Z-Series Release Notes

Download PDF/Previous Versions

Firmware Version 4.10.2

Note that 4.10.2 and 4.10.1 were small bug-fix releases that shortly followed 4.10.0. The features outlined below were technically in 4.10.0, and the 4.10.0 release note PDF (linked above) is valid for 4.10.1 and 4.10.2 as well.

RSP-Z2

This release adds operator-guided instant audio playback, recording and playback, a new Mindshare resource, various features to allow operators to control what they're seeing, and several other minor features.

New Feature / Improvement List

Rapid Recall

Rapid Recall allows for resources to capture recent audio and temporarily store it. This audio can then be played back (transmitted out on) any resource in the system. Operators control this playback as needed. Each resource can have up to 2 minutes of audio stored across any number of independent incoming transmissions. Individual transmissions may be played out, or multiple starting with a specific transmission. Resources must have the feature turned on for them to capture audio, and operators must have the rapid recall user permission to access the playback controls. Captured audio is not stored across power cycles.

Audio Storage and Playback

Administrators can now "record" a transmission from a resource. This transmission can then be listened to and named. Operators may then play back this recording, a lot like an announcement. Stored audio can be played back to nets and broadcast groups (from their respective 3-dot menus), or it can be played back to specific resources (by using a new resource action). There is a new menu option in the Settings menu for managing stored audio, where audio can also be uploaded and downloaded. Recording from resources is done using the Rapid Recall feature - with an option to turning one or more Rapid Recall captures into a recording. The resource must have the recording option turned on in order to use this feature. Access to audio playback and management is controlled via new user permissions.

Mindshare Resource

A new Mindshare resource type has been added. Mindshare is a third party company that makes audio communication equipment. This resource allows sending and receiving audio to/from Mindshare's systems. This is a RoIP+ based resource, so RoIP+ tunnels may be used instead of solely using configuration on the specific resource.

Patch Display Tracking (per user account)

Users have long been able to collapse/expand things like nets and monitor groups to minimize their footprint on the screen. This information is now tracked on a per user basis, allowing their preferred display to persist across power cycles or login sessions. Specific nets, monitor groups, broadcast groups, and resource groups can be expanded, collapsed, or hidden from view. Each entire area may also be shown/hidden. There is a new menu at the bottom to show hidden items and/or to hide/show many things quickly.

Visibility Profiles (per user account)

Visibility Profiles allow individual users to have pre-configured visibility settings for nets, monitor groups, etc. Visibility profiles are created and/or modified from the existing expand/collapse state of all the areas. These profiles can then be applied instantly with the click of a button. There is a new menu at the bottom to access and/or manage visibility profiles.

Minor Features

• Several minor features were added:
• Motorola WAVE PTX, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile TLS 1.3 Support - These resource types will now attempt to connect using TLS 1.3 encryption, if it is available. If not, they will fall back TLS 1.2.
• Apply Profile Resource Action - There is a new resource action to "apply a profile". Add a resource profile with the settings you want, configure the resource action on the resource, then operators can change the resource settings by initiating the action.
• USB Headset Full/Half Duplex Control - USB headsets may now be configured for either full or half duplex (full duplex allows for talking and listening at the same time).
• Mute TX While RX Feature on Most Resources - Most resources now have an advanced option to prevent transmitting while they are receiving. This is slightly different from full/half duplex control - this allows for the resource to be full duplex for the rest of the system, but just discard audio instead of sending it out if it's actively receiving. Useful in very specific circumstances.
• JPS RoIP TCP Keepalives (Normal Mode Only) - A new configuration option on JPS RoIP resources that allows it to send TCP Keepalive packets in order to determine if the TCP portion of the connection is still active. Note that the other side of the connection must support TCP keepalives in order for this to work. Older/classic JPS equipment does not support this, instead relying on receiving standard JPS RoIP keepalives.
• Default Talker-Id on Resources - All resources have a "default talker id" (in the "General" settings for each resource). When set to something, this is the talker id that will be sent to other resources when this resource receives audio. Note that resources that support receiving talker-id will only use the default when they have no incoming talker id.
• New Adaptive Transmit Delay Training Option - When using the patented Adaptive Transmit Delay feature on Radio resources, the system needs to be "trained" to learn what the talk permit tone sounds like from that specific radio. On some systems, particularly when audio levels aren't tuned well, the training can fail due to excess noise. There is a new option to be more aggressive when doing the training tone analysis to discard more of this noise, thus making it possible to create the tone pattern.

