Western Telematic APS-16 manual

APS Series Asynchronous Port Switches Firmware Version 2.05 and Higher Models APS-16, APS-8 and APS-4 User's Guide 5 Sterling Irvine California 92618 (949) 586-9950 Toll Free: 1-800-854-7226 Fax: (949) 583-9514 http://www.wti.com[...]

Warnings and Cautions: No Serviceable Parts Inside; Authorized Service Personnel Only Do not attempt to repair or service this device yourself. Internal components must be serviced by authorized personnel only . Shock Hazard - Do Not Enter Choc Hasard - N'entrent Schocke Hazard - T est Nicht Betrete Otro Hazard - Do Non Entrano Nameplate Power[...]

Rack Mount Installation When installing this device in an instrument rack, the following factors must be accounted for: 1. Enclosed Racks: Enclosed racks must provide adequate ventilation. Make certain that the rack is not overly crowded and note that each unit in the rack generates its own heat. An enclosed rack should have louvered sides and a fa[...]

Table of Contents 1. Introduction ............................................. 1-1 2. Unit Description .......................................... 2-1 2.1. Front Panel .......................................... 2-1 2.2. Back Panel .......................................... 2-2 3. Getting Started ........................................... 3-1 3.1. [...]

7. Operation .............................................. 7-1 7.1. Any-to-Any Mode ...................................... 7-1 7.1.1. Port Connection and Disconnection ....................... 7-1 7.1.1.1. Connecting Ports ............................. 7-1 7.1.1.2. Disconnecting Ports ........................... 7-2 7.1.2. Defining Hunt Groups ....[...]

1. Introduction WTI’ s APS-16, APS-8, and APS-4 Asynchronous Port Switches allow reliable, high-speed connections between PCs, modems, and other devices using dissimilar baud rates, parity , and flow control. The APS supports communication at speeds up to 1 15.2 Kbps, and features full R TS/CTS hardware handshaking. Lightening-swift data throughp[...]

APS-16, APS-8, and APS-4 Units This User ’ s Guide discusses the APS-16, APS-8 and APS-4 Asynchronous Port Switches. Throughout this User ’ s Guide, all three units are referred to as "the APS". The APS-16 includes sixteen RS232 ports, the APS-8 includes eight RS232 ports, and the APS-4 includes four RS232 ports. All other features fu[...]

2. Unit Description 2.1. Front Panel ¬ CLEAR: Restarts the APS operating program without changing user-selected parameter settings or breaking port connections.  ON: Lights when AC Power is applied. ® SET: Used to Initialize the APS to defaults specified by the SetUp Switches. T o initialize, press and hold both the SET and CLEAR buttons, rele[...]

2.2. Back Panel ¬ RS232 PORTS: For connection to RS232 console ports on user devices. For more information, please refer to Section 4.4 (connection instructions), Appendix A (interface description), and Section 5.2 (Setup Ports).  SetUp Switches: A bank of eight DIP switches, which set default communication parameters and other features. Note t[...]

3. Getting Started This section provides a brief overview of basic APS capabilities, and describes simple tests that can be used to determine if the unit is operating properly . 3.1. Communication Parameters The SetUp Switches select default operating settings. Switch functions are summarized in Section 4.2, and on a label on the APS unit. When the[...]

3.3. System SetUp Ports In order to ensure access to command functions, Ports 1 and 2 are designated as System SetUp Ports; the Supervisor Mode cannot be disabled at these ports. Ports 1 and 2 will always allow password protected access to all APS command functions, even when the unit has been reset to the default state. Therefore, Ports 1 and 2 ar[...]

4. Help Screen: T ype /H [Enter] to display the Supervisor Level Help Screen (Figure 3.1). 5. Port Status Screen: T ype /S [Enter] to display the Port Status Screen (Figure 3.2), which summarizes conditions at all Ports. Note that the APS-8 Port Status Screen will list only eight ports, and the APS-4 Port Status Screen will list only four ports. Th[...]

b) Third Party Connection: Y our resident port (e.g. Port 1) issues a /C command to create a connection between two other ports. i. T o connect Port 2 to Port 3, type / C23 [Enter] . ii. While Ports 2 and 3 are connected, Port 1 will still recognize APS commands. T ype /S [Enter] to display the Port Status Screen. The "ST A TUS" column sh[...]

