Watson Industries, Inc.
ADS-C232-3AD Rev A 10/25/2017
7
The string transmission rate can be improved by reducing the amount of information (data items)
transmitted. The data items transmitted can be changed by using special commands to modify the
EEPROM of the unit (see Appendix B). More channels are available for output (see Appendix A).
The system is protected from inadvertent write-over of the EEPROM by requiring two spacebar
commands during the initialization interval to access the EEPROM or related functions.
The baud rate may be changed from the nominal value of 9600 baud by modifying the default
value in the EEPROM of the unit to 38.4K, 19.2K, or 4800 baud.
A text header that is sent by the ADS during initialization identifies the unit by part number and by
serial number and gives the date of last calibration. Additionally, a line of text characters that
identifies the data channel columns is sent if the serial output is set to ASCII decimal. This whole
message can be temporarily (or as a default) suppressed or restored by a “*” command from the
interfacing computer.
Data transmission sent by the ADS can also be suppressed or restored by a “+” command from the
interfacing computer. This command is typically used when only analog data is used as a noise
reduction measure.
The error over range condition is indicated by the use of a lower case “i” or “r” when the calculated
attitude error exceeds the ranges listed above. Internal functions that require these error values are
disabled while the condition exists. The system will continue to operate in an extended time
constant mode with a low level of error accumulation until the condition is cleared. Occasional
blips of this condition are expected with no detectable affect on the resulting data.
The other output format available is a binary format. The binary format provides generally the
same information as the decimal ASCII format, but in a compact binary file message. In this
format, there are nominally 9 bytes sent that represent 4 fourteen-bit output channels followed by a
carriage return. Again, this may be reduced to improve the update rate by using special commands
to modify the EEPROM of the unit. This format is for highly experienced users only. See
Appendix C for more information. Consult the factory for further details.
RS-232 Input Commands
The RS-232 input commands are provided for the purpose of unit test and installation set-up. Use
the same parameters that are used for the output (9600 baud ASCII nominal, or as reset in the units
EEPROM).
Note: Many commands require command or “Double spacebar mode” in order to access them. For
more information on how to activate Command Mode, see the instructions in Appendix B.
These commands are available to the user (others are used at the factory for alignment and
calibration):
1.
An “R” or “r” will set the outputs (analog and serial) to their Reference Command modes.
This mode is used in installation to physically align the unit. Command mode is required
for access to this command.
2.
An “I” or “i” sets the unit to Inertial mode. Switching to this mode clears the Reference
Command mode. This is the default mode at power up and is the normal operating mode.
Command mode is required for access to this command.