Numerous Fixes

As with any update, problems have been fixed and mitigated as appropriate.

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Z-Series Controller
 

This release adds operator-guided instant audio playback, recording and playback, various features to allow operators to control what they're seeing, and several other minor features.

New Feature / Improvement List

Rapid Recall

Rapid Recall allows for resources to capture recent audio and temporarily store it. This audio can then be played back (transmitted out on) any resource in the system. Operators control this playback as needed. Each resource can have up to 2 minutes of audio stored across any number of independent incoming transmissions. Individual transmissions may be played out, or multiple starting with a specific transmission. Resources must have the feature turned on for them to capture audio, and operators must have the rapid recall user permission to access the playback controls. Captured audio is not stored across power cycles.

Audio Storage and Playback

Administrators can now "record" a transmission from a resource. This transmission can then be listened to and named. Operators may then play back this recording, a lot like an announcement. Stored audio can be played back to nets and broadcast groups (from their respective 3-dot menus), or it can be played back to specific resources (by using a new resource action). There is a new menu option in the Settings menu for managing stored audio, where audio can also be uploaded and downloaded. Recording from resources is done using the Rapid Recall feature - with an option to turning one or more Rapid Recall captures into a recording. The resource must have the recording option turned on in order to use this feature. Access to audio playback and management is controlled via new user permissions. Stored audio on distributed systems may also be managed and transferred.

Patch Display Tracking (per user account)

Users have long been able to collapse/expand things like nets and monitor groups to minimize their footprint on the screen. This information is now tracked on a per user basis, allowing their preferred display to persist across power cycles or login sessions. Specific nets, monitor groups, broadcast groups, and resource groups can be expanded, collapsed, or hidden from view. Each entire area may also be shown/hidden. There is a new menu at the bottom to show hidden items and/or to hide/show many things quickly.

Visibility Profiles (per user account)

Visibility Profiles allow individual users to have pre-configured visibility settings for nets, monitor groups, etc. Visibility profiles are created and/or modified from the existing expand/collapse state of all the areas. These profiles can then be applied instantly with the click of a button. There is a new menu at the bottom to access and/or manage visibility profiles.

Minor Features

Several minor features were added:

• Apply Profile Resource Action - There is a new resource action to "apply a profile". Add a resource profile with the settings you want, configure the resource action on the resource, then operators can change the resource settings by initiating the action.
• USB Headset Full/Half Duplex Control - USB headsets may now be configured for either full or half duplex (full duplex allows for talking and listening at the same time).
• Mute TX While RX Feature on Most Resources - Most resources now have an advanced option to prevent transmitting while they are receiving. This is slightly different from full/half duplex control - this allows for the resource to be full duplex for the rest of the system, but just discard audio instead of sending it out if it's actively receiving. Useful in very specific circumstances.
• JPS RoIP TCP Keepalives (Normal Mode Only) - A new configuration option on JPS RoIP resources that allows it to send TCP Keepalive packets in order to determine if the TCP portion of the connection is still active. Note that the other side of the connection must support TCP keepalives in order for this to work. Older/classic JPS equipment does not support this, instead relying on receiving standard JPS RoIP keepalives.
• Default Talker-Id on Resources - All resources have a "default talker id" (in the "General" settings for each resource). When set to something, this is the talker id that will be sent to other resources when this resource receives audio. Note that resources that support receiving talker-id will only use the default when they have no incoming talker id.

• Remote Mindshare Resources - RSP-Z2s may now have a Mindshare resource on them, and the Z-Series Controller now supports understanding/managing them. Mindshare is a third party company that makes audio communication equipment. This remote resource allows sending and receiving audio to/from Mindshare's systems.

   

Numerous Fixes

As with any update, problems have been fixed and mitigated as appropriate.

