Instruction manual

Installation and Setup
25
Octaire Instruction Manual
Connecting Serial Controllers
An external serial controller is any device that can send and receive ASCII code over an RS-232
(null modem) serial cable attached to the serial port (DB-9) on the right rear of the primary enclosure.
PCs are common serial controllers. Once a PC is attached to the Octaire, the system can be controlled by
running APControl software on the attached PC (see the AMX AutoPatch CD). The system can also be
controlled by entering BCS commands into a terminal emulation program (e.g., HyperTerminal). For
information on BCS commands, see the BCS Protocol Instruction Manual on the AMX AutoPatch CD
and at www.amx.com.
PC Requirements for APControl 3.0
 Windows XP Professional
®
or Windows 2000
®
 Java Runtime Environment (JRE): v1.4.2 or the latest version
 Minimum Hardware: 166 MHz, 128 MB RAM, 20 MB free disk space, 800x600 display
 Recommended Hardware: 2.0 GHz, 512 MB RAM, 20 MB free disk space, 1280x1024
display
 Serial port
PC Requirements for BCS
 Windows XP Professional
®
or Windows 2000
®
 Terminal emulation program (e.g., HyperTerminal)
 Serial port
Connecting an External Serial Controller
Use a null modem cable that matches the pin diagram in FIG. 17 for RS-232 without hardware flow
control. AMX AutoPatch equipment requires pins 2, 3, and 5 only.
The Octaire is tested with a manufactured cable to a maximum length of 100 ft. (30.5 m). The maximum
length of null modem cable that can be used in specific systems will vary according to the quality of the
cable.
RS-232 Pin Diagram
FIG. 17 RS-232 pin diagram (no hardware flow control)
AutoPatch: DB-9
PC: DB-9