SimpleTech STI-FAX/28.8 User Manual

i

Document Part Number 61000-00228-000

28.8 Communicator

V.34 Data/Fax Modem

Plug n’ Play PC Card

User Guide

ii

1-800-367-7330

3001 Daimler Street, Santa Ana, California 92705

[phone] [phone] fax

iii

28.8 Communicator

V.34 Data/Fax Modem

Plug n’ Play PC Card

User Guide

iv

Limited Warranty

Simple Technology Incorporated guarantees its products to be of
the highest quality, and to be free of defects in material, design
and workmanship. STI will repair or replace this product,
without charge for either parts or labor, if it is returned due to
defects in material, design, and/or workmanship only. This
guarantee applies only if the product has not been misused,
modified, repaired, neglected, improperly installed, abused, or
otherwise damaged as has not been mentioned above.

Copyright

© Copyright 1995 Simple Technology Inc., all rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted,
transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any
language or computer language, in any form, by any means,
electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual or
otherwise, without expressed written consent of STI.

Disclaimer

Specifications subject to change without notice. Simple Technology
Inc. makes no representations or warranties with r espect to the
contents hereof and specifically disclaims any implied warranties
of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Further,
STI reserves the right to revise this publication and to make
changes from time to time in the content hereof without obligation
of STI to notify any person of such revision.

Products and brand names are trademarks and/or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.

v

Contents

1 Introduction ..........................................................1

Using the Guides ...................................................2

Installation Requirements.......................................3

Unpacking the Card ...............................................4

Technical Support..................................................4

2 Describing the Kit ..................................................5

The Hardware........................................................5

The Software .........................................................7

Specifications ........................................................7

3 Installing the Card ..................................................9

Checking for Card and Socket Services..................9

Attaching the Card ..............................................10

Installing the Communication Software................10

Configuring the Communication Software ......11

4 Using the Card .....................................................13

Inserting or Removing Your Card..........................13

About Call Waiting ...............................................13

Connecting to Cell Phones...................................14

Protecting the Card .............................................14

vi

5 Using AT Commands.............................................15

Some Notes About AT Commands.......................17

Configuring the Modem .......................................18

Sample Configuration 1 ..................................18

Sample Configuration 2 ..................................19

Sample Configuration 3 ..................................20

AT Commands......................................................21

AT& Commands..............................................27

AT% Commands .............................................35

AT\ Commands ...............................................36

AT) Commands...............................................40

AT@ Commands..............................................40

AT* Commands...............................................41

AT: Commands................................................41

AT- Commands ...............................................41

6 Fax and Voice Commands ....................................43

7 Result Codes and Messages .................................45

8 S-Registers ...........................................................49

Example: Writing to an S-Register.........................53

Bit-Mapped Options S-Registers ..........................53

Example: Setting an S-Register.............................54

Example: Interpreting an S-Register .....................55

vii

FCC and DOC Compliance

The following statements are provided in accordance with
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian
Department of Communications (DOC). Please read these
statements carefully before installing or operating your modem.

FCC Part 68 Requirements

This equipment complies with Part 68 of the FCC Rules. On
the bottom of this equipment is a label that contains, among
other information, the FCC Registration Number and Ringer
Equivalence Number (REN) for this equipment. If requested,
this information must be given to the telephone company.

The REN is used to determine the maximum number of devices
connected to your telephone line that will ring in response to an
incoming call. In most, but not all, areas, the total REN of
devices connected to a line should not exceed five (5.0). To find
out the total permitted in your area, contact your local telephone
company.

If your telephone equipment causes harm to the telephone network,
the telephone company may discontinue your service temporarily.
If possible, the company will notify you in advance. But if advance
notice isn’t practical, you will be notified as soon as possible. You
will also be informed of your right to file a complaint with the FCC.
If your equipment is the cause of the problem, you will be given the
opportunity to correct the problem.

Your telephone company can make changes in its facilities,
equipment, operations, or procedures that could affect the
operation of your equipment. If so, you will be notified in
advance so you can make the changes needed to maintain
uninterrupted service.

viii

If you experience trouble with this telephone equipment,
please contact Simple Technology at 1-800-367-7330 for
information on obtaining service or repairs. The telephone
company may ask that you disconnect this equipment from
the network until the problem has been corrected or until you
are sure that the equipment is not malfunctioning.