4. Hardware Installation 4.1. Connecting Power to the APS Unit The APS is available in both AC and DC powered versions. When connecting AC or DC power to the APS, proceed as follows: CAUTION: This device should only be operated with the type of power source indicated on the instrument nameplate. If you are not sure of the type of power service avai[...]

4.2. Configure SetUp Switches The SetUp Switches are used to select default settings for the APS RS232 ports. On model APS-16 , the SetUp Switches are located on the underside of the unit. On APS-8 and APS-4 models, the SetUp Switches are located on the instrument back panel. When the APS is shipped from the factory , the SetUp Switches are configu[...]

4.2.2. Default Handshake (Sw4, Sw5) The default handshake format must match the format your control device will use when communicating with the APS. SetUp Switches 4 and 5 can select R TS/CTS (hardware), XON/XOFF , Both or None. Note that the /P command can also be used to select a different handshake format for each port. Switch Default Handshake [...]

4.3. Initialize Unit to Default Settings If SetUp Switch settings are changed, new parameters will not take effect until the APS is initialized. CAUTION: After initialization, the APS will revert to the parameters specified by the SetUp Switches. Any command-selected parameters will be lost. 1. Simultaneously press the SET and CLEAR buttons, locate[...]

4.5. Application Example The example in Figure 4.2 shows one of many possible installation configurations for the APS. In this example, APS-16 ports have been configured as follows: · Port 1 (System SetUp Port): This port has been left open in order to permit on-site service personnel to access the Command Mode without disrupting other ports. Sinc[...]

5. Configuration 5.1. Access to the APS Command Mode When the APS Command Mode is active, commands can be invoked to select parameters, and connect or disconnect ports. Note: Command Mode cannot be accessed from a Buffer Mode Port, Passive Mode Port, or any port that is currently connected to another APS port. 1. Start your communications program ([...]

5.3.1. The Supervisor Password The Supervisor Password allows access to higher level APS configuration commands, which administrators can employ to select communication parameters, assign port access rights, and perform other system management tasks. After the Supervisor Password has been defined (via the System Parameters menu), the APS will displ[...]

For example, if the Port Password “test” is assigned to ports 3, 4, and 5, then when “test” is entered at the Password Prompt, the user will only be able to connect to ports 3, 4, and 5, and will only be able to view parameters for ports 3, 4, and 5. If desired, all APS ports can function as both a Supervisor Port and a User Port, depending[...]

5.5. Port Configuration 5.5.1. Configuration Conventions When responding to prompts, invoking commands, and selecting items from the port configuration menus, note the following: · T o select an item from a Port Configuration menu, key in the number for the item and press [Enter] . · T o clear an item in a Port Configuration menu, enter the numbe[...]

5.5.3. RS232 Port Configuration Menus The Port Configuration Menus are used to select options for each of the APS RS232 ports. Parameters selected via these menus will stay in effect until the unit is initialized or the /P command is used to reconfigure the port. After initialization, parameters will revert to the defaults specified by the SetUp Sw[...]

The Port Configuration menu offers the following options: 1. Port Name: (Up to 16 characters) Assigns a name to the port. (Default = undefined). 2. Password: (Up to 16 chars.) Defines the Port Password for this port. Note that identical Port Passwords are generally assigned to several ports. When this password is entered at the login prompt, the us[...]

When Port Mode (menu Item 7) is set to Modem Mode, the menu will include additional prompts (see Figure 5.2), which are used to define the following: 71. Reset String: If necessary , this prompt can re-define the modem reset string, which is sent prior to the Initialization string. (Up to 48 Characters, Default = ATZ ). 72. Initialization String: D[...]

9. Logoff Character: Defines the Logoff Character for this port. The Logoff Character determines the command(s) or character(s) that must be issued at this port in order to disconnect from a second port (Resident Disconnect). (Default = ^X ( [Ctrl] plus [X] )). Note: When redefining the Logoff Character , make certain to select a character that doe[...]

