All descriptions in this PC CONTROL COMMAND
reference are for the users convenience only.
KENWOOD will not support or warrantee this
documentation in any way.
HARDWARE DESCRIPTION
The TS-480 transceiver uses a full-duplex,
asynchronous, serial interface for communicating
through the male 9-pin D-sub connector. Each data
is constructed with 1 start bit, 8 data bits, and 1 stop
bit (4800 bps must be configured as 2 stop bits). No
parity is used. The pinout and the pin functions of the
COM connector on the transceiver are shown below:
Front view
12345
9876
COM
COM
Pin No.
RXD: Transmit data is serial data transferred from
the transceiver to the computer.
TXD:Receive data is serial data transferred from
the computer to the transceiver.
GND: Signal ground pin
RTS:This signal is applied to the transceiver. It is
used to inhibit transmit data from the transceiver
when the computer is not ready to receive data.
Transmit data is inhibited when the level is low.
CTS:This signal is applied from the transceiver. It
is used to inhibit transmit data from the computer
when the transceiver is not ready to receive data.
Transmit data is stopped when the level is low.
COM Pin Name
(Ref.: Computer)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
NC
RXD
TXD
NC
GND
NC
RTS
CTS
NC
Function
(Ref.: Transceiver)
—
Transmit data
Receive data
—
Signal ground
—
Receive enable
Transmit enable
—
I/O
—
Output
Input
—
—
Input
Output
—
CONTROL OPERATION
Most computers handle data in the form of “bits” and
“bytes”. A bit is the smallest piece of information that
a computer can handle. A byte is composed of eight
bits. This is the most convenient form for most
computer data. This data may be sent in the form of
either serial or parallel data strings. The parallel
method is faster but more complicated, while the
serial method is slower and requires less complicated
equipment. The serial form is, therefore, a less
expensive alternative.
Serial data transmission uses time-division methods
over a single line. Using a single line also offers the
advantage of reducing the number of errors due to
line noise.
Only 3 lines are required theoretically for control of
the transceiver via the computer:
•Transmit data
•Receive data
•Ground
From a practical standpoint, it is also necessary to
incorporate some means of controlling when this data
transfer will occur. The computer and transceiver
cannot be allowed to send data at the same time!
The required control is achieved by using the RTS
and CTS lines. To interface between the TS-480
transceiver and a PC, use a commercially available
cable with a DB-9 female connector at each end.
Each connector pin must be connected to the same
pin number at the other end (a straight cable).
To control the transceiver from a PC, utilize the
general purpose terminal program to send
commands to the tranceiver. The transceiver
responds the command accordingly.
For example, the transceiver is placed into the
transmit mode whenever the character string “TX;” is
sent from the computer. The character string “TX;” is
called a PC control command.
You can further develop or create a script of the
commands using a macro function of the terminal
program. Kenwood also provides the remote control
program, ARCP-480 at our Web site. You can
download the program for free and try it out on your
PC. Access http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/
amateur.html and follow the instructions.
1
PC CONTROL COMMAND
Error
Message
Reason for Error
• Command syntax was incorrect.
• Command was not executed due to
the current status of the transceiver
(even though the command syntax
was correct).
A communication error occurred such
as an overrun or framing error during a
serial data transmission.
Receive data was sent but processing
was not completed.
?;
E;
O;
Note: Occasionally this message may not
appear due to microprocessor transients in the
transceiver.
COMPUTER CONTROL COMMANDS
A computer control command is composed of an
alphabetical command, various parameters, and the
terminator that signals the end of the control
command.
EXAMPLE: Command to set VFO A to 7 MHz
00007000000FA
Parameters
Alphabetical command
Commands can be classified as shown below:
Input
command
(Input to the
transceiver)
Computer
control
commands
Output
command
(From the
Answer command
(Transmits a condition)
transceiver)
For example, note the following in the case of the FA
command (Frequency of VFO A):
•To set the frequency to 7 MHz, the following
command is sent from the computer to the
transceiver:
“FA00007000000;”(Set command)
•To read the frequency of VFO A, the following
command is sent from the computer to the
transceiver:
“FA;”(Read command)
•When the Read command above has been sent,
the following command is returned to the
computer:
“FA00007000000;”(Answer command)
Note:
◆
Do not use the control characters 00 to 1Fh since they are either
ignored or cause a “?” answer.
◆
Program execution may be delayed while turning the
control rapidly.
;
Terminator
Set command
(Sets a
particular condition)
Read command
(Reads an answer)
Tuning
■ Alphabetical Commands
A command consists of 2 alphabetical characters.
You may use either lower or upper case
characters. The commands available for this
transceiver are listed in the PC Control Command
Tables from page 3.
■ Parameters
Parameters are used to specify information
necessary to implement the desired command.
The parameters to be used for each command are
predetermined. The number of digits assigned to
each parameter is also predetermined. Refer to
the Computer Control Commands and the PC
Control Command Tables to configure the
appropriate parameters.
When configuring parameters, be careful not to
make the following mistakes.
If a particular parameter is not applicable to this
transceiver, the parameter digits should be filled using any
character except the ASCII control codes (00 to 1Fh) and the
terminator (;).
■ Terminator
To signal the end of a command, it is necessary to
use a semicolon (;). The digit where this special
character must appear differs depending on the
command used.
■ Error Messages
In addition to the Answer command, the
transceiver can send the following error
messages.