CAT-2000 Serial Interface Option
General
The CAT-2000 serial interface option consists of an optically isolated RS-232C serial
interface module and associated firmware programmed into the CAT-2000 microcontroller.
The firmware supplied with this option provides a basic remote monitoring capability;
bidirectional control and other communications protocols are available on a custom basis
by quotation.
Hardware Interface
The serial interface is at standard RS-232C signal levels, suitable for connection to a
personal computer, data collection or building automation system. Optical isolation of the
interface allows the CAT-2000 and attached device to be connected to different grounding
systems without interference, and provides for safety isolation in case of failure of either
device.
The serial interface option is provided with a 6-foot cable terminated in a 9-pin IBM AT-
style female D-shell connector. The pinout of this connector is as follows:
Pin Signal
1 Carrier Detect
2 Receive Data
3 Transmit Data
4 Data Terminal Ready
5 Ground
6 Data Set Ready
7 Request To Send
8 Clear To Send
9 Ring Indicator
If a custom cable is to be installed, it is connected to the control board by means of the 4-
position header labelled J5. The mating connector is a Molex 10-11-2043 and the crimp
pins are Molex 08-50-0005. Both are available from Digi-Key and other sources. The
cable must enter the controller through the supplied cable grip, and must be of a suitable
diameter to maintain a watertight seal. The pinout of this connector is as follows:
Pin Signal
1 Transmit Data
2 Receive Data
3 Ground
4 Carrier Detect
A modem may be attached to the CAT-2000 by means of a custom cable or an appropriate
adapter. The modem must be of the type that automatically detects the speed of the
terminal device, or must be configured manually for the correct speed.
Software Interface
The serial interface firmware is designed to support basic remote monitoring and data
collection requirements. Any communications software, such as Procomm Plus, or the
Microsoft Windows Terminal or HyperTerminal programs may be used to monitor and
record data from the CAT-2000. Data captured to a file may be imported into a
spreadsheet program for analysis and charting.
The serial data format is as follows:
Baud Rate: 2400 bits per second
Data Bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop Bits: 1
This configuration should be entered into your communications program's configuration
menu.
At power up, the CAT-2000 sends an identification message. Since the controller could be
powered up independantly of the attached device, this message should be accepted at any
time. The format of this message is:
CAT-2000 V1.0 (C) 1995 CAT INC.
Every 60 seconds during normal operation, the CAT-2000 sends a status message. This
message indicates all current operating parameters. This message is formatted as 7
decimal numbers separated by spaces. The format of this message is:
seq_no ph_value ph_feed ph_alarm orp_value orp_feed orp_alarm
where:
seq_no sequence number, 000 to 999, then repeats
ph_value current displayed value, decimal, example 7.5
ph_feed 1 if feeding, 0 if not (note 1)
ph_alarm 1 if alarm activated, 0 if not (note 2)
orp_value current displayed value, decimal, example 650
orp_feed 1 if feeding, 0 if not (note 1)
orp_alarm 1 if alarm activated, 0 if not (note 2)
Note 1: Same as front panel indicator, except is asserted even during the off portion of the
proportional feed cycle.
Note 2: Same as front panel indicator, except both channel alarms are asserted during a
no flow alarm triggered by the flow sensor input.
Each line sent by the CAT-2000 is terminated by an ASCII CR/LF pair.