Configuring a Sunny Boy Control With an External Modem. Technical Note

Transcription

1 With an External Modem Technical Note Revision 1.3 August 27, 2002 Kent Sheldon Revision History 1.0 July 1, 2002 Kent Sheldon Original Release 1.1 July 10, 2002 Kent Sheldon Add USR Modem 1.2 August 16, 2002 Kent Sheldon Add modem cable requirements 1.3 August 27, 2002 Kent Sheldon Add reset modem/sbc after configuration SMA America Red Dog Road Grass Valley, CA

2 Table of Contents Table of Contents... 2 Introduction...3 Modem Recommendations... 3 Modem Cable Requirements...3 Using the Sunny Data Control Program...3 Changing Security Level to Installer... 3 Configure the PC Modem Communication Port...4 Configuring Automated Data Gathering... 5 Sunny Boy Control Modem Configuration... 6 Modem Initialization Strings...7 ELSA56K MicroLink Internet COM US Robotics 56K Faxmodem, External (model #5686)... 8 Dialing the Modem...9

3 Introduction The SMA Sunny Boy Control (SBC) remote interface devices are equipped with the ability for remote communication via an external modem. This interface requires special configuration of the SBC device, as well as the Sunny Data Control (SDC) program. This document assumes the user is familiar with operating both the SBC devices and the SDC program. For more information, please review the operator manuals for these products. The most up-to-date versions are available for download at Modem Recommendations SMA recommends using industrial modems, as they have higher tolerance components, resulting in less unit-to-unit variation. Consumer grade modems vary in performance and reliability. In general, most modems will work when dialing into an SBC device. However, the fax ability of modems varies greatly between individual modems, models and brands. Some European SMA literature describes a function of the SBC to automatically send fax reports of PV plant performance. Due to the countless variations of modem fax protocols, SMA America does not support the fax-out function of the SBC devices. We recommend using V2.0 or greater compatible modems. We recommend putting the modem and the SBC device on the same AC power circuit. The SBC device configures the modem whenever power is restored, therefore, they should both be powered-up at the same time. This document assumes the user is familiar with operating both the SBC devices and the SDC program. For more information, please review the operator manuals for these products. The most up-to-date versions are available for download at Modem Cable Requirements The SBC PC COM2 port is configured as an RS232 null-modem port by default. Therefore the cable between the modem and the SBC should be a straight-through parallel cable. The cable connector for the SBC PC COM2 port needs to be a female DB9 connector. The modem connector shall be determined by the requirements of the modem used. Using the Sunny Data Control Program Run the Sunny Data Control program and establish communication between the PC and the SBC device. Many of the configuration changes require changing the security level to installer. This only needs to be done once per SDC session. Changing Security Level to Installer From the <Extras> pull-down menu, select <Security Level>.

4 Enter the password: It is the numerical sum of the month, day and year. For example March 30, 2002 is = 35. Enter ID0035 and select OK. The ID must be in capital letters. If the code does not work, verify the PC date setting is correct. Configure the PC Modem Communication Port Click the Settings icon. Select Communication in the left hand column of the Settings window. In the right-hand section is a pull-down menu for selecting the PC modem port. The selections in this pull-down menu are from the Windows Dial-Up and Network Connections options. For this example, the PC uses Win LT Modem for the external dial out modem. In the Phone Number box enter the phone number of the line connected to the SBC device. Be sure to enter any special dial out codes or pauses (commas) as needed for the local phone system. Special dialing sequences and area/country codes may also be entered in the Dialing Code box instead of the Phone Number box. Select OK.

5 Configuring Automated Data Gathering From the Settings window, Data Request, a time for automatic data collection may be selected and enabled. This function will not automatically dial the modem. This must be done manually, or by a program other than Sunny Data Control. From this window, you may also set the data download to only append new information to the existing data files. This will minimize time when downloading data via phone lines.

