Intuicom Communicator
TM
User Manual
Revision A © 2001 Intuicom, Inc.
7
September 2001
4.5 (4)
Point-to-Point
Slave/Repeater
Option 4 allows you to designate the transceiver to act as either a slave or a repeater,
depending upon the instructions received from the master for the specific communications
session. When a transceiver is placed in an ideal location, this setting offers the flexibility of
using that transceiver as an end point in the communication link (slave) or to extend the link
to a point further (repeater). These functions are not, however, available simultaneously (the
transceiver cannot act as both a slave and a repeater at the same time). This option is
available in multipoint operation.
A word of caution: A transceiver designated as a repeater has no security features, as
explained below. When a transceiver is designated as a Point-to-Point Slave/Repeater, it will
allow any master to use it as a repeater.
4.6 (5)
Point-to-Point
Repeater
The Communicator allows the use of up to two repeaters in a communications link,
significantly extending the operating range. When designated as a repeater a Transceiver
behaves as a pass-through link. All settings for the call book, baud rate, and radio
transmission characteristics are disabled. A repeater will connect with any master which
calls it (the repeater must still be set up in the master's call book).
The use of one repeater in a communications link will reduce the top data throughput
available when compared to a direct master to slave link (generally on the order of 50%).
This impact is generally noticed only when using the Transceivers at 115.2 KBaud. The
throughput does not decrease further if two repeaters are used.
4.7 (6) Point-to-Point Slave/Master Switchable
Mode 6 is a versatile option that allows the transceiver to be controlled entirely through
software commands. When in mode 6, a number of key parameters in The Communicator's
user interface may be changed either directly (as if using the Windows Terminal program) or
through the use of script files. In addition, when the transceiver is in mode 6 and not calling
a slave it will be a slave itself and accept any appropriate calls from other transceivers.
In mode 6:
•
The transceiver remains in slave mode until called by another Transceiver in its Call
Book or instructed to call another transceiver through an ATDT command. The
master will disconnect when DTR goes low.
•
The user may change settings in the user interface without using the setup button (this
may be of particular value if the transceiver is not in an easily accessible location).
