
5902 Bell 202 Modem Hardware Manual
October 19, 2007
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5
Operation
The 5902 Bell 202T modem operates in full duplex on four wire networks, or in half duplex on two
or four wire networks, and radios. This section describes how these modes differ in operation.
5.1
Full Duplex
When the modem is configured for full duplex, a carrier is continuously transmitted, and the
receiver is continuously enabled. This mode is usually used when two modems are connected back-
to-back over a four wire network. This mode is also used by a constant-carrier master modem that
communicates with multi-dropped slave modems over a four wire network. Full duplex or constant
carrier operation requires a four wire network.
5.2
Half Duplex
When the modem is configured for half duplex, its transmitter is turned on only when the modem
transmits data. This mode is always used on two wire networks, and radios. Multi-dropped slaves in
a four wire network also use this mode. The important characteristic of half duplex is that the
transmitter shuts off when the modem is not transmitting data. This allows multiple modems to share
a communication medium.
Half duplex operation requires that the DTE use RTS/CTS handshaking. When the DTE wishes to
transmit data, it asserts RTS and wait for the modem to assert CTS before transmitting data. When
the DTE has finished transmitting, it de-asserts RTS to allow the modem to return to the receiver
enabled state.
Note:
This is not the RTS/CTS handshaking method used by some personal computer
communication software. Some PC SCADA packages use this handshaking method. Consult
the description of RTS/CTS handshaking for the product you wish to use.
In half duplex, switched carrier operation, the modem receiver is disabled during transmission. This
prevents the modem from receiving its own transmission on a two wire network.
In half duplex, constant carrier operation, the modem receiver is always enabled. This permits the
constant carrier master modem to transmit data to slave modems, even if one of the slave modems is
simultaneously transmitting to the master.
5.2.1
Timing Diagrams
The three timing diagrams below indicate the sequence of operations for receiving and transmitting
data.