This equipment contains no user serviceable parts.
This equipment may not be used on public coin service or party

lines.

FCC Part 15 Requirements

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measur es:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different
from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician
for help.

The user is cautioned that changes and modifications made to
this equipment without the approval of the manufacturer could
void the user’s authority to operate this equipment. There are no
user-serviceable parts in this equipment. The unit must be
returned to the manufacturer for any repairs.

ix

DOC Certification Label

The Canadian Department of Communications (DOC) label
identifies certified equipment. This certification means that the
equipment meets certain telecommunications network protective,
operational, and safety requirements. The Department does not
guarantee the equipment will operate to the user’s satisfaction.

Before installing this equipment, users should ensure that it
is permissible to be connected to the facilities of the local
telecommunications company. The equipment must also be
installed using an acceptable method of connection. In some
cases, the company’s inside wiring associated with a single
line individual service may be extended by means of a
certified connector assembly (telephone extension cord). The
customer should be aware that compliance with the above
conditions may not prevent degradation of service in some
situations.

Repairs to certified equipment should be made by an authorized
Canadian maintenance facility designated by the supplier. Any
repairs or alterations made by the user to this equipment, or
equipment malfunctions, may give the telecommunications
company cause to request the user to disconnect the equipment.

Users should ensure for their own protection that the electrical
ground connections of the power utility, telephone lines, and
internal metallic water pipe system, if present, are connected
together. This precaution may be particularly important in rural
areas.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to make electrical ground

connections yourself; contact the
appropriate electric inspection authority
or an electrician.

x

The LOAD NUMBER (LN) assigned to each terminal device
denotes the percentage of the total load to be connected to a
telephone loop which is used by the device, to prevent
overloading. The termination on a loop may consist of any
combination of devices subject only to the requirement that
the sum of the LOAD NUMBERS of all the devices does not
exceed 100.

Warranty and Repair Service in Canada

Target Electronics
1111 Flint Rd. #28
Downview ONT M3J 3C7
[phone]

DOC ICES-003 Compliance

This digital apparatus does not exceed the class B limits for radio
noise emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the interfer­ence-causing equipment entitled “Digital Apparatus,” ICES-003
of the Department of Communications.

Cet appareil numerique respecte les limites de bruits radio­electriques applicables aux appareils numeriques de Classe B
prescrites dans la norme sur le materiell brouilleur “Appareils
Numeriques,” NMB-003 edictee par le ministre des Communica­tions.

Etiquette D’Homologation du Ministere
des Communications du Canada

AVIS : L’etiquette du ministere des Communications du Canada
identifie le materiel homologue. Cette etiquette certifie que le
materiel est conforme a certaines normes de protection,
d’exploitation et de securite des reseaux de telecommunications.
Le ministere n’assure toutefois pas que le materiel fonctionnera a
la satisfaction de l’utilisateur.

xi

Avant d’installer ce materiel, l’utilisateur doit s’assurer qu’il est
permis de le raccorder aux installations de l’entreprise locale de
telecommunications. Le materiel doit egalement etre installe en
suivant une methode acceptee de raccordement. L’abonne ne
doit pas oublier qu’il est possible que la conformite aux condi­tions enoncees ci-dessus n’empechent pas la degradation du
service dans certaines situations.

Les reparations de materiel homologue doivent etre effectuees
par un centre d’entretien canadien autorise designe par le
fournisseur. La compagnie de telecommunications peut de­mander a l’utilisateur de debrancher un appareil a la suite de
reparations ou de modifications effectuees par l’utilisateur ou a
cause d’un mauvais fonctionnement.

Pour sa propre protection, l’utilisateur doit s’assurer que tous les
fils de mise a la terre de la source d’energie electrique, des lignes
telephoniques et des canalisations d’eau metalliques, s’il y en a,
sont raccordes ensemble. Cette precaution est particulierement
importante dans les regions rurales.

AVERTISSEMENT : l’utilisateur ne doit pas tenter de faire ces
raccordements lui-meme, il doit avoir recours a un service
d’inspection des installations electriques ou a un electricien,
selon le cas.

AVIS : L’INDICE DE CHARGE (IC) assigne a chaque dispositif
terminal indique, pour eviter toute surcharge, le pourcentage de
la charge totale qui peut etre raccorde a un circuit telephonique
boucle utilise par ce dispositif.

