User's Manual

Appendix A File Formats
File Formats
The MI requires three important disk files for operation. These files consist of operating
parameters and transponder data which is usually generated with a PC, but may be
created with any system capable of accessing a 1.44Meg PC-formatted floppy disk.
Normally the first two files, the Start and Guide files are not altered or re-created. They
may be simply copied from a master source each time they are needed. The Reading.rte
file contains the transponder information, which is usually created from a larger database
of transponder data, and only the transponders for a particular route are extracted and
placed in the file. The MMI also creates an output file ending with the extension .VAN
which contains transponder output data. This data in this file is typically read back into
the master database, and then erased off the floppy.
The Start File
The start. file is used by the operating system, and contains directions used only during
power-up.
The GUIDE File
The GUIDE file contains system operation parameters that control how the MMI
operates. Each of these parameters may be displayed and changed while the MMI is
operating by using the System Setup option from the Tools command. A typical GUIDE
file configuration might look like this :
0 1 1 1 15 0 000 123456 1 1 1 1 2.0 3.0
where:
1
st
entry: The mode of interrogation. 0 = Lat/Lon, 1 = FIFO, 2 = GEO.
2
nd
entry: The option to display good reads. 0 = No, 1 = Yes.
3
rd
entry: The option to send a beep with each good read. 0 = No, 1 = Yes.
4
th
entry: The option to reset any tamper indications. 0 = No, 1 = Yes.
5
th
entry: The interrogation window size in hundreds of feet (15 = 1500 feet).
Range: 1-99
6
th
entry: This entry is not used in the MMI but remains as a place holder.
7
th
entry: This entry is not used in the MMI but remains as a place holder.
8
th
entry: The 6-digit password used to access the System Setup and the Set Time
options.
9
th
entry: The option to sort summary unread display. 0 = No, 1 = Yes.
10
th
entry: The dynamic window option enable. 0 = No, 1 = Yes.
11
th
entry: Option to reject reads with checksum errors. 0 = No, 1 = Yes.
12
th
entry: Frequency scan option enable. 0 = No, 1 = Yes.
13
th
entry: Lower scan limit frequency in the format 41?.?.
14
th
entry: Upper scan limit frequency in the format 41?.?.