Connecting To TB8100 Base Stations Via An Asynchronous Port Switch TECHNOTE/TN 906 TN

TECHNOTE/TN-906-AN - Connecting to TB8100 Base Stations via an Asynchronous Port Switch TN-906-AN - Connecting to TB8100 Base Stations via an Asynchronous Port Switch

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TB8100 base station

Connecting to TB8100

Base Stations via an

Asynchronous Port Switch

Application Note TN-906

30 September 2004

Page 2 of 20 TN-906

Contents

1 The Purpose of an APS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2 Supported APS Units and their Main Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.1 Units Supported. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.2 Main Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

3 Physical Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

4 Configuring the Service Kit and Base Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

4.1 Configuring the Service Kit for Dial-in via an APS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

4.2 Configuring the Service Kit for a Direct Connection via an APS . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

4.3 Configuring the Base Station to Dial Out to an Alarm Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

5 Configuring the APS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

5.1 Ensuring the Security of Configuration Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

5.2 Configuring the Set-up Switches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

5.3 Configuring the Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

6 Testing the Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

7 Essential Modem Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

8 Known Issues or Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Document Conventions

‘Configure > Communications > Alarm Center’ means ‘click the

Configure icon on the toolbar, then in the navigation pane find the

Communications group, and select Alarm Center from it’.

Associated Documentation

TN-742: Remotely Monitoring and Configuring the TB8100 Base Station

TB8100 Installation and Operation Manual

TB8100 Service Kit and Alarm Center User’s Manuals and online Help

Your APS User’s Guide

TN-906 Page 3 of 20

This Application Note provides information on how to connect multiple

TB8100 base stations to a Service Kit or Alarm Center using an

Asynchronous Port Switch (APS). It covers connection via direct serial link,

and via PSTN lines using modems. Typical physical connections, APS

configurations, base station configurations, Service Kit configurations, and

modem settings are also described.

1 The Purpose of an APS

One of the most powerful features of the TB8100 base station is its ability

to be remotely configured and monitored. This feature includes Service Kit

access, for remote configuration, monitoring, and diagnostics, and

automatic dial-out to an Alarm Center, as a result of an error condition or

Task Manager stimulus. TN-742 describes the use of this feature in detail.

Without using an APS, however, a dedicated PSTN line is required for each

base station installed on a site. The cost of these lines is very high, especially

when the base stations are installed in remote locations. Using an APS

allows a single phone line to service up to 31 base stations.

A typical connection scenario is shown in Figure 1 below. The diagram

shows:

■four base stations connected to various ports on an APS

■the dial-up modem at the remote site

■the PSTN connection

■the modem at the local site

■a PC running either Service Kit or Alarm Center software.

Figure 1 Typical APS Connection

Dial-up Modem

Calls initiated

TB8100

APS

Service Kit

Page 4 of 20 TN-906

2 Supported APS Units and their Main Features

2.1 Units Supported

The APS support feature in the TB8100 base station is intended to work

with third party products. Tait Electronics Limited does not manufacture its

own unit. The following third party units are supported:

■Western Telematic Inc. (WTI) APS-4, APS-8, APS-16, CMS-16, and

CMS-32

■Black Box SW543A.

Any other APS that uses simple ASCII connect and disconnect commands

and responses may work satisfactorily.

2.2 Main Features

These features are standard on the supported APS units listed above.

■You can connect up to 3, 7, 15, or 31 base stations per site to a single

PSTN line or PC, depending on the APS chosen.

■The units are configured as DTE (Data Terminal Equipment).

■The units will support all baud rates recognised by the base station, i.e.

1200, 2400, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, and 115200.

■Although the APS ports can be individually configured, and may be

password protected, the TB8100 base station does not support this.

(Note that in “Common Configuration for all Ports” on page 14 the

password is left undefined)

■The APS configurations are stored in non-volatile memory.

■Data clashes are prevented using a Busy response, i.e. if one base station

tries to dial out while another is connected, it will receive a Busy

response, and can try again later if configured to do so.

■The Service Kit or base station alarm dial-out software handle all

common errors such as busy, lack of response, or communications failure.

■The APS can be powered from 115/230VAC or –48VDC. The power

consumption is approximately 5W.

