WaveWare API-8 Alarm Monitoring - Manual (Page 7)

CHAPTER 2
DESCRIPTION
INTRODUCTION
This Chapter describes the characteristics, capabilities, features and specifications of the API-8/232 Pocket
Pager Interface.
DESCRIPTION
The API-8/232 is an eight input automated paging interface which interfaces with alarm and monitoring
equipment . The API-8/232 provides notification of alarm conditions to pagers from its’ 8 dry contact or
wetted voltage inputs. The interface links a facilities key equipment to a local, Customer Owned
Paging system via direct RS 232 connection or will connect to either a remotely located Customer
Owned Paging system or to a Wide Area paging terminal. When an alarm is triggered the unit sends a
full 80 character, pre-programmed alphanumeric message to a pager or group of pagers. Messages and
pager ID’s are programmed through the Windows 95/NTprogramming software.
API-8/232 is also equipped with an RS232 interface port to monitor an ASCII data string generated by a
host system (Fire Panel, Card Access System, Building Management Control System etc..). The
interface may be connected to a serial printer port and events that are directed to the port will be paged
to a user definable alphanumeric pager or group of pagers.
API-8/232 can be configured to send all data that appears on the host system serial port. Alternately, the
user can define, via the use of keywords or phrases that appear in the event strings, the type of events
that are to be paged and those to be ignored and discarded. Programming for the RS232 functions is
performed via the Windows 95/NT programming software.
Both the 8 opto-isolated inputs and the RS232 input port operate concurrently on the API-8/232
providing a high degree of flexibility in the choice of input sources and the ability of the product to
interface with most host systems.
Paging System Compatibility
The Pocket Pager Interface communicates with Paging Terminals via modem to modem Phone Line
Connection or via direct RS-232 connection .
Note: Where a Privately Owned Paging System provides telephone access for alphanumeric paging
(from a location remote to the terminal, encoder, transmitter, etc..) API-8/232 can be utilized to dial in
and deliver messages to the terminal via telephone lines and the TAP protocol. This eliminates the
need to place the API-8/232 within 50 feet of the paging terminal for a direct connection.
Direct Connect Paging System Requirements:
1. The paging terminal and transmitters must be capable of receiving, encoding and transmitting
binary data (end user would typically have numeric and/or alphanumeric pagers).
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