Comtech EF Data DT-4500-A Series - Manual (Page 111)

A–1
Appendix A. REMOTE CONTROL
A.1 Introduction
This appendix describes the protocol and message command set for remote monitor and control
of the DT-4500-A Series Downconverters.
A.2 Communication Interfaces
The electrical interface is either an EIA-485 multi-drop bus (for the control of many devices) or
an EIA-232 connection (for the control of a single device), and data is transmitted in
asynchronous serial form, using ASCII characters. Control and status information is transmitted
in packets of variable length, in accordance with the structure and protocol defined in later
sections.
The Remote Control connector pinout is shown in
Chapter 3.2.1.7 J1 COM1 EIA-
485/232 Interface Connector (DB-9F)
A.2.1 TIA/EIA-485 (RS-485)
For applications where multiple devices are to be monitored and controlled, a full-duplex (4-
wire plus ground) EIA-485 is preferred. Half-duplex (2-wire plus ground) EIA-485 is possible, but
is not preferred. In full-duplex EIA-485 communication, there are two separate, isolated,
independent, differential-mode twisted pairs, each handling serial data in different directions.
It is assumed that a 'Controller' device (a PC or dumb terminal) transmits data in a broadcast
mode via one of the pairs. Many 'Target' devices are connected to this pair, and all
simultaneously receive data from the Controller. The Controller is the only device with a line-
driver connected to this pair; the Target devices have only line-receivers connected.
In the other direction: On the other pair, each Target has a tri-state line driver connected; the
Controller has a line-receiver connected. All the line drivers are held in high-impedance mode
until one – and only one – Target transmits back to the Controller. Each Target has a unique
address; each time the Controller transmits, the address of the intended recipient Target is
included in a framed 'packet' of data. All of the Targets receive the packet, but only one (the