13. Command Echo: Enables or Disables the command echo for this port. (Default = On). 14. Accept Break: Determines whether the port will accept breaks received from the attached device, and pass them along to a connected port. When enabled, breaks received at this port will be passed to any port that this port is connected to, and sent along to the[...]

T o select common parameters for all APS RS-232 ports, proceed as follows: 1. Access the APS command mode. If the password prompt is displayed, key in your Supervisor Level Password. 2. At the command prompt, type /CP and press [Enter] , the menu shown in Figure 5.3 will be displayed. 3. Selecting Parameters: T o select parameters to be copied, key[...]

6. The Status Screens The APS Status Screens display the connection status and communication parameters for the APS RS-232 ports. There are three different types of status screens; The Port Status Screen (/S), the Port Diagnostics Screen (/SD), and the Port Parameters Screens (/W). 6.1. The Port Status Screen (/S) The Port Status Screen lists the g[...]

As shown in Figure 6.1, The Port Status Screen lists the following items. Note that the APS-8 Port Status Screen will show only eight ports, and the APS-4 Port Status Screen will show only four ports · Name: The user-defined name for each port. · Password: The user-defined password for each port. Note that actual passwords are not displayed; this[...]

In User Mode, the Port Diagnostics Screen will display only the status of those ports that share the same Port Password that was entered at login. Ports that are protected by other passwords will not be displayed. As shown in Figure 6.2, the Port Diagnostics Screen lists the following items: · Port: The Port Number . Note that if this column conta[...]

6.3. The Port Parameters Screens (/W) The /W command displays more detailed information about an individual APS port. Rather than listing connection information for all ports like the Port Status Screens, the Port Parameters screen lists all defined parameters for a specific port. The /W command is available in both Supervisor Mode and User Mode. N[...]

7. Operation 7.1. Any-to-Any Mode Any-to-Any Mode Ports can be connected to other Any-to-Any , Passive, Buffer , or Modem Mode Ports by accessing Command Mode and issuing the /C Command. All ports can be configured for the Any-to-Any Mode. 7.1.1. Port Connection and Disconnection The APS provides communication between devices without the requiremen[...]

b) Third Party Connect: (Supervisor Mode Only) T o connect any two ports (other than your resident port), type /C xx XX [Enter] . Where xx and XX are two port names or numbers. The APS will display the numbers of the two connected ports. Example: T o connect Port 5 to Port 6, invoke the following command at a port with Supervisor Level command capa[...]

c) The /D command can specify both connected ports, or either of the two ports. For example, if Port 1 is your resident port, any of the following commands can be used to disconnect Port 3 from Port 4: / D34 [Enter] or /D 3 [Enter] or /D 4 [Enter] 3. No Activity Timeout: Providing the T imeout feature is enabled at either connected port, the No Act[...]

7. It is only necessary to enter enough letters of the port name to differentiate the Hunt Group ports from other ports. T ype an asterisk (*) to represent the remaining characters in the port name. For example, to connect your resident port to the first available port in a group of ports named "SALES1", "SALES2", and "SALE[...]

7.3.1. Reading Data from Buffer Mode Ports T o retrieve data from Buffer Mode Ports, you must first determine which port buffers contain data. T o check port buffers for stored data, access the Command Mode and type /S [Enter] to display the Port Status Screen. T o retrieve data from buffer memory , go to a free Any-to-Any or Modem Mode Port, acces[...]

7.4. Modem Mode In addition to allowing data transfer , the Modem Mode also provides additional functions specifically related to modem communication. A Modem Mode Port can perform all functions normally available in Any-to-Any Mode. The Modem Mode is available to all APS RS232 ports. When the Modem Mode is selected, the port configuration menu (co[...]

8. Saving and Restoring Configuration Parameters After the APS has been properly configured, parameters can be downloaded and saved as an ASCII text file. Later , if the configuration is accidentally altered, the file with the saved parameters can be uploaded to automatically reconfigure the unit without the need to manually assign each parameter .[...]

