Proxima ASA 7911, 7910 manual Pass-through and Packetized Modes

4. Pass-through and Packetized Modes

The Serial Adapter’s serial interface can be set for two kinds of operating modes: Pass-through mode and Packetized mode. The format of the information presented to the unit’s serial port is dramatically different depending on which of these modes is selected.

You should use the Pass-through mode for applications where a pair of RangeLAN2 Serial Adapters replace an RS-232 cable without changing the existing serial application. In Pass-through mode, the unit accepts a stream of serial data at its RS-232 port and passes it over the radio network to a receiving unit or units. The data arrives at the receiving unit that then sends this infor- mation to its attached computer or terminal over the serial port. Pass-through mode is the default setting for the Serial Adapter.

In Packetized mode, the Serial Adapter accepts a set of com- mands from an external computer. This allows the external computer to control the unit. In addition to commands that cause the unit to transmit messages over the radio, the unit also accepts configuration commands such as “switch radio to Channel 2” or “switch baud rate to 9600 baud.” Packetized mode has the advantage that it permits an external computer to control the more advanced features of the unit “on the fly.”

A unit operating in Packetized mode can communicate with another unit operating in either Pass-through or Packetized mode.

Note:

Please review Appendix A, the Packetized Mode Speci- fication, before attempting to operate the Serial Adapter in Packetized mode.

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