TN-906 Page 5 of 20

3 Physical Connections

In all the following connection types, only two or three base stations are

shown connected to the APS for graphical convenience.

The modem is shown connected to the highest numbered port of the APS.

This is for user convenience only, and allows an easy mapping between the

base station number and port number when configuring the Service Kit.

Any port could be used if desired.

A single null modem cable is supplied with the APS. The user must supply

all other cables.

Figure 2 PSTN connection to base stations without a TaitNet RS-232 system interface board

Cables 1, 2 & 3 9-way straight through (not null modem) RS-232 cable

Cable 4 APS power cable, either AC mains or –48VDC, depending on the model chosen

Cable 5 modem power cable, usually AC mains

Cable 6 Telco connection, usually RJ11

Notes ■RS-232 connections are made via the control panel at the front of the base station.

Dial-up ModemAPS PSTN

APS Power Modem Power

Cable 1

Cable 2

Cable 3

Cable 4 Cable 5

Cable 6

Page 6 of 20 TN-906

Figure 3 PSTN connection to base stations with a TaitNet RS-232 system interface board

Cables 1, 2, 3 & 4 9-way straight through (not null modem) RS-232 cable

Cable 5 APS power cable, either AC mains or –48VDC, depending on the model chosen

Cable 6 modem power cable, usually AC mains

Cable 7 Telco connection, usually RJ11

Notes ■The TaitNet RS-232 system interface board is essential if you want remote

diagnostics to both channels in dual channel subracks. It is optional for single

channel subracks.

■Connections to the TaitNet RS-232 system interface board are on the rear panel of

the reciter.

■Front or rear panel connections to single channel subracks can be mixed with rear

panel connections to dual channel subracks, in any combination, on a single APS.

■The TaitNet RS-232 system interface board can be installed by the user, with care

(refer to the TB8100 Service Manual). The reciter firmware will automatically

detect the system interface board type, and route the RS-232 signals appropriately.

■If the TaitNet RS-232 system interface board is fitted, the control panel does not

shut down in Power Saving modes, resulting in a small compromise in power

saving effectiveness.

Dial-up ModemAPS PSTN

APS Power Modem Power

Cable 1

Cable 2

Cable 4

Cable 5 Cable 6

Cable 7

Cable 3

Dual channel

Single channel

TN-906 Page 7 of 20

Figure 4 Direct connection to base stations with or without a TaitNet RS-232 system interface

board

Cables 1, 2 & 3 9-way straight through (not null modem) RS-232 cable

Cable 4 9-way null modem RS-232 cable

Cable 5 APS power cable, either AC mains or –48VDC, depending on the model chosen

Notes ■The illustration above shows base stations with TaitNet RS-232 system interface

boards, but front or rear connection can be used.

APS

APS Power

Cable 1

Cable 2

Cable 4

Cable 5

Cable 3

Service Kit

Single channel

Dual channel

Page 8 of 20 TN-906

Figure 5 Combined PSTN and direct connections

Cables 1, 2, 3 & 4 9-way straight through (not null modem) RS-232 cable

Cable 5 9-way null modem RS-232 cable

Cable 6 APS power cable, either AC mains or –48VDC, depending on the model chosen

Cable 7 modem power cable, usually AC mains

Cable 8 Telco connection, usually RJ11

Notes ■The illustration above shows base stations with TaitNet RS-232 system interface

boards, but front or rear connection can be used.

■If possible, the PC should be connected to a spare APS port so that normal dial-in

and dial-out is not disrupted. If there is no spare port available, any port can be

used, but some disruption may then possibly occur.

Dial-up ModemAPS PSTN

APS Power Modem Power

Cable 1

Cable 2

Cable 4

Cable 6 Cable 7

Cable 8

Cable 3

Service Kit

Cable 5

Dual channel

Single channel

TN-906 Page 9 of 20

4 Configuring the Service Kit and Base Station

4.1 Configuring the Service Kit for Dial-in via an APS

1. Run the Service Kit and select Connect > New Connection. The

Edit Connection screen appears.

2. In the Connection type list, select Modem Dialup. The Edit

Connection screen changes to the one shown below.

