70072-0113-04

TECHNICAL NOTE 02/2007

Modem AT Commands
This technical note outlines compatible AT commands that may be used with
PowerLogic® ION meters equipped with the internal modem option. AT
commands control a modem’s operation and are useful for setting up the modem
(for example, if you want to turn off the modem’s autoanswer feature). All AT
commands begin with the characters AT, which is short for “attention code”. This
is what alerts the modem that a command is following immediately.

CAUTION
Adding, removing or changing AT commands should only be performed by qualified individuals. Putting
improper code in the modem configuration string could cause the modem to become inoperable.

Depending on the ION meter and its date of manufacture, the installed optional
internal modem could be one of two different brands. The Conexant modem is the
older type modem, and is available in North American (FCC approved) or
European (CTR‐21 compliant) versions. The newer modem is manufactured by
Multi‐Tech and is a universal modem that can be readily used in most countries,
and complies with FCC, Industry Canada and TBR‐21 regulations.

Contained in this document is a section explaining how you can determine which
type of modem is installed on your ION meter, a section that lists AT command
sets for the new (Multi‐Tech) modem, and a section that lists AT command sets for
the older (Conexant) modems.

In This Document

ION Meter Internal Modem Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Multi-Tech Modems in ION Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Multi‐Tech Internal Modem Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
AT Commands for the Multi‐Tech Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
S‐Registers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Conexant Modems in ION Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Electrical equipment should be

Changing the Internal Modem Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
installed, operated, serviced, and
maintained only by qualified Changing the Local Modem Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
personnel. No responsibility is
assumed by Schneider Electric for
any consequences arising out of
Additional Information
the use of this material.
© 2007 Schneider Electric. Your meter’s technical documentation
All rights reserved. ION Reference
[Link]
ION Meter Internal Modem Types Modem AT Commands

ION Meter Internal Modem Types

The change to the internal modem installed in ION meters began during mid‐third
quarter of 2001. This switchover is traceable to the meter and its serial number.

The serial number follows the format xx‐YYMMxNNN‐xx, where YY is the year of
manufacture, MM is the month of manufacture, and NNN is the unit number (i.e.
the nth unit manufactured during the YYMM period). YY=01 indicates the year
2001, MM=01 indicates January and MM=12 indicates December.

ION meter Starting serial number for units equipped with new Multi-Tech modem

ION 7550 All serial numbers

ION 7650 All serial numbers

ION7700 PM-0111B005-06

ION8300 PS-0108A012-01
ION8400 PR-0108A156-02

ION 8500 PQ-0108A003-03

Use the above table to determine which internal modem is equipped in your ION
meter. If YYMM on your meter’s serial number is lower than what is listed in the
table, then your meter is equipped with the older (Conexant) modem. If YYMM on
your meter’s serial number is higher than what is listed in the table, then your
meter is equipped with the newer (Multi‐Tech) modem.

If YYMM on your meter’s serial number is the same as what is listed in the table,
then use NNN to compare — if NNN on your meter’s serial number is lower than
what is listed in the table, then your meter is equipped with the older (Conexant)
modem; if it is higher, then your meter is equipped with the newer (Multi‐Tech)
modem.

Page 2 © 2007 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Modem AT Commands Multi-Tech Modems in ION Meters

Multi-Tech Modems in ION Meters

The Multi‐Tech ModemModule is the newer‐type modem equipped in ION meters
that are ordered with the internal modem option. The Multi‐Tech modem is
compatible with most telephone systems in the world, with the exception of
Australia and New Zealand.

Multi-Tech Internal Modem Settings

Since the Multi‐Tech modem are universally compatible with most telephone
systems, no further reconfiguration of the default settings should be necessary.

International support
In some cases, the default initialization string for the internal (Multi‐Tech) modem
may need to be changed depending on the country it is used in. Countries not
listed below are compatible with the default (North American) settings:
Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines,
Poland, Singapore, Slovenia and Vietnam
AT%T19,0,30
Czech Republic
AT%T19,0,25
Japan
AT%T19,0,10

AT Commands for the Multi-Tech Modem

The following table summarizes the compatible AT commands for ION meters
equipped with the Multi‐Tech internal modems:

Command Values Default Description

Attention Code The attention code precedes all command lines except
AT n/a
A/, A:, and escape sequences.

Repeat the last command string. Do not precede this

A/ Repeat Last Command n/a
command with AT. Do not press ENTER to execute.