L’extremite du circuit boucle peut consister en n’importe quelle
combinaison de dispositifs pourvu que la somme des INDICES
DE CHARGE de l’ensemble des dispositifs ne depasse pas 100.

xii

Notes:

1

1. Introduction

This is a User Guide for the 28.8 Communicator PC Card
manufactured by Simple Technology. The 28.8 Communicator
is a modem PC Card that features 28.8 Kbps data transfer,

14.4 Kbs fax, cellular-ready, and voice capabilities.
The card allows you to send and receive data and fax. Also, the

card is cellular ready. With an optional cell phone cable, you can
use the data, fax, and voice features of the card with a cellular
phone. The voice capabilities of the card allow you to use your
computer as an answering machine.

The PC Card works with PCMCIA Release 2.1 Type II specifica­tions, standard on most laptop and notebook computers.

The PCMCIA standard allows for easy hardware installation—
just plug the card into your computer card socket. The card
features Plug n’ Play, allowing you to install the card with your
computer power turned on.

The credit-card size and easy installation of the card makes it
ideal for carrying the modem between computers. This allows
you to buy one modem for use with several computers.

Also included with the card is communication software for
Windows and its User Guide. The communication software
provides a software user interface for the modem.

2

Using the Guides

Read the rest of this chapter for information about the Installation
Requirements, Unpacking the Card, and Technical Support. Then,

read the following chapters as follows:

1. Refer to Chapter 2 for an overview description of the kit
components.

2. Refer to Chapter 3 for instructions on installing the card.

3. Refer to Chapter 4 for further information on using the
card.

4. Refer to the guide that is provided with the communica­tion software for instructions on installation and start-up
of the communication software.

5. Refer to the Chapters 5 to 8 for technical information on
the modem AT commands and S-Registers.

6. Refer to the Connecting the STI Modem to Cell Phones flyer
for information on obtaining a cable for your cell phone.

3

Installation Requirements

The following are the minimum requirements for installing the
card:

• A computer with the following features:

- An available PC Card Type II socket

- 80386 or higher microprocessor

- 2 MB of RAM

- An internal hard drive

- A 3.5-inch floppy drive

• The following operating systems:

- MS-DOS v5.0 or later, and Windows v3.1

- Card and Socket Services compatible to PCMCIA
Release 2.1 specifications

• An available phone line

• A handset (optional)

NOTE: There is no industry standard for the signal

polarity of handsets; therefore, the modem does
not work with all handsets.

4

Unpacking the Card

The following items are included with your kit:

• 28.8 Communicator

• Line Access Cable

• User Guide
(this document)

• Simple Installation Instructions

• Connecting the STI Modem to Cell Phones flyer
(P/N 61000-00062-xxx)

• Communications Software and User Guide.

If any item is missing or damaged, contact your dealer immedi­ately.

Technical Support

If you experience any difficulties with the installation of the card,
call Technical Support at the following telephone numbers:

• [phone]

• 1-800-367-7330

5

Figure 2-1. The 28.8 Communicator

2. Describing the Kit

Use the descriptions and illustrations in this chapter to become
familiar with your kit.

The Hardware

Refer to the figures and the descriptions below and on the next
page to become familiar with the hardware:

• The 28.8 Communicator (see Figure 2-1). The Type II PC Card
contains a connector for a PC Card socket, and a connector
for the Line Access Cable. The car d is encased in metal,
allowing for safe handling. W ith Card and Socket Services
provided with your computer, the card features Plug n’ Play
capability, i.e., the ability to insert or remove the card with
the computer power turned on. The card is keyed and will
install only in the proper orientation.

Connector for PC Card
Socket on Top Edge

Connector for Line Access Cable
on Bottom Edge

0153

Identification of Card
(28.8 Communicator)

6

Figure 2-2. The Line Access Cable

• The Line Access Cable (see Figure 2-2). This cable contains a
connector for the card, a standard jack for a phone line,
and a jack for a handset. The connector and the jacks are
keyed and will install in only the proper orientation.

The connector for the card latches to the card to ensure
continuous connection during use. To remove the cable
from the card, press on the latch-release buttons on both
sides of the connector.

The standard jack for the phone line is the wider jack
connection with only two wires.

The jack for the optional handset is the narrower jack
connection with four wires. The handset is for use with the
modem’s voice capabilities.

