Conclusions

This section describes external modem setups that have been tested and verified to work with the SENTINEL meter RS-232/RS-485 board. You must configure external modems so they will:

• Auto-answer on the first ring (or on the desired ring).

• Ignore DTR since the board does not supply the DTR signal.

• Arrange that the modem-to-RS-232 board speed expected by the modem is a fixed baud rate. This baud rate must match the configured baud rate in the meter configuration for the port used in the RS-232 board.

To use an external modem with Terminal Emulator protocol, use ATQ1 to turn off modem response codes and ATE0 to turn off command echo. These settings also work well with PSEM and QDIP protocols.

The following sections describe the modems that have been tested with the RS-232/RS-485 board.

MultiTech MultiModemZDX 33.6 kbps Data/Fax Modem Model: MT2834ZDXI

Set the connection type in PC-PRO+ 98 to Modem 1.

Use the following AT commands in the listed order:

Table 5.11 B&B Electronics RS-232 to RS-485 Model 485SD9R Converter RS-485

Side Pin (9 pin)

Corresponding DB25 Pin

Jump to DB25 Pin (Connect to RS-232 Port 1

DB-25)

Corresponding DB9 Pin (Connect to RS-232 Port 2

DB-9)

3 (T+) 2 5 8

8 (R-) 5 2 3

2 (T-) 3 3 2

7 (R+) 4 4 7

4 (Gnd) 20 7 (signal gnd) 5

Table 5.12 MultiTech MultiModem Commands

Commands Comments

AT&F Set factory default configuration AT&D0 Ignore DTR

ATL0 M0 Low speaker volume; turn off speaker (both optional)

ATS0=1 Set to answer on the first ring (use ATS0=2 for second ring etc - note that ATS0=0 disables auto answer)

AT$BA0 Turns off baud adjust.

Dynamodem (Rockwell) V1456VQE-R Fax Modem Model: FB V1456VQE-R

The modem needs a command at the desired connection speed after each power cycle. If the modem power cycles when the RS-232 board does not, the modem will not be able to communicate until the next AT command is sent to it (once every 5 minutes if no PSEM communication during that 5 minutes, but requires connection type Modem 2.

Use the following AT commands in the listed order:

U. S. Robotics Sportster 33600 FaxModem Model: Sportster Model 0459

If the modem power cycles it will return to the configuration at the specified speed. Use connection type Modem 1.

Switches: 1 down, 2 up, 3 down, 4 down, 5 up, 6 up, 7 up, 8 down AT$SB19200

Set serial port speed to 19200. Substitute the desired speed for the 19200, for example AT$SB9600 sets the speed to 9600. The speed should match the speed programmed for the port in PC-PRO+ 98.

AT&W0 Saves the modified configuration to non-volatile memory. This configuration will then be used on ATZ and on power-on reset.

Table 5.13 Dynamodem Fax Modem Commands

Commands Comments

AT&F Set factory default configuration AT&D0 Ignore DTR

ATL0 M0 Low speaker volume; turn off speaker (both optional)

ATS0=1 Set to answer on the first ring (use ATS0=2 for second ring etc - note that ATS0=0 disables auto answer)

AT&W0 Saves the modified configuration to non-volatile memory. This configuration will then be used on ATZ and on power-on reset.

Table 5.14 U. S. Robotics Sportster 33600 FaxModem Switch Settings

Switch Meaning

1 down Override DTR 2 up Verbal result codes 3 down Display result codes 4 down Echo off

5 up Auto answer on 1st ring or based on NVRAM 6 up Normal CD operation

7 up Use NVRAM defaults, not factory defaults 8 down Smart mode

Table 5.12 MultiTech MultiModem Commands

Commands Comments

Use the following AT commands in the listed order. Enter the commands at the desired DTE speed, which should match the speed configured for the port in PC-PRO+ 98:

U. S. Robotics 56K FaxModem Model: Product # USR5686D

If the modem power cycles, it will return to the configuration at the specified speed. Use connection type Modem 1.

Switches: 1 down, 2 up, 3 down, 4 down, 5 up, 6 up, 7 up, 8 down

Table 5.15 U. S. Robotics Sportster 33600 FaxModem Commands

Commands Comments

AT&F Set factory default configuration

ATL0 M0 Low speaker volume; turn off speaker (both optional)

ATS0=1 Set to answer on the first ring (use ATS0=2 for second ring etc - note that ATS0=0 disables auto answer)

AT&B1 Fixed line speed.

ATY0 Next Reset to &W0 settings

AT&W0 Saves the modified configuration to non-volatile memory. This configuration will then be used on ATZ and on power-on reset.

Use AT$ for help on commands.

Table 5.16 U. S. Robotics 56K FaxModem Switch Settings

Switch Meaning

1 down Override DTR.

2 up Verbal result codes.

3 down Display result codes.

4 down Echo off.

5 up Auto answer on 1st ring or based on NVRAM.

6 up Normal CD operation.

7 up Use NVRAM defaults, not factory defaults.

8 down Smart mode.

Use the following AT commands in the listed order. Enter the commands at the desired DTE speed, which should match the speed configured for the port in PC-PRO+ 98:

BOCA 56K Internet Modem Model: Sportster Model 0459

The modem needs a command at the desired connection speed after each power cycle. If modem power cycles when the rs232 board does not, will not be able to communicate until the next AT command is sent to the modem (once every 5 minutes if no PSEM communication during that 5 minutes). This requires connection type Modem 2.

Use the following AT commands in the listed order. Enter the commands at the desired DTE speed:

Table 5.17 U. S. Robotics 56K FaxModem Commands

Commands Comments

AT&F0 or AT&F1 Set factory default configuration - &F0 for no flow control; &F1 for hardware flow control.¹

1 Flow control should match that programmed for the port in PC-PRO+ 98.

ATM0LO Low speaker volume; turn off speaker (both optional).

ATS0=1 Set to answer on the first ring (use ATS0=2 for second ring etc - note that ATS0=0 disables auto answer).

AT&B1 Fixed line speed.

AT&W0 Saves the modified configuration to non-volatile memory. This configuration will then be used on ATZ and on power-on reset.

Table 5.18 BOCA 56K Internet Modem Commands

Commands Comments

AT&F Set factory default configuration AT&D0 Ignore DTR

ATL0 M0 Low speaker volume; turn off speaker (both optional)

ATS0=1 Set to answer on the first ring (use ATS0=2 for second ring etc - note that ATS0=0 disables auto answer)

AT&W0 Saves the modified configuration to non-volatile memory. This configuration will then be used on ATZ and on power-on reset.

Hayes Accura 336/56K FAX Modem Model: 4703US Version. 100397d

After power cycles the modem restores the DTE speed at which the AT&W0 command was sent. Use connection type Modem 1.

Use the following AT commands in the listed order. Enter the commands at the desired DTE speed: