CA1243730A - Wireless computer modem - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure A wireless modem includes a radio transceiver and microprocessor-based controlling circuitry. Two or more modems can be individually ported to host computer devices to link them within a computer local area network.
Computer data is broadcast in discreet packets which individually contain address information and error detection information that can be processed by the receiving modem. Each modem is programmed to normally operate in a standby receiving condition. Broadcast signals are processed and decoded by the addressed modem prior to being converted to a machine readable format for transfer to a host computer device. The receipt of one packet of data must be verified by the receiving modem before a transmitting modem can broadcast a subsequent packet. Test systems are also provided for monitoring the operational status of a local area network without requiring operational use of host computer devices ported to the modems within the network.

Description

-~ ~`` 12~730 lA~6140 This disclosure relates to wireless modems for communication between computers, terminals, and other peripheral computer equipment, such as printers, memory units, etc. It provides a networking communication link between such computer equipment regardless of the individual communicating 5 speeds of the network components.
Most communication links between computer devices are provided by direct cable connections or by modems that transmit data over telephone lines. Direct cable connections are relatively expensive to install.
Communication between equipment connected by cables requires that each 10 piece of equipment operate with a common communication protocol. V~hen computer equipment is connected through telephone modems, each component must not only operate with a common protocol, but the user must either maintain or pay for the use of the connecting telephone lines.
The present invention arose from an effort to connect computer 15 equipment in a network without cables or phone lines. It utilizes available low cost radio transmitters and receivers to send data between computer equipment. It not only permits part or all of the computer equipment to be portable, but also allows communication between individual machines that operate at different communication speeds. It can be used to connect a

2 0 variety of computer devices in a network that might be located in a single building, or within a larger geographic area. It facilitates physical rearrangement and substitution of equipment. It can extend the availability of computer equipment, such as microcomputers, printers, and storage data bases, by permitting nccess to them through one or more low cost 2 5 terminals .
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. l is a front perspective view of a modem, Fig. 2 is a rear elevation view;

~. ~

37 lA8614Q

F~g. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a transceiver, Fig. 4 is a more detailed block diagl~am of the transceiver;
Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the controller circuitry;
Fig. 6 is a firmware flow diagram of the transmitting sequence; and Fig. 7 is a firmware flow diagram of the receiving sequence.
INTRODUCTION
The features of the present invention are illustrated in detail by a preferred embodiment that is in the form of a VHF FM radio modem which allows communication between computers and peripherals via radio frequency waves. With the increased expansion of computer use in industry, for tasks ranging from office management to industrial controls, has come a need for computers and computer systems to communicate with e~ach other.
Applications of local area networking have been in existence for nearly a decade; but costs and complexities have limited availability to a minority of users.
The modem described below is a low cost unit -thnt plugs into any standard RS-232C communications port commonly available on computer equipment for digital data networking. It eliminates the cost of cabling and phone lines used for intraoffice and building communications. The unit also provides communications mobility for portable usage within an office or plant environment .
The present modem allows full duplex communication using the RS-232C
serial data communication standard as defined by the Electronic Industries ~ssociation (EIA) for asynchronous/synchronous communication between computers and computer peripherals, from 110 to 9,600 baud in standard increments. The modem is a microprocessor-controlled device that allows full networking of up to 254 users on a single carrier frequency. The receiver/transmit-ter used is a narrow band VHF FM unit which uses digital ~ 73~3 lA86140 frequency synthesis techniques for channel s~lection. The encoding of the transmitted data is via lligh Level Data 1ink ~HDLC) format using packet data transmission techniques to ensure error free data transmission.
~ommercial security of transmitted data can be ensured by a user definable 5 8 bit code and the internal HDLC format.
As shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, each modem contains a central processing unit 22 in the form of a microprocessor. The central processing unit (CPU) 22 operates the various elements that together comprise a modem. The CPU 22 in turn is controlled by interconnected hardware 10 elements, such as a serial input/output device or communications controller 28, and by software instructions stored within memory devices, such as an EPROM 26. The interrelation between the hardware and software components in this embodiment will be evident from the detailed descriptions which Iollow.
The transceiver of each modem ( Figs . 3-~ ) is capable of operating in elther a receiving mode or in a transmitting mode. ~hen operational, each modem will always be functioning in a stand-by receiving mode unless it is broadcasting radio signals. To initiate transmission of data between two devices connected to individual modems, the user must first esta'olish a 2 0 communication link between the two devices . This is accomplished by directing command signals to the intended transm;tting modem from its host equipment. After a transmission link has been established to the receiving modem, the microproc0ssor of the transmitting modem automatically controls transmission of data as directed by conventional communications software in 2 5 its host equipment . The details of such communications software are well known, and a description of them is not believed to be necessary in order to understand the operation of the modem which is the subject of this 7~ lA86140 disclosure. A current example of such software is Softalk, available from Microsoft Corporation.
The externally controllable featul~es of a modem are shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which is shown as being housed within an enclosure 10 having a 5 front panel 11 and a rear panel 12.
The front panel 11 includes a manual three-position power switch 13 movable between "on", "off", and "reset" positions. Four light emitting diodes (LED) or indicators 14 are arranged across the front panel 11 to visually indicate the operating condition of each modem. The indicators are 10 labeled "PWl~" ~or indicating that power is on, "RX" for indicating that the receiver has detected transmission of a signal from another modem, "TXt' for indicating that the transmitter of the modem is broadcasting a signal, and "T/E" for indicating that operation of the Test/Enable system built into the modem has been initiated.
The rear panel 12 has three sets of eight bit dip switches which respectively serve as transmitter frequency select switches 15, receiver frequency select switches 16, and RS232 C setup switches 18 . It also is provided with a conventional RS232C connector 17, a direct current power connector 20 and an antenna connector 21. The antenna connector 21 can 2 0 mount an antenna 37 directly at the back of the enclosure 10, as shown in Fig. 1, or it can be connected to a remote antenna.
The use of the present modems allows communications between any host computer device having a standard RS-232C interface with an effective operating radius dependent upon the antenna selected and the operating 25 environment within which the modems are used. Each modem's digitally synthesized transceiver gives the user a choice of operating frequencies and the capability of networking numerous users on a single broadcast frequency channel. This is accomplished by giving each modern a unique ~2~ ~3~3 lA86140 address, utilizing a "listen before transmit" scheme, emplQying packet radio, and using a packet communication protocol.
The software and hardware of each modem can assure complete data reliability by applying known error checking procedures to all received 5 data. If the data is altered during transmit the receiving unit tells the sender to retransmit. This applies only to the packet in error, not the whole data file. Each modem provides total flow control by automatically buffering the data when high speed data devices (i.eO, 19,200 baud) are communicating with low speed devices (i.e., 3~0 baud). It provides 10 transmitted data security by the use of the HDLC format, which is Manchester coded J and by a user unit address . It also provides a "test /enable" routine which is used to check the validity of the RF link without the aid of an external computer or terminal.
The general structure of the transceiver is shown in Fig. 3. It 15 includes a transmitter (TX) 35 nnd a receiver (RX) 36 connected to a common antenna 37 by a solid state switching circuit 38. These three units are each controlled by CPU 22. In addition, receiver 36 includes circuitry for monitoring the status of the channel on which the wireless modem network is operating. Since the receiver 36 is operational at all times other 20 than when its paired transmitter 35 is transmitting RF signals, it continuously monitors transmissions by all other transmitting modems on the selected network channel. If transmitter 35 or any other RF transmitter is transmitting RF signals on the selected network channel, the status line 40 will be "high". This signal is then processed by CPU 22 to delay 2 5 transmission of signals by transmitter 35 .
Details of the transceiver circuit are more fully illustrated in Fig. 4.
The general steps involved in transmitting data are outlined in the firmware flow sheet shown in Fig. 6. When the CPU 22 receives a signal 73~) lA86140 from the host equipment to transmit data, it first processes the incoming data to compress the serial bits by stripping away those bits that do not pertain directly to the information that is to be transmitted and converts the data to a High Level Data Line Control (HDI.C) format. The 5 compressed data from the serial input/output circuit is then passed through a Manchester coder/decoder, shown at 30 in Fig. 5, which converts the data to a clocked string of signals for synchronous reception by the addressed modem. The coded signals are then directed to the radio transmitter 35 and are broadcast.
The general steps involved in receiving data are outlined in the firmware flow chart shown in Fqg. 7. Each operative modem is always maintained in a receiving mode unless it is transmitting data. The broadcast signals will therefore be picked up by every modem in the geographic area through which the signals are broadcast. The software 15 instructions for each CPU 22 are preprogrammed to identify its designated address. As each frame of data is received at a modem, the softwnre controls will cause -the CPU in the receiving modem to compare the receiver address in the frame of data to the pre-established address for the particular modem. If the two are not identical, the modem will discard the 2 0 received information and await receipt of a subsequent data transmission on the carrier frequency being used.
If a received string of data includes an address matching that of the receiving modem, the CPU in the receiving modem will initially check the accuracy of transmission by use of an algorithm. If the resulting signal 2 5 matches the encoded signal within the transmitted frame, the frame of information is then transferred to the host equipment wired to the receiving modem. Receipt of the signal is verified by a "handshake", at which time r 3(~ lA86 14 0 the receiving modem transmits an ACKNOWLEDGMENT signal back to the transmitting modem.
The transmitting modems are preset to repeat transmission OI each frame of data unless an ACKNOWLEDGMENT signal is received within a predetermined time after transmission of the data. After receiving the ~CKNOWLED~MENT signal, the transmitting modem receives additional data from its host computer device and repeats the transmission process until all of the data being sent through the modem has been transmitted and acknowledged .
Because of the vagaries of radio transmission, particularly within building and vehicle structures, it has been found advisable to provide the modems with circuitry for readily testing the reception and transmission of signals at specific locations without connecting the modems to any computer equipment. This is physically accomplished by utilizing the unneeded Bit 8 switch on the RS-232 setup switches 18 as an "On/Off" switch for initiating a test/enable rou-tine provided in the software for each modem. The test/enable routine of a receiving modem emulates host equipment. Its operation is initially indicated by f~ashing an indicator 14 on the front face of the modem panel, which is labeled "test/enable".
A second modem can be utilized in the "test/enable" condition at a second location to send a test packet of data to the receiving modem under internal software control. This is accomplished through its CPU under software emulates computer equipment from which data would be transmitted. A test packet of data is automatically transmitted from the 2 5 transmitting modem to the receiving modem and processed in precisely the same way as a packet of data being communicated between actual computer devices. After the received signal has been fully processed by the receiving modem, the resulting ACKNOWLEDGMENT signal extinguishes the ; 3~ 861~0 indieator on the transmit-ting modem to eonfirm sueeessful transmission of information. By this method, one can sur~ey the practicality of radio transmission between the modems in a particular building, room, or other physieal locale, ineluding the feasibility of usimg portable equipment, sueh 5 as in vehieles.
It is also possible to make a complete survey of practical modem placement loeations in a building or area by continuous transmission of a earrier signal from a portable modem to a desired receiving location. One can then detect the reception of this carrier frequency on one or more 10 stationary or portable receiving modems by observing operation of the RECEIVING LED provided in the indicators 14 on the front panel 11 of -the modems. The so~tware controlling the microproeessor for the transmitting modem is programmed to transmit the earrier signal upon actuation of power switeh 13 to the reset condition.

