Re: CM11A lockup (broadcast storm)

["Jeff Volp" <JeffVolp@xxxxxxx>]

The XTB-IIR will shut off its transmitter in response to a 'broadcast
storm".  Two thresholds are available.  One allows a burst of about 80
commands in a minute, or a continuous average of 15 per minute.  A higher
threshold allows a burst of about 160, or an average of 30 per minute.  In
either case the XTB-IIR transmitter will re-enable itself after 10 seconds
of clear line.

The LED flashes continuously in response to a storm.  I had planned to issue
a STATUS OFF out the digital port when a storm occurred, but it may be more
useful to return the actual traffic on the powerline.  Thoughts?

Jeff

"Robert Green" <ROBERT_GREEN1963@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:raqdndogDYfEFS_bnZ2dnUVZ_jKdnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxx
> Once again, an X-10 "broadcast storm" detector would have been a very
> useful
> device to have.  I was sitting in my office, surfing and I began hearing
> random appliance modules going on and off.  Every ControlLinc Maxi I
> checked
> showed monitor LEDs flashing but this was something different than the
> typical stuck button lockup.  The LEDs were not on constantly as they are
> when there's a stuck button.  Also, legit wireless and PLC command
> *occasionally* managed to get through.
>
> I got the Monterey analyzer and it showed something incredibly weird.  The
> rogue transmitter was issuing about a command each second, and it was
> incrementing both the house code and the unit code a time.  I'd see a
> general pattern of A's, then B's then C's.  Stuck buttons generally appear
> on the Monterey as a string of "BSC" messages and fill the unit's memory
> of
> 190 commands within seconds.  This data stream was much slower than that,
> and was the first time I had seen such a huge variation of house/unit
> codes
> in the PLC data stream.  In addition, unlike the stuck button case, nearly
> all of the commands were legit X-10.
>
> Unfortunately, the XTB's powerful signal means I can no longer guess the
> general distance from the outlet-under-test to the transmitter by the
> voltage reading.  The Monterey just reports 4+ volts for nearly every
> transmission.  The ESM-1 could be modified to cope, but the LED bars
> aren't
> precise enough to estimate transmitter-to-meter distances with any
> accuracy.
>
> This time, though, my memory was good enough to recall that I had been
> working in the PC room and had disconnected the CM11A's serial cable from
> the PC and left it hanging.  What I don't understand is why it took nearly
> 12 hours for the CM11A (which got wicked hot!) to begin its bizarre
> broadcast?
>
> --
> Bobby G.