8.2. Restoring Saved Parameters This section describes the procedure for using ProComm to send stored parameters to the APS. 1. Start your terminal emulation program and access the APS Command Mode; if the password prompt is displayed, enter the Supervisor Password. 2. Configure your terminal emulation program to upload an ASCII text file. 3. Uploa[...]

9. Command Reference Guide 9.1. Command Conventions The commands described in this section conform to the following conventions: · Slash Character: Most APS commands begin with the Slash Character ( / ). · Apply Command to All Ports: When the asterisk character is entered as the argument of the /D command (Disconnect Port), or the /E command (Era[...]

9.2. Command Response When commands are sent to the APS, the unit can respond with either verbose (English T ext) or terse messages (numeric / abbreviated). The default message type for all ports can be set to either terse or verbose using SetUp Switch Six. After the unit is installed and configured, the port configuration command (/P) can specify [...]

9.3. Command Summary Command A vailability Function Command Syntax Supervisor User Enter Command Mode [Enter] XX Exit Command Mode [Enter] XX Help Menu [Enter] XX Display Site ID [Enter] XX Display Port Status [Enter] X ÊË X Ê Display Port Diagnostics [Enter] X Ê X Ê Display Port Parameters (Who) [Enter] X Ë X Ì Set System Parameters [Enter][...]

9.4. Command Set This Section provides more detailed information on all APS commands, sorted alphabetically by name. [Enter] Enter Command Mode In order to set parameters or connect ports, you must first access the command mode as described in Section 5.1. When the Command Mode is inactive (port asleep), the port will only respond when the [Enter] [...]

/C Connect Establishes a bi-directional connection between two ports. For more information and command line examples, please refer to Section 7.1. There are two different types of port connections: · Resident Connect: If the /C command specifies one port name or number , your resident port will be connected to the specified port. · Third Party Co[...]

/D Third Party Disconnect Invoke the /D command at your resident port to disconnect two other ports. The /D command cannot be used to disconnect your resident port. T o disconnect your resident port, issue the Resident Disconnect Sequence or wait for the T imeout Period to elapse (if enabled). A vailability: Supervisor Only Format: /D[/Y] <x>[...]

/F Set System Parameters Displays a menu which is used to define the Site ID message and Supervisor Password. When the Supervisor Password is defined, the APS will display a password prompt before allowing access to command mode. For more information, refer to Section 5.4. Note: Make certain to record your Supervisor Password for future reference. [...]

/P Set RS232 Port Parameters Displays a menu which allows the user to select options and parameters for the selected port. Section 5.5.3 describes the procedure for defining port parameters. A vailability: Supervisor Only Format: /P [x] [Enter] Where x is the number or name of the port to be configured. If the port number or name is not specified, [...]

/W Display Port Parameters (Who) Displays configuration of an individual port, but does not allow the user to change parameters. Ports with User Level command capability cannot display parameters for other ports. Normally , the Port Parameters screen will not include the Port Password. Note however , that when the Supervisor Mode is active, the /WP[...]

A. RS232 Port Interface DCD and DTR hardware lines function as follows: 1. When connected: a) If either port is set for Modem Mode, the DTR output at either port reflects the DCD input at the other end. b) If neither port is set for Modem Mode, DTR output is held high (active). 2. When not connected: a) If the port is set for Modem Mode, upon disco[...]

B. Specifications RS232 Port Interface: Model APS-16: Sixteen (16) RS232 serial inputs use DB9 connectors configured as DTE ports. Model APS-8: Eight (8) RS232 serial inputs use DB9 connectors configured as DTE ports. Model APS-4: Four (4) RS232 serial inputs use DB9 connectors configured as DTE ports. Coding: Asynchronous, 7/8 bits ASCII. Parity: [...]

C. Customer Service Customer Service hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, PST , Monday through Friday . When calling, please be prepared to give the name and make of the unit, its serial number and a description of its symptoms. If the unit should need to be returned for factory repair it must be accompanied by a Return Authorization number from Cust[...]

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