Integrating the Catalyst and Cellularm

 

Introduction

 

The Catalyst defaults are designed for ordinary telephone line connections. When using the Cellularm there are certain delays that are inherent to cellular connections. The incoming and outgoing sessions will take longer to make connection to selected destination types.  These delays will need to be extended.

 

There are also ways to optimize the performance of data and fax transmissions over a cellular phone network. This is accomplished by the use of modem initialization commands.

 

 

Setting Session Delays

 

The Catalyst has three delays that will need to be changed in order to make incoming and outgoing Cellularm connections:

 

  1. Outgoing Call Answer Limit
  2. Call-In Timer
  3. Protocol Detection for Incoming Calls Timer

 

In order to change the length of these timers, you must either connect with Alarmware™, or make the changes from the front panel using keycodes.

 

To make the necessary changes using Alarmware™, connect to the unit and go to the "Configuration Menu." From the Configuration Menu, select "Devices." The following dialog will appear:

 

 

  1. You will need to increase the "Outgoing Call Answer Limit" to at least 60 seconds. Some cellular networks will require more.
  2. The "Call-In Timer" is shown here as "After answering, wait a minimum of 60 seconds for the session to start." This delay can be increased to 75 seconds.
  3. In both cases, you will want to test these timers to determine if the proper timing is achieved.

 

To change the "Protocol Detection Timer" you will need to select "Session Params" from the Configuration Menu:

 

 

  1. Extend the "Protocol Detection for Incoming Calls Timer" to 20 seconds. That should be adequate to ensure there is enough time for the Catalyst to determine the type of protocol to be used in the current session.

 

 

Using Keycodes from the Front Panel

 

 

  1. To extend the Outgoing Call Timer to 60 seconds, use 403*60
  2. To extend the Call-In Timer to 75 seconds, use 406*75
  3. To extend the Protocol Detection Timer to 20 seconds, use 827*20

 

 

Optimizing Data and Fax Transmission

 

You should also configure the Catalyst modem to optimize performance. To insert a modem initialization command into the Catalyst, select "Devices" from the Configuration Menu and click on the RTU Modem tab:

 

 

  1. Enter the modem initialization string as shown: &F1+MS=9,0,4800,4800

 

We also recommend that you enter the same command for the Alarmware™ modem. To access the Alarmware™ modem settings, you should start Alarmware™ and then Cancel the "Select RTU" dialog box. You will then have access to the "Options Menu." From the Options menu, select "Modem."

 

 

  1. Configure the "Initialization String" with the modem initialization string as shown: &F1+MS=9,0,4800,4800
  2. It also helps to set the "Baud Rate" to 4800 to match the initialization string.
  3. You can also extend the "Outgoing Call Answer Limit" as shown.

 

When connecting with a Remote Data Terminal you will need to add the modem commands to the Windows modem configuration. First launch the Windows Control Panel. From the Control Panel, select "Modems."  Select the proper modem from the list of available modems. Click on "Properties."  Next click on the "Connection" tab. Next click on the "Advanced" button. You should be seeing the following dialog:

 

 

  1. The modem initialization commands are entered in the "Extra Settings" field as shown.