lA861~0 THEORY OF OP~BATION
Packet Radio .
The modem employs packet switching techniques. These methods were pioneered on the wired networks often referred to as X.25 protocol used by 5 Common Carriers for both domestic and international data communications.
Use of these techniques results in improved data integrity and dramatic gains in spectrum efficiency.
All packet switched systems~ whether land, line, or raclio based, share a common principle of operation. Data is assembled into blocks before 10 transmission. Each block is a form of an "electronic envelope" which in addition to the data, carries addressing and validation information. This "envelope" is referred to as a packet.
The maximum packet size handled by the modem can be defined by the user. This packet size is determined by average message size, nominal bit 15 error rate (BER) and throughput considerations. If the data input to the modem is greater thlm the maximum size of a single packet, then multiple trnnsmissions arc sent.
This process of assembling data into packets at the transmitting unit and stripping away the envelope at the receiving unit is transparent to the 2 0 user.
Error Checking When each data packet has been completed, it is broadcast by the radio transmitter within the sending modem. The packet will be received by all modems in the network within range and operating on the same 2 5 channel . It will be ignored by all modems except the one that was specifically addressed. On receipt, the addressed station will immediately check validation bits which are appended to the data. If the packet is correct, a positive ACKNOWLEDGE signal is sent to the originating unit, ~2~ '3~3 lA86140 confirming its receipt. If the data was in error no ACKNOWI,EDGE signal will be transmitted, causing the sending modem to retransmit the data. The number of data retries is defined by the user.
The validation process is essential to the operation of a packet system.
There are a variety of methods used ~or such purposes, ranging from simple parity sums to sophisticated Cyclic E~edundancy Checks (CRC).
Parity checking is easy to implement, but suffers from an inability to detect two bit inversions. The CRC routine is much more complicated, but offers corresponding improvements in performance. The present system preferably uses the CRC method.
Spectrum Utilization The modem utilizes a "listen before transmit" scheme or ~arrier Sensed ~ultiple Access (CSMA). This means that only one unit can transmit at a time on a selected channel. In order to understand spectrum utilization something must be known about the average data traflïc generated by a modem or work station on a per unit time bnsis.
If for example one assumes that the modems send data at the rate ot one 250 character message every 4 minutes on the average (where a character is defined as any combination of 8 bits) one can compute the 2 0 average data rate per second for any population of users . The data flow per channel is 8.33 bits per second. If the channel rate is assumed to be 2400 bits per second, then in theory the modem system could support as many as 288 users at a time, providing that perfect scheduling of the channel was possible.
2 5 Without getting into detailed mathematics, it can be shown that a modem network using the above parameters can service 100 users on a single channel with delays on the order of 2 . 5 seconds . By way of comparison, a polling system using a 48 bit polling message would take an , ,73~ lA861~10 average of 2 seconds before polling any one station with a maximum of 4 seconds delay possible under the same conclitions.
Packet Protocols The modems use CSMA and do not require a polling station or a token.
5 If a modem has traffic to offer to the channel it will "sense" the channel and if it is free, transmit its data and await an Acknowl~dgement. If the channel is in use, it will wait until it is clear to transmit its packet.
It is possible using the CSMA method that conflicts may arise and packets of broadcast data will overlap on the channel. When this occurs 10 some method is needed to prevent two or more modems from continually retransmitting their packets and overlapping again. The present system solves this problem by invoking a second random delay. When a packet fails to generate a corresponding ACKNOWLEDGE signal, the originating modem will wait a random length of time before sensing the channel prior to 15 a retry.
Buffering and Flow Control There will be times when a unit will not be able to transm;t its data as it arrives at its input port due to the fact that the channel is busy. If this condition occurs the packets are stored in the unit's internal memory 2 0 until they can be transmitted . This buffering is essential when host computer devices connected to the network operate at speeds which are different from the communication speed of the network itself. At the present time a preferred embodiment of the system has modems which each have the capacity to buffer 512 bytes of data from the RS~232 input and 25 256 bytes from the receiver input.
As soon as buffering takes place or is even required, the possibility of bufer over~low and the resultant loss of data must be considered. Since buffering can take place at any point on the network, flow control at all ,~L~ 73~ 1~861~0 levels must be supported to avoid losing data should a memory buffer overflow. The modems employ complete hardware and sof~ware handshaking between the physical device they are connected to and between each other on the RF link.
5 TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIO~
The preferred embodirnent of the wireless rnodem as generally shown in Figs. 4 and 5 was designed using the latest generation ~IC CMOS logic family which has the input and power supply characteristics of standard CMOS logic with the high speed and large output drive of the 54LS/74LS
logic family.
The central processing unit (CPU)22 selected in the preferred embodiment is the CMOS version of the Z80 family produced by Zilog, Inc.
The Z8300 chip combines the high performance of the Z80 CPU with the extremely low power consumption and identical pinout and instruction set of the Z80. The result is increased reliability and lower system power requirements. The decision to use the above lo~ic families was made to decrcase internal heat generation, increase system noise immunity, ancl to allow the modem to operate on battery power.
The user definable baud rate (110 to 9600) is set e~ternally by four dip switches in the RS 232C setup s~vitches 18. The CPU 22 reads the I/O
port 23 connected to switches 18 and programs a programmable timer 24 to operate at the baud rate selected. The memory decode logic circuitry 25 has been configured to address internal memory chips which are partitioned into EPROM/ROM and R~M devices shown at 26 and 27. The EPROM/ROM
2 5 devices 26 are used to store the system software .
The actual data communications interface is handled by a dual-channel serial communications controller 28. Each channel can independently accommodate asynchronous protocols. One channel is used for the RS-232

3~3 lA861~ 0 communications . The second channel is used for generation of X . 25 HDLC
packets for broadcasting over the RF link. The controller 28 basically functions as a serial-to-parallel, parallel-to-serial converter that can be programmed by the CPU 22, The binary data is transmitted in packets where the ind;vidual characters or bytes are run together with no space at all between the bits.
This eliminates the need for both the start and stop bits, as well as dead time between characters, and results in very efficient information transfer.
The format of this system guarantees a transition at least once in every five bit periods in order to keep the receiving modem operating in synchronism with the incoming data. Analog start and stop bits are only sent at the beginning and end of the packet, with the transmitter being keyed only while the information is actually sent. Extra information is inserted into each packet that enables the receiving modem to cletermine automatically if the packet was received without error.
The sending modem can keep retransmitting its information until it is flssured that the data is error eree. ~dditionally, to ensure synchronization of the received data, with the transmittecl data, the transmitted data is Manchester coded by a coder/decoder circuit 30. This 2 0 feature allows clock information to be inserted midway in time for each one or zero serial bit of information transmitted. The receiver extracts this clock signal from the incoming data stream and uses this clock information, which is now in synchronization with the data stream, to input the HDLC
Packet into the Communications Controller 28.
The basic element in a packet of data is a frame, a string of bits with a speciffc format. The format for the frames is known as HDLC, or High Level Data Link Control. Each HDLC frame consists of six ffelds as shown below .

3~ lA86140 Flag 1 Address Cont_~ Data FCS Flag 2 ~ll)L~; ~ rame In order of transmission, Flag 1 is sent -first. It is one ~yte ~B bits) long, consisting of a bit pattern that is unique to Flag 1 and Flag 2, and will 5 appear nowhere else in the frame. Bit stuffing is used to ensure that this does not occur. 3?lag 1 field is sent prior to the transmission of the HDLC
frame to capture the network.
The Address field is two bytes (16 bits) long; the first eight bits being the destination address for the data being sent and second eight bits 10 being the source or originating address. The Control field is two bytes (16 bits) in length and contains system management information. The Data field consists of zero to 250 bytes (0 to 2000 bits) of in~ormation.
The frame check sequence (FCS), is a two byte (16 bits~ field used to error check the complete HDLC frame. The FCS is separately computed by 15 the receiving modem and i f both numbers agree then the frame was correctly received.
The Flag 2 field is a one byte (3 bits) word consisting of a bit pattern identical to that of Flag 1. It indicates to the receiving modem that the previous two bytes received were the FCS field. The Flag 2 field completes 2 0 each frame sequence within a packet of data.
This HDLC frame is used to frequency modulate the radio frequency transmitter 35 (Fig. 3). The transmitter 31 is a digital synthesized unit that utilizes a user selectable broadcast frequency in selected discrete frequency channels. The receiver 36 is a dual conversion superheterodyne 25 unit which uses a digital synthesized front end to allow the user to select one of the available discrete channels.

