HP 3015 Service Manual - Page 117

ENWW Line current control The dc current from the CO needs to have a path to flow from TIP to RING. Because the current does not flow in the transformer, a path through some transistors and diodes (the dc hold circuit) acts like a simulated inductor (thus replacing the function of the transformer). This dc hold circuit is the main component of the voltage-current characteristic between TIP and RING. Two other functions of this block of circuits are the current limit and the SHUNT for Europe. Current limit basically maintains a constant current from TIP to RING after the voltage reaches about 50 mA. Even if the voltage varies, the current will remain the same. The SHUNT function changes the impedance (the current-voltage characteristic) during certain special events, such as pulse dialing and when the devices goes on-hook. During such an event, the firmware tells the DSP on the formatter to activate SHUNT. A signal goes to the LIU through an optoisolator (optically coupled), which changes the state of some transistors so that the board has a linear current characteristic (normally, it is currentlimited). Then more current can flow to the network, as required by these special events. Billing (metering) tone filters Switzerland and Germany provide high-frequency ac signals on the phone line in order to bill customers. The LC (inductor, capacitor) notch filters are provided on the European LIUs to prevent these billing signals from adversely affecting the data path and the dc hold circuit. An additional filter in the cable (for certain countries/regions) can, in some cases, supplement these LC notch filters. Because these billings signals are not used in the U.S., these filters are not present on the U.S. LIU. Fax page storage in flash memory Fax pages are the electronic images of the document page. They can be created in any of three ways: scanned to be sent to another fax machine, generated to be sent by the computer, or received from a fax machine to be printed. The product stores all fax pages in flash memory automatically. After these pages are written into flash memory they are stored until the pages are sent to another fax machine, printed on the product, transmitted to the computer, or erased by the user. These pages are stored in flash memory, which is the nonvolatile memory that can be repeatedly read from, written to, and erased. The product has 4 MB of flash memory, of which 3.4 MB is available for fax storage. The remaining 0.6 MB is used for the file system and reclamation. Adding RAM does not affect the fax page storage because the product does not use RAM for storing fax pages. Stored fax pages The user can reprint stored fax pages in case of errors. The product will re-send stored fax pages after a busy signal, comm error, no answer, or a power failure. Other fax devices store fax pages in either normal RAM or short-term RAM. Normal RAM immediately loses its data when power is lost, while short-term RAM loses its data about 60 minutes after a power failure. Flash memory maintains its data for years without any applied power. Advantages of flash memory storage Fax pages stored in flash memory are persistent. They are not lost as a result of a power failure, no matter how long the power is off. Users can reprint faxes in case the print cartridge runs out of toner or the product experiences other errors while printing faxes. Fax functions and operation (HP LaserJet 3015 and 3030 only) 99