About This Reference Guide; Control Operation - Kenwood TS-590S Reference Manual

PC CONTROL COMMAND REFERENCE GUIDE

ABOUT THIS REFERENCE GUIDE

All descriptions in this reference guide are for the
user's convenience. KENWOOD does not support or
warrantee this documentation in any way.
CONNECTING TO A PC
You can connect the TS-590S/ TS-590SG transceiver
to a PC COM port using a traditional RS-232C
connector, or to a USB port using a USB 2.0 (AB type)
cable.
Through the transceiver menu, select a baud rate for
communications between the PC and the transceiver.
Using a RS-232C Straight Cable
■
Directly connect the RS-232C straight cable
between the COM port of the PC and the COM
terminal of the transceiver.
Using a USB Cable
■
When using a USB cable, you must first pre-install
a virtual COM port driver on the PC. Then, connect
the USB cable A-connector to the USB port of the
PC and the B-connector the USB terminal of the
transceiver.
Note: Operation is not guaranteed when connecting through
a USB hub.

CONTROL OPERATION

Most computers handle data in the form of "bits" and
"bytes". A bit is the smallest piece of information a
computer can handle. A byte is composed of eight
bits. This is the most convenient form for most
computer data. This data may be sent in the form
of either serial or parallel data strings. The parallel
method is faster but more complicated, while the
serial method is slower and requires less complicated
equipment. The serial form is, therefore, a less
expensive alternative.
Serial data transmission uses time-division methods
over a single line. Using a single line also offers the
advantage of reducing the number of errors due to line
noise.
Theoretically, only three lines are required to control
the transceiver via the computer:
• Transmit data
• Receive data
• Ground
From a practical standpoint however, it is also
necessary to incorporate some means of controlling
when this data transfer will occur. The computer and
transceiver cannot be allowed to send data at the
same time! The required control is achieved by using
the RTS and CTS lines.
For example, the transceiver is placed into the transmit
mode whenever the character string "TX;" is sent from
the computer. The character string "TX;" is called a
computer control command; it tells the transceiver
what to do. There are numerous commands available
for control of the transceiver. These commands may
be incorporated into a computer program written in
any high level language. Programming methods vary
from computer to computer; refer to the instruction
manuals provided with the terminal program and
computer.
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