
17 of 24
9
R
EMOTE
C
OMMUNICATION
tarting with Firmware version 2.01, the WaterFeature8 operating
system has two distinct modes: 1) Local State, and 2) Remote State.
While in Local tate the WF8 system will operate automatically, polling
EZO circuits, outputting serial data streams, and updating the 4-20 mA
outputs indefinitely. Local calibration, temperature compensation,
and settings menus remain accessible using the 4-button interface.
While in Remote tate, the WF8 system temporarily suspends Local
tate and provides a fast and responsive R -232 communications
priority directly to the WaterFeature8 microprocessor and the
populated EZOs. While in Remote tate the 4-20 mA board outputs
on erial+Analog models) will remain locked at the last observed
values from Local tate operation until they are updated with the
Read All command (discussed below). Remote tate is a temporary
condition; it exists on a countdown timer (described below) to ensure
that if the remote connection fails the system will eventually return to
Local tate.
9.1 Connecting Remotely
The WaterFeature8 remote communications protocol allows a remote
user to communicate with the system, as well as connect directly with
the populated EZO circuits, over the R -2323 serial connection. For
ystem Builder Kit WF8 systems this connector is the 3-pin
programming header. For ensor Interface ystem WF8 devices this
connector is the female DB-9 connector located on the enclosure.
The remote system accessing the WaterFeature8 will need to be able to
send ASCII encoded character commands in string format. The
remote access header provides an R -232 connection at these
settings:
• 115,200 baud
• 8 data bits
• 1 stop bit
• No parity
• No flow control
When accessing the system via terminal emulator the recommended
terminal setup settings are:
• New Line:
o Receive: Carriage Return + Line Feed
o Transmit: Carriage Return
• Local Echo: Enabled
However, for experienced users we recommend working with a
terminal emulator configured to your comfort level.
9.2 tartup Performance
The default startup mode of the WaterFeature8 is Local tate. Once
bootup is complete the remote communications commands will be
enabled. These remote functions are locked out until bootup is
complete to ensure that any local hardware changes made by a user
while the power is off are scanned and initiated before Remote tate
can resume control of the system.
Booting to Local tate allows for local troubleshooting in the event
that a user is physically interfacing with the panel and intends to
operate the system locally, but the firmware is otherwise captured in
a remote state loop. This could possibly happen if the remote
program is still operating, or if a communications error is hijacking
the system.
Power-cycling the WF8 will restore local control on bootup. However,
if remote commands are being received from a remote client, Remote
tate may become active as soon as boot procedures are complete.
To prevent unwanted interruptions while operating the system
manually in Local tate, turn off the remote data stream or
temporarily unplug the remote access header, which can be done
while the power is ON without harming the system.
9.3 Remote tate Initialization
The command to initialize Remote tate is rem #### (space
separating the command and the numbers), where the #-sign
indicates the duration, in seconds, of the Remote tate countdown
timer. The WF8 will remain in Remote tate for # seconds, and when
the timer expires it will revert to Local tate.
Whenever any command is received over the serial connection after
initiating Remote tate, the Remote tate timer will reset to the last
value of ####. For example, if a rem 30 command is received, the
system will enter remote state for 30 seconds. If a rem 20 command
is received before the 30 second countdown expires, the existing
countdown timer will be dropped and a new 20 second countdown
timer will commence.
If any other command is received or sent over the serial connection
while in Remote tate, the timer will reset to the duration of the last
used rem #### command. This will allow an external user to ensure
that Remote tate is maintained indefinitely without having to send
the rem #### command, but it also allows the system to revert to
local mode automatically if the remote link times out.
The maximum amount of time that Remote tate can be requested is
9,999 seconds (approximately 166 minutes or 2.77 hours). rem ####
commands above 9,999 will default to a value of 9,999 seconds.
When a rem #### command is received from a remote device, the
WaterFeature8 will perform one of the following actions:
• If it is currently on the Home screen and in the process of
polling channels it will finish polling to the last populated
socket, then suspend polling operations until the Remote
tate timer expires.
• If it is currently in a submenu such as Calibration or
Temperature Compensation it will immediately enter
Remote tate.
9.4 Remote tate Local User Interface
While in Remote tate the WaterFeature8 will display the following
screen:
If a local user presses [ W4] while in Remote tate, the WaterFeature8
will revert to Local tate. [ W1], [ W2], [ W3] are disabled while in
Remote tate.
When the system switches from Remote tate to Local tate it will
default to the Main Menu/Home screen and will begin automatically
polling regardless of what sub-menu may have been active when
Remote tate was requested. If a local user manually switches to
Local tate but does not disconnect the remote serial
communications wire, the remote program may end up re-
establishing Remote tate with the rem #### command. witching
REMOTE STATE ENABLED
#### SECONDS REMAINING
Interrupt and Switch to Local State