WA-0811 Antenna Distribution Unit - Remote Operation Details

Physical Connection

Speed: 9600 baud (fixed)
Format: No parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit
Connector: DE-9 female plug, wired as a DCE

Note: As the device is designed to look like a DCE modem, it requires a standard "straight-through" cable to connect to a PC.

Pin Assignments

Commands

Commands are text strings, terminated by a carriage return character. They have been structured so that that may be typed on the keyboard of a dumb terminal, or issued automatically by remote control software. Letters may be typed in upper or lower case. Every command will return the string "OK" if everything was correct. Some commands will return "ERROR Bad syntax in command" or "ERROR Illegal value in command" as appropriate.

The following low-level command summary can be used for development of control software for the WA-0611/0811 units operating under platforms other than Windows.

Command Summary

Display help text ("?")

The following help message is displayed:

Query ADU parameters ("q")

Specifications of the ADU are output. A typical WA-0611 will display the following:

Name: ADU 3-6

Inputs: 3

Outputs: 6

Input 1:  0.15-30 MHz, A=-18dB, F=0.53-1.6 MHz

Input 2:   30-100 MHz, A=-18dB, F=88-108 MHz, P=12V

Input 3: 100-1500 MHz, A=-18dB, F=88-108 MHz, P=12V

The description of each input is formatted into fields separated by commas: The first field describes the frequency coverage of that input. If a field starting "A=" is present, that input has an attenuator facility. The attenuation level is listed. If a field starting "F=" is present, that input has a band stop filter facility. The filter range is listed. If a field starting "P=" is present, that input has a pre-amplifier power output facility. The voltage is listed.

Display current ADU status ("s")

The current state of the ADU is displayed. A typical WA-0611 might display the following:

ADU Status

==========

Output 1<-2

Output 2<-2

Output 3<-1

Output 4<-1

Output 5<-3

Output 6<-nothing

Input 1: Attenuator=on, Filter=off

Input 2: Attenuator=off, Filter=on, Preamp=off

Input 3: Attenuator=on, Filter=on, Preamp=on

Note that each output is listed, followed by the number of the input it is fed from, or "nothing". Each input is listed, along with the "off" or "on" status of each facility (Attenuator/Filter/Preamp) which is available on that input.

Display status in an abbreviated format ("%")

This command displays the same information as the "Display current ADU status", but in a very abbreviated form more suitable for use by automatic programs. The output for an ADU in the same state as the above example would be:

O:2,2,1,1,3,0

I:A,F,AFP

Save current state in non volatile memory ("e")

The ADU maintains the current settings in non-volatile memory, so that it will return to the pre-powerdown status when it is next switched on. To avoid excessive writing to the non-volatile memory, changes made via remote control are not stored until this command is issued.

Display software version ("v")

The current software version of the microcontroller in the ADU is displayed, e.g.

MCU version 1.05. 9-Sep-99. 

Connect output "#" to input "X" ("o#:X")

Specify a new input to connect to output "#". The "X" parameter can be either an input number (from "1" up to the number of inputs available), or "0" (zero) to signify no connection.

Set input # attenuator off/on ("i#:aY")

Set the attenuator on input number "#" to either off or on. The "Y" parameter specifies "off" or "on" as follows: "Off" can be specified as either "0" (zero) or "off"; "On" can be specified as either "1" (one) or "on".

Set input # filter off/on ("i#:fY") Set the band stop filter on input number "#" to either off or on. The "Y" parameter specifies "off" or "on" as follows: "Off" can be specified as either "0" (zero) or "off"; "On" can be specified as either "1" (one) or "on".

Set input # preamp off/on ("i#:pY") Set the pre-amplifier power output on input number "#" to either off or on. The "Y" parameter specifies "off" or "on" as follows: "Off" can be specified as either "0" (zero) or "off"; "On" can be specified as either "1" (one) or "on". Note that the above three commands may be merged into a single line, by separating each field with a comma, e.g.

i2:a1,f0,p0

would turn on the attenuator on input 2, and also turn the filter and preamplifier off on the same input.

Turn LED display off/on ("dY")

The LED display may be turned off or on. The "Y" parameter may be "0/off" or "1/on" as above.