3~ lA8~ 140 SOFTWARE DESC~IPTION
The current firmware configuration in each modem is made up of 28 separate modules linked together to form the complete so~tware pacl~age for the wireless modem. Each module was created to perform a unique 5 function, which usually corresponds to some unique hardware function of the modem.
Upon actuation of power switch 13 to power-up the modem (or actuation of the reset switch ~ithin the RS-232C setup switches), an initialization process takes place to clear certain hardware devices and 10 initialize others to their normal operating configurations. After initialization has been completed, most of the software activity is accomplished by vector interrupts which are generated by the hardware. These vectors activate the appropriate firmware service routines which in turn accomplish the necessary command action.
Since the purpose of the modem is to provide a wireless network in which ~SCII informntion can be transferred from one modem to another, buffering of both incoming and outgoing data is essential in order to assure orderly transmission and reception of data among users of the system. To handle both incoming and outgoing data the modem uses six internal data 20 buffers located within the RAM memory 27. These data buffers are used as follows:
1 One data buffer is used to temporarily hold the incoming RS-232 data. It is named "RSRXBK".
2. One data buffer is used to store the data from the incoming 2 5 RS-232 data buffer upon record terrnination while in Command Mode . This is done to allow the modem's command parser to parse for a command while still being able to process new incoming RS-232 data. This buffer is named "BV3~KB" .

1 3~ lA86140 3. One data buffer is used to store the data from the incoming RS-232 data buffer upon record termination while not in Command Mode.
This is done to provide so~e data buffering before the data is moved to the radio output data buffer. This buffer is named "MESGBK".

4. One data buffer is used to store the outgoing RS-232 data. This buffer is named ''RSTXBK'I.

5. One data buffer is used to store the outgoing Radio Data. This buffer is named "HDTXBK".

6. The last data buffer is used to receive the incoming radio data.
10 This buffer is named "HDRXBK".
As mentioned above, the software for the wireless modem is made up of twenty-eight modules. Basically these modules fall into four major types:
Main, Subrouting, Interrupt Service Routines, and Data Definition. The following lists the modules under these four categories:
A. Type "Main"

1. Module "WIRMOD"
2. Module "MAINLP"
B. Type "Subroutines"

1. Module "SETBD"
2. Module "RSECHO"
3. Module "ECHAWT"
20 4. Module "CNBIAS"
5. Module "PROMPT"
6. Module "CRPKT"

7 . Module " CMDPAR"

8. Module "CMDEC"

9 . Module "LSTCMD"

10. Module "E2SAVE"

11. Module "E2REST"

12. Module "SAVDFT"

13. Module "RESDFT"
C. Type "Interrupt Service Routines"

1. Module "RSRXSR"
2. Module "RSSPSR"
3. Module "RSTXSR"
4. Module "RSEXSR"

73~ lA86l40 5. Module "TIMER"
6. Module "HDTXSRI' 7. Module "HDRXSR"
8. Module ''HDSPSR' 9. Module "E2MSRV"
10. Module "DUMSVR"
D. Type "Data Definition"
1. Module "CMDTBL"
2. Module "COPYRI"
3. ~odule "RAMDEF"

Listed below are the names and general descriptions of the principal software subroutines included within the firmware for the modem:
10 WIRMOD ~WIRELESS MODEM) The purpose of this subroutine is to initialize the hardware after the following:
1. Modem power-up 2. Hardware reset (front panel switch) 15 3. Software reset (initiated from the Command Mode~
I.isted below is an outline of the WIRMOD subroutine:
1. Zero and size memory.
2. Initializes RAM perimeters variables.
3. Reads the conflguration of the address, baud rate, ancl diagnostic 2 o switches .
~. Configures the two CTC integrated circuits for their respective system clock rates (two are used for the HDLC receive and transmit baun rates and one for the system timer.
5 . Configures the two SIO channels, one for E~ DLC packet communication 25 and the second for the user defined RS-232C communication port.
6. Prints user boot-up message and the current size of RAM memory.
7. Prints the appropriate prompt and transfer control to the routine named MAINLP.

73~ lA~61~10 HDTXSR (HDLC TRANSMIT SERVICE ROUTINE
This interrupt service routine is activated upon the SIO HDLC TX buffer becoming emp~y. It is ini~iated by the MAINLP upon detecting a message full flag or a Send Acknowledge Flag. Upon receipt of either of the above 5 flags the MAINLP transfers the appropriate packet into HDLC transmit buffer and sets the HDLC buffer full flag. This flags the Timer routine which initiates a HDLC transmit sequence. After satisfying certain timing delays the Timer starts the HDLC port of the SIO. After the SIO buffer becomes empty an interrupt vector is generated to the HDTXSR subroutine.
10 If date is present HDTXSR sends another 8 bit character to the SIO
satisfying the interrupt. After sending the last character, HDTXSR resets the SIO TX Interrupt Pending Flag and sets the RF Off delay flag which signals the TIMER subroutine to start a delay before turning off the RF.
HDRXSR (HDLC RECEIVE SERVICE ROUTINE) ~ ., = . . .
15 This interrupt service routine is activated by receiving two or more HDLC
flag bytes and the eight bit source identification byte. The SIO generates a vector dl~iven interrupt from the next byte following the source identification byte. From this interrupt the HDRXSR transfers this byte into the HDLC receive buffer and updates the byte count and pointer.
20 HDSPSR (HDLC SPECIAL SERVICE ROUTINE) This interrupt service routine is activated upon receiving the HDLC Packet End Flag. After receipt of the end flag the MDSPSR checks for errors recorded by the SIO. If an error is detected the MDSPSR will report the error to the user RS-232C port and ignore the HDLC packet. If no errors 2 5 are present the HDSPSR parces the incoming HDLC packet for the proper control byte. The control byte is checked for the following:
1. SABM Frame: Used form logging on.
2. Unnumbered Acknowledge Frame: Used for repeating SABM Frame.

~ 73~ lA8~ 0 3O Receive Ready Frame: Used to acknowledge information packets.
4. Information Frame: Used to transfer data.
After decoding the Control byte, the HDSPSR checks any packet seq-uence numbers where applicable. If a discrepancy ;s discovered the packet is 5 disregarded and an error message is reported to the user RS-232C port. If HDSPSR finds no errors, the appropriate flags are set to signal MAINLP to take the appropriate action.
RSRXSR (RS-232C RECEIVE SERVICE ROUTINE) This subroutine is activated upon receiving an error free RS-232C character 1 0 from the user port . Upon activating the following duties are performed for user friendly communication:
1. Character echo if in full duplex.
2. Character detection from the buffer.
3. Reprint of current buffer in use.
15 ~. I)elete all characters from buffer.
If a Carriage Return character is detectecl or the buffer becomes full this subroutine transfers the information into the message buffer and sets the message buffer full flag. After the full flag is set 9 control is returned to the main loop.
20 RSSPSR (RS-232C SPECIAL SERVICE ROUTINE) This interrupt service routine is activated upon an error condition or from the user RS-232 C receive port . After integrating the SIO and if the error messages are enablecl, a RS-232C RX Error is sent to the user. Upon completing the above, control is returned to the system.
25 RSTXSR (RS-232C TRANSMIT SERVICE ROUTINE~
This subroutine is activated when the SIO RS-232C TX Buffer becomes empty. When activatecl it checks for another character to send. If there ~7~ lA86140 are no more characters the TX INT is reset and the TX buffer status flag is updated, control is returned to the system.
TIMER
__ This interrupt service routine is activated 60 times a second via the CTC

5 timer channel. This routine performs all the system time dependent functions listed below:

1. Update tick variable.

2. Update carrier busy time-out if enabled.

3. Update delay used for sending data if RE on is enabled.

10 4. Update delay used for turning RF off if enabled.
5. Blink test led if in test mode and if the link is down.

RSECHO (RS-232C ECHO) The purpose of this routine is to print the desired message to the user RS-232C port. Messages are passed to this routine by register pointers.

15 Each message is terminated by a termination byte Oe o~ hex.

CNBIAS (CONVERT BINARY TO ~SCII) -This subroutine is used to convert 8 bit or 16 bit binary dntfl into its appropriate 2 or 4 byte ASCII hex. Internal registers are used to pass the needed information to and from this routine.

2 0 PROMpT
This subroutine checks a RAM parameter variable for either " Command Mode" or " Converse Mode" and prints the correct prompt to the user RS-232C port.
MAINLP (MAIN LOOP) 2 5 This is the main idle loop subroutine which is executed during times when no service routine is active. The main purpose of this routine is to coordinate all activities of the modem, this is accomplished by monitoring :~7~ 73~ ] A86140 RAM flag bits eor a change of state and initiating the appropriate action.
The primary fllnction of this routine is as follows:
1. Detect full message bufIer: If this condition is met the information contained in the message buffer is moved into the HDLC transmit bufeer if 5 in the "Converse ~lode"; or sent to the command parser if in the "Command Mode." If the link status is in the Down Condition and the modem is in the l'Converse Mode" a "log on packet" is sent before the data is transmitted.
After receiving a reply from the receiving modem the data packet is sent.
2. Detect Link Up: A message is sent to the user ~S-232C port 10 acknowledging this change of state.
3. Detect Link Down: A message is sent to the user RS-232C port acknowledging this change of state.
~. Acknowledge Pending: A reply packet is created and deposited into the HDLC transmit buffer and the HDLC buffer full flag is set.
15 DUMSRV (DUMB S~RVICE ~OUTINE) This routine defines unused interrup t vectors in the case of hardware f`aults. Ie there is an interrupt a selected location is incremented signaling an event which can be later analyzed.
CMDPAR (COMMAND PARSER) 20 This subroutine is used to parse incoming command strings for valid system commands while the modem is in COMMAND MODE. The parser will accept variable length command and switch strings. Upon receiving a valid command, the Command Pauser returns a command number, switch number, and an argument value. Those commands not having switch or argument 25 values are assigned a zero. The pauser will report the following errors:
1. Too many characters for command.
2. Ambiguous command.
3. Invalid command.

