Comtech EF Data CDM-625 - Manual (Page 466)

CDM-625 Advanced Satellite Modem Revision 15
Appendix D MN-CDM625
D–2
EIA-485 (full duplex) summary:
• Two differential pairs – one pair for Controller-to-Target, one pair for Target-to-Controller.
• Controller-to-Target pair has one line driver (Controller), and all Targets have line-receivers.
• Target-to-Controller pair has one line receiver (Controller), and all Targets have Tri-State drivers.
D.3 EIA-232
This is a much simpler configuration in which the Controller device is connected directly to the Target via a two-wire-plus-ground
connection. Controller-to-Target data is carried, via EIA-232 electrical levels on one conductor, and Target-to-Controller data is carried in
the other direction on the other conductor.
D.4 Basic Protocol
Whether in EIA-232 or EIA-485 mode, all data is transmitted as asynchronous serial characters, suitable for transmission and reception
by a Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART). The asynchronous character format is 8-N-1 (8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit).
The baud rate may vary from 1200 to 38400 baud.
All data is transmitted in framed packets. The Controller is in charge of the process of monitor and control, and is the only device that is
permitted to initiate, at will, the transmission of data. Targets are only permitted to transmit when they have been specifically instructed
to do so by the Controller.
All bytes within a packet are printable ASCII characters, less than ASCII code 127. In this context, the Carriage Return and Line Feed
characters are considered printable.
All messages from Controller-to-Target require a response, with one exception: This will be either to return data that has been
requested by the Controller, or to acknowledge reception of an instruction to change the configuration of the Target. The exception to
this is when the Controller broadcasts a message (such as Set Time/Date) using Address 0, when the Target is set to EIA-485 mode.