General rules, as well as lists and tables for command string formats and
command string responses, are provided in this chapter for quick reference.
Detailed information and examples for creating and executing the various
commands can be found in the subsequent chapters.
1.2 Command String Formats
A command string is a series of command characters and numbers used to send
commands to the system. In a command string, each character is either a general
command (e.g.,
D
for Disconnect) or an identifier that indicates what the
following number designates (e.g., “
I
” and the number following it designate an
“input number”). The command string
CL1I27O160T
can be interpreted as
follows:
[C]
Change on
[L1]
Level 1,
[I27]
Input 27 to
[O160]
Output
160,
[T]
Take to execute the command. For a complete list of command
characters and their functions, see page 1-5.
Command characters and numbers are echoed back to the terminal screen as the
system accepts them. When a command is successfully executed, all of the
characters appear as entered. If a command character or a number is not
accepted, the system responds with a different character and all or part of the
command is not executed. For explanations of other possible responses, see page
1-6.
General Rules for Using BCS Commands
ä
Command strings are not case sensitive.
ä
All command strings
must
end with the Take command “
T
” which tells the
system to execute the command.
ä
Entering “
X
” at any point in a command string cancels the command.
A command cannot be canceled after the “
T
” has been entered.
ä
Command strings cannot be edited. If a mistake has been made, enter an “
X
”
and then reenter the command.
ä
To specify multiple outputs, inputs, levels, or local presets, enter a space “ ”
between each number. Multiple inputs are only valid in Disconnect
commands.
ä
To specify a range of outputs, inputs, or local presets, insert a colon (
:
)
between the lowest and highest numbers of the range (not supported if the
command is otherwise invalid, e.g., cannot specify a range of inputs in a
Change command; the first input only would be routed.).
ä
Colons (
:
) and spaces “ ” can be used in the same command line.
ä
If the level designation “
L
” is omitted, the command is executed on the
default level, which is normally Level 0.
1-2
BCS Serial Control Protocol
Introduction to BCS
In
tr
oduction
to
BCS
