Maxon ModMax FAQ

Maxon ModMax FAQ

Contents 1 Introduction to the Maxon ModMax Modem 1.1 How do I Configure the Modmax for the DT80? 1.2 How do I configure the DT80 for the Modmax? 1.3 What cable do I use? 1.3.1 Using only the supplied Maxon Cable 1.3.2 Wiring of the supplied Maxon Cable 1.3.3 Wiring of the recommended addtional modem cable 1.4 When does the DT80 change the DTR line? 1.5 How do I send SMS messages? 1.6 My alarms don't work when using the standard cable

Introduction to the Maxon ModMax Modem

The ModMax is an Industrial Serial Modem available from Maxon for the Next G network. When used with the DT80, you can dial in to download data, and send SMS out on alarm conditions.
To dial in and download data, you will need a data number, with code 2620 activated on it. Call Telstra wireless data support for this.
Further information including the AT command Manual for the ModMax can be found on the Maxon website www.maxon.com.au.

How do I Configure the Modmax for the DT80?

Connect to the ModMax using the standard Maxon 15pin to 9pin cable, and a terminal software package such as DeTransfer. Configure the connection to be Hardware flow control, and at 115200 baud, the default baud rate for the ModMax.

Send the following commands.

1. AT&F

   Place the modem in factory defaults mode

2. AT&D2

   Hang up when DTR goes inactive

3. ATS0=4

   Automatically answer a call after 4x6 seconds

4. AT&C1

   DCD line follows the carrier state

5. AT$$SMSOPT=13

   Turn SMS delivery feedback OFF and display incoming messages without additional information

6. AT$$SMSNOTIF=1

   Allow the modem to receive SMS messages (change to AT$$SMSNOTIF=0 if you do not wish to control the modem using SMS commands)

7. AT+IPR=57600

   Set the baud rate to 57600
   NOTE : Now disconnect and reconnect at 57600 baud

8. ATE0

   NO ECHO

9. ATQ1

   Quite Mode

10. AT&W1

    Store the settings in profile 1

11. AT&F1

    Reload saved profile 1 to working memory and after reset

How do I configure the DT80 for the Modmax?

Set the profile on the DT80 to the following

PROFILE"HOST_MODEM" "INIT"="AT&F1"
PROFILE"HOST_MODEM" "SEND_BANNER_ON_CONNECT"="NO"

PROFILE"HOST_PORT" "BPS"="57600"
PROFILE"HOST_PORT" "FLOW"="HARDWARE"

So the Profile for the DT80 under the Host Modem section and the Host Port section will look like the following.

PROFILE"HOST_PORT"
[HOST_PORT]
  *BPS = 57600
   DATA_BITS = 8
   STOP_BITS = 1
   PARITY = NONE
  *FLOW = HARDWARE
   FUNCTION = COMMAND

PROFILE"HOST_MODEM"
[HOST_MODEM]
  *DIAL = 
  *INIT = AT&F1
   EXT_POWER_SWITCH = NONE 
   MAX_CD_IDLE = 43200
  *SEND_BANNER_ON_CONNECT = NO
   COMMAND_PROCESSING_TIME = 1

What cable do I use?

The Modmax modem comes with a 15pin to 9pin cable, which you can use to configure the modem. We recommend you use an additional cable, shown in the below heading "Wiring of the recommended addtional modem cable"

Using only the supplied Maxon Cable

You can use the supplied 15pin to 9pin Maxon cable to connect the Modmax directly to the DT80. The modem will then appear to the DT80 as a PC, and any response received from the modem, the DT80 will start responding. This is due to DSR not being connected on the Modmax which the DT80 uses to indentify a Modem. This increases the risk of losing communications, as the DT80 and the Modmax will pass errors to each other, which each unit will try to interpret as a command.

For more information refer to the topic How do I configure a modem (PSTN/GSM/CDMA/Satellite/Radio/Other) to use with my DT80/800 logger?

Wiring of the supplied Maxon Cable

The below image shows the wiring layout of the 15pin to 9pin cable supplied by Maxon. It is taken from the Maxon "Extended AT Commands Manual, 2008-03-20"

Wiring of the recommended addtional modem cable

We recommend using the below additional cable, between the Maxon Cable and the DT80. This will allow the DT80 to operate the Modmax as a modem, using the relevant RS-232 control lines. NOTE : If the DT80 changes the state of DTR, the DSR line will change state, and the DT80 will send the init string to the Modmax (AT&F1)

When does the DT80 change the DTR line?

The DT80 will change the state of DTR when it goes to sleep, when it resets, when it receives the HANGUP command, and when the internal channel 17SV is changed.

How do I send SMS messages?

On the ModMax we recommend using the command.

AT+MMC SMSMO

So if you wish to send a text message saying Boiler Temperature To High! to phone number 0409123456 The command will be

AT+MMC SMSMO 0409123456  Boiler Temperature To High!<CR> 

NOTE: A double space is required after the phone number

You can send this in the DT80 using the DO command or an alarm. Examples are shown below.

DO'AT+MMC SMSMO 0409123456  Boiler Temperature To High!\013\010'

\013\010 are ASCII codes for a Carriage Return (013) and a Line Feed (010)

1TK(=1CV)
ALARM1(1CV>100)'AT+MMC SMSMO 0409123456  Boiler Temperature To High!\013\010'

Important The DeTransfer program, which is often used to supervise the DT80, has a number of special commands that begin with a \ (backslash) character. These are interpreted by DeTransfer and not sent to the DT80. In order to send a \ character from DeTransfer, you need to enter a double backslash (\\). For example, the above examples would be entered into DeTransfer as follows:

DO'AT+MMC SMSMO 0409123456  Boiler Temperature To High!\\013\\010'

1TK(=1CV)       
ALARM1(1CV>100)'AT+MMC SMSMO 0409123456  Boiler Temperature To High!\\013\\010'

My alarms don't work when using the standard cable

This problem arises when the ModMax is responding to DT80 commands such as complex alarms. This conflicts with the normal operation of the DT80 and can result in erratic behaviour. It may also be due to the modem being set up incorrectly.

An example of a complex alarm that causes undesired behaviour is below:

ALARM(1CV>2CV)'AT+MMC SMSMO 0404040404  Alarm text^M^J'{[1CV=0]}

which follows the standard format:

ALARMn(test)digitalAction"actionText"{actionProcesses}

To work around this problem, the above statement could be split into two statements:

IF(1CV>2CV)'AT+MMC SMSMO 0404040404  Alarm text^M^J'
IF(1CV>2CV){[1CV=0]}