Instruction manual

3.c.2 Auxiliary Serial Port (optional)

An optional second or third serial port can be installed and utilized for counter communication for other purposes such

as real time vehicle output via two standard formats. The serial ports are an optional component available with the WIM

or Piezo cards and are installed during manufacturing or upgrading. The serial ports have the following features:

 Baud Rate communications from 300 to 115.2k

 Com Auto initialize

 Automatic Logon (no user input needed)

 Vehicle output via standard text or IRD formats

 Independent operation from other communication ports (will not interfere with standard communication on other

ports)

3.c.3 Using the Phoenix II with a Modem

All Phoenix II counters come fully operable for use with a modem. You will need some type of telephone communication

package to access the counter through the modem. Diamond Traffic Products offers our Centurion Gold for Windows®

Telemetry software. The features include:

 Display road map of your area with telemetry sites marked on the map.

 Individual site configurations.

 Photographs of each site can be incorporated into site info.

 Ability to configure multiple modems setups.

 Select polling times and dates by user assigned zones.

 Set polling commands by site or by polling groups.

 Setup auto-polling parameters such as frequency and period.

For in-field use, the Centurion Field version provides a telemetry option for testing and on-site troubleshooting.

The Phoenix II will work with almost all modems (Hayes compatible). However we have found that many modems

designed for office use DO NOT perform well when operating under field conditions. Diamond Traffic Products has

designed our own Cascade Modem specifically to operate in the conditions found in the field. It will revert into a sleep

mode to save power which is vital at solar power sites. It has some protection built into it to protect against power

surges in the telephone line and works in extreme temperature conditions (industrial temperature rated). While Diamond

Traffic equipment will operate with Hayes compatible modems, it is strongly suggested that an industrial or robust

modem be used in the field to increase your communication reliability.

Note that some line powered modems are not “Smart Modems” (i.e. AT programmable modems), and we recommend

you purchase a “Smart Modem”. The Phoenix II will work with a “Dumb Modem” (i.e. non-programmable modems), but

you may not be able to take advantage of all the features of the Phoenix II or have reliable modem to modem

connections. It is also recommended that line powered modems that draw power from either the serial or phone line not

be used as they may not be reliable due to the serial line is not always powered from the counter side.

The Phoenix II is fully compatible with MNP protocol and can be easily configured to accept up to 19200 Baud (default

setting is 9600). Our experience is that telephone lines in rural areas rarely allow speeds above 9600 Baud and more

often at a 4800 Baud average for remote areas or poor line quality.

If your sites are in a lightning prone area, we strongly recommend you purchase a line surge suppressor between your

modem and the telephone line. Finally, be sure to provide a good earth ground & connect your lightning surge protector

for the telephone modem and inductive loops to ground! This is vital to a reliable data collection site.

Standard Modem Hook Up (1200 Baud Smart Modem):

1) Turn off power to both the Phoenix II and the Modem.

2) Connect the Phoenix II to the modem using the Modem Interface Cable.

3) Turn on modem.