CPS2
CPS2 and CPS (Customer Programming Software) are PC based applications used to configure a MOTOTRBO radio or repeater. The CPS2 (sometimes just called CPS) will read codeplug data, saved in the radio allowing the user to edit it. Changes are then written back to the radio or repeater using a USB cable.
In R2.10.0, the MOTOTRBO CPS underwent a complete redesign. This redesign will enable future functionality and eases installation. The look and feel was aligned with that of Radio Management.
Codeplug
A codeplug is essentially some data that is either saved on a computer or stored in the radio's (or repeater's) memory. The codeplug contains all the configuration parameters needed for the radio to work with other radios and system. It is generally not possible to edit a codeplug outside of CPS. Similarly, it is not possible to extract codeplug data from a radio or repeater without this software. When stored on a computer, the codeplug is saved as a file that can be sent to and opened by other people using their own copy of CPS.
The CPS is not forward compatible: it is generally not possible to open a codeplug, created with the latest CPS version, with an older version of CPS.
Features introduced with CPS2
CPSs has a Parser function. When opening or reading a codeplug, there is a Validation Results and Warning Messages tab at the bottom right that informs the user whether they have made a mistake or have missed something. This was not available prior to version 16.0.
Its now possible to recover a device licence. So for example, if you have a SLR5500 and replace the modem board, the Multisite Capacity Plus licence that was on the defective modem board is lost. But since the serial number is retained, one can can reactivate a purchased feature licence by going to the Licences menu and selecting Recover Device Licence.
Contacts are now merged. In the older CPS, there would be one entry for each radio and one list for each signalling format. So for example, a radio with ID 101 would have an entry under digital contacts and if that radio also worked on an analogue channel it might have another entry for MDC1200 and one for Select-5. Now all of these numbers (including the users telephone number) are rolled into one entry.
It is possible to have the older CPS and (the current) CPS2 installed on the same machine.
In version 2.153.167.0 one can securely save a codeplug using a more complex codeplug. This protects the configuration data when it is stored as a file. To protect the configuration data in the radio, one should use TLS-PSK[1]
Upgrade Considerations
There are some important changes that users need to be aware of when considering an upgrade to this release.:
- Radios on pre-R2.4.0 firmware are not supported. In order to rationalize the CPS, 2nd generation radios with firmware older than R2.4.0 will not be supported. If you have radios on this firmware, you either need to upgrade or continue using CPS version 16.0 (or older).
- The first generation radios will still be supported. It was possible to read a DP3601 using CPS2.
- You can open CTB and CTB2 files, created in an older CPS version but can only save the file (and any changes) as a XCTB file. Older CPS will not be able to open this XCTB file.[2]
- You cannot open more than one codeplug at a time from within the same session. Opening additional codeplugs will start a new session similar to opening documents in Microsoft Word.
- You can open XPBA files that were generated by someone using Radio Management.
Clone Express
Clone Express allows you to clone a codeplug into multiple radios of the same model. The CPS2 will read out the radio identity parameters of the target radio; merge them with the opened codeplug then write the merged codeplug to the target devices. This was possible in the old CPS but required you to change preferences each time you wanted to do this.
Template Mode no longer supported
CPS was used as a client for an older version of Radio Management - otherwise known as Radio management 1.0 or Radio Management Template Mode. In R2.10.0 Radio Management Template Mode (otherwise known as RM 1.0) is no longer supported. This was necessary to support future features while keeping the user interface uncluttered. Currently, there is a separate client application for Radio Management.
Users who still use Radio Management Template Mode can either:
- Upgrade the database to Radio Management Configuration Mode.
- Continue using the current version of Radio Management and Template Mode. but without the ability to add new-from-the-factory radios.
Motorola Solutions offer a tool that allows users to check whether a database can be upgraded to Configuration Mode and if not, what are the problems that need to be looked into.