Using Modems with Directsoft Tech-notes

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Introduction
Recommended modems
PLC Setup
How to setup modem
Let’s get connected
Help
Modem Setup Strings
Cable Diagrams

This document pertains to people using the older versions of

Directsoft versions 1.x or 2.x.

If you are using Directsoft32 version 3.x, you will need to get the other “Directsoft32
Modem Document” from the Automationdirect.com tech support page. You can also
refer to the Directsoft 32 programming manual for assistance.

It is not difficult to establish remote communications with a PLC via a modem. This
paper should help you in setting up this type of communications link.
With today’s prices, it is possible to buy a high quality modem for a reasonable price.
We have established communications with a personal computer using the following
brands of modems:

Recommended modems

MultiTech Most preferred (ZDX and Multi-Modem II) (works with parity as Odd or NONE)
The MT2834ZDX modem is our most preferred and has proven reliable. It can also be
configured remotely. This may save you a trip to the job site for modem setup changes.

USRobotics (Sportster) (NOT Sportster Si)

Hayes (Optima/Accura)
Sixnet VT-Modem-2 allows Auto dial out using PLC output to initiate

We recommend that you buy an external modem. Internal modems are much harder to
debug when things don’t work correctly. This is because they do not have indicator lights
that we can use to troubleshoot. External modems will give you speaker control and
indicator lights. We also prefer that you have a modem that is fairly new and has the
latest firmware available from the manufacturer. You can check this on the internet most
often

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There are a few important steps you must take in order to establish remote
communications.

1) PLC Setup:
You must configure your PLC communication port for 9600, NO PARITY. The
important part is the parity setting. Most popular modems cannot transmit an odd
number of bits per character. If parity were enabled, each character would consist of
1 start bit, 8 data bits, 1 parity bit and 1 stop bit, making a total of 11 bits per
character.

2) Modem Setup:
You must use a terminal program of some kind, such as the Windows Terminal or
HyperTerminal application, to configure the remote modem. You should set the
terminal program for the same speed that you have configured your communications
port for. We usually use 9600 baud so use 9600, 8, None, 1 and hardware
handshaking. Now you must configure the modem to:
 Auto Answer
 Use baud rate adjustment, or use a fixed Serial port baud rate of 9600
 Turn compression OFF
 Turn error correction OFF. (You may have to enable error correction if your
telephone line is noisy but you may have some problems executing tasks due to
communication delays).
Write these settings to the Non-Volatile RAM by using the “&W0” command. This
will save the settings in the modem so that when it is power cycled it will use these
settings.
Please refer to the configuration command lines examples on page 4.

3) Cable:
The best way to connect between the modem and the PLC is using the PLC Direct
programming cable along with a NULL-MODEM cable (Cable#2). You will most
likely have to get a 9-25 pin adapter also since our programming cables are made to
fit into 9-Pin serial ports. You may be able to find a 9 to 25 pin adapter that is also a
NULL modem cable. Appendix ‘A’ shows the pin-out description for these cables.
If you are close to a Radio Shack store you could purchase items 26-264 (DB9 Null
Modem Adapter) and 26-1388 (DB25 male / DB9 male).

4) Let’s Get Connected

If you have DirectSoft v2.0 or higher, you are now ready to setup your link to use
with a modem. (Refer to the Directsoft user Manual).
If you are using a previous version of DirectSoft (1.x) then you must follow the steps
below.