B0 Select ITU-T V.22 mode when modem is at 1200

bps.
B1 Select Bell 212A when modem is at 1200 bps.
Communication
Bn n = 0–3, 15, 16 1 and 16 B2 Deselect V.23 reverse channel (same as B3).
Standard Setting
B3 Deselect V.23 reverse channel (same as B2).
B15 Select V.21 when the modem is at 300 bps.
B16 Select Bell 103J when the modem is at 300 bps.
N0 Modem performs handshake only at
communication standard specified by S37 and the B
command.
Nn Modulation Handshake n = 0 or 1 1
N1 Modem begins handshake at communication
standard specified by S37 and the B command. During
handshake, fallback to a lower speed can occur.

© 2007 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved. Page 3

AT Commands for the Multi-Tech Modem Modem AT Commands

Command Values Default Description

Configures the modem for pulse (non-touch-tone)

P Pulse Dialing P, T T dialing. Dialed digits are pulsed until a T command or
dial modifier is received.

r = S-register Set value of register Sr to value of n, where n is entered

Sr=n Set Register Value None
number; n varies in decimal format. E.g., S0=1.

Configures the modem for DTMF (touch-tone) dialing.

T Tone Dialing P, T T Dialed digits are tone dialed until a P command or dial
modifier is received.

&G0 Disable guard tone.

V.22bis Guard Tone &G1 Set guard tone to 550 Hz.
&Gn n = 0, 1, or 2 0
Control &G2 Set guard tone to 1800 Hz.
Note: The &G command is not used in North America.
&P0 60/40 make-to-break ratio
&P1 67/33 make-to-break ratio
Pulse Dial Make-to-Break
&Pn n = 0, 1, or 2 0 &P2 20 pulses per second
Ratio Selection
Note: The &P2 command is available only if the country
code is set to Japan.

&Q0 Asynchronous with data buffering. Same as \N0.

&Q5 Error control with data buffering. Same as \N3.
&Q6 Asynchronous with data buffering. Same as \N0.
&Q8 MNP error control mode. If MNP error control is
Asynchronous n = 0, 5, 6, 8, or
&Qn 5 not established, the modem falls back according to the
Communications Mode 9
setting in S36.
&Q9 V.42 or MNP error control mode. If neither error
control is established, the modem falls back according
to the setting in S36.

\A0 64-character maximum.

Select Maximum MNP \A1 128-character maximum.
\An n = 0, 1, 2, or 3 3
Block Size \A2 192-character maximum.
\A3 256-character maximum.

\N0 Non-error correction mode with data buffering

(buffer mode; same as &Q6).
\N1 Direct mode.
\N2 MNP reliable mode. If the modem cannot make
an MNP connection, it
disconnects.
\N3 V.42/MNP auto-reliable mode. The modem
Error Correction Mode
\Nn n = 0–5, or 7 3 attempts first to connect in V.42 error
Selection
correction mode, then in MNP mode, and finally in
non-error correction (buffer)
mode with continued operation.
\N4 V.42 reliable mode. If the modem cannot make a
V.42 connection, it disconnects.
\ N5 V.42, MNP, or non-error correction (same as \N3).
\ N7 V.42, MNP, or non-error correction (same as \N3).

Sets the time (in minutes) after the last character is sent
or received that the modem waits before disconnecting.
A value of zero disables the timer. Applies only in buffer
\Tn Inactivity Timer n = 0, 1–255 0
mode.
Note: You can also set the inactivity timer by changing
the value of S30.

-C0 Disable V.25 data calling tone to deny remote

data/fax/voice discrimination.
-Cn Data Calling Tone n = 0 or 1 0
-C1 Enable V.25 data calling tone to allow remote
data/fax/voice discrimination.

Data Compression %C0 Disable V.42bis/MNP 5 data compression.

%Cn n = 0 or 1 1
Control %C1 Enable V.42bis/MNP 5 data compression.

Page 4 © 2007 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Modem AT Commands S-Registers

Command Values Default Description

%E0 Disable fallback and fall forward.

Fallback and Fall
%En n = 0, 1, or 2 2 %E1 Enable fallback, disable fall forward.
Forward Control
%E2 Enable fallback and fall forward.

$MB75 Selects CCITT V.23 mode

$MB300 Selects 300 bps on-line
$MB1200 Selects 1200 bps on-line
$MB2400 Selects 2400 bps on-line
n = speed in bits $MB4800 Selects 4800 bps on-line
$MBn Online BPS Speed 28,800
per second $MB9600 Selects 9600 bps on-line
$MB14400 Selects 14,400 bps on-line
$MB19200 Selects 19,200 bps on-line
$MB28800 Selects 28,800 bps on-line
$MB33600 Selects 33,600 bps on-line

$SB300 Selects 300 bps at serial port

$SB1200 Selects 1200 bps at serial port
$SB2400 Selects 2400 bps at serial port
$SB4800 Selects 4800 bps at serial port
n= speed in bits $SB9600 Selects 9600 bps at serial port
$SBn Serial Port Baud Rate 115200
per second $SB19200 Selects 19,200 bps at serial port
$SB38400 Selects 38,400 bps at serial port
$SB57600 Selects 57,600 bps at serial port
$SB115200 Selects 115,200 bps at serial port
$SB230400 Selects 230,400 bps at serial port

S-Registers
S‐registers are memory locations that store certain modem values or parameters.
S commands are used to read or alter the contents of S‐registers.