73~ lA861~0 Too many characters for switch.
5. Ambiguous switch.
6. Invalid switch.
7. Invalid character i~or argument.
5 8. Invalid argument.
9. Argument overflow.
The following material describes in detail each of the twent~-~eight modules in the controlling software:
Module #1 Entry:
Upon powering the modem or upon generating a hardware reset or by entering the command "RESET", this software module is executed.

15 Referenced:
-The followlng modules are called by this module: "SETBD", "E2REST",t'ECHOWT", "CNBIAS", and "PROMPT".
Description:
The first task this module accomplishes is to initialize all the hardware 20 I?O ports and to initialize the random access memory variables. The RS-232 port is configured to the setting of the RS-232 dip switch. To configure the random access memory variables, which in turn configures how the modem operates, this module reads stored default settings from non-volatile memory and stores them into the random access memory for later use.
2 5 Next, all the software adjustable clock rates are set to the desired rates. The module then defines the hardware interrupt structure and enables the maskable interrupts.

~2~ 730 lA86140 If enabled, a welcome rnessage is sent by way of the RS-232 port.
Also, if the modem is configured for Test Mode ~nd the unit address is odd, a -test packet is initiated.
On completion, this module jumps to module "MAINLP."
Module #2 SETBD
Entry:
Moclules "WIRMOD" and "CMDEC" call this routine to set the software variable clock r~tes which are used to set the baud rates for the RS-232 port and the serial radio data port.
Referenced:
None .
_scription:
The RS-232 port can be configured to the following rates: ll0 bd, 300 bd,600 bd, 1200 bd, 2400 bd, and 9600 bd.
l'he serial radio data port has the following possible data rates: 110 bd, 300 bd, 600 bd, 1200 bd, 2400 bd, 4800 bd, nnd 8800 bd.
On completion, this module returns to the calling module.
Module #4 Entry:
The following modules call this module: "WIRMOD", "PROM-PT", "MAINLP", "CMDPAR", and "CMDEC".
Referenced:
The following module is called by this module: "RSRCHO".
Description:
This module is used to send an ASCII string over the RS-232 port.
This module calls "RSECHO" to transfer the ASCII string to the RS-232 73~ 86140 transmit buffer. If the RS-232 transmit buffer full flag is set, this module keeps calling "RSECHO" until the string is transferred. Because of this, this module is not called from interrupt service routines.
On completion, this module returns to the calling module.
S Module #5 CNBIAS
Entry:
The following modules call this module: "WIRMQD", "MAINLP", "CMDEC", and "RSSPSR".
Referenced:
None .
Description:
This module converts either an 8 bit or 16 bit binary value to an ASCII character string representing the value in one of three radixes. The possible radixes are: decimal, octal, and hexadecimnl.
If the radix is octal the leading ASCII character will be the single quote. If the radix is hexadecimal the leading ASCII character will be the double quote.
()n completion, this module returns to the calling module.
2 0 Module #6 PROMPT
Entry:
The following modules call this module: "WIRMOD", "MAINLP", and "RSRXSR" .
Referenced:
The eollowing module is called by this module: "ECHOWT".
L'escription:
.
This module sends the appropriate prompt out the RS-232 port. The 2~

3 ~3~3 lA~6140 different responses are as f~llows:
1. Command Mode - 1I CMD: 1l 2. Conversational Mode - lI*tt 3. Transparent ~ode - 1~>11 On completion, this module returns to the calling module.
Module #7 MAINLP
Entry:
The following module calls this module: "WI RMOD" .
Referenced:
The following modules are called by this module: "CMDEC", "CMDPAR", "CNBIAS", ''CRPKTIl, IIECHOWTII, I'WIREMOD'', 'ILSTCMDll, ~I PROMPTII .
Description:
This module ties all the wireless modem modules together. It supervises and initiates the needed actions at the right time. This module runs during the time the central processor is not servicing interrupts.
Two eight bit words are continually scanned for any bit change indicating that there has been a significant event. The following describes each 2 0 significant event:
Event No. 1: (Command String Ready to be Parsed) This event happens while the modem is in the Command Mode and an ASCII string of characters terminated with a carriage return is received by way of the RS-232 receive port. When this event happens, this module 2 5 calls the command parser which checks the string for a valid modem command. If the string is a valid command, then the CMDEC module is called to execute the desired action. If the string is invalid, an error ~2~ 73~ lA86140 message is printed. Then the string is cleared and the checking for another event is continued.
Event No. 2: ~Restart Transmitting Data Out P~S-232 Port) This event is used to start retransmitting data out the port that was 5 suspended because of the user being busy. This data flow control can be either software XON or XOFE or hardware RTS line. When the user sends an XON or sets the RTS line this event is initiated.
Event No. 3: (Link Down) This event can be caused by one of two conditions. The first one is 10 when a disconnect packet is received. When this condition occurs, the message "*** Disconnected from XX", where XX is the destination node, is transmitted out the RS-232 port. The second condition occurs after sending the last retry data packet and receiving no response from the destination node. In this case the message "Link i~s Down! " is sent out the ~S-232 port.
Event No. ~: (Link Up) This even-t is causecl by either receiving a reply from a Log On packet or by receiving a Log On packet. In either case the message "***Connected to XX" where XX is the destination node is sent out the 2 o RS-232 port .
Event No. 5: (Link Busy) This event is caused by receiving a Node Busy packet from the destination node . When this occurs, the message "Link is busy ! " is sent out the RS-232 port. Any further packet transmission is disabled until a 25 Node Ready packet is received from the destination node.
Event No. 6: (Destination Logged to Another Node) This event occurs while trying to log to a node that is already logged ~373~3 lA86140 to another node. The destination node sends a Node Busy packet which, when received, causes this event. The message "Destination connected to another node!" is transmitted out the RS~232 port and the modem remains in the Command Mode.
5 ~vent No. 7: (Retry Failure) This event occurs after sending the last retry packet and no reply packet is received. Upon this condition, the ~S-232 receive buffers, pointers, and flags are re-initialized. If the modem is not set for Test, then the Mode is changed to Command Mode.
10 E~rent No. 8: ~P~e-enable Link Flow Control) In order for this event to occur, a "Receive Not Ready" packet has to have been sent to the destination node. This occurs when the RS-232 transmit buffer becomes full or when the RS-232 device is not ready to receive data. Upon a request for more data from the RS-232 device, a 15 "Receive Ready" packet is tr~msmitted to the destination node to re-enable link flow control.
13vent No. 9: (Send a Reply PQcket) This event can occur while the modem is in any state. This event is generated upon receiving a packet that requires a reply by way of the RF
20 receive port. When this occurs the module named "CRPKT" is called to create the desired packet. This packet is moved to a transmit buffer to be transmitted as soon as possible.
Event No. 20: (Connect Cycle) This event occurs when the RS-232 device requests to Log On to 2 5 another node . If the modem is not currently linked to a node, a " Connect:
packet is created then sent to the destination node. If the modem is currently linked to another node, a "Disconnect" packet is created to disconnect from the current node in order to link to the desired node.

7~ 13 lA86140 Module #8 CRPKT
Entry:
The following module calls this module: "MAINLP".
5 Referenced:
None .
Description:
This module assembles the desired X . 25 packet into the HDLC transmit buffer. The different types of packets possible are as follows:
1. Numbered Information (Either) 2. Numbered Receive Ready (Response) 3. Numbered Reject (Response) 4. Numbered Receive Not Ready (Response) 5. Unnumbered Information (Either) 6. Unnumbered Disconnect (Command) 7. Unnumbered Acknowledge (Response) 8. Unnumbered Erame Reject (Response) 9. Unnumbered Disconnect (Response) 10. Unnumbered Set Asynchronous Balance Mode (Command) 20After the packet is created, it is sent to -the destination node.
Module #9 CMDPAR
Entry:
The following module calls this module: "MAINLP".
2 5Referenced:
The following modules are called by this module: "ECHOWT", " CMDTBL" .

73~ o Description:
This ms)dule is called while the modem is in the Command Mode and there is an ASCII string waiting to be parsed, which was received from the RS-232 port. The string is first parsed for a valid command. Then, the 5 string is parsed for valid switch. Lastly, the string is parsed for a valid argument. The "CMDTBL" module provides all the valid commands and switches. The parser will accept any number of letters for the command or switch as long as they match only one command and one switch. If the parser finds multiple matches, it reports it as an ambiguous error.
The parser will accept both upper and lower case letters. The numeric arguments can be in either of the following radixes:
1. Decimal 2. Octal, specified by a preceding single quote.
3. Hexadecimal, specified by a preceding double quote.
While parsingr the argument, any illegal characters for the specified radix will be reported as an "invalid character for argument".
If the parser cannot find a match for the command or switch, it is reported as an "Invalid Command" or as an "Invalid Switch". If the parser found a valid command and switch, the corresponding command number, 0 switch number, or argument value is returned to the calling module.
Module #10 CMDTB L
Entry:
The following modules call this module: "CMDPAR", "LSTCMD".
2 5 Referenced:
The following modules are called by this module: none.
Description:
This module contains all the valid modem commands and switches used 3~
lA86140 by "CMDPAR". Each command and switch are in alphabetical order. The total number of commands is also defined in this module. Since the commands and switches are va~iable in length, each one has a variable defining the beginning of each command and switch. The type of switch is defined as follows:
1. If the number of switches definecl is ~ero, there is no switch or argument .
2. If the number of switched defined is less than 12~, the switches are an alpha character type.
3. If the number of switches defined is equal to 12~, the switch is an argumenl and is treated as a numeric value.
Module #ll CMDEC
Entry:
The following module calls this module: "MAINLP".
Referenced:
The following modules are called by this module: "CNBIAS", "ECHOWT", "E2REST", "E2SAVE".
Description:
2 o The purpose of this module is to e~ecute the desired command which was received through the RS-232 port. In order to do this, "CMDPAR"
module has to have parsed a valid command. For the most part, the commands set the desired configuration of the modem. The possible types of commands are as follows:
1. Setting internal variables to the desired numeric value.
2. Enabling or disabling modem functions.
3. Initiating a modem response.