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Using Windows Terminal or HyperTerminal

I. You are now ready to connect your local (computer) modem. To dial the
remote modem, you need to use the terminal program. You should dial the
modem by sending the following command:

II. AT &D0 DT telephone number (Example: AT&D0 DT 1,2434456666)

III. The ‘&D0’ command tells the modem to not hang up the line when the DTR
signal is dropped. Since we will have to exit the terminal program, the
communications port is reset and the DTR signal is dropped. If the modem
disconnected at this point, we wouldn’t be able to connect to the PLC with
DirectSoft. With some modems (US Robotics included) terminal must be
configured to not insert a carriage return (CR) automatically after each
command. The carriage return cancels out the Dial request. Look under
“Terminal Preferences”.
IV. OK, assuming you have used the command above to connect to the remote site,
you will have to exit the terminal program COMPLETELY. Let me repeat that.
You will have to exit the terminal program completely. Otherwise, DirectSoft
will not be able to get control of the communications port and you will not be
able to get online.
V. Start DirectSoft like you would normally. Create a new link using the
communications port that your modem is connected to.

You should now be able to communicate with your PLC just like it was connected to
your computer. When you are done with the connection, you will have to exit DirectSoft,
restart the terminal program and disconnect the modem using the +++ (wait for OK
response) and ATH <CR>command sequence.

5) HELP
If you cannot connect then you can refer to our web site where we will be posting
FAQ’s. Also check the following before calling Tech Support:

Frequent Reasons for not connecting:

1. Modem settings are not correct or have not been written to NVRAM.
2. Directsoft Link settings are not correct
3. Cable is not correct.
4. PLC port has not been configured correctly.
5. The Phone line may be noisy. Raise the Link Timeout to 2000ms and the
Retry to 5.We find that this is very helpful in most cases.
6. Make sure your fax machine sharing the same line is not answering the call.

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN AutomationDIrect.com TECHNOTES IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT A GUARANTEE OF ANY KIND. These documents are provided by our
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Modem Configuration Setup Strings

Hayes Accura 336/56K

Type AT&V to display active configuration for your modem
Remote Modem: AT&F&W0
ATS0=1
AT&D0%C0%E0&K0S37=9N0\N1
AT&W0
Local Modem: AT&F N0 S37=9 S46=136 &C1 &K0 &Q5 &R1 &Y0 &W0

Hayes Optima 9600

Type AT&V to display active settings of your modem
Remote Modem: AT&F N0 S37=9 S46=136 &C1 &K0 &Q5 &R1 &Y0 S0=1
AT Q1 &W0
Local Modem: AT&F N0 S37=9 S46=136 &C1 &K0 &Q5 &R1 &Y0 &W0

MultiTech MT932EAB

This modem is no longer available from MultiTech. The newer MultiModem II models should work with
the same configuration.

Use the default DIP switch settings except set switch 1 to force DTR ON and switch 5 to Auto Answer
mode.
Type ATL5 to display active settings of your modem
Remote Modem: AT&W1&F1
ATQ1$BA0$MB9600$SB9600
AT&E1&E3&E7&E12&E14&W0

Local Modem: AT&W1&F1

ATQ0$BA0$MB9600$SB9600
AT&E0&E3&E7&E12&E14&W0

If you are using a port configured for ODD parity, such as the programming ports on our PLC's, then the
following:
Type ATL5 to display active settings of your modem
Remote Modem: AT&W1&F1
ATQ1$BA0$MB9600$SB9600
AT&E1&E3&E7&E12&E14
AT$EB1#P1&W0

Local Modem: AT&W1&F1

ATQ0$BA0$MB9600$SB9600
AT&E0&E3&E7&E12&E14
AT$EB1#P1&W0

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN AutomationDIrect.com TECHNOTES IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT A GUARANTEE OF ANY KIND. These documents are provided by our
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MultiTech MT1932ZDX and MT2834ZDX (see note)

Note: For ODD parity applications, the MT2834 ZDX modems will work if they have a
firmware revision of 3.13A or older. (We have been told by some of our customers that
the newer versions of the firmware, 1998 vintage, have the odd parity support again, so
you might try the configuration and see if it works.) MultiTech has removed the odd
parity support on the newer modems in order to incorporate other features. Their
technical support group is willing to send you the firmware with odd parity support if
you need that feature. This is only a problem if you want to use the ZDX modems for
programming a port that has been configured for ODD parity, such as the programming
ports on the 105, 205 and 405 PLCs.
NOTE: A modem set for ODD parity will only communicate with other modems set for
ODD parity.

