TM

Modern Sign Co.

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS REPORT

Product Details
Product ID: 03G27AX
Core Electronics & Firmware: Live GSM Version 1.02
Switching Technology: Optically Isolated Solid State using TRIAC
Display Technology: Cluster LED Lamps
Product Description: Dynamic LED display board, customized in accordance with Changing
Discount Scheme from Uninor(R).

Installed Product Details

1. 03G27A1
Countdown Timer Digit: 15’
Rate Digit: 40’
Installation Sight:

2. 03G27A2
Countdown Timer Digit: 20’
Rate Digit: 50’
Installation Sight: LifeStyle

Significant and Specific Runtime Observations

Fri, May 21, 2010: Both displays (03G27A1 & 03G27A2) installed and verified to be working

Display Product: 03G27A2

Mon, May 24, 2010: Display Malfunction Reported.
The number 55 was reported to be appearing as 59
Wed, May 26, 2010: Reported problems resolved successfully

Fri, Jun 11, 2010: Connection with the display was lost and Hard Reset was requested.
This caused the display to show 00% discount.
Sun, Jun 13, 2010: Communication Restored Successfully.

Sun, Jun 20, 2010: Display Malfunction Reported.

Three segments, one belonging to a countdown digit, and two belonging to
the rates display were reported to be constantly turned ON.
Wed, Jun 23, 2010: Problem Rectified
Thu, Jun 24, 2010: Core Component Failure

Display Product: 03G27A2

<no significant runtime observations reported>

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 TECHNICAL ANALYSIS REPORT

General Runtime Observations

1. Power cuts were reported to be long, and hence the batteries couldn’t charge, leading to
visible malfunctions, such as 00% rate display.
2. Weather conditions: highly unfavorable on certain days caused delays in taking actions.
3. Connection with the display got broken and was restored due to power issues.

Causes of and Permanent Solutions to the Runtime Errors:

Mon, May 24, 2010: Display (03G27A2) was left on for over 100 hours. It was designed to work for
maximum 24 hours and hence a component got overheated which caused
the malfunction. All the components of the type that were found burnt were
replaced with a twice as higher rated component to avoid any such issues
in the future. Further, this feedback was taken into account while our
software team already began to write an upgraded version of the firmware
which would incorporate a built in timer to turn off the display to ensure
no such problems are faced due to human errors.

Fri, Jun 11, 2010: Due to prolonged unavailability of power, the tranceiver of the system
stopped working because of complete discharge of the batteries. The
system was not designed to work under these conditions since information
regarding the power supply was assumed to be normal as they are in Delhi.
This issue was also taken care of with the new firmware while it was still
under development. Further more, a more enhanced charging system and
stronger batteries have been included in the upgraded new design.

Sun, Jun 13, 2010: Communication was restored successfully after two days since earlier the
weather conditions were unfavorable. Attempting any repairs on sight during
heavy rain posed unnecessary and potentially dangerous for the system as
the waterproof cover was required to be opened. To avoid any such mishap
in the future, the upgraded firmware comes equipped with a built in voltage
sensitive reset and automatic communication authentication. These terms
have been explained later in this document.

Sun, Jun 20, 2010: The same display was reported to have a similar problem approximately a
month back and despite the higher capacity switching devices, the
component was found burnt. Even though solid state devices (which have
been used here) are supposedly more reliable, due to irregular power the
results haven’t been favorable. This issue has been resolved permanently
by replacing these components (TRIACs) with their older counterparts,
relays in the upgraded design.

Thu, Jun 24, 2010: Core Component Failures are very rare and aren’t generally observed. What
exactly caused such a failure is hard to investigate and such issues have only
one alternative, replacement. This may even happen to notebooks or even
cell phones but as mentioned earlier, the chances are very low. We are
predicted the cause of this problem also to be erratic power, since even the
best of computers crash for the same reason.

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 TECHNICAL ANALYSIS REPORT

So far we’ve resolved from this situation that most reasons due to which the display stopped working, are
related to power supply issues. As was observed, the display 03G27A1 worked virtually flawlessly for the
same duration when the display 03G27A2 seemed to cause problems. Implying from the fact that two
identical devices have produced different results, we’ve concluded it is due to unfavorable external factors.

However, as said before, since we are now aware of the precise external factors causing the problems,
we’ve also come up with their permanent solutions. The new upgraded design of this product was being
actively developed while we gained critical information and hence should be successfully able to overcome
all the issues we’ve faced so far.

