release our driver when you run and exit the ffastestsPCMCIA program.

The Windows 98, 95, ME, and 3.1X software uses a virtual device driver and cannot be installed as a "Plug and Play" device. When using our software under Windows you must be sure Windows does not take control of our card before our software is installed. Installation of our hardware and software is a simple task. First determine an available interrupt and address range for the hardware. Second install the software from a floppy disk using using a simple setup program. Third install the hardware card and run the ffastests hardware configuration and test program. At the If you run our DOS software your computer must have the DOS version of card and socket services loaded with the CONFIG.SYS at boot. The card and socket services software can come from several vendors and may not be up to the latest revision level to handle Type II cards. The best software comes from SystemSoft Corp. if you do not have their latest version, 1.17, see if you can get it from your computer supplier. Comspec DPI will install the card and software in your DeskTop or LapTop for a flat fee of $150.00 plus shipping if you send us the computer. The LapTop solution is very handy when used with an Ethernet LAN PCMCIA card for access to other Windows NT, 2000, UNIX or MAC networks. We have tested with the 3Com card and TCP/IP and FTP software from FTP Software (PC-TCP), Novell (Lan WorkPlace for DOS) and Sun (PC-NFS).

The files below are more detailed information in Word 6 and Excel applications. The file is a self extracting Zip executable file just save it to a temporary folder and run it from the "Run Icon" under the Start Button.

Click here to download the Word 6.0 ffastestsPC Documentation files

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Just File Transfer (JFT)

Comspec Digital Products has released a 32 Bit API version 2.00.02 of our personal computer to personal computer communications package for Windows XP. NT, 95, & 98. This is the first release with full Windows NT support. Support for eight serial ports. This version has long Path, Folder, and File name support. We have added a new "Browse" function that makes it much easier to send and group files from any location on your hard drive. The JFT software still has 100% packet error tolerance, a new more complete "file resume" function, a "keep" function for mail box software updates, support for the Inmarsat "M & B" low speed data terminals, support for the buffered "UART'S" (165/6/750), and the ISDN terminal adapters from Motorola, Adtran, and others supporting the V.120 and Bonding async protocols.

"JFT" stands for "Just File Transfer" and the package is a fast, reliable, secure and easy to use software package for PC to PC file transfer. Yes "JFT" will transmit data when every single data packet in the transmission block is damaged. If you need to send data on expensive and error prone circuits, such as: HF, VHF, UHF, and Cellular radio; Third World and some other international telephone links; Inmarsat satellite land mobile or marine, then it is costing you lots of money not to use "JFT". Comspec DPI is not a "new kid on the block" with another "me too" communication package. We are communication specialists with over 15 years of experience in domestic and international data communications. We have hundreds of systems worldwide communicating data for the US Government and Energy Companies.

In the data communications world everyone uses a diversion or gimmick to avoid the true test of data transmission "throughput". "Throughput", as we define it, is the wall clock time necessary to move an incompressible file from one PC to another. Depending on modem type, bit rate, and errors, our systems can provide an average data transfer throughput in excess of 216,000 bytes or characters per minute on domestic and some international dial-up lines. That's over 28,800 bits per second actual throughput on dial lines. Don't be fooled by claims of error free and data compression modem vendors. Their error correction and data compression can be a penalty of up to 200% when working on lines with errors and files that cannot be compressed. Throughputs of 570,000 bytes per minute at 115.2 kbps on a 128 kbps bonded ISDN line and 410,000 bytes per minute at 115.2 kbps on a 64 kbps V.120 ISDN line are typical. On lines with errors JFT's "RAP" protocol can reduce the number of retransmitted packets by a factor of ten over other standard protocols.

The files below are more detailed information in Word 6 and Excel applications. The file is a self extracting Zip executable file just save it to a temporary folder and run it from the "Run Icon" under the Start Button.

Click here to download the Word 6.0 JFT Documentation files

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Comspec DPI / MultiTech 'DataTalker' DT101/102 Data/Voice Multiplexer

Comspec DP can only offer the special modified MultiTech DataTalker DT101/2 multiplexer on a special order basis. MultiTech has stopped production of the DT101/2 mux. The unit is modified by CDP for use on the Inmarsat synchronous 64 kbps High-Speed Data service and cannot be purchased from MultiTech. Two systems are required; one at the Inmarsat remote or ship location and the other unit is installed on an ISDN or DDS line at the office location. The RS232 asynchronous service looks like a buffered "Null Modem" cable with a satellite delay of 850 milliseconds. The voice circuit is a dynamically assigned 16 kbps "Vector Quantization Voice Digitization" channel. The voice is digitized, compressed and packetized for bandwidth optimization and prioritizing. The voice lines are essentially free and can be used while the system is in the data mode for calls and instructions while using real time or remote control software. Tested Inmarsat systems are Nera "Saturn Bm", Furuno, JRC, STN Atlas, & Litton marine units and Nera M-4 & Bp, L3-STS LYNXX, MagnaPhone (Raytheon) MX6060, & Glocom land mobile units.