Page 10 of 20 TN-906

3. Set up the parameters in the Connection tab as usual (use the online

Help if required).

4. In the Port Switch tab, select the Port switch check box.

5. In the Connect command field, enter ^M/Cx^M.

This means:

Note Use the ^ (carat) symbol to instruct the Service Kit that this is a

control character. Do not use the control key.

6. In the Connect response field, enter 1.

7. In the Disconnect command field, enter ^Mxxx^M/X^M.

This means:

8. In the Disconnect response field, enter 3.

^M instructs the APS to enter command modea

a. This is equivalent to the carriage return character.

/C requests a connection

x the port number of the base station you wish to connect to

^M terminates the sequence

^M instructs the APS to enter command mode

xxx three instances of the logoff charactera

a. This must match the logoff character chosen when setting up the modem (L

was chosen in this case). Refer to “Common Configuration for all Ports” on

page 14.

^M terminates the sequence

/X^M exits command mode

TN-906 Page 11 of 20

4.2 Configuring the Service Kit for a Direct Connection via an APS

This configuration is similar to the one described in the previous section,

except that you set the Connection type to Direct Connection. You can

then connect the computer running the Service Kit software to any spare

port on the APS, and connect to any base station that is not currently busy

with either a dial-in or dial-out session.

4.3 Configuring the Base Station to Dial Out to an Alarm Center

This section provides details on configuring the Alarm Center connection,

the port switch, and the connection timing. For full details on configuring

the modem, refer to TN-742.

1. Run the Service Kit and select Configure > Communications >

Alarm Center.

2. In the Alarm Center form, enable the Alarm Center connection and

the Port switch (use the on-line Help if required).

3. In the Baud rate list, select 57600. If you select a different baud rate,

ensure that the APS is set to the same rate (refer to “Configuring the

Set-up Switches” on page 13).

4. In the Connect command field, enter ^M/Cx^M.

This means:

The site modem is usually (but does not have to be) connected to the

highest port number available. The above screen shows the settings

for port 8 of an 8-port APS.

^M instructs the APS to enter command modea

a. This is equivalent to the carriage return character.

/C requests a connection

x the port number to which the site modem is connected

^M terminates the sequence

Page 12 of 20 TN-906

5. In the Connect response field, enter 1.

6. In the Disconnect command field, enter ^Mxxx^M/X^M.

This means:

7. In the Disconnect response field, enter 3.

8. In the Connection timing area, we recommend the following

settings:

■Set the number of retries to 20, the maximum allowed.

■Set the time between retries to 60s for the first base station, and

increment in steps of 5s for other base stations (e.g. set base station

2 to 65s, base station 3 to 70s, etc.). This prevents all base stations

from retrying at the same time if a fault occurs that affects them all.

■Set the minimum interval to at least 30 minutes. The interval

should be long enough to allow all base stations to dial out if

necessary; we suggest 30 minutes plus an extra 3 minutes for each

base station on the site.

Note If there is a particular condition that can be guaranteed to affect all

base stations (e.g. mains failure), we recommend that you enable

this alarm on only two base stations. This precaution will prevent

a mass dial-out attempt, but will still allow you to check for false

alarms.

^M instructs the APS to enter command mode

xxx three instances of the logoff charactera

a. This must match the logoff character chosen when setting up the modem (L

was chosen in this case). Refer to “Common Configuration for all Ports” on

page 14.

^M terminates the sequence

/X^M exits command mode

TN-906 Page 13 of 20

5 Configuring the APS

5.1 Ensuring the Security of Configuration Data

The configuration data of many APS units is stored in RAM which has a

battery back-up. This battery should have a life of approximately 3 years

when the APS is not powered up, and may need to be changed periodically.

You may also wish to replace the battery before installing your APS to ensure

maximum battery life and security of configuration data. A typical symptom

of battery failure is the loss of configuration data when the APS is powered

down for some time.

The battery is typically a BR1225 and is located under a clip on the main

board of the APS. To replace the battery, proceed as follows:

1. Disconnect the AC mains power.

2. Remove the top cover.

3. Carefully replace the battery, observing normal antistatic precautions.

4. Replace the cover.

5.2 Configuring the Set-up Switches

1. Power up the APS.

2. Configure the set-up switches as shown below. These switches are

located on the rear panel of APS units with up to 8 ports, and on the

bottom cover of units with 16 or more ports.

