What is cmdBridge?

cmdBridge is an intelligent command protocol translator. It performs real-time translation between devices that speak different command languages, including physical interface conversion. Examples of such devices include control systems like Crestron, AMX, and Extron, as well as projectors and displays.

What can cmdBridge do for me?

You can reduce support and maintenance costs using a more strategic loan or spare equipment holding. As a result, maintaining many different AV systems, even those without the full source code for the control system, is easier and cheaper.

For example, a projector in a lecture theatre has failed. Traditionally, you have a few options to consider:

Take the lecture theatre out of service while the projector is repaired.
Not ideal, as it may take a while to get the projector fixed, if at all.

Replace the projector with a spare of the same make and model.
This is an excellent choice if you already have an identical spare on hand.

Swap the projector out with an alternative and reprogram the control system to use it.
If you have the system source code and a programmer with the tools to make the change, you can get the system working. If the projector deployed was a loan unit, you will need to reprogram the control system when the original comes back from repair.

Deploying cmdBridge in this scenario reduces the time and resources needed to get your customer up and running again.

The animation below shows a typical deployment scenario.

How can cmdBridge reduce my costs?

Here are just a few examples.

You no longer need to send a programmer when deploying spares/loan equipment. 
You can reduce the costs of handling support calls by keeping more cost-effective strategic spares/loan equipment to support multiple service contracts. cmdBridge can store up to 32 translations internally for rapid deployment.

You can also use cmdBridge to extend an existing installation’s lifetime cost-effectively.
A customer, for example, would like to upgrade a projector but doesn’t have the source code for the control system or the budget and time to upgrade/reprogram the whole system. Deploying cmdBridge with a new projector would enable a cost-effective fix, enhancing your relationship with your customer.

The pass-through mode allows you to interchange the physical control interface.
For example, you may swap a projector that has an IP interface with another projector that uses the same control language but only has an RS232 interface, or vice versa.

Make bidding for support contracts more competitive.
You can take on a support contract where the customer does not have the original system source code. cmdBridge can automatically snapshot an existing system in operation. Create a template configuration file ready to add your company’s loan equipment details. Currently, up to 32 translations may be stored internally for simple and rapid deployment when required.

Enable a customer to try something new without impacting a working system.
A customer can easily do a real-world trial of a new replacement or upgraded device without updating the existing control system. With multiple translations stored in cmdBridge, you can rapidly change between various devices under test with just a few keystrokes.

Technical specifications

System

Boot Time
cmdBridge boots and is ready to start work in just a few seconds.  It would have booted, and be prepared to go by the time you have read this sentence.

Introduced Latency
cmdBridge processes data very quickly.  There is a system latency of around 50 milliseconds (0.050 seconds).

Configuration file language
The configuration file provides the data needed for translations to happen.  It also permits the setting of variables so that you can create internal state machines.  You can use these variables to alter the translations’ behaviour, supplying the correct feedback to a control system and ensuring the user interface is updated as expected.

Passthrough Mode
Command and reply data is passed through unchanged, enabling physical interface translation without altering the content of the data.

Translation Mode
Activates the translation engine so that cmdBridge actively re-writes the commands and replies according to the loaded translation configuration.

Monitor Mode
Provides passive real-time data monitoring as it passes through cmdBridge, regardless of the physical interface.  Data is displayed via the console port in hex and, if printable, in ASCII.

Capture Mode
When in passthrough mode, cmdBridge can record the data passing through. This process automatically creates a snapshot of the working system, storing commands and associated replies into a pre-formatted configuration file. Once complete, you may save the data to the USB memory stick and pre-formatted it as a translation file.

Storage
There are multiple internal memory slots available to store the translation configuration. No need to leave a USB memory stick connected for deployment.

Status LEDs
Status LEDs indicate the various modes when data is received or transmitted and if there is a fault. The full details are in the user manual.
The brightness of the status LEDs is adjustable to suit the deployment environment.

Input / Output Ports

2 x RS232
Bi-directional input/output RS-232 ports with optional hardware flow control presented on 3.5mm pitch phoenix connections.
Each port acts independently and can operate at a different speed and handshaking.

Integral two port 10/100 Ethernet switch
An integral two-port 10/100 Ethernet switch with midi-X auto crossover makes it easy to deploy without finding a free Ethernet port. Just install it in line with the equipment.  The Ethernet MAC address is also configurable to match the faulty equipment, negating the need to have a DHCP server changed if IP addresses are allocated statically via a DHCP server.

1 x USB Type A
USB type A port for the connection of USB memory sticks. Configuration files are imported/exported, captured data saved, and firmware updates via USB memory sticks.

1 x USB Mini B
USB Mini-B console port presented as serial over USB for system configuration and monitoring. You can also use this USB port to supply power, so the setup does not require an external power supply.

Power

You can supply power via an external 12v DC power supply. The supply needs to be able to provide 0.5A (500mA). The input is via two way 3.5mm phoenix connection.

You may also supply power via the USB Mini B console port, providing the source can supply up to 1A. Configuration of cmdBridge does not require an additional power supply.

If both are connected, the DC in will take precedence.

Physical

Dimensions

Sizes are in mm, width x depth x height.

Without rubber feet: 112 x 95 x 28
With feet installed, 112 x 95 x 32

Ready to reduce support costs?

You can purchase cmdBridge directly from the Harkwood Services online store.

Harkwood Online Store