Register Unit Range Default Description

Sets the time the modem waits after it goes off-hook before it begins to dial the
S6 seconds 2-65* 2*
telephone number.

Sets the time the modem waits for a carrier signal before aborting a call. Also sets
S7 seconds 1-255* 50*
the wait for silence time for the @ dial modifier.

S8 seconds 0-65 2 Sets the length of a pause caused by a comma character in a dialing command.

S10 100 ms 1-254 20 Sets how long a carrier signal must be lost before the modem disconnects.

S11 1ms 50-150* 95* Sets spacing and duration of dialing tones.

S28 decimal 0, 1-255 1 0 disables, 1.255 enables V.34 modulation.

Sets the length of time that the modem waits before disconnecting when no data is
S30 1 minute 0, 1-255 0
sent or received. A value of zero disables the timer. See also the \T command

0 disables, 1 enables the V.25 calling tone, which allows remote data/fax/voice
S35 decimal 0-1 0
discrimination.

Specifies the action to take in the event of a negotiation failure when error control is
S36 decimal 0-7 7
selected. (See S48.)

© 2007 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved. Page 5

S-Registers Modem AT Commands

Register Unit Range Default Description

Sets the maximum V.34 ¡°upstream¡± speed at which the modem attempts to
connect.
0 = maximum speed
1 = reserved
2 = 1200/75 bps
3 = 300 bps
4 = reserved
5 = 1200 bps
6 = 2400 bps
7 = 4800 bps
8 = 7200 bps
S37 decimal 0-19 0
9 = 9600 bps
10 = 12000 bps
11 = 14400 bps
12 = 16800 bps
13 = 19200 bps
14 = 21600 bps
15 = 24000 bps
16 = 26400 bps
17 = 28800 bps
18 = 31200 bps
19 = 33600 bps

For testing and debugging only. Enables/disables V.32bis start-up auto mode
S43 decimal 0-1 1
operation. 0 = disable; 1 = enable.

Enables (7) or disables (128) LAPM negotiation. The following lists the S36 and S48
configuration settings for certain types of connections.
S48=7
S36=0, 2 LAPM or hang up
S36=1, 3 LAPM or async
S36=4, 6 LAPM, MNP, or hang up
S48 decimal 7 or 128 7
S36=5, 7 LAPM, MNP, or async
S48=128
S36=0, 2 Do not use
S36=1, 3 Async
S36=4, 6 MNP or hang up
S36=5, 7 MNP or async

Page 6 © 2007 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Modem AT Commands Conexant Modems in ION Meters

Conexant Modems in ION Meters

Some ION meters that are ordered with the internal modem option are equipped
with the older type Conexant modem. To find out what type of modem your meter
has, refer to the section, “ION Meter Internal Modem Types”.

AT Commands for the Conexant Modem

The following lists the AT commands that are compatible with ION meters
equipped with the Conexant internal modem.

Command Group Members Description

Select CCITT or BELL ATB0 CCITT Mode

Bn
Mode ATB1 BELL Mode (default)

Sn Read/Write S-Register ATSn=v Sets S-Register n to the value v

Restore Factory AT&F0 Restore factory configuration 0

&Fn
Configuration (Profile) AT&F1 Restore factory configuration 1

AT&G0 Disables guard tone (default)

&Gn Select Guard Tone AT&G1 Disables guard tone

AT&G2 Selects 1800 Hz guard tone

AT%C0 Disables data decompression

Enables MNP 5 data

AT%C1
compression negotiation
Enable/DisableData
%Cn Enables V.42 bis data
Compression AT%C2
compression

Enables both V.42 bis and MNp

AT%C3
5 data compression

AT%E0 Disable line quality

Enable/Disable Line
Enable line quality monitor and
Quality Monitor & Auto- AT%E1
%En auto-retrain
Retrain or Fallback/Fall
Fwd Enable line quality monitor and
AT%E2
fallback/fall forward

\An Select Maximum MNP AT\A0 64 characters

Block Size AT\A1 128 characters (Default)

AT\A2 192 characters

AT\A3 256 characters

AT\N0 Normal speed buffered mode

AT\N1 Serial interface

AT\N2 Reliable (error-correction) mode

\Nn Operating Mode
AT\N3 Auto reliable mode

AT\N4 LAPM error-correction mode

AT\N5 MNP error-correction mode

© 2007 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved. Page 7

AT Commands for the Conexant Modem Modem AT Commands

AT+MS Commands Select Modulation

Selects the modulation; enables or disables auto‐mode; specifies the lowest and
highest connection rates; selects m‐Law or A‐Law codec type, and enables or
disables robbed bit signaling generation (server modem) or detection (client
modem).

