Comtech EF Data LPOD - Remote Control Protocol and Structure

LPOD C- / Ku-Band Outdoor Amplifier/ Block Up Converter (BUC) Revision 3
Appendix B MN-LPOD
B–3
B.2 Remote Control Protocol and Structure
This section describes the protocol and message command set for remote monitor and control of
the LPOD.
The electrical interface is either an RS-485 multi-drop bus (for the control of many devices) or an
RS-232 connection (for the control of a single device), and data is transmitted in asynchronous serial
form, using ASCII characters. Control and status information is transmitted in packets, of variable
length, in accordance with the structure and protocol defined in later sections.
B.2.1 RS-485
For applications where multiple devices are to be monitored and controlled, a full-duplex (or
4-wire) RS-485 is preferred. Half-duplex (2-wire) RS-485 is possible, but is not preferred.
In full-duplex RS-485 communication there are two separate, isolated, independent, differential-
mode twisted pairs, each handling serial data in different directions. It is assumed that there is a
‘Controller’ device (a PC or dumb terminal), which transmits data, in a broadcast mode, via one
of the pairs. Many ‘Target’ devices are connected to this pair, which all simultaneously receive
data from the Controller. The Controller is the only device with a line-driver connected to this
pair – the Target devices only have line-receivers connected.
In the other direction, on the other pair, each Target has a Tri-Stateable line driver connected, and
the Controller has a line-receiver connected. All the line drivers are held in high-impedance mode
until one (and only one) Target transmits back to the Controller.
Each Target has a unique address, and each time the Controller transmits, in a framed ‘packet’ of
data, the address of the intended recipient Target is included. All of the Targets receive the
packet, but only one (the intended) will reply. The Target enables its output line driver, and
transmits its return data packet back to the Controller, in the other direction, on the physically
separate pair.
RS-485 (Full Duplex) Summary:
Two differential pairs
One pair for Controller to Target, one pair for Target to Controller.
Controller-to-Target pair
Pair has one line driver (Controller), and all Targets have line-
receivers.
Target-to-Controller pair
Pair has one line receiver (Controller), and all Targets have Tri-
State drivers.
B.2.2 RS-232
This is a much simpler configuration in which the Controller device is connected directly to the
Target via a two-wire-plus-ground connection. Controller-to-Target data is carried, via RS-232
electrical levels, on one conductor, and Target-to-Controller data is carried in the other direction
on the other conductor.