Message structure, Start character, Device address – Comtech EF Data SNM-1001L User Manual
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SNM-1001L Satellite Modem
Revision 1
Remote Control Operation MN/SNM1001L.IOM
B–2
B.2
Message Structure
The ASCII character format used requires 11 bits/character: 
 
• 1 start bit 
• Information and Parity bits (select one) 
• 7 information bits and 1 parity bit (Odd/Even) or 8 information bits (None) 
• 2 stop bits 
 
 
Messages on the remote link fall into the categories of commands and responses. 
Commands are messages which are transmitted to a satellite modem, while responses are 
messages returned by a satellite modem in response to a command. 
The general message structure is as follows: 
 
• Start Character 
• Device Address 
• Command/Response 
• End of Message Character 
B.2.1
Start Character
A single character precedes all messages transmitted on the remote link. This character flags the 
start of a message. This character is: 
 
“<”
for commands
“>”
for responses
B.2.2
Device Address
The device address is the address of the one satellite modem which is designated to receive a 
transmitted command, or which is responding to a command. Valid device addresses are 1 to 3 
characters long, and in the range of 1 to 255. 
 
Note: Address 0 is reserved as a global address which simultaneously addresses all devices on a 
given communications link. Devices do not acknowledge global commands. 
Each satellite modem which is connected to a common remote communications link must be 
assigned its own unique address. Addresses are software selectable at the modem, and must be in 
the range of 1 to 255.