Echotrac MKIII Operator's Manual 4.06
Page 38 of 48
January 21, 2019
Header Information (
multiple line annotation
):
This type of information will normally be hand-written at the start or end of a survey line and will include information relating
to date, time, work area, etc. It is possible to have the Header Information printed automatically on a blank section of chart.
Each line is still limited to the maximum of 80 characters, but there is no limit to the number of lines of annotation.
Header information is sent in the same way as Event Annotation (see
) except that a HEX 0D (ASCII "CR")
delimits each line of information. The HEX 04 ("Control D") is transmitted only at the end of the complete header
text. The following procedure steps through each phase of the Header Information input:
1
Transmit HEX 01 to request an annotation input.
2
Transmit a line of header information to a maximum of 80 characters.
3
Transmit HEX 0D ("CR") to print the line.
(In order to advance blank paper, send the HEX 0D ("CR") as many times as necessary.)
4
Transmit next line of Header Information.
5
Repeat step 3 and 4 as required until all Header Information is sent.
6
After the last "CR", send the HEX 04 delimiter to return ECHOTRAC to normal operation.
7.2.1 External Serial Control of Echotrac Parameters
Many of the parameters entered via the front panel keypad may also be entered via the serial port or LAN port
from an external computer or terminal. The external control feature allows remote input of the operating
parameters from data files or through the computer keyboard.
Some restrictions apply to external parameter inputs, which, because of their absolute nature, are only tested
against minimum and maximum limits. Front panel changes on the other hand are always processed in a
controlled fashion in order to prevent possible system errors. Most often problems arise if the external parameter
input is not in the correct multiple for the parameter addressed.
Protocol overview
13 ASCII bytes maximum are necessary to complete a parameter transfer as shown below:
The sequence begins when the Echotrac receives a CONTROL P (ASCII DLE, HEX 10) followed immediately.
Protocol format
The Echotrac CV input communication protocol is defined by 13 bytes.
Header
Parameter #
SPACE
New Value
Delimiter
Byte
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
HEX
0x10 <DLE>
0x00..0xFF
0x00..0xFF
0x20
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
0x0D <CR>
DEX
16
0…255
0…255
32
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
13
ABBREVIATIONS:
HEX Hexadecimal
DEC Decimal
DLE Data Link Escape
(also known as Control-P)
CR
Carriage Return
SPACE This character will be represented by “_” in the examples below.
N
The letter “n” represents each single digit of the New Value.
Minimum is 1 digit. Maximum is 8 digits.
<Parameter Number>'Space'<New Value>CR
13 Characters Maximum
Ex: '0' '1' 'SPACE' '1' '4' '6' '4' CR
Summary of Contents for Echotrac MKIII
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