~2~ 73~ lA86140 Module #12 LSTCMD
Entry:
The following module calls this module: "MAINLP".
5 Referenced:
The following modules are called by this module: "CMDEC", " CMDTBL" .
Description:
This module is used to output all the modem commands in alphabetical 10 order out the RS-232 port. The command "HELP" is used to call this module. When entered and "CMDEC" decodes this command, a flag is set which is detected by "MAINLP", which, in turn, calls this module. After completion, "LSTCMD" clears the list flag and returns -to "MAINLP".
Module #13 Entry:
This rnodule is entered when the interrupts are enabled and an ASCII
character is received from the RS-232 port.
Referenced:
2 0 The following modules are called by this module: ''PROMPTI', "RSECHO" .
Description:
The purpose of this module is to process all incoming characters from the RS-232 port. Unless the character is a specific control character, it is 2 5 stored in a 256 byte buffer . Upon receiving a terrnination character or upon receiving the maximum number of characters specified, and if the destination buffer is ernpty, the total number of characters are rnoved to the command buffer if the modem is in Command Mode. Otherwise, the 73~
-- l.A86140 characters are moved to the message buffer~ This module provides the following functions if enabled:
1. Echo character.
2. Character deletion along with two user selectable responses:
a~ Space - Backspace - Space b ) Back Slash 3. Purge buf~er of all characters.
4O Print characters currently in buffer.
After completing its task, RSRXSR returns control to the interrupted 10 module.
Module #14 RSSPSR
Entry:
This module is entered when the interrupts are enabled and if there 15 was an RS-232 illpUt error.
References:
_ The .tollowing modules are called by this module: "CNBIAS", and "RSECHO" .
Description:
If the reporting of errors have been enabled by the modem's command "TYPERROR", this module will report the following errors:
Error #1: "RS-232 RX Parity Error!"
This error is caused when there is a mismatch between the received character's parity and what the modem's parity is set for.
25 Error #2: "RS-232 RX Overrun Error!"
This error occurs when the modem's central processor unit :Eails to read an RS-232 character from the data buffer while more than three 373~ lA86140 characters have been recei~Ted. The third character is lost due to the fourth character being stored in its place.
error ~3: "RS-232 R~ Eraming Error!'l This error is caused by receiving an RS--232 character that was not terminated with stop bits.
Before the above messages are generated, the "Clear to Send" line is reset to inform the user that the modem's RS-232 receive port is busy.
Next, the RS-232 receive status register is read and the in~ormation stored in memory for later use. Then the RS-232 receive port is reset, clearing the error condi~ion. At this point, the module re-enables the interrupts.
Next, the module checks whether the "Type on Errors" have been enabled. If it is, then it decodes the stored error information and sends the appropriate error message. The decoding is as follows:
Bit #~ set indicates that Error #1 describecl above has occurred.
E~it #5 set indicates Error #2 described above has occurred.
Bit #6 set indicates Error #3 described above has occurred.
Finally, the " Clear to Send" line is set to inform the user that the modem's RS-232 receive port is ready to receive characters again and control is returned to the interrupted module.
Module #15 RSTXSR
Entry:
This module is entered when the interrupts are enabled and the modem is active, sending characters out -the RS-232 port.
2 5 Referenced:
None .
~escription ~
This module is responsible for transmitting characters out the RS-232 3~3 lA861~10 port. "MAINLP" starts the action by sending the first character out the RS-232 port. When it's time to transmit the next character, an interrupt is generated which in turn causes this module to be entered.
The first action is to see if the user is ready to receive the next character. If not, the serial port is reset to disable any further interrupts .
Next, the character to be transmitted is checked for a "~arriage Return" character. If it is such, the following actions may occur.
1. If the "Carriage Return" has not been sent, it is transmitted and a flag indicating so is set.
2 . If the " Carriage Return" has been sent, and if Nulls after "carriage return" is enabled and the last Null character has not been sent, a Null character is transmitted out the RS-232 port. When the last Null character has been sent, a check is made to see if auto-line-feeds have been enabled. If so, the next set Oe sequences dealing with "line-feeds" is executed .
Next t the character to be transmitted is checked for a "Line-Feed"
character. if it is such, the following actions may occur:
l. If the "Line-Feed" has not been sent, it is transmitted and a flag 2 0 indicating so set .
2. If the "Line-Feed" has been sent and if Nulls after l'Line-Feeds"
is enabled and the last character has not been sent, a Null character is transmitted out the RS-232 port. When the last Null character has been sent, the next character to be transmitted is sent.
If the character is neither a "Carriage Return" or a "Line-Feed", it is sent without any other checks. After sending the character, the RS-232 transmit buffer is shuffled to prepare for the next. After completing the above action, this module returns to the interrupted module.

t~3a~ IA861~0 Module #16 RS~XSR
Entry:
This module is entered when the interrupts and Hardware Elow Control are enabled and the "Clear to Send" line of the RS-232 port changes state.
Referenced:
None .
Description:
As mentioned above, this module detects a change of the "Clear to Send" line. If the line swings positive or set, this indicates that the user is ready to receive and a flag is cleared. If the line swings negative, or reset, this indicates that the user is not ready to receive and a flag is set indicating so.
After the above action, the serial port is reset and con-trol is returned to the interrupted module.
Module #17 TIMER
Entry:
This module is entered when the interrupts are enabled and a sixtieth 2 0 of a second has gone by since the last interrupt from channel #1 of the counter timer hardware.
Referenced:
None .
Description:
The purpose of this module is to provide all the timing functions used internally by the modem. These timing functions are in the form of user setable delays . The amount of delay is based on a tick which is 1/ 60 of a ~37~ A86l40 second, or 16.667 msec. The following describes each delay in order of execution:
1. Carrier Busy Delay_ This delay is executed when a carrier detect signal is active or following transmission of a packet. Any new 5 transmittal is disabled until after this period of time has elapsed without detecting any carrier detect signals. This delay is set by the user with the command '7CARBSY n1', where n equals the number of ticks to delay.
2. Transmit Data Delay: This delay is executed upon initiation of transmitting a packet. It is started right after turning on the radio 10 transmitter. The purpose of this delay is to allow the radio transmitter to reach full power before sending any information. This delay is set by the user, with the command "TXDATA n", where n equals the number of ticks to delay.
3. Transmit End Delay: This delay is executed after completing the 15 "Transmit Data Delay". The purpose ot this is to allow Hl~LC Elags to be sent before the actual packet is sent. This delay is set by the user with the command "TXFLAG n", where n equals the number of ticks to delay.
4. Transmit End Delay: This delay is executed after the module "HDTXSR" has sent the last packet byte. The purpose of this delay is to 2 0 leave the radio transmitter on until the Cyclic Redundancy Check and some HDLC flags have been transmitted. This delay is set by the user with the command "TXEND n", where n equals the number of ticks to delay.
5. Transmit Acknowledge Delay: This delay is executed after completion of transmission of a packet if the packet calls for an 2 5 acknowledgement from the destination node . This is to allow a user setable delay to elapse be~ore sending a retry packet . On retries 1 a random number is added to the user value in order to help prevent collisions with 3~ IA86140 other node transmissions. This delay is set by the user with the command "FRACK n", where n equals the number of ticks to delay.
6. onverse Idle Delay: This delay is executed if the modem is not in Command Mode, and if the idle delay is enabled, and if there has been 5 no activity by the user or by the destination node for a period of time. If the total delay elapses without any activity to reset the delay, " TIAIER"
initiates a Log Ofl` cycle. This prevents the node from tying up another node. The delay is set by the user with t~he command "IDLETIME n", where n equals the number of seconds to delay. To enable the Idle Time 10 Out delay, the user uses the command "IDLECONT ON".
The following describes the sequence o steps that "TIMER" executes each tick.
Step #1: The first action taken by "TIMER" is to increment an internal 32 bit tick variable that is currently not used.
Step #2: The next step is to handle the carrier busy delay mentioned as delay #1 above.
Step #3: The next step is to check that the modem is not transmitting ~Nhile the HDLC transmit buffer is e~npty. If it is, the transmission is terminated and jumps to Step ~12.
2 0 Note: Steps #4 through #11 are executed while the HDLC transmit buffer has data to be transmitted.
Step #4: The next step checks whether the modem is waiting for a reply packet. If it is, step $11 is executed. If not, initiation of a packet transmission sequence is started by turning on the Transmitter Enable 25 output port. Also, the Transmit Data Delay is initialized. Then i'TIMER"
jumps to step #12.
Step #5: This step executes the Transmit Data Delay mentioned as delay #2 above. While executing the delay, the next s-tep taken is step 3~ 1A~6140 #12. At the conclusion of this delay sequence, serial port #1 "Ready to Send" line is set, enabling the clock pulses from the Manchester ~ncoder to clock out HDLC flags out of serial port #1.
Step #6: This step executes the Transmit Flag Delay mentioned as 5 delay #3 above. ~Vhile executing the delay, the next step taken is step #12 .
Step #7: This step initiates the sending of the data stored in the HDLC transmit buffer. It also initializes the Transmit End Delay. The next step taken is Step #12.
Step #8: This step checks whether the modem is still sending the data mentioned in Step #7. If it is, the next step executed is Step #12. If the modem has completed sending the data, then the Transmit End Delay is executed. While in the delay, the next step executed is Step #12.
Step #9: A Eter completion of the Transmit ~nd Delay, serial port #1 15 "Ready to Send" line is cleared, disabling the clock pulses from the Munchester ~ncoder which clocks out the HDLC data from serial port #1.
Also, the transmitter enable output is cleared, turning off the radio.
Step #10: If a reply packet is not called for, then the ~I)L(~ transmit buffer is cleared, and the send sequence number is incremented by one. If 2 0 a reply packet is called for, the Transmit Acknowledge Delay mentioned as delay #5 above is initialized and executed. The next step executed is Step #12 .
Step #11: If no reply packet is received before conclusion of the Transmit Reply I~elay and the total number of retry transmissions have not 2 5 been exceeded, then another packet transmission is initiated and the retry count is decremented. If the last retry packet was sent, then the HDL(~
transmit buffer is cleared, the mode declared down, a flag is set, indicating a retry failure, and the total retry count reinitialized for the next packet.
3~

