Multi-Tech Systems BL-Series manual Handshaking Details, Call Termination, Abort Timer

MultiModemBL User Guide

4.10 Handshaking Details

This section briefly explains what happens between two modems in a normal call. We are assuming that there are MultiModems at both the originating and at the answering end of the telephone line. (If other brands of modems are used with our modems, they will still communicate, but each manufacturer tends to use slightly different delay timings and sequences, and many of the brands vary in their LED designations.)

When a call is dialed from the originating modem, the called modem responds to the ringing by switching into Answer mode and by turning on its RI (Ring Indicator, RS-232C/V.24 Pin 22) signal as the rings are detected. (The BL-MAC models do not use DTR.)

Note that in order for the called modem to be able to answer the call, it must have a high DTR (Data Terminal Ready) signal. This signal comes from the computer or terminal to which it is attached, on RS-232C Pin 20.

When the called modem answers the call, its OH (Off Hook) circuit comes on and the ringing stops. Two seconds after the call is answered, the called modem begins transmitting its answerback tone.

The originating modem, which has been off hook and waiting for the answerback tone, turns on its transmitter when it hears the tone. Then after a one second delay, the orignating modem's CD (Carrier Detect) comes on.

The called modem then responds to the originating modem by turning on its CD (Carrier Detect) signal, and the handshaking is completed.

Note: With the modem in Reliable or Auto-Reliable mode, some additional handshaking takes place. This is explained in Section 5.4.8.

4.11 Call Termination

There are a number of ways to terminate a call, or simply stated, hang up. They are:

1)Command Mode Control. To terminate a call by Command Mode, enter +++ATH then RETURN; or, send a BREAK signal followed by ATH and a RETURN.

2)DTR Control. If DTR (Data Terminal Ready) is turned off for 50 milliseconds or more, a disconnect occurs. This is probably the most common method used by computer systems at the automatic answer end of the line to cause the answering modem to disconnect after logging off procedures.

3)Loss of Carrier. After a data connection is established, the modem disconnects if a loss of carrier occurs for 700 milliseconds (0.7 seconds) or more. Note that one cause of carrier loss would be if one of the modems disconnect normally.

4)Abort Timer.

Answer Mode: When OH (Off Hook) comes on, the called modem starts a forty-five-second timer and waits for a carrier signal from the originating modem. If carrier is not detected within this period, the modem disconnects (hangs up) and is ready for another call.

Originate Mode: The abort timer functions the same as in answer mode, except that the timer begins after the modem has completed dialing, instead of when it first goes off hook. It is possible to change this forty-five second wait period to any other value (from 0 seconds up to 255 seconds), or to disable the timer completely by re-configuring S-Register S7 (see Chapter 6).

5)Inactivity Timer. Causes the modem to disconnect if no data is transmitted or received for a specified time. The timer is restored any time a character is passed through the serial port in either a send or receive state. This timer runs in both normal or reliable connections and is controlled by S-Register S30. The Inactivity Timer can be disabled by setting S30 to 0, which is the factory default setting.

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