NO PARITY modem setup: Type ATL5 to display active settings of your modem
Remote Modem: AT&F8&W0
AT&F0
AT&F9&W0
AT&D0S0=1
AT#F0$BA1$MB9600$SB9600
AT&E0&E3&E7&E12&E14
ATE0Q1&W0 (NO response from modem)

Local Modem: Use the same settings except use Q0 instead of Q1 and E1 instead of E0.
Note: If you have Multitech firmware version 3.13a you may have to use this line to
make sure modem is set for NO parity ---- AT$EB0#P0 (Sets 10 bit mode NO parity)

In DirectSoft (v2.x an higher) in the modem configuration use:

Initialization: ATX4E1V1S7=120&C1$BA1$MB9600$SB9600^M
Dial Tone: AT&E0DT

ODD PARITY modem setup (for use with most of the ‘programming’ ports):
Type ATL5 to display active settings of your modem
Remote Modem: AT&F8&W0
AT&F0
AT&F9&W0
AT&D0S0=1
AT#F0$BA1$MB9600$SB9600
AT&E0&E3&E7&E12&E14
AT$EB1#P1 (Sets 11 bit mode Odd parity)
ATE0Q1&W0 (NO response from modem)

Local Modem: Use the same settings except use Q0 instead of Q1 and E1 instead of E0.

In DirectSoft (v2.x an higher) in the modem configuration use:

Initialization: ATX4E1V1S7=120&C1$BA1$MB9600$SB9600^M
Dial Tone: AT&E0$EB1#P1DT

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN AutomationDIrect.com TECHNOTES IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT A GUARANTEE OF ANY KIND. These documents are provided by our
technical support department to assist others. We do not guarantee that the data is suitable for your particular application, nor do we assume any responsibility for them
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Supra FaxModem 14.4k V.32

Remote Modem: AT&F0 N0 S37=9 %C0 \N3 &C1 &K0 &Q5 &R1 &Y0 S0=1 &W0

Local Modem: AT&F0 N0 S37=9 %C0 \N3 &C1 &K0 &Q5 &R1 &Y0 &W0

USRobotics Sportster
Type ATI4 to display active settings of your modem
Remote Modem: Use default switch settings except for switch 1 & 5.
AT&F1&B0&N6&D0&H1&R1&I0&K0&M4&W0

Local Modem: Use default switch settings

AT&F1&D0&M0&W0

In DirectSoft (v2.x an higher) in the modem configuration use:

Initialization: ATX4E1V1S7=60&C1^M
Dial Tone: AT&N6&K0&M0DT

NOTE: By setting the &M4 option in the remote modem, it allows the modem to switch
between Error Correction and Non Error Correction mode. When the calling modem
uses the &M0 switch, both modems will use the Non Error Correction mode. This is the
desired connection. If the telephone lines are noisy, error correction may be necessary to
establish any kind of connection. To do this, the &M4 switch should be used on the local
modem and since the remote modem is set to automatically switch between the two
modes, nothing will have to be changed there.

SixNet VT-Modem-1
Type AT&V to display active settings of your modem
Remote Modem: AT&F&W0 Set modem to factory settings
ATS0=1 Sets the modem to auto-answer
AT&V Use this to verify changes
AT&D0 Tells modem to ignore DTR
AT%C0 Disables data compression
AT%E0 Disables internal line Quality Check
AT%K0 Disables flow control
ATS37=9 Set Modem to Modem baud at 9600
ATN0 Forces modem to modem baud setup in S37
AT+H0 Turns OFF Rockwell Chipset
AT\N1 Sets the Operating Mode of the modem to direct
asynchronous communications, no send/receive
buffers and no error checking
AT&W0 Store settings to user profile 0
AT&Y0 (Optional) Loads profile 0 on power up

Sixnet has an application note for the VT-modem used with a 250 CPU.
Go to their web site for info. http://www.sixnetio.com/
Ask for Technical Note #614