73~ 86140 Step #12: This step checks whether the Converse Idle Delay mentioned as delay #6 above needs to be executed. If it does, the above description for delay #6 is executed.
Step #13: This last step checks to see if the modem is in the Test 5 Mode. If it is and the modem has not established a link with another node, then the output latch that drives the front panel Test LED is updated.
This cycles the LED on and off at about a 1/2 second rate.
After completing the above steps, "TIMLR" returns control to the interrupted module.
Module #18 HDTXSR
Entry:
This module is entered when the interrupts are enabled and the transmit data buffer for serial port #1 becomes empty.
15 Refere~nces:
-None .Description:
This module is used to transmit the data part of a packet. The module "TIMER" initiates the transmission by sending the first character.
2 0 ~n interrupt to this routine is generated each time the transmit buffer of the serial port #l becomes empty.
The following describes "HDTXSR":
Step #1: Check for last character sent. If it has been sent, jump to Step #4.
Step #2: Check whether the first data character is being sent. If it is, reset the Transmix Data Under Run Flag for serial port #1.
steE) #3: Retrieve the data character from the HDLC Transmit buffer and store it in thc serial port #1 data buffer. This will cause the 373(~ lA86140 character to be transmitted. Increment the data pointer by one. ~ump to Step #5.
Step #4: This step resets serial port #1, disabling any further interrupts to occur upon the data buffer becoming empty. Also, a flag is 5 set to indicate to the module "TI~ER" that the last data byte has been sent .
Step #5: Return control to the interrupted module.
Module #19 HDRXSR
Entry:
This module is entered when the interrupts are enabled and a data character of a packet addressed to the receiving node is received.
~eferenced:
None .
Description:
....
This module is llsed to receive the data part of a packet addressed to the receiving node. The following describes the steps taken:
Step #1: Input the data character from the receive buffer of serial port #1.
Step #2- Check whether the character received was the first. If not, jump to step #4. If it is, check that -the character matches either the node's address or that it is the Global Address. If it does, store the character in the HDLC receive buffer, clear the HDLC and of frame flag and jump to step #3.
Step #3: Check whether the HDLC receive end of frame flag is set.
If it is, jump to step #5. If not, increment the receive character pointer and increment the character count.

~0 3~3 lA86l40 S-tep #4: Store the received character into the HDLC receive buffer.
Increment the character address pointer and increment the total character count. Check the character count for an overflow condition. If not, jump to step #5. If there is an overflow condition, reset the character count 5 and pointer, reset the receive CRC generator, and put the receive E~DLC
porl: back into a Receive E~unt mode.
Step #5: Return control to the interrupted module.
Module #20 HDSPSR
1 0 Entry_ This module is entered when the interrupts are enabled and the End HDLC Flag is received from an incoming packet.
Referenced:
This module calls the following module "RSECHO".
15 Description:
This module is entered upon completion of receiving a packet. The purpose of this module is to verify that the packet is error free, determine the type of packet received, and if a reply packet is needed. The following describes the steps:
2 o Step #1: Check the status register at serial port #1 for errors that may have occurred while receiving the HDLC packet. If no errors, jump to step #2. If there were errors, check to see if they should be reported. If type error is disabled, jump to step #12. If there were errors, check to see if they should ~e reported. If the modem command "TYPERROR" is disabled, jump to step #12. If type error is enabled, identify whether the error was a "HDLC Receive Overrun Error" or a "HDLC Receive CRC
E~rror" and send the respective error message using the module "RSECHO".
After sending message, jump to step #12.