NOTE: There is no industry standard for the signal

polarity of handsets; therefore, the handset
jack does not work with all handsets.

Connector for a Card

Latch Release
Buttons

To phone line

To Handset

0109

7

The Software

• Communication Software. The communication software
provides the user interface to send and receive data and fax,
and to use the computer as an answering machine. Refer to
the guide that is provided with the communication software
for instructions about the installation and start-up of the
software.

Specifications

The card has the following specifications:

Form Factor

Data Rates

Fax Rates

Data Compression

Error Correction

Data Command Set

Fax Command Set

PCMCIA Type II

CCITT V.34 (28800bps)
CCITT V.32bis (14400bps)
CCITT V.32 (9600bps)
CCITT V.22bis (2400bps)
CCITT V.21 (300bps)
CCITT V.23

(1200/600bps forward, 75bps backward)
Bell 212A (1200bps)
Bell 103 (0-300bps)

CCITT V.17 (14400bps)
CCITT V.29 (9600bps)
CCITT V.27ter (4800bps)

CCITT V.42bis (up to 4:1 compression ratio)
MNP 5 (up to 2:1 compression ratio)

CCITT V.42
MNP 2-4

Enhanced AT command set

CCITT Group 3
Class 1 (EIA-578)
Class 2 (EIA-592)

8

Voice Features

Diagnostics

Power Consumption

Software Features

16550 UART

Cellular Capability

The voice capabilities of the modem allow

you to use your computer as an
answering machine

Power-on self test
Local digital loop test
Local analog loop and analog loop self test
Remote digital loop and digital loop self test

Active mode (off-hook): 975mW
Standby mode (on-hook): 40mW

Operates on systems with:

• PC DOS 5.0 or higher, or
MS-DOS 5.0 or higher

• Windows 3.1

• Card and Socket Services conforming to
PCMCIA Card and Socket Services
Release 2.1 or higher.

Enhanced UART interface provides

buffering of data. This feature is
essential in providing reliable high
speed communication, when used in
multi-tasking environments like
Windows.

MNP10-EC error correction/data

compression

Simple Technology can reference OEM
cellular interface cables which can connect
the modem to cell phones.

9

3. Installing the Card

This chapter describes checking for Card and Socket Services,
attaching the card, and installing the communication software.

Checking for Card and Socket Services

You must have Card and Socket Services Release 2.1 provided
with your computer installed before using the modem.

Card and Socket Services Release 2.1 are device drivers that handle
all of the detecting, configuring, and enabling of any compatible
PC Card inserted into the system. These device drivers are not
specific to the Simple Technology 28.8 Communicator and will
support other PC Cards as well.

If you know that you already have Card and Socket Services
Release 2.1 installed, proceed to Attaching the Card.

If you do not know if you already have Card and Socket Services
installed, perform the following:

1. While booting your computer, press <F8>. With DOS 6
or higher, this will load the drivers in CONFIG.SYS one
line at a time.

2. When prompted, press “Y” to load each driver and look
for messages indicating that Socket Services Release 2.1
and Card Services Release 2.1 are loading.

NOTE: If Card and Socket Services Release 2.1 did not

load, fill out and mail the enclose coupon for a
free copy. Card and Socket Services Release 2.1
must be installed before proceeding.

If there are existing Card and Socket Services, proceed to

Attaching the Card.

10

Attaching the Card

Perform the following:

1. Orient the modem card with the 68-pin female connector
facing the PC Card socket. Insert the card into the PC
Card socket. The card is keyed and will insert in only the
proper orientation. Some computers will beep when the
computer recognizes the card.

2. Attach the Line Access Cable to the card. The cable
connector is keyed and will only attach in the proper
orientation.

3. Attach a phone line to the wider, two-wire jack in the
Line Access Cable.

4. If you want to use the voice features with local record
and playback, attach a handset to the narrower, four­wire jack in the Line Access Cable.

NOTE: There is no industry standard for the signal

polarity of handsets; therefore, the handset
jack does not work with all handsets.

Proceed to Installing the Communication Software.

Installing the Communication Software

Once you have installed your modem, you can use the
communications software to connect to remote computers,
dial bulletin boards, send electronic mail, send or receive
faxes. Also, the communications software supports the voice
features of the modem. This allows you to use the computer
as an answering machine.

