Operations Manual

OPERATIONS 4-3
O&M of the MCC-545B PACKET DATA RADIO
12/2000
4.2 Station Operational Parameters
Configure the 545B for operation in your network. Configuration requirements vary from
application to application. Refer to your systems manual or consult your systems manager for
correct settings.
Use the CONFIG and ASSIGN commands to verify proper configurations. Use the commands
described in this section to set the configuration as required.
Finally, enter the SAVE command to write the configuration into the EEPROM for non-volatile
storage.
4.2.1 Configuring the 545B
In order for the 545B to operate correctly in your network, it must be properly configured.
Configuration parameters include the unit ID, the Master Station assignment, I/O port functions
and baud rates, transmit and receive parameters and network parameters. Commands which
allow you to display/modify the configuration are marked with an * in the command table.
Parameters or operational states set by these commands are retained and determine the way in
which the 545B will interact with other equipment at the site and with the communications
network.
Most configuration parameters can be viewed with the "config" and the "assign" commands. You
should use these commands to verify that the configuration is correct. If it is not correct, use the
appropriate command(s) to correct the configuration, then enter the "save" command to write the
configuration parameters into the EEPROM.
Saving and Restoring the Configuration - The Theory
In order to understand how the 545B operational configuration is saved and restored, it is
necessary to understand a little of the hardware and design philosophy of the 545B.
The 545B is designed to operate unattended in a variety of environments where power may be
applied continuously or intermittently. The goal is for the unit to continue to operate without loss
of messages, data or configuration even if power is randomly turned on and off. Therefore the
software is designed to operate continuously, to save all operational information when power is
off and to resume operation from that point when power is restored.
To support this philosophy, the 545B has three types of memory PROM, RAM and EEPROM.
Refer to Figure 4.1-1 (MCC-545B Configuration Management Functional Diagram) to see how
these memories interact. First, the PROM is non-volatile memory that has been programmed
with the 545B's operational software. This software contains the initial value of all operational
parameters. The values are referred to as the "factory defaults" because they are present in the