73~ 1A86140 Step #2: Check the received packet for a Log On packet. If not, jump to step #3. If the received packet was a Log On packet, then the source address of the packet ;s checked against the node's destination address. If they are equal, the received and send sequence numbers are 5 cleared and the node status is changed to being logged to another node. If the source address does not match the node's destination address, then the status of the node is checked for not currently being logged to another node. If not logged to another node, the received and send se~uence numbers are cleared and the node status is changed to being logged to 10 another node. In both cases above, fln Un-numbered ~cknowledge packet is called for and a jump to step #12 is made. If the modem is currently logged to a node that is different from the source address of the Log t:)n packet, then a reply packet is sent reporting that fact. A jump is then made to step #12.
Step #3: Check -the received packet for a Disconnect Pncket. If not, __ a jump is made to step ~3. If it was, a check is rnade to see if the modem's destination address matches the received packet source address.
If they match, the modem's status is changed to being disconnected. Also, a check is made to see if the modem is currently trying to send a 2 0 Disconnect Packet . If it is, it is cancelled and the corresponding tlags cleared and an unnumbered reply packet is initiated. If the received source address does not match the modem's destination address, a jump is then made to #12.
Step #4: Check the received packet for an Unnumbered Acknowledge 25 packet. If not, a jump is made to step $5. If so, the flags associated to sending a packet are cleared, ending any further retransmission o~ an existing packet. Next, a check is made for whether a disconnect cycle is in progress or whether a connect cycle is in progress. If the modem is 3~ lA86140 currently disconnecting, the modem's status flag is cleared. IP the modem is currently connecting, the modem's status flag is set. A jump is then made to step #12.
Step #5: Check the received packet for an Unnumbered Msconnect 5 Mode packet. If not, a jump is made to step #6. If so, the Qags associated to sending a packet are cleared, ending any further packet retransmissions. Next, the flag indicating that the destination modem is already logged to another modem is set. Then a jump is made to step #12.
Step #6: Check -the received packet for an Unnumbered Information 10 packet. If not, a jump is made to step #7. If so, a check is made to see if Global Address is enabled. If not, a jump to step #12 is made. If Global Address is enabled, the received packet destination address is compared to the global address value of 255. If not, a jump to step #12 is made. If so, the received data is terminated. Then -the module "RSECHO"
15 is called to transmit the data out the RS-232 port. Then a jump to step #12 is mude.
ep #7. Checks -the received packet for a Receive Not Ready packet.
If not, a jump is made to step #8. If so, a flag indicating that the destination modem is busy is set and the retransmission count is 2 0 reinitialized . Then a jump to step #12 is made .
Step #8: Checks the received packet for a Receive Ready packet. If not, a jump is made to step #9. If the received packet was a Receive Ready packet, then the Converse Idle activity flag is reset and the flag indicating that a prompt is needed is set. Then a jump to step #10 is 2 5 executed .
Step #9: Checks the received packet for an Information packet. If not, a jump is made to step #10. If the received packet was an Information packet, then a check is made to determine whether the RS-232 Transmit ti~ 3 lA86140 port is busy or not~ If the P~S-232 port is busy, a "l~eceive Not Ready"
packet is created to send back to the Destination Node. If the RS-232 port is ready to receive information, then the (~onverse Idle activity flag is reset and the Receive Sequence Number is compared to an internal sequence 5 number. If the sequence number does not match, then the ~eceived Sequence Number is incremented by one and compared again against the Internal Sequence Number. If they match, then the Received Sequence Number is incremented by one and compared again against the Internal Sequence Number. If they match, then the Received Information packet is 10 a repeat and a jump is made to step #10. If the sequence number still does not match the Internal Sequence Number, then an error message "HDLC
receive REST~I sequence error" is sent out the RS-232 port if the command "TYPERROR" is enabled and a jump to step #12 is made. If the Receive Sequence number matched the Internal Sequence Number, then the received 15 packet is stripped of its information and the module " RSECHO" is called to transmit this information ou-t the E~S-232 port. If "RSECHO" indicates that the RS-232 transmit buffer was full, then a "Receive Not Ready" packet is created to send back to the destination node and a jump to step ~12 is made. If the information was successfully transferred, then the Internal 20 Sequence Number is incremented by one. Next, "HDSPSR" checks whether the modem is actively transmitting a packet or not. If it is, the packet being transmitted is checked for a Numbered Packet. If the transmitted packet is an unnumbered packet, a jump to step #10 is made. If the transmitted packet is a numbered packet, then its Receive Sequence Number 25 is updated to match the current Internal Sequence Number.
Step #10: Checks whether the modem is currently waiting for a reply packet. If not, a jump to step #11 is made. If the modem is currently waiting for a reply packet, the received numbered packet is stripped of its 73C~ lA~6140 Send Sequence number. this number is compared to tlle ~nodem's Internal Send Sequence number. If the two numbers do not match, then a check is made to see whether the Destination Node was busy. If the Destination Node was not busy, then an error message "HDLC receive SESTV sequence error'l is sent out the RS-232 port if the command "TYPERROR" is enabled and a jump to step #11 is made. If the destination node was busy, the Send Sequence number is incremented by one and compared once again to the Internal Send Sequence number. If they still don't match, the error message "HDLC receive SESTV sequence error" is sent out the RS-232 port if the command "TYPRRROR" is enabled and a 3ump to step #11 is made. If they do match, the Destination Busy Dag is cleared and a jump to step #11 is made. If the stripped Send Sequence Number matches the Internal Send Sequence Number, then the Transmit Retry flag was set. If the flag was not set, then the HDLC Transmit buffer full flag is cleared. Next, a jump to step #11 is made.
S-tep #11: Checks the received packet control byte for a reply packet.
Ir the received control byte does not call for a reply packet, a jump to step #12 is made. If the received control byte does call for a reply packet, a "RECEIVE READY" packet is specified for transmitting to the destination node. Next, step #12 is executed.
Step #12: Resets the HDLC serial hardware to hunt for another packet. Next, a flag indicating that the end of the received HDLC packet was received is set. The Received HDLC data pointer and counters are reinitiaIized. Finally, control is returned to the interrupted module.
Module #21 Entry -This module is entered when the interrupts are enabled and channel #4 73~ lA86140 counter of the Clock Timer Circuit has decremented to zero.
Referenced:
None .
Description:
The purpose of this module is to provide all communication to and from the modemls internal non-volatile Random Access Memory. Another name for the chip is "E RAM". There are two of these E RAM in the modem. They provide enough storage for two complete default configurations to be either saved or restored from. The E RAM is interfaced to by a 4 bit output latch and an 8 bit input latch. Only two of the 8 bits of the input latch are used for the E RAM. These two inputs, one for each E P~AM, transfer the data from the E RAM into the CPU's accumulator. The E RAM are a serial device, that is, the data is serially clocked in and ou t of the chip .
The clock rat~ is provided by a clock timer circuit chiEJ set to interrup t roughly at a 1l~h~, rate.
The E RAM supports sevcn basic operations or instructions. They are as follows:
1. Read one 16 bit internal register.
2. Write one 16 bit internal register.
3. Erase one 16 bit internal register.
4. Erase/Write Enable.
5. Erase/Write Disable.
6. Erase All causes all 16 internal regis-ters to be erased.
7. Write All causes a bit pattern to be written to all 16 internal = = . .
2 5 registers .
These instructions all start with a start bit and have a ~our bit operation field. Following the operation field is a four bit address field that specifies the desired internal register to perform the desired function 73~ lA~ 10 to. Four of the seven instructions ignore this address field. they are Erase/Write Enable, Erase/Write Disable, Erase All P~egister, and Write All Registers. Two instructions, Write Register and Read Register, have a 16 bit data field following the address field.
To control the E RAM operations, there are five one byte variables, one two byte variable, and one three byte variable. To start a E RAM
cycle a these variables are preloaded with the correct values and the Counter Timer Chip started. Upon completion, a flflg iS cleared and the Counter Timer Chip disabled.
The following describes in detail the steps taken:
Step #1: Checks the current clock count for a start of an ~ RAM
cycle. If not, a jump is made to step #2. If it is the start of a E RAM
cycle, the command byte is loaded and the correct total clock count is loaded. Next, the correct 4 bit operation field and the 4 bit address field is loaded into the data buffer. The data field is then cleared and a check is made whether the E RAM cycle is a Read or Write cycle. If not, a flag is set indicating that the ~ RA~/I cycle is active and a jump to step #13 is made. If the current E RAM cycle is a Read or Write cycle, then the current E RAM internal register count is checked for zero. If this register 2 0 is zero, then the Default Variable pointer is reinitialized to the tirstvariable and the Default Sum variable cleared. Next, a check is made for a Write Cycle. If the cycle is a Write cycle, then the next Default Variable is loaded into the data field of the data buffer. Next, a flag is set indicating that the E RAM cycle is active and a jump to step #13 is made.
Step #2: Checks the total clock cycle count down variable for a value of zero. This indicates that the current E RAM cycle has finished. If the variable is zero, a jump to step #9 is made. If the variable is not currently zero, then the current clock cycle up counter is tested for being ~7 3 ~ 3~ lA86l40 odd. If the clock cycle up counter is at an odd state, a jump is made to step #13; otherwise step #3 is executed.
Step #3: Chec}~s the current clock cycle up counter for a value of . . ~
two. This indicates time to send the E RAM start bit. If the current clock cycle up counter is not equal to two, then a jump to step #4 is made. If the counter is equal to two, then bit three of the E RANI Output Latch variable is set and a jump to step #13 is made.
Step #4: Checks the current clock cycle up counter for a value of less than 18. If it is, this indicates that the operation field is still being shifted into the E RAM so a jump to step #12 is made. Otherwise the next step is executed.
Step #5: Checks the E RAM flag variable for whether the current cycle has data to send or receive. If not, a jump to #6 is made. If there is data a check is made for whether the current E RA~a cycle is a Write cycle. if it is, the current clock cycle up counter is checked ~or a value of less then fïfty. If it is, this indicates that the data is still being shifted into the E RAM so a jump to step #12 is made. If the current clock cycle up counter is equal or greater than rlfty, then a jump to step $~6 is made. If the current E RAM cycle is not a Write cycle, then a check is made for a Read cycle. If the current E RAM cycle is not a Read cycle, a jump to step #6 is made. If it is, the current clock cycle up counter is checked for a value of less than fifty-two. If it is, this indicates that the data ls still being shifted out of the E RAM so a jump to step #12 is made.
If not, the next step is executed.
2 5 Step #6: Checks whether the current E RAM cycle requires a delay pulse. If not, a jump to step #8 is made. If the current E RAM cycle needs a delay pulse, then the E RAM flag variable is checked to see whether the modem is currently executing the delay pulse. If it is, a jump 3~ lA~6140 to step #7 is made. If not, the E RAM flag variable is set to indicate that the modem is currently executing a delay pulse and the E RAM output latch is configured for a delay pulse. Then a jump to step #13 is made.
Step #7: Checks the clock cycle down counter for a value equal to or 5 less than six. If not, this indicates that the delay pulse is not ready to be terminated so a jump to step #13 is made. If the counter is equal to or less -than six, the E RAM output latch is configured for termination o the delay pulse and a jump to step #13 is made.
Step #8: Checks the clock cycle down counter for a value equal to or 10 less than four. If not, a jump to step #13 is made. If the clock cycle down counter is equal to or less than four, the E RAM output latch is configured to terminate the current E RAM cycle, and a jump to step #13 is made .
Step #9: Checks the E RAM status flag variable of a Read cycle. If 15 not, a jump to step #10 is made. If the current R R~M cycle is a Read cycle, the E RA~ ternal register count is checked Eor zero . I t` this register is zero, then the Default Variable pointer is reinitialized to the first default variable. Next, the sixteen bits of data is processed. The first eight bits are checked for a value of 255. If the first byte is equal 2 0 to 255 and the E R~M Internal Register Count is zero, the Blank E RAM
flag is set. Next, the address of the current eight bit default variable is found and the Read eight bits are stored. Then the eight bits are added to the current default Sum variable. Next, the Default variable pointer is incremented by two and the address Oe the last eight bit l~efault Variable is 25 found. Then the last eight bits of data are stored into the Default Variable and added to the current Default Sum Variable. The next step is then executed .

'19 3~3~ 1~86140 Step #10: Checks the E RAM flag variable to determine whether the current E RAM c-ycle has data. I t not, a jump to step #11 is made . If the current E RAM cycle has data, then the E RAM Internal Register Count Variable is incremented by one and -then checked to determine whether the 5 last sixteen bit register has been processed. If it has, then a jump to step #11 is made; otherwise the current E RAM clock cycle up counter is cleared. The E RAM delay pulse flag is cleared, and a jump to step #13 is made .
Step #11: Sets the E RAM cycle done flag. Channel #4 of the Clock 10 Timer Chip is disabled, and the E RAM flag variable is checked to determine whether the current E RAM cycle was a Read cycle. If not, a jump to step #13 is made. If the current E RAM cycle is a Read cycle, the Blank E RAM flag is checked for a set condition. If the blank E RAM flag is already set, a jurnp to step #13 is made. If the blank E RAM flag was 15 not set, the Default Variable Sum variable is checked for a value of zero which would indicate that the modem currently does not have an E RAM. If the Default Variable sum is equal to zero, the Blank E RAM flag is set.
Next, a jump to step #13 is made.
Step #12: Shifts the data in the E RAM three byte data buffer to the 20 left by one bit in preparation for the next E RAM clock cycle. At the same time the data is shifted left, the current E RAM chip data input port is read and its data bit shifted into the least significant bit of the three byte data buffer . After the data has been shifted, the E RAM ou tput latch is configured according to the carry flag . If the carry flag is cleared 9 bit 2 5 three of the E RAM output latch is cleared . If the carry flag is set, then bit three of the E RAM output latch is set. Then the next step is executed .

4~73~ lA861~10 Step #13: Loads the E RAM output latch variable and either sets bit two, if the current E RAM clock cycle up counter is odd ~ or clears bit two if the current E RAM clock cycle up counter is even. This toggling of bit two provides the hardware clock pulse which the E RAM needs to function.
5 The loaded variable is then output to the E RAM. Next, the current E RAM clock down counter is checked for a value of zero. If the currcnt E RAM clock cycle down counter is decremented by one and the current E RAM clock cycle up counter is incremented by one. Finally, control is once again returned to the interrupted module.
Module #22 Entry:
This module is called by the module "CMDEC".
Referenced:
This module calls the following module "SAVDFT".
nescription:
The purpose of this module is to supervise the writing of all the modem's current command setting into the E RAM. The following describes the steps taken:
Step #1: Calls the module "SAVDFT" to update the internal default variable to reflect the current state of the modem's commands that have a switch of either ON or OFF.
Step #2: Loads the E RAM command variable for an Erase/Write Enable cycle. Next, the E RAM flag variable is configured for the correct E RAM
chip and the busy flag is set. Then the E RAM clock cycle up counter and the E RAM internal register count variable are cleared. Next, channel #4 of the Clock Timer Chip is initialized to provide a lKhz clock rate and then enabled. This action starts the interrupt service module "E2MSRV", which ~37'3 C3 lA86140 in turn actually executes the E RAM Erase/Write Enable cycle. Then, this module waits for the E RAM done flag before proceeding to the next step.
Step #3: Loads the E RAM command variable for an E RAM Erase All cycle. Next, the E RAM ~lag variable is configured for the correct E RAM
chip, a delay pulse, and for a busy condition. Then the E RAM internal register count variable are cleared. Next, channel #4 of the clock timer chip is initialized to provide a lKhz clock ratle and then enabled. This action starts the interrupt service module "E2MSRV", which in turn actually executes the E RAM Erase All cycle. Then this module waits for the E RAM
done ~lag before proceeding to the next step.
Step #4: Loads the E RAM command variable for an E RAM Write Register cycle. Next, the E RAM flag variable is configured for the correct E RAM chip, a delay pulse, a wri te cycle, and for a busy condition. Then the E RAM clock cycle up counter and the E RAM internal register count variable are cleared. Next, channel #~ of the Clock Timer Chip is initinlized to provide a 1 Khz clocls rate and then enabled. This action starts the interrupt service module "E2MSRV", which in turn actually executes the E RAM Write Register cycle. Then this module waits for the E RAM done flag before proceeding to the next step.
2 0 Step #5: Loads the E RAM command variable for a E RAM Erase/Write Disable cycle. Next, the E RAM flag variable is configured for the correct E RAM chip, and for a busy condition. Then the E RAM clock cycle up counter and the E RAM internal register count variable are cleared. Next ~
channel #~ Oe the Clock Timer Chip is initialized to provide a lKhz clock 2 5 rate and then enabled . This action starts the interrupt serv;ce module "E2MSRV", which in turn actually executes the E RAM Erase/Write Disable cycle. Then this module waits for the E RAM done flag before proceeding to the next step.

