Vertex Standard FT-1000MP manual Overview CAT Data Protocol, CAT 5-BYTE Command Structure, Opcode

CAT System Computer Control

OVERVIEW CAT DATA PROTOCOL

The CAT (Computer Aided Transceiver) System in the MARK-VFT-1000MPprovides control of fre- quency, VFO, memory, and other settings such as dual- channel memories and diversity reception using an external personal computer. This allows multiple con- trol operations to be fully automated as single mouse clicks or keystroke operations on the computer key- board.

The MARK-VFT-1000MPhas a built-in level con- verter, allowing direct connection from the rear-panel CAT jack to the serial port of your computer without the need of any external boxes.

Each time a command instruction is being received from the computer via the CAT port, the “CAT” indi- cator appears in the display, then turns off afterward. You will need a serial cable for connection to the RS- 232C (serial or COM port) connector on your computer. Purchase a standard serial cable (not the so-called "null modem" type), ensuring it has the correct gender and number of pins (some serial COM port connectors use a 9-pin rather than 25-pin configuration). If your com- puter uses a custom connector, you may have to con- struct the cable. In this case, refer to the technical docu- mentation supplied with your computer for correct data connection.

Yaesu Musen does not produce CAT System op- erating software due to the wide variety of personal computers and operating systems in use today. How- ever, the information provided in this chapter explains the serial data structure and opcodes used by the CAT system. This information, along with the short program- ming examples, is intended to help you start writing programs on your own. As you become more familiar with CAT operation, you can customize programs later on for your operating needs and discover the true op- erating potential of this system.

There are some commercially produced software packages available, as well as various shareware and freeware programs. To find out more information, con- tact your dealer or check advertisements in current amateur radio journals and publications. Other valu- able information sources include amateur radio and PC users-groups, packet radio and PC bulletin boards (BBS), and amateur radio hamfests.

Serial data is passed via the CAT jack on the rear panel of the transceiver at 4800 bits/sec. All commands sent from the computer to the transceiver consist of five-byte blocks, with up to 200 ms between each byte. The last byte sent in each block is the instruction opcode, while the first four bytes of each block are ar- guments: either parameters for that instruction, or dummy values (required to pad the block out to five bytes):

CAT 5-BYTE COMMAND STRUCTURE

Byte 1	Byte 2	Byte 3	Byte 4	Byte 5
Argument	Argument	Argument	Argument	Instruction
				OPCODE

Each byte sent consists of one start bit, 8 data bits, no parity bit and two stop bits:

		CAT DATA BYTE FORMAT
Start	0	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	Stop	Stop
Bit									Bit	Bit

There are twenty-nine instruction opcodes for the MARK-VFT-1000MP, listed in the table on pages 94 ~

97.Most of these duplicate menu programming set- tings or options, or else emulate front panel button func- tions. Notice that several instructions require no spe- cific parameters. However, every Command Block sent to the transceiver must always consist of five bytes.

The CAT control program you are writing must con- struct the 5-byte block, by selecting the appropriate instruction opcode, organizing the parameters, if any, and providing unused (dummy) argument bytes for padding the block to its required 5-byte length (the dummy bytes can contain any value). The resulting five bytes are then sent, opcode last, from the computer to the MARK-VFT-1000MPCPU via the serial port and CAT jack on the transceiver rear panel.

page 86 MARK-V FT-1000MP Operating Manual