The settings for SW1, SW2, and SW3 are optional, however the set-

tings for all other switches are mandatory. We recommend a baud rate

of 57k6, as it will give the highest possible data transfer rate through

the modem on a “good” PSTN connection. If you select a different

Switch Setting Function

SW1 ON (down) sets the baud rate to 57k6

SW2 OFF

SW3 OFF

SW4 OFF no handshaking

SW5 OFF

SW6 OFF terse messages

SW7 OFF echo disabled

SW8 ––– currently not used

Page 14 of 20 TN-906

rate, you must select the same rate for the Alarm Center connection

(Configure > Alarm Center > Port Settings > Baud rate; refer to

“Configuring the Base Station to Dial Out to an Alarm Center” on

page 11).

3. After you have set the switches, you must validate the set-up as

follows:

a. Simultaneously press the SET and CLEAR buttons on the front of

the APS.

b. Release the CLEAR button, wait for the port ACTIVITY LEDs

to flash, then release the SET button.

5.3 Configuring the Ports

Connect a PC running a terminal program (HyperTerminal, ProComm,

TerraTerm or similar) to any unused port on the APS, using a null modem

cable.

Note Refer to the APS User’s Guide for a detailed explanation of all the

command codes. The commands shown in the following section

are in upper case for clarity, however you can use lower case if you

prefer.

Common

Configuration for

all Ports

1. Enter Command Mode using the [Enter] key.

2. Type the following commands:

/CP [Enter] copies port parameters

7 [Enter] 1 [Enter] sets all ports to Any-to-Any mode

9 [Enter] x [Enter] where x sets the logoff character

Note that this must be the same character you

chose in the Service Kit procedures described

in Section 4.1 and Section 4.3 (L in the

examples shown). It must also be different

from the character used to take the modem

out of data mode, which is usually “+”, but

can be changed by the user. You can also

choose control characters, which are shown by

a preceding ^ (carat).

10 [Enter] 1 [Enter] sets the disconnect sequence to 3 consecutive

logoff characters, instead of just 1

Note that this is essential to avoid the

possibility of random logoffs.

11 [Enter] 6 [Enter] enables the timeout to 1 minute

12 [Enter] 3 [Enter] sets the response type to Terse

13 [Enter] 1 [Enter] disables the command echo

[Esc] copies to all ports

Y [Enter] answers the question “Are you sure (y/n)?”

/W [Enter] displays port parameters

TN-906 Page 15 of 20

3. Verify that the following is displayed.

PORT PARAMETERS #01:

1. Port Name: (undefined)

2. Password: (undefined)

3. Baud Rate: 57.6K

4. Bits/Parity: 8-None

5. Stop Bits: 1

6. Handshake Mode: None

7. Port Mode: Any-to-Any

74. DTR Output: Pulse

8. Supervisor Mode: Permit

9. Logoff Character: L

10. Sequence Disconnect: Three Characters

11. Timeout Disconnect: 1 Min

12. Response Type: Terse

13. Command Echo: Off

14. Accept Break: Yes

If everything is correct, proceed to step 4, or re-enter the incorrect

parameter as required.

4. WTI APS-4, APS-8 and APS-16 Units Only

This step is required because of a bug in the firmware of the APS-4,

APS-8 and APS-16 units. The Copy Port Parameters command does

not work for the timeout setting.

Type the following commands:

Repeat this procedure for all ports.

5. If you do not want to configure a port as a modem port (refer to

“Configuration for a Modem Port (if a modem is used)” below), exit

Command mode by typing:

Otherwise, continue with “Configuration for a Modem Port (if a

modem is used)” on page 16.

/Pn [Enter] sets RS-232 parameters

where n is the port number

11 [Enter] 6 [Enter] enables the timeout to 1 minute

[Esc]

/X [Enter] exits command mode

Page 16 of 20 TN-906

Configuration for a

Modem Port

(if a modem is used)

We recommend that you configure the port to which the modem is

connected as a modem port. This will ensure that the modem is re-

configured after a power outage, and prevent it from using the wrong serial

baud rate.

