Appendix C - Rs-422 Serial Interface - Dawn CONTROL-1500A Manual

CONTROL-1500A Single Axis Antenna Controller
The CONTROL-2000A andCONTROL-2000C antenna controllers support an RS-422 serial interface.
The communications protocol employed by the CONTROL-2000 is compatible with the SABU
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 CONTROL-2000 antenna controller are described in appendix E-
CONTROL-2000 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 CONTROL-2000 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
CONTROL-2000 via an RC1KADP protocol converter.
Software
Software to control the CONTROL-2000 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 CONTROL-2000 (a protocol
converter is required). The RC2K.EXE (or RC2KC.EXE for use with the CONTROL2000C) 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 software
package (described below). This program features a user friendly user interface.
The Autopilot software package is produced by Broadcast Automation Systems ((905) 822-
7935) and is available from Research Concepts. This program can control the CONTROL-2000
and the CONTROL-1500A antenna controllers as well as the Standard Agile Omni model 830BR
or the DX657 satellite receiver. This program runs under DOS and gives the user the ability to
schedule antenna and receiver events. Contact Research Concepts for more information on
this product.
Here are other suppliers of software products that are compatible with the CONTROL-2000...
Alamar Electronics: (408) 866-9373
Broadcast Automation Systems: (905) 822-7935
Crystal Computer Corporation: (404) 263-0555
Drake Automation:
Florical Systems: (904) 372-8326
Image Communications: (408) 335-2141
Industrial Logic Controls (ILC): (404) 504-7400
Link Research: 01923 244233 (England)
DAWNco • 3340 S. Lapeer Rd • Orion, MI 48359-1320 • Ph (248) 391-9200 • Fax (248) 391-9207 • sales@DAWNco.com
Appendix C – RS-422 Serial Interface
Appendix C RS-422 Serial Interface 62