Appendix C - Rs-422 Serial Interface - RESEARCH CONCEPTS RC2000C Manual

74 RC2000C Az/El Tracking Antenna Controller Appendix C RS-422 Serial Interface

Appendix C - RS-422 Serial Interface

The RC2000A and RC2000C antenna controllers support an RS-422 serial interface. The
communications protocol employed by the RC2000 is compatible with the SABUS standard originally
developed by the Scientific Atlanta Corporation. The protocol is described in appendix D - RS-422
Communications protocol. The aspects of the communications interface which are unique to the
RC2000 antenna controller are described in appendix E - RC2000 Communications Protocol.
RS-232 to RS-422 Protocol Converter
The RS-422 signal levels are not directly compatible with the RS-232 serial ports available on personal
computers. RS-232 is a point to point protocol - a PC can only communicate with one peripheral
connected to the PC via an RS-232 interface. The RS-422 interface employed by the RC2000 allows a
single PC to communicate with up 63 devices. An RS-232 to RS-422 protocol converter (designated
RC1KADP) is available from Research Concepts. The diagrams and schematics at the end of this
appendix document the connection of a PC to an RC2000 via an RC1KADP protocol converter.
Software
Software to control the RC2000 is available from a number of sources. The diskette included with the
manual includes a pair of programs that allow a PC to control an RC2000 (a protocol converter is
required). The RC2K.EXE (or RC2KC.EXE for use with the RC2000C) program is designed primarily
for use by software developers or during installation. These programs feature a crude user interface
which displays each byte of data sent to the controller and each byte received from the controller in an
ASCII format and hex format. We recommend that these programs be used to verify the operation of
the system during initial installation and checkout of the RC1KADP and the associated cabling.
The RC2KDEMO.EXE program found on the diskette is derived from the Autopilot DownLink Manager
(DL/M) software package (described below). This program features a user friendly user interface.
The Autopilot software package is produced by Broadcast Automation Systems (416) 264-8415 and is
available from Research Concepts. The Autopilot DL/M program can control Research Concepts
RC1000A, RC2000A/C, and RC2500 antenna controllers as well as either DX657 or Standard 810, 830,
830BR or 930 receiver(s). Please specify either DX or standard receiver when ordering.
Here are other suppliers of software products that are compatible with the RC2000...
Alamar Electronics: (408) 866-9373
Broadcast Automation Systems: (416) 264-8415
Crystal Computer Corporation: (404) 263-0555
Florical Systems: (904) 372-8326
Gentner: 1-800-945-7730
Image Communications: (408) 335-2141
Industrial Logic Controls (ILC): (404) 504-7400
Link Research: 01923 244233 (England)
Louth Automation: (415) 329-9498
M & C Systems: (408) 454-0396
Research Concepts, Inc. • 9501 Dice Lane • Lenexa, Kansas • 66215 • USA www.researchconcepts.com