Specifications

Appendix I – Host Monitoring Function - 22
Appendix I – Host Monitoring Function
The Host Monitoring Function is designed to allow the SPS-5 Paging System to be used for purposes of
automatically transmitting predefined messages upon timer related conditions. The Host Monitoring Function can be
activated during the process of programming the pager database using the WaveWare Paging Encoder Setup
software. The Host Monitoring Function is available only with the TAP mode of operation. The Host Monitoring
Function operates as follows:
Concurrent with the encoder monitoring the serial port for normal TAP messages, the Host Monitoring Function uses
an internal two minute timer cycle to determine whether or not to transmit predefined messages. If the two minute
timer is not reset by the host system while the Host Monitoring Function is active, the paging system will transmit
predefined messages as defined in the pager database configuration. The two minute timer is reset under the
following conditions:
• Reception of a valid TAP protocol formatted control string on the serial port
• Reception of the ATI<CR> control string on the serial port
• Timeout of the two minute timer
When programming the SPS-5 Paging System pager database, each of the six sequentially defined groups of pagers
in the pager database can be associated with the Host Monitoring Function and one of two configurable predefined
messages of up to 14 characters each. If a pager group has the Host Monitoring Function active, all pagers in that
pager group will receive a predefined message.
Some practical applications of the Host Monitoring Function are as follows:
• In mission critical environments, the Host Monitoring Function can be used to monitor the host system and
notify someone's pager that the host system needs attention. To accomplish this, program the host control
software to output a TAP message or the ATI<CR> command every minute. If the host gets disconnected from
the paging system or the host stops functioning, the Host Monitoring Function will come into play.
• Use the Host Monitoring Function in a supervisory controlled paging system environment to allow other
portions of the system to know that the paging system's encoder and transceiver are functioning properly, by
monitoring for the predefined message being transmitted automatically by the paging system.