The major attributes of the DataTalker are LOW COST, HIGH SPEED, and SETUP SIMPLICITY. The DataTalker is designed to give the user the maximum advantages in using various software programs at much higher bit rates on the Inmarsat system. The DT101/2 configuration is made simple using a menu driven terminal setup. The office end DT101/2's async port is connected to a RAS comm port or to a Shiva RAS port and the sync port to an ISDN B channel. The remote DT101/2 async port is connected to a serial port on a PC running Dialup Networking (Null Modem) and the sync port is connected to the HSD channel of the Inmarsat terminal. The DT101/2 provides an efficient error free path for data transfer and will appear to the user as a high quality dialup 56k modem connection to a LAN or the Internet. Connect and disconnect times can take less than 12 seconds total. In December 2001 MultiTech stopped production on the DT101/2 systems. We can only supply reconditioned systems on an as needed basis at this time.

When moving large data files from remote locations to a home office data processing center the CDPI ffastestsPC-HSD system will give the minimum Inmarsat cost. A 1MB file transferred by ffastestsPC takes 2 min. 24 sec.; the same file via the DataTalker using JFT takes 3 min. 20 sec (13 minutes before our modifications). However, if the user wants to use less efficient software this method will provide the best Inmarsat price performance for the selected software. The DataTalker voice/fax and data concentrators optimize the Inmarsat HSD link by simultaneously transmitting voice and/or fax with LAN or computer data. The system represents a basically secure link to the outside world for only another DT101/2 mux can get access to your data port. This limits the access to your RAS port to only people with DataTalker's and no others can connect. The system has been tested with commercial, and the KIV-7 and KG-84C government cryptographic systems an gives the user up to two secure voice and a data connection on one 64 kbps link.

Click here to download the Word 6.0 and Acrobat Mux Documentation files

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MONEY SAVING TIP

To minimize your remote to office communications bill, you must focus on sending only the minimum data when using the on demand high cost per minute communications services. You must minimize the voice communications and maximize the data use of the services available. You must study the data interchange needs and combine all data communications through the most optimum service for the amount of per day data traffic needed. You must avoid the use of any services, software, or systems that cannot adapt to use the optimum data transfer method chosen for your remote data communications needs. The Inmarsat system offers some of the best services for on demand data communications to remote sites or vessels. The cost of the minute's usage will be the major cost of an Inmarsat system over its lifetime of use. Our calculations show using good data compression and batch mode file transfer can yield a minimum Inmarsat per day data use "Rule of Thumb" for data transmission. For total file sizes less than 250 bytes, the "C" messaging service is best. For file sizes 250 to 4,000 bytes, Mini-M or Standard M yield the lowest cost. For file sizes 4,000 to 40,000 bytes, the "B" 9,600 bps LSD is best. For file sizes above 40,000 bytes, the winner is the "B" HSD service. In our opinion, the only reason to switch to or use an Inmarsat "B" system is for the 64,000 bps data service. The Inmarsat data systems present a "Cornucopia of Variables" to the data communications user. The most important function to reduce your communications bill is to use good data transfer technology and reduce the volume of data with state of the art data compression techniques. The Kernel Technologies, Ltd. "Swift" software compresses and decompresses seismic SEGY data, using the "Aware Engine", in any SEGY format. Swift utilities deliver ease of use and critical feedback in the application of Lossy Compression Technology. The Swift feedback enables you to choose the most appropriate compression ratio suitable to your data or your particular application of the technology. If you had a 100-megabyte file to send, compressing it just 10 to 1will save you $ 2,000.00 dollars on your Inmarsat bill. Compression programs from Kernel Technologies, Ltd 403-264-5454, SeisPros, Inc. 713-529-3140, Aware Inc.617-276-4000, Iterated Systems, Inc. 404-840-0633, LEAD Technologies, Inc. 704-332-5532, PKWARE, Inc. 414-354-8699, Ascent Solutions, Inc. 513-885-2031, JPEG, MPEG, and others can be used to get higher effective throughputs.

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