3~ lA~6 1~1 0 Step #6: Returns control to the calling module.
Module #23 Entry:
This module is called by the modules "WIRMOD" and "CMDEC".
Referenced:
This module calls the following module "RESDFT".
Description -The purpose of this module is to supervise the reading of all the stored modem's command settings from the E RAM. The following describes the steps taken:
Step #1: Loads the E RAM command variable for fl Read Register cycle. Next, the E RAM flag variable is configured for the correct E R~M
chip, a read cycle, a data cycle, and for a busy condition. Then the E
RAM clock cycle up counter and the R RAM internal register count variable are cleared. Next, channel #~ of the clock timer chip iS initializecl to provide a lKh~ clock rate and then enabled. This action starts the interrupt service module "E2MSRV", which in turn actually executes the E
RAM Read Register cycle. Then, this module waits for the E RAM done flag before proceeding to the next step.
Step #2: Calls the mvdule "RESDET" to set the modem's commands that ha~e a switch of either ON or OFF to the setting just read from the E RAM. Then this module returns control to the calling module.
Module #24 Entry:
This module is called by the module "E2SAVE".

``` ~?t~7~3 lA86140 Referenced This module calls the following module "CMDEC".
Description:
The purpose of this module is to set the default variable bits to the 5 current setting of the modem's commands that have a switch of either ON or OFF. If the bit is set, it indicates that the associated command is currently ON. If the default variable bit is cleared, it indicates that the associated command is currently OFF. The commands are found by searching the tables in module "CMDTBL". After the command is identified, 10 the associated command number is stored in the command number variable and the command switch variable set to a value of 80 Hex. Then the module "CMDEC" is called, which interprets the 80 Hex as to return the current switch setting of that desired command. This same process is repeated until all the ON/OFF type commands have been interrogated and 15 the corresponding bit in the default variable set accordingly. Then control is returned to the calling program.
Module #25 RESDFT
Entry:

This module is called by the module "E2REST".
Referenced:
This module calls the following module "CMDEC".
Description:
The purpose of this module is to set the modem's commands that have 2 5 a switch of either ON or OFF to the current state of the default variables .
Each bit in the default variable represents one command's switch setting.
If the bit is set, the corresponding command's switch is set to ON. If the default bit is cleared, then the corresponding command's switch is set to 7~ lA861'10 OFF. The commands are found by searching the tables in module "CMDTBL". After the command is identified, the associated command number is stored in the command number variable. The command switch variable is set from the current setting of the default variable bit. Then 5 the module "CMDEC" is called, putting the command in the proper state.
This same process is repeated until all the ON/OFF type commands have been set to the state specified by the defaul-t variables. Then control is returned to the calling program.
Module #26 Entry:
This module is entered when the interrupts are enabled and any of the following three devices interrupts: Channel A External/status change of the serial Input/Output chip, and Channels ~1 and #2 of the Clock Timer 15 Chip.
Referenced:
None .
Description:
The purpose of this module is to handle any interrupts that may occur 2 0 from a device that is not currently being used . If one of these devices do cause an interrupt, a corresponding activity variable is incremented, the interrupts re-enabled, and a return to the interrupted module executed.
Module #27 COPYRI
2 5 Entry:
This module is referenced by the module "CMDEC".
Referenced:
None .

73~ 1A86140 Description:
This modllle provides the ASCII verbage used by the modem's command "COPYRI" .
Module #28 RAMDEF
Entry:
This module is referenced by most of the other modules.
Referen~ed:
None.
Description:
:
This module defines all of the modem's internal variables used by all the modules. These varialbles end up being stored in the modem's Random Access Memory.
The following commands are user software selectable and stored in the internal EEProms shown in Fig. 5 as 29: Auto Line Feed (on/of'f), Address, Unit (1-255), Backspace (on/off), Carrier Busy Delay, Command Time Delay, Command Mode Character, Connect Address (1-255), Converse Command Character, Disconnect Character, ECHO (on/off), FRACK (1-16), Help Commands, HDLC Baud Rate (155-9g00), NULLS (0-30), NUCR
(on/off'), NULF (on/off), Packet Data Length (1-256), Peek I/O, Peek Memory, Radio (on/off), Software Reset, Packet Retry (1-256), Save (Store default in EEProm), SENDPAC, START, STOP, TRANS, TX Delay, TX End Delay, Type Error Messages, Xon/Xoff protocol.

Claims (15)

The embodiments of the invention, in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed, are defined as follows:

1. A wireless modem for transferring data between host computer devices in a computer local area network, said modem comprising:
transceiver means for broadcasting and receiving radio frequency signals;
port means adapted to be operably connected to a host computer device for transferring data in a machine readable format;
controller means operably connected between the transceiver means and the port means for respectively assembling data into discrete packets or converting packets of data to a machine readable format as data is either received from or delivered to a host computer device through said port means;
encoder-decoder means operably connected to said controller means for respectively modulating or demodulating each packet of data broadcast or received by said transceiver means;
and a programmed central processing unit (CPU) operably connected to said transceiver means, port means, and controller means for assuring orderly networking of the modem by:
(a) delaying the broadcast of signals by the modem while another modem within a network is broadcasting;
(b) comparing address information in each received packet of data to a preassigned address for the modem;
(e) requiring that receipt of each packet of data broadcast by the modem be verified by the modem to which it is being sent prior to broadcast of a subsequent packet of data.

2. The wireless modem of claim 1 wherein the CPU is programmed to rebroadcast each packet of data until its receipt by the modem to which it is being sent is verified.

3. The wireless modem of claim 1 wherein the CPU is programmed to rebroadcast each packet of data until its receipt by the modem to which it is being sent is verified;
and means for permitting a user of the modem to select the number of rebroadcasts of a packet of data that will be attempted before termination of broadcasting by the modem.

4. The wireless modem of claim 1 wherein said controller means converts data in a machine readable format to or from a High Level Data Link (HDLC) format.

5. The wireless modem of claim 1 wherein said controller means converts data in a machine readable format to or from a High Level Data Link (HDLC) format which includes an Address field.

6. The wireless modem of claim 1 further comprising:
buffer means for holding data as it is moved between said transceiver means, port means, and controller means for permitting the modem to manipulate data at a speed different from that of its host computer device.

7. The wireless modem of claim 1 further comprising:
test/enable means for emulating the operation of a host device for testing the broadcasting and reception of signals by the modem.

8. The wireless modem of claim 1, further comprising:
means for continuously broadcasting a test signal from the modem.

9. A wireless modem for transmitting data received from a host computer device in a computer local area network, said modem comprising:
transmitter means for selectively broadcasting a radio frequency signal on a preassigned frequency channel;
port means adapted to be operably connected to a host computer device for transferring data to the modem in a machine readable format;
controller means operably connected between the transmitter means and the port means for assembling transferred data into discrete packets as it is received from the host computer device;
encoder means operably connected to said controller means for modulating each packet of data;
and a programmed central processing unit (CPU) for controlling the operation of the transmitter means, port means and controller means to assure orderly networking of the modem by:
(a) delaying the broadcast of signals by the modem while another modem within a network is broadcasting a radio frequency signal on the assigned channel;
(b) assigning address information to each packet of data to identify a receiving modem in the network;
(c) requiring that verification of receipt of each packet of data by the receiving modem be processed by the CPU prior to broadcast of a subsequent packet of data.

10. The modem of claim 9, further comprising:

means for randomly delaying transmission of radio frequency signals by said transmitter means when another modem is transmitting on the assigned channel.

11. The modem of claim 9, further comprising:
means for causing said controller means and encoder means to repeat the processing of a packet of data if verification of its receipt is not received by the CPU within a specified time after it is broadcast by said transmitter means.

12. The modem of claim 9, further comprising:
means operably connected to said transmitter for selectively broadcasting a test signal on the assigned channel.

13. The modem of claim 9, further comprising:
means operably connected to said transmitter for selectively emulating operation of a host computer device without transfer of data through said port means for testing the operation of a network of modems including the modem.

14. A wireless modem for receiving data directed to a host computer device in a computer local area network, said modem comprising:
receiver means for selectively receiving a broadcast radio frequency signal;
port means adapted to be operably connected to a host computer device for transferring data between the modem and the host computer device in a machine readable format;

decoding means operably connected to said receiver means for demodulating received radio frequency signals;
controller means operably connected between the receiver means and the port means for converting the demodulated data to a machine readable format;
and a programmed central processing unit (CPU) for controlling the operation of the receiver means, port means, and controller means to assure orderly networking of the modem by:
(a) returning said receiver means to a standby receiving condition if address information within the decoded data fails to match a preassigned address for the modem;
(b) returning said receiver means to a standby receiving condition if errors are detected in the demodulated data;
(c) verifying receipt of data by its host computer device by a handshaking protocol.

15. The modem of claim 14, further comprising:
transmitter means operably controlled by said CPU for broadcasting a signal indicating receipt of data by its host computer device.