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technical support department to assist others. We do not guarantee that the data is suitable for your particular application, nor do we assume any responsibility for them
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CABLE DIAGRAMS
The following PLC's can be used remotely:
Series 405:
DL 450 Port 1 Cable #1
DL 450 Port 2 (RJ-12 port) or Cable #3
Cable #2
DL 440 Port 2 Cable #1
DL 430 Port 2 Cable #1
TI 435 Port 2 Cable #1

Series 305:
DL 350 Port 2 Cable #1
DL 340 Port 1 and Port 2 / DCU Cable #2
DL 330 DCU Cable #2
DL 330P DCU Cable #2
TI 335 programming port / DCU Cable #2
TI 330 DCM Cable #2
TI 320 DCM Cable #2

Series 05 – 105 - 205

DL 250 Port 2 Cable #2 or Cable or #4
DL 240 Port 2 Cable #2 or #3
DL 05-105-230 Port 1 only with MultiTech Cable #2 or Cable #3
modems (support ODD transmit bits)
DL 05 Port 2 Cable #2 or #3

Cable #1: Modem (DB25) to Series 405 Port 1 (DB25) cable

DB25-Male DB25-Male
(To Modem) (To 405)

TXD 2 ----------- 2 TXD

RXD 3 ----------- 3 RXD
GND 7 ----------- 7 GND
RTS 4 --+ +-- 4 RTS
| |
CTS 5 --+ +-- 5 CTS

DSR 6 --+ +-- 6 DSR

| |
DCD 8 --+ +-- 8 DCD
| |
DTR 20 --+ +-- 20 DTR

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technical support department to assist others. We do not guarantee that the data is suitable for your particular application, nor do we assume any responsibility for them
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Cable #2: DB9 to DB25 Null Modem Adapter for connection to programming
cables
This cable is used in conjunction with a programming cable to connect to the modem.
DB9-Male DB25-Male
(To Cable) (To Modem)

RXD 2 ----------- 2 TXD

TXD 3 ----------- 3 RXD
GND 5 ----------- 7 GND

RTS 7 --+ +-- 4 RTS

| |
CTS 8 --+ +-- 5 CTS

DCD 1 --+ +-- 6 DSR

| |
DTR 4 --+ +-- 8 DCD
| |
DSR 6 --+ +-- 20 DTR

Cable #3: DL-240 to DB25 Modem Connector

RJ-12 DB25-Male
240 RJ-12 Port

TXD 4 ----------- 2 TXD 1

RXD 3 ----------- 3 RXD 2
GND 1 ----------- 7 GND 3

4
+-- 4 RTS 5
| 6
+-- 5 CTS

+-- 6 DSR
|
+-- 8 DCD
|
+-- 20 DTR

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Cable #4: DL-250 to DB25 Modem Connector

If you are close to a Radio Shack Store you can purchase the 15pin-SVGA Male connector.
The part number is 276-1501

DB-25 Pin Modem DB-9 Pin Modem

PLC Port 2 MODEM PLC Port 2 MODEM

15pin-SVGA DB25-Male 15pin-SVGA DB9-Male
Male Male

TXD 2 ------ 2 TXD TXD 2 ------ 3 TXD

RXD 3 ------ 3 RXD RXD 3 ------ 2 RXD
GND 7 ------ 7 GND GND 7 ------ 5 GND

RTS 5 -+ +- 4 RTS RTS 5 -+ +- 7 RTS

| | | |
CTS 4 -+ +- 5 CTS CTS 4 -+ +- 8 CTS

+- 6 DSR
| *Used with the VT-modem
+- 8 DCD
|
+- 20 DTR

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN AutomationDIrect.com TECHNOTES IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT A GUARANTEE OF ANY KIND. These documents are provided by our
technical support department to assist others. We do not guarantee that the data is suitable for your particular application, nor do we assume any responsibility for them
in your application.