+MS= <Mod> [,[<Automode>] [,[<Min_Rate>] [,[<Max_Rate>] [,[<X_Law>]

[,[< Rb_Signaling>]]]]]] <CR>
AT+MS=? Send a string of information to the DTE consisting of supported
options

<mod> Modulation Possible Rates (bps)

0 V.21 300

1 V.22 1200
2 V.22 bis 2400, 1200

3 V.23 1200

9 V.32 9600, 4800

10 V.32 bis 14400, 12000, 9600, 7200, 4800

33600, 31200, 28800, 26400, 24000, 21600, 19200, 16800,

11 V.34
14400, 12000, 9600, 7200, 4800, 2400

64 Bell103 300

69 Bell212 1200

Page 8 © 2007 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Modem AT Commands Changing the Internal Modem Settings

Changing the Internal Modem Settings

To reconfigure the ION meter’s internal modem, access its setup register:
Using ION Enterprise®:
In Designer, right‐click the internal modem’s Comm module (inside the
Communications Setup group).
Using ION Setup:
Double‐click the Comm module icon for the meter’s internal modem. If you
cannot see the module, right‐click the meter icon. In the Device Properties dialog
box, click the Tools tab, then select “Show Advanced ION Setup” in the Device
Setup box. Click OK.

Changing the Local Modem Settings

Using PEGASYS or ION Setup software:
PEGASYS and ION Setup use the [Link] file to define how the local modem
should behave whenever modem communication is initiated. The [Link] file
contains information that sets the local modem to the specified baud rate and turns
compression and error correction off. This particular setting is useful only if there
are 3700 Series meters connected to the ION meter’s internal modem
communications loop (through ModemGate). If only ION meters are used, we
recommend that only the minimum required [Link] settings be used (i.e. Q0
E0 V1 &K0).

Use a standard text editing software like Notepad to make changes to the
[Link] file.

Using ION Enterprise software:

ION Enterprise uses database queries to configure the local modem settings.
Database queries are beyond the scope of this technical note. If you want to learn
how to configure the local modem using ION Enterprise, please contact Schneider
Electric Technical Support.

© 2007 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved. Page 9

Cellular Phone Compatibility Modem AT Commands

Cellular Phone Compatibility

Using analog cellular phones to communicate with a meter equipped with a
modem is not recommended due to the inherent unreliability of cellular phone
communication. However, if cellular phone‐to‐meter communication is
necessary, we recommend the following setup:

For compatibility with the (newer) Multi-Tech internal modem:

Local modem: Multi‐Tech 5600ZDX or GVC 56K (also possible with other
Conexant chipset based modems)
Necessary AT commands: +MS=11,1,1200,4800\N2
Description: This setup forces v.34 at maximum 4800 baud and forces error
correction. This also ensures other AT commands do not turn off error
correction and compression. The 4800 setting may be increased to 7200/9600,
but in most cases, using 4800 results in better throughput due to less errors for
the modems to deal with.

For the above application, the following are recommended modem initialization
string changes for the Multi‐Tech modem (inside the ION meter):
AT command: S10=100
Description: Increases disconnect time on loss of carrier

AT command: B1
Description: If rate drops to 1200, use Bell protocol

For compatibility with the (older) Conexant internal modem:

Local modem: Black Box MiniModem 56k Data/Faxmodem, model MD1620A,
or Multi‐Tech MultiModem, model MT5600ZDX
Necessary AT commands: %E0‐K1‐SEC=1+MS=10,1,1200,9600
Description: This setup allows the modem to negotiate any baud rate between
1200 and 9600 bps. This setup also prevents v.34 connections by not allowing
the modem to negotiate anything higher than V32bis.

For the above application, the following are recommended modem initialization
string changes for the Conexant modem (inside the ION meter):

AT command: AT%E0‐K1‐SEC=1+MS=10,1,1200,9600

In addition, the modem site needs to be set up as follows, regardless of the actual
connection baud rate:
Modem Type: Black Box MiniModem 56k Data/Fax
Transmit Delay: 10 ms
Baud Rate: 9600 bps
RTS/CTS: unchecked
Receive Timeout: 5000 ms
Byte Timeout: 20 byte‐time

Page 10 © 2007 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.