• Determine and display the current cross-connects.
• Assign (and un-assign) input terminations to (or from) output terminations.
• Provide test connections on input/output terminations.

The procedures for assigning a cross-connect from the software are designed to be simple and straight forward. These procedures are described in detail in the REPACCS User’s and Administrator’s manuals. The following is a brief summary of the options available to the operator:.

• ASSIGN: Make or break a cross connection immediately or at a specified time, mark a pair as cut through, mark an output pair as defective.
• EXCEPTION: Mark an input pair as being defective, enter an explanation, view input connectivity.
• MAINTENANCE: Attach a test condition to an input pair or temporarily break a cross connect for testing purposes.
• REPORTS: Display or print connection reports on: assigned, exception, maintenance conditioned and spare pairs.
• HELP: With the F1 function key, full-featured help is always available to aid the operator.

The operating system supports multitasking, which the REPACCS software takes advantage of, allowing multiple user log-in sessions and multiple modem communications. These tasks generated by multiple users are placed into a first-in-first-out queue, which is managed by a multi-tasking background program.

Four levels of security are configured into the software to ensure proper access depending on the personnel using the system. The level of security is determined when the user logs into the software.

The computer is typically located in a Line Assignment Center or some other suitable location.  The computer can control any number of CCCU’s and REPACCS electronic modules, limited only by the size of the hard drive. Refer to the documentation provided with the computer for other physical and environmental requirements.The UNIX operating system can also have log-in and password security.

Note: All hardware must be compatible with SCO UNIX Operating systems.

Cross-Connect Control Unit (CCCU)
The CCCU is the interface between the computer equipped with the REPACCS software and the REPACCS electronic modules. Over dedicated control pairs the CCCU communicates with the REPACCS electronic modules. The CCCU can control up to 20 REPACCS electronic modules. Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signaling is used for communication between the CCCU and the REPACCS electronic module.

The CCCU meets Bellcore Specification TR-NWT-000063 "Network Equipment - Building System (NEBS) Generic Equipment Requirements".

The CCCU is typically rack-mounted and located in the Central Office or other remote site, supplied with -48VDC. The CCCU can be located wherever the network interfaces with metallic copper cabling and local power is available, such as a fiber mux node. The CCCU uses two dedicated control pairs to communicate with each REPACCS electronic module (only one is required for operational purposes; two are supplied for redundancy). These control pairs must not have a loop resistance greater than 2000 ohms.   The CCCU uses a modem to communicate with the computer system over a standard dial-up telephone line. The CCCU connects with two (2) control pairs for each REPACCS electronic module.

The CCCU records the cross-connects for each REPACCS electronic module to which it is connected. This information is stored in nonvolatile memory to ensure that, in the event of a power outage at the CCCU, information will not be affected.

The CCCU provides the following functions:

• Receives and interprets cross-connect commands from the computer.
• Provides the power and activation signals to the selected REPACCS electronic module.
• Performs diagnostics routines and reports the results to the computer.
• Provides a secondary (backup) database of all connection information.

The CCCU’s modem interface includes an additional call-up/call-back security system to prevent unauthorized access to the CCCU.

• Through the software, the computer calls the CCCU to initiate communications.
• The CCCU answers the call and the computer downloads the access code information.
• The CCCU hangs up the call and checks the information against its internal database.
• If the data checks out, the CCCU calls back the telephone number that it has been programmed to dial.

REPACCS Electronic Module
The REPACCS electronic module consists of a card cage and backplane with one (1) controller and sixty (60) switch cards with ribbon cabling. The controller card interprets the signals sent from the CCCU over the control pairs and then passes the information on to the switch cards which in turn close or open a relay, making or breaking a connection between an input and an output pair.

• The standard building block for 300 input terminations and 600 output terminations.
• An electronic physical layer switching matrix that used in conjunction with the software will allow each input termination access to an available output termination (this enables 100% input pair utilization).
• A test bus system which facilitates for cable trouble-shooting.
• Two (redundant) controller sections used to communicate with the CCCU (only one is required for operational purposes).
• An industry standard cable interconnection system.