Refer to the User Guide supplied with the communications
software for installation and start-up. Then refer to Configuring
the Communication Software for instructions on setting the com­munication software to the correct IRQ.

11

Configuring the Communication Software

While some expansion slot adapters and built-in COM ports can
share IRQs, PC Cards cannot share IRQs. To avoid sharing IRQs,
the IRQ assigned to your modem by Card and Socket Services may
be set differently than Windows and the communication software
expects. You may have to re-configure the software as follows:

1. Refer to the documentation that came with Card and
Socket Services, and determine the COM port and IRQ
that Card and Socket Services assigns to your modem.

2. You may have to edit the SYSTEM.INI file of Win­dows. Before editing SYSTEM.INI, make a backup of
SYSTEM.INI.

Open SYSTEM.INI with your favorite editor. Find the
same COM port that your modem uses as determined in
Step 1. Then change the IRQ associated with that COM
port so that it is the same as that determined in Step 1.
Save the new SYSTEM.INI, then restart Windows.

3. Next, refer to the guide included with the communication
software and make sur e your the communication software
is set to the same COM port and IRQ as determined in
Step 1.

Installation is complete. Proceed to Chapter 4.

12

Notes:

13

4. Using the Card

This chapter provides information on the following topics:

• Inserting and Removing the Card

• About Call Waiting

• Connecting to Cell Phones

• Protecting the Card

Inserting or Removing Your Card

You can insert or remove the card any time the computer is not
accessing the card. Some computers will beep when the computer
recognizes the change in status of the PC Card socket.

About Call Waiting

To ensure that your communications are not interrupted while
using your modem, you should disable call waiting if you have
call waiting. The methods for disabling call waiting vary in
different locations. Instructions for disabling call waiting can
usually be found in the front section of the local telephone
directory.

If disabling call waiting is required, you may want to incorporate
the disabling feature into the standard dialing prefix. For example,
the standard dialing prefix might be ATX4DT. If the call waiting
feature is disabled by ✱70, you may want to change the dial prefix
to A TX4DT ✱70.

Call waiting is normally re-enabled after each call.

14

Connecting to Cell Phones

The card features MNP10-EC standard. This standard provides
the level of error correction needed to reliably connect to the
noisy cell phone environments.

To use the card with a cell phone, you need to purchase a cable
compatible to your brand of cell phone. Refer to the Connecting
the STI Modem to Cell Phones flyer included with the card for
instructions on how to purchase a cable for your cell phone.

To connect the card to a cell phone, substitute the cell phone
cable for the line access cable and follow the instructions in

Chapter 3.

Protecting the Card

Observe the following points:

• Do not drop the card.

• Do not open the card.

• Never remove the card when the computer is accessing the
card.

• Place the computer and peripherals out of direct sunlight,
high or low temperatures, and high humidity.

• Do not turn the computer or peripherals on and off in
rapid succession.

• Keep all vents in the computer and peripherals free from
obstruction, e.g., books, papers, etc.

• Use a power line conditioner in environments where
power surges are likely, e.g., near heavy machinery,
fluorescent lights, etc.

15

5. Using AT Commands

Communications programs control your modem by issuing
modem instructions called AT commands. While it is usually
easiest to let the communication software handle the task of
issuing AT commands, there may be occasions when you will
want to control a series of commands yourself. The information
that follows is included to allow you to tailor your modem for
specific needs.

If you want to send AT commands to your modem directly, you
must be running a data communication program. (You cannot
send AT commands from your operating system prompt.) Once
the communication program is started, you must put it into
terminal mode. Many programs do this automatically. Your
modem must also be in command mode (see Some Notes About
AT Commands) to accept AT command strings. To verify whether
your modem is in the proper mode, type AT <Enter>. If the
modem responds with an OK message, you are all set.

AT commands must:

1. Start with the command string AT

2. Contain one or more of the commands listed in this
chapter

3. End with a carriage return (shown in this book as
<Enter>).

The following notation conventions are used in this chapter:

• AT commands and messages are shown in italics, like so:
AT &F0 <Enter>.

• Factory default settings for commands are shown in bold.
These settings are in effect until you issue a command
altering the setting. For instance, the default setting for Bn
is B1. To return the modem to its factory default settings at
any time, type AT &F0 <Enter>.

• S-registers affected by, or related to, particular AT com­mands are listed in brackets at the end of the command