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ACU-Z1

This release adds operator-guided instant audio playback, recording and playback, a new Mindshare resource, various features to allow operators to control what they're seeing, and several other minor features.

New Feature / Improvement List

Rapid Recall

Rapid Recall allows for resources to capture recent audio and temporarily store it. This audio can then be played back (transmitted out on) any resource in the system. Operators control this playback as needed. Each resource can have up to 2 minutes of audio stored across any number of independent incoming transmissions. Individual transmissions may be played out, or multiple starting with a specific transmission. Resources must have the feature turned on for them to capture audio, and operators must have the rapid recall user permission to access the playback controls. Captured audio is not stored across power cycles.

Audio Storage and Playback

Administrators can now "record" a transmission from a resource. This transmission can then be listened to and named. Operators may then play back this recording, a lot like an announcement. Stored audio can be played back to nets and broadcast groups (from their respective 3-dot menus), or it can be played back to specific resources (by using a new resource action). There is a new menu option in the Settings menu for managing stored audio, where audio can also be uploaded and downloaded. Recording from resources is done using the Rapid Recall feature - with an option to turning one or more Rapid Recall captures into a recording. The resource must have the recording option turned on in order to use this feature. Access to audio playback and management is controlled via new user permissions.

Mindshare Resource

A new Mindshare resource type has been added. Mindshare is a third party company that makes audio communication equipment. This resource allows sending and receiving audio to/from Mindshare's systems. This is a RoIP+ based resource, so RoIP+ tunnels may be used instead of solely using configuration on the specific resource.

Patch Display Tracking (per user account)

Users have long been able to collapse/expand things like nets and monitor groups to minimize their footprint on the screen. This information is now tracked on a per user basis, allowing their preferred display to persist across power cycles or login sessions. Specific nets, monitor groups, broadcast groups, and resource groups can be expanded, collapsed, or hidden from view. Each entire area may also be shown/hidden. There is a new menu at the bottom to show hidden items and/or to hide/show many things quickly.

Visibility Profiles (per user account)

Visibility Profiles allow individual users to have pre-configured visibility settings for nets, monitor groups, etc. Visibility profiles are created and/or modified from the existing expand/collapse state of all the areas. These profiles can then be applied instantly with the click of a button. There is a new menu at the bottom to access and/or manage visibility profiles.

Minor Features

Several minor features were added:

• Motorola WAVE PTX, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile TLS 1.3 Support - These resource types will now attempt to connect using TLS 1.3 encryption, if it is available. If not, they will fall back TLS 1.2.
• Apply Profile Resource Action - There is a new resource action to "apply a profile". Add a resource profile with the settings you want, configure the resource action on the resource, then operators can change the resource settings by initiating the action.
• USB Headset Full/Half Duplex Control - USB headsets may now be configured for either full or half duplex (full duplex allows for talking and listening at the same time).
• Mute TX While RX Feature on Most Resources - Most resources now have an advanced option to prevent transmitting while they are receiving. This is slightly different from full/half duplex control - this allows for the resource to be full duplex for the rest of the system, but just discard audio instead of sending it out if it's actively receiving. Useful in very specific circumstances.
• JPS RoIP TCP Keepalives (Normal Mode Only) - A new configuration option on JPS RoIP resources that allows it to send TCP Keepalive packets in order to determine if the TCP portion of the connection is still active. Note that the other side of the connection must support TCP keepalives in order for this to work. Older/classic JPS equipment does not support this, instead relying on receiving standard JPS RoIP keepalives.
• Default Talker-Id on Resources - All resources have a "default talker id" (in the "General" settings for each resource). When set to something, this is the talker id that will be sent to other resources when this resource receives audio. Note that resources that support receiving talker-id will only use the default when they have no incoming talker id.

• New Adaptive Transmit Delay Training Option - When using the patented Adaptive Transmit Delay feature on Radio resources, the system needs to be "trained" to learn what the talk permit tone sounds like from that specific radio. On some systems, particularly when audio levels aren't tuned well, the training can fail due to excess noise. There is a new option to be more aggressive when doing the training tone analysis to discard more of this noise, thus making it possible to create the tone pattern.

   

Numerous Fixes

As with any update, problems have been fixed and mitigated as appropriate.