Arbiter Systems 1088A, Operation Manual

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Chapter 9
Serial Communication and Command
Set
9.1 Introduction
The Model 1088B has one main RS-232C port, and one optional RS-232C port (Option 17A). These
are labeled RS-232C and Option RS-232C. When viewing the rear panel, the main port is nearest
the antenna connector and the optional port is to the left of the Standard I/O connectors.
It is
important to note that neither the standard RS-232, nor the Option RS-232C port have an RS-485
function and neither RS-232C ports use flow control
.
Use the two serial ports interchangeably for separate functions. You may wish to interrogate the
clock on one port for basic information (i.e to configure something) and at the same time be able
to have the second serial port broadcasting a specific time code to a meter. While most recent
substation equipment has standardized on the IRIG-B time code, some devices are designed to
receive ASCII data through the serial port. Another common serial-port function is to connect a
digital wall display to indicate the time.
9.2 Command Set
This section provides information for controlling and communicating with these clocks via the
RS-232C serial interface. All of the RS-232C commands are functionally grouped into similar
categories. For example, Section 9.2.1 lists all of the commands used to both set and retrieve the
date and time in one of the standard formats.
Each command name and syntax is highlighted in bold at the beginning of each definition. De-
tailed information used to interpret the commands and responses follows each command heading.
Sometimes the command is very short, such as the command to return the Local Time: TL. Other
commands require a prefix or suffix with the letter command to specify them, such as to broad-
cast: Bn, where n equals an integer specifying the broadcast. For example, the command to start
the ASCII Standard broadcast string at a rate of once per second, on Local time, from the main
RS-232C port is B1.