We’ve already developed the system as per the new design, tested it and have even deployed it to
Bangalore for installation. We assure you that if permitted to install, the sign would work flawlessly.

Key Features of the Upgraded Design (version 2)

Ÿ Switching Devices:

Comes equipped with solid state switching devices, TRIACs, rated 8 Amperes for switching less than 1
Ampere average current load. These are used for switching the segments of the countdown timer’s
digits.
For the Rates’ digit, that require a higher current, sealed Relays pertaining to the highest industrial
standard available, have been used to eliminate all kinds of display problems that had been reported
earlier.

Ÿ Enhanced Power Backup System:

A pair of Sealed Lead Acid batteries rated 6 Volts, 4.5 Ampere Hour each, have been installed to keep
the low current, core electronics powered. With this the back-up time increases four folds. Moreover,
an enhanced quick charging circuitry has been included to instantly charge the batteries whenever
power supply is available. This shall ensure that under no circumstances, the core program is erased and
hence the 00% problem would no longer exist. However, this alone wouldn’t work if there is a powercut
for over 24 hours and so to overcome this issue, we’ve also included a smarter power management
system.

Ÿ Smart Power Shift System

This upgradation addresses the problem that could be caused due to incomplete charging of batteries
and/or complete battery drain due to unavailable power. We’ve incorporated a microcontroller based
voltage sensitive reset which monitors the battery voltages when power is available and on the basis of
the inputs automatically resets the tranceiver and/or the core system, which it intelligently decides as
per the conditions. Further, the firmware has been upgraded with an automatic communication
authentication, i.e. it sends an alert in case of any such resets (which could ONLY be caused due to
power failure for over 24 hours,) to request re programming of data. This major upgradation ensures
that the system runs flawlessly even in the most extreme cases of power cuts.
Moreover, to remove any problems that could possibly be caused due to human errors, we’ve
completely automated the switching off and turning on of the LED display, synchronized with the clock.
This would add to the impact of the display as it will turn off exactly when the count down timer reads
00:00.

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Ÿ Software & Firmware Upgrades/Development:

As mentioned earlier, the Enhanced Power Backup System was designed using a microcontroller and its
software was specifically designed to achieve the following tasks:
1. Using an ADC, monitor Battery Voltage and implement hard reset and soft reset depending on the
situation.
2. Hard Reset: Reset both the core system and the tranceiver. This would require the display to be
reprogrammed. This even shall occur only in case of prolonged power cut.
3. Soft Reset: Reset only the tranceiver. This doesn’t affect the display in any manner. It ensures
communication with the host.
4. Turn on the LED display at 6:00 AM and turn it off at 1:00 AM, in sync with the count down timer.

The core system was upgraded in accordance with the received observations. Beginning from June 11,
multiple upgrades were made and numerous pre release versions have been created. The following is a
list of the targets achieved with each version.

File Name: Live GSM Firmware 2.01

Updates:
1. Increase Tone Delay
2. Remove Test Mode
3. Tone Return Verification

File Name: Live GSM Firmware 2.02

Updates:
4. Security Code Length
5. 24/0 Hour Midnight Issue
6. 11 Digit Phone Number

File Name: Live GSM Firmware 2.04

Updates:
7. Core : Time Setting Security Upgrade
8. Tranceiver startup 5 minute delay for charging

File Name: Live GSM Firmware 2.07

Updates:
9. Request Message in case of Soft and Hard Reset
10. Synchronize with the Power Shift System to turn on/off the LED display

Ÿ Electronics & circuit redesign:

The PCB for Smart Power Shift was redesigned over its predecessor that we’d used in version 1 of this
project, to include quick charging circuitry, relays for display switching and resetting, and a
communication IC to sync turning off of LED display.
The core electronics was also modified in order for it to carry out reset alerts and transmission
authentication.

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After such a rigorous upgrade, we haven’t left any scope for mistakes in the new version and have taken
care of all possible issues, even in the most adverse conditions. We are confident that this newly upgraded
system would work up to your expectations.

As a temporary solution to the problems we were facing earlier, we’d requested for a UPS to be installed
that could easily provide backup for over 5 hours in case of power failure. However, due to a plausible
misunderstanding, the operation was never carried out which further intensified the difficulty of the
situation.

We apologize for this and request you to kindly allow us to continue with the installation of the upgraded
innovative display.

TM

Modern Sign Co.

Head Office: 4317/3 Ansari Road, Darya Ganj, New Delhi-110002
www.ModernSignCo.com +91143542019 Page 5/5