Type the following commands:

/Pn [Enter] sets RS-232 parameters

where n is the number of the port to which

the modem is connected, usually the highest

numbered port

Verify that the timeout has been set correctly

to 1 minute. If not, type 11 [Enter] 6 [Enter].

7 [Enter] 4 [Enter] configures the port as a modem port

71 [Enter] AT [Enter] sets the reset string to AT

72 [Enter] AT [Enter] sets the initialisation string to AT

This is just to ensure that no unwanted

commands are issued to the modem.

73 [Enter] +++~~ATH0

[Enter]

ensures that modem hangs up after a timeout

Note that the double ~ (tilde) puts a 2s delay

between +++ and ATH0, allowing the modem

to enter command mode.

[Esc]

/X [Enter] exits Command mode

TN-906 Page 17 of 20

6 Testing the Connection

Connecting to the

Base Station via the

APS

Once everything has been configured, dial in to the base station via the APS.

1. Run the Service Kit software and click Connect.

2. Select the APS connection previously set up. The following screen

appears, as for a normal (non-APS) connection.

Once the modems have connected and established their protocol, the

following screen appears. This screen is unique to APS connections.

Shortly afterwards, the correct port is connected, and the base station

responds to its connection protocol. The normal base station logon

screen now appears.

3. Continue with the connection session as normal.

4. When you have completed your session, disconnect in the normal

way.

Page 18 of 20 TN-906

If the Connection is

Unsuccessful 1. If an error occurs which is related to the APS, the following screen

will appear.

2. If this screen appears, check the settings of both the APS and the

Service Kit very carefully. If the you cannot resolve the problem, it

may be useful to insert a serial communications monitor between the

Service Kit PC and the modem. Compare the strings actually

transmitted with those expected, and consult the APS User’s Guide.

7 Essential Modem Features

The ATX0 command must be available in any modem which is used with

the APS. This command limits the result codes to 0-4, i.e:

■0 – OK

■1 – connect

■2 – ring

■3 – no carrier

■4 – error

Note Some modems will include result code 8 (no answer) in the list for

ATX0. This is also acceptable. Refer to TN-742 for modem set-

tings and configurations.

8 Known Issues or Limitations

Known Issue or Limitation Solution

Some APS units store their configuration

data in RAM with battery back-up. This

data will be lost if the unit is powered

down and the battery fails.

If you are unsure about the condition of

the back-up battery, replace it before

installing the APS (refer to “Ensuring the

Security of Configuration Data” on

page 13).

Applies to WTI APS-4, APS-8 and APS-16

units:

You cannot use the Copy Port Parameters

command to set the timeout.

You must set the port timeout on each

port individually.

If you try to set this parameter globally, it

will appear to be successful, but the

timeout will not work. Refer to

“Common Configuration for all Ports”

on page 14.

TN-906 Page 19 of 20

Issuing Authority

This TN was issued by: John Crossland

Technical Publications Manager

Publication History

Amendment Record

Tait Contact Information

Corporate Head

Office

New Zealand

Tait Electronics Limited, P.O. Box 1645, Christchurch, New Zealand

E-mail (Marketing): taitnet@taitworld.com

E-mail (Sales): sales@taitworld.com

Technical Support Technical Support Manager

Tait Electronics Ltd, P.O. Box 1645, Christchurch, New Zealand

E-mail: support@taitworld.com

Internet http://www.taitworld.com

Publication Date Author

30 September 2004 D Reynolds

Publication Date Page Amendment

30 September 2004 First release

Page 20 of 20 TN-906

Connecting To TB8100 Base Stations Via An Asynchronous Port Switch TECHNOTE/TN 906 TN

TECHNOTE/TN-906-AN - Connecting to TB8100 Base Stations via an Asynchronous Port Switch TN-906-AN - Connecting to TB8100 Base Stations via an Asynchronous Port Switch

TECHNOTE/TB8000/TN-906-AN - Connecting to TB8100 Base Stations via an Asynch TN-906-AN - Connecting to TB8100 Base Stations via an Asynch

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