Specifications

Sicon-8 Technical Manual CircuitWerkes, Inc.

About Modems and Modem-to-Modem Setup:

The serial port of the Sicon-8 performs two duties: First it is the data interface for the Sicontroller software,

either via direct cable connection or via an external modem. Second, it interfaces to one of the supported X-

10 interface transmitter devices on the market. The X-10 support requires that some of the signals normally

used to control modems are altered from their typical functions. Because of the X-10 support, the user must

eliminate the unused signals because they will prevent most external modems from connecting to the host

modem. There is one exception, however. Modems with so-called “Dumb Terminal Mode” can be used with

the Sicon-8 directly. US Robotics Sportster modems usually have this mode. The external modems with

dumb terminal mode should be set to auto-answer mode.

If you have a standard modem, it can be used with the Sicon-8 however, you will have to make a special serial

cable that contains only TX, RX and ground lines.

USR modem setup: The most common USR modem is the model 5686. In addition to the dumb terminal

mode, the Sportster modems have a configuration setting that fixes the output baud rate regardless of the

connect speed. This setting (AT&B1) is important to set and store for USR modems because without it, the

USR modem will dynamically change the baud rate based upon the connection speed. Unfortunately, the

Sicon-8 communicates at a fixed baud rate, so if the serial port baud rate is changed, communications will fail.

To set the USR modem, you must do the following:

Connect a PC serially to your USR modem.

Set the modem switches as follows:

Switch 1 (DTR Override) = Down

Switch 2 (Result Codes) = Up (Verbal result codes enabled)

Switch 3 (Suppress Codes) = Down (Display Codes)

Switch 4 (Echo) = Up (echo offline commands)

Switch 5 (auto Answer Mode) = Up (Auto-answer ON)

Switch 6 (Carrier Detect Mode) = Up (normal)

Switch 7 (load profile mode) = Up (use NVRAM defaults)

Switch 8 Dumb/Smart mode) = Down (Smart modem mode). This is a temporary setting.

Turn the modem off, then back on.

Load a terminal program and set the baud rate to 38400, then connect to the serial port that has the modem

attached.

Type "AT" and hit the enter key. The modem should respond with "OK".

Type the following: AT&b1&H0X4s13=1y1 and hit the enter key. Verify that the modem responds with OK.

Type at&w1 and hit the enter key. Verify that the modem responds with OK.

Type ati5 and hit the enter key. You will see a lot of data scroll across your terminal. Near the end, you

should see something exactly like this: