Busy Channel Lockout If this mode is enabled, the OSMAC Base Station will not transmit while the channel is busy. This may be desirable to avoid interfering with other users on the same channel. This mode can be disabled when other activities on the channel prohibits base station transmission in a timely manner.
Transceiver Setup The OSMAC Base Station is equipped with a transceiver that enable the base station to communicate with a two-way radio. The base station can also interface with an external transceiver. In either case, it has been programmed with the correct transmitter type, carrier detect inversion, transmit data inversion and TX bandwidth modes.
DIAGNOSTICS Built-in Diagnostics If the user selects DIAGNOSTICS MODE from the Configuration Menu, the OSMAC Base Station goes into a diagnos- tics mode. This mode allows the operator to exercise many of the Base Station’s hardware functions and help trou- bleshoot any problems with connections to the unit.
The following sections describe how the TAP protocol works. It assumes that the device communicating with the OSMAC Base Station is directly connected via a serial cable. If other means are used (i.e. modem), then the modem connection must first be established. For the purposes of this manual, the Base Station is assumed to be the transmitter, and the device connected to its serial port is the “Entry Device”.
POCSAG command by ending this sequence. <CR> <ACK> <CR> The Osmac Base Station will respond within one second of the ACK sequence signifying that the entry device has suc- <CR> <NAK> <CR> cessfully logged on to the base station. If command entries cannot be accepted, it will respond with the NAK sequence <ESC>...
TAP Protocol Timing Issues The OSMAC Base Station will only wait for 15 seconds for a response to return from the entry device. If a response is not received within the time-out period, the base station will cancel the current transaction. It will send the <ESC>...
All data entering the serial port is sent to a pre-set satellite. The reception of a <CR> will initiate transmission of the command. If the last <CR> is not sent within 15 seconds, the OSMAC Base Station will abort this transaction, and begin waiting for a new <Satellite #>...
DATABASE TRANSFER The OSMAC Base Station database can be uploaded and downloaded. This feature is very useful in managing databas- es containing large number of satellites. This function is also helpful in storing data for data backup purposes as well as to facilitate databases cloning from one unit to another.
Retrieving the Database The OSMAC Base Station will send the contents of its database out the serial port when it is given the command <ESC>SDB<CR>. The database is transmitted out at the currently configured baud rate in an ASCII format, with com- mas between the parameters and a <CR>...
Restoring/Uploading the Database If the database is stored on a disk in the format shown above, it may be re-loaded into the OSMAC Base Station. Use a terminal emulation program to send the ASCII file into either serial port in a plain-text format. The serial port must be configured for TAP protocol.
“Retrieving the Database” section of this manual. Start the update by connecting a computer terminal to the serial port of the OSMAC Base Station. On the computer, run a terminal emulation program such as Hyperterminal or ProComm. Set the baud rate to 38.4kbps, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit and no parity.