6 Sunny Boy Control Modem Configuration The PC Com2 port on the SDC must be configured for the external modem. This is the only port on the SBC devices that will interface with a modem. This is done from the Parameters screen within the SDC program. The security password should still be enabled from above. Click on the Parameter icon. The security password is enabled if the following message appears: Select OK to proceed. The device parameter screen will appear with the current device settings: Scroll to the lower half of the parameter list:

7 The parameters starting with MO_ are related to the modem. Select <MO_Type>. There will be a pull-down menu in the right-hand column. In this example the Hayes modem was selected. Then click on <Set> to store the change. The modem initialization strings will update according the modem selection. Select MO_Interface. From the pull-down menu select Com2:PC, and click <Set>. After all parameter changes are complete, they must be stored permanently in the SBC. To do this, select <SY_Memory Function>. From the pull-down menu select <Save Parameter>, and click <Set>. If this is not done, all of the changes made will reset when power is cycled to the SBC device. The SBC device is now configured to communicate with a modem on the PC Com2 port. Cycle the power to both the SBC device and the modem to verify the modem is configured with by the initialization string settings stored in the SBC. Modem Initialization Strings Modem initialization strings are automatically set in SBC V3.11 firmware or greater for a variety of modem brands. Earlier firmware versions, or modem types not present in the SBC firmware may require manual entry of init strings. Manual entry may be done at the 4-key interface on the SBC

8 device, or via the Sunny Data Control software. We recommend using the SDC program for user defined configurations of the initialization strings (see above section). Below are examples of modem initialization strings known to work with the SBC products. ELSA56K MicroLink Internet String 1: AT&FE0V1X0Q0L2M1 &F: Factory settings E0: Echo to off V1: Verbose on X0: Reset option set to connect or no connect only Q0: Reset codes on L2: Speaker loudness at level 2, medium (L0 to L3) M1: Speaker on until connection established (0 = off, 1=on) String 2: ATS0=1 Configures modem to automatically answer after one ring (increase # for more rings, e.g. ATS0=4 for answer on fourth ring) String 3: AT&D0&W D0: DTR recognition off W: Permanent storage of parameters to modem NVRAM The initialization strings above are the SBC default for the ELSA modem type setting. Once the parameters have been changed, cycle power to the SBC device to send the initialization strings to the modem. 3COM US Robotics 56K Faxmodem, External (model #5686) String 1: AT&FE0V1X0Q0L1M1 &F: Factory settings E0: Echo to off V1: Verbose codes on X0: Reset option set to connect or no connect only Q0: Displays result codes (result codes on) L1: Speaker loudness at level 1, low (L0 to L3) M1: Speaker on until connection established (0 = off, 1=on) String 2: ATS0=1 Configures modem to automatically answer after one ring (increase # for more rings, e.g. ATS0=4 for answer on fourth ring) String 3: AT&D0&B1&W0 &D0: DTR recognition off &B1: Fixed serial port rate &W0: Permanent storage of parameters to modem NVRAM Once these changes have been made in the SBC, the MO_Type will change to <user defined>. Be sure to <save parameters> as described in the previous section. This will permanently store these initialization strings in the SBC device. Once the parameters have been changed, cycle power to the SBC device to send the initialization strings to the modem. DIP Switch Settings: 8 switch DIP found on back of modem (factory default settings) 1: Up Data Terminal Ready 2: Up Verbal result codes

9 3: Down Suppress result codes 4: Up Echo offline commands 5: Down Suppress auto answer (UP for always auto-answer) 6: Up Carrier detect normal 7: Up Load NVRAM defaults 8: Down Smart mode Cable: This USR modem requires an RS232, DB9-Female to DB25-Male cable. Do not use a null-modem cable or adapter between the SBC and the USR modem. Dialing the Modem Select Call, Connect from the SDC pull-down menus. If Connect is not available, check the communication port and verify the modem is set properly as the communication method (see above). The following window will appear: Click Dial and the PC modem will attempt to dial the SBC. Once the remote modem answers the SDC program will begin polling the SBC device. Verify this from the Online screen. There are two arrows in the lower right-hand corner of the SDC program. These will flash red and green when communication is occurring.