The REPACCS switch card contains double-pole, single-throw, latching relays. These relays maintain contact without any supplied power. The controller card is microprocessor-based, it receives power and commands over one of the two control pairs attached to the CCCU.

Note: No local power or battery backup is required to maintain connections.

The TEST bus system in the REPACCS electronic module can be attached to any of the 300 input terminations. This TEST bus system can be attached to an input pair so that a technician can isolate trouble to and from the REPACCS electronic module. There are four test sources available on the TEST bus system:

• Tip-Ring short
• Tip-Ground short
• Ring-Ground short
• ATTACH another pair (loop testing)

The ATTACH another pair position allows bridging another input pair to the TEST bus system for use in cable troubleshooting purposes via a loop test.

Automated Building Frame (ABT)

The ABT frame is a steel or aluminum frame usually placed in communications rooms and mounted to a wall or other type of support system.

The ABT frame is equipped with support brackets, more can be added to mount up to three (3) REPACCS electronic module.

The ABT frame can also be equipped with an optional protection/access field.

ADF Module
The ADF module is a stand alone REPACCS electronic module for use in custom configured situations.  The ADF module is ideal for customers who provide all the support frames, brackets, over-voltage protection and cabling needed.

Automated Closure (AC)
The Automated Closure (AC) is an electronically controlled, remotely actuated, Non-blocking switch architecture (connect any input to any output) cross connect system for copper twisted pairs. The primary function is to provide continuity between a drop pair and a distribution pair in a 25 pair configuration.

A cross connect on the Automated Closure is remotely actuated with the REPACCS AC software. This makes it unnecessary to send personnel to aerial closures, pedestals or any other network distribution point to install or remove a cross connect. For this reason, the Automated Closure system provides an exceptionally cost-effective method of performing cross connects and increasing the utilization of copper twisted pair distribution facilities, particularly in remote locations and environmentally unsafe areas.

The Automated Closure system is ideal in areas where maximum utilization of distribution facilities are needed or there are frequent changes to the network, such as: industrial parks, medical clinics, apartment complexes, retirement homes, marinas, local area networks (LAN) and other applications in which circuits are being changed frequently.

Note: All REPACCS electronics components operate independent of one another. An ASAI is not required for AC operation and vice-versa.

The Automated Closure is controlled via a single control pair from the Cross Connect Control Unit (CCCU). Each Automated Closure is uniquely addressable so that up to 15 AC’s can be connected to a single control pair. This means that as many as 37,500 pairs could be controlled using a single CCCU.

The controller section of the Automated Closure interprets the signals sent from the CCCU over the control pair and then passes the information on to the switching matrix which in turn makes or breaks a connection between an input and an output pair. The AC is microprocessor-based, it receives all power and commands over the attached control pair.

Note: No local power or battery backup is required to maintain connections

The Automated Closure includes:

• Non-blocking, fully available switch matrix
• Maintains switch positions without power or backup
• Addressable control pair structuring
• PVC case hermetically sealed with BKMH connectorized stub
• an industry standard cable interconnection system

Automatic Serving Area Interface (ASAI)
The ASAI Cabinet is an enclosed metal housing for use in outdoor applications. The weather-proof cabinet has an internal steel frame and hefty 12 gauge steel exterior walls with either tamper proof security panels or doors. The cabinet is furnished with support brackets to hold a REPACCS electronic module and a protection/access field. The cabinet meets Bellcore Specification TR-TSY-000487 "Generic Requirements for Electronic Equipment Cabinets".  A pad frame is secured to the ground prior to mounting the ASAI cabinet to prevent frost-heave.

The protection/access field is equipped with over voltage protector modules. These modules are of the solid state fail-safe type (fail short to ground). Protection is supplied on both input and output terminations.  Every point on the protection/access field has a test plug for in/out pair.

A cabinet grounding bar is supplied to suppress any over-voltages from reaching the REPACCS electronic modules.  Cable connections are stubbed up through the bottom of the cabinet and spliced into the protection access field using an industry standard connection. Cabling between the REPACCS electronic module and the protection/access fields are factory supplied.