User's Manual

ma4367_ml_03_sd Approved: B.G. 27

Vecima Networks Inc.

6.0 DETAILED REMOTE CONTROL

6.1 Operation

The MA4367 system may be controlled via the RS232/RS485 Remote Interface connector. (See Section 4.1,

Power/Control Module Rear Panel Connections for the connector pin-out).

The input data rate can be 9600, 14400, or 28800 baud. The MA4000 System Controller will automatically determine which

data rate is in use and adjust accordingly. There are no user settings relating to baud rate selection.

6.2 Message Format

All messages to the MA4000 system controller consist of a sequence of ASCII characters. Messages must meet the

following guidelines in order to be correctly interpreted by the controller.

• There can be no more than 75 ms between consecutive message bytes.

• After receiving the entire message, the MA4000 System Controller will require approximately 200 ms to process and respond to

the message.

• Only one message can be processed at a time, consequently the user must wait for a reply before sending a new message.

• Commands sent to an invalid chassis address will be discarded without a response.

6.3 Command Structure

The command structure consists of a sequence of ASCII characters terminated by a carriage return. All ASCII characters

are case-insensitive unless otherwise indicated. Commands are to be in one of the following two general formats:

<start> ASCII Asterisk character

<sp> ASCII Space character

<cr> ASCII Carriage Return character

ADD = Address (3 ASCII characters)

Addresses are 3 digit numbers. Three digits (including leading zeros) are required to correctly define an address.

MOD = Module (1 ASCII character)

A = Module A (Leftmost module)

B = Module B

J = Module J (Next to Power Control Module)

CC = Command Code (2 or 3 ASCII characters)