When the optional PIC microcontroller is included on the TTY-Connect board, it provides a
number of programmable features, and allows "connections" between various "ports" -- the ports
are PC232, TU232, HV1 loop, HV2 loop, and LV loop. These features are accessible using commands
sent to the PC232 port. The microcontroller has field-downloadable firmware to provide these features.
Connection of a computer to the TTY-Connect's PC232 serial port allows you to fully control the
system using a selection of "Commands," and to obtain immediate or polled feedback on system status
by listening to "Messages."
The simplest method for configuring TTY-Connect is to run a terminal-emulation application on a
PC (eg: HyperTerminal), and type in the commands directly. Indeed, for many uses this is quite
adequate. You can setup the TTY-Connect unit for a specific mode (connected ports, port parameters...)
-- this configuration will be saved in non-volatile memory, and restored every power-up. If you
don't need to change your configuration very often, typing in a couple of commands is a simple
way to control the unit. Alternatively, a PC application can be created with a serial port driver
that implements all or part of the TTY-Connect protocol. At this time, there is no custom PC software
for controlling TTY-Connect.
Connection Modes:
Once a connection is made, the unit will power-up in that mode until it is changed (since the connection
configuration is stored in non-volatile memory, and is established at power-up). The system provides
eight connection modes:
Mode-1: Connect the PC232 port in Ascii, to talk Baudot to one of three powered tty loops, or to
the TU232 port, at any of the standard tty speeds (60, 66, 75, or 100-wpm). The PC232 port is fixed
Ascii at 38400-baud, and uses xon/xoff for data throttling -- the unit automatically converts to/from
baudot.
Example: PC connected to M15 on HV1 loop, or Dovetron on TU port...
Mode-2: Connect the PC232 port to talk Ascii directly to one of three powered tty loops, or the
TU232 port, at a fixed 110-baud. The PC232 port is fixed at 38400-baud, and uses xon/xoff for data
throttling.
Example: PC connected to M33 on LV loop, or M43 on TU port...
Mode-3: Connect the PC232 port to talk raw 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-bit data to one of three powered
tty loops, or the TU232 port, at an adjustable speed (16 to 1000-baud, with 250us resolution).
The PC232 port is fixed at 38400-baud, and uses xon/xoff for data throttling. Using 8-bits allows
connection to Ascii ttys (M33/35...). Using 5/6/7 bits allows the PC to send/receive custom codes,
such as non-ustty 5-level, or 6-level TTS.
Example: PC connected to 6-level M20 on HV1 loop...
Mode-4: Connect the TU232 port to talk Baudot directly to one of the three powered tty loops,
at any of the standard tty speeds (60, 66, 75, or 100-wpm). The TU and TTY must be on the same
speed. The data stream from the TU to the TTY is piped through the Baudot-Receive-Stream-Options,
for programmable Auto-CRLF-Insertion, AutoStart or SelCal motor powering, Unshift-on-Space, etc.
Example: Dovetron TU connected to M15 on HV1 loop, or M28 on HV2 loop...
Mode-5: Connect the baudot TU232 port to talk Ascii directly to one of three powered tty loops at
a fixed 110-baud. The data stream from the TU to the TTY is piped through the
Ascii-Receive-Stream-Options, for programmable Auto-CRLF-Insertion, AutoStart motor powering, etc.
Example: TU connected to M33 on LV loop...
Mode-6: Connect Baudot ports at DIFFERENT SPEEDS (60, 66, 75, or 100-wpm). A PC must be connected,
and running a buffering program, for connecting the high-to-low speed stream. The data stream from
Port-A to Port-B is piped through the baudot Receive-Stream-Options, for programmable Auto-CRLF-Insertion,
AutoStart or SelCal motor powering, Unshift-on-Space, etc.
Example: TU at 60-wpm connected to M28 on HV1 loop at 100-wpm
Example: TU at 75-wpm connected to M15 on HV2 loop at 60-wpm
Mode-10: No connection, but place all tty loops in SPACE state.
For system testing, or low-power idling of all loops (no loop current flow).
Mode-11: No connection, but place all tty loops in MARK state.
For system testing, or full-power idling of all loops (loop current flow).