- Proxima RangeLAN2 Serial Adapter User's Guide

4. Pass-through and Packetized Modes

The Serial Adapter’s serial interface can be set for two kinds of

operating modes: Pass-through mode and Packetized mode. The

format of the information presented to the unit’s serial port is

dramatically different depending on which of these modes is

selected.

You should use the Pass-through mode for applications where a

pair of RangeLAN2 Serial Adapters replace an RS-232 cable

without changing the existing serial application. In Pass-through

mode, the unit accepts a stream of serial data at its RS-232 port

and passes it over the radio network to a receiving unit or units.

The data arrives at the receiving unit that then sends this infor-

mation to its attached computer or terminal over the serial port.

Pass-through mode is the default setting for the Serial Adapter.

In Packetized mode, the Serial Adapter accepts a set of com-

mands from an external computer. This allows the external

computer to control the unit. In addition to commands that cause

the unit to transmit messages over the radio, the unit also accepts

configuration commands such as “switch radio to Channel 2” or

“switch baud rate to 9600 baud.” Packetized mode has the

advantage that it permits an external computer to control the

more advanced features of the unit “on the fly.”

A unit operating in Packetized mode can communicate with

another unit operating in either Pass-through or Packetized

mode.

Note:

Please review Appendix A, the Packetized Mode Speci-

fication, before attempting to operate the Serial Adapter

in Packetized mode.