
Gemini Users Manual 84
6.3.2 Gemini Native Commands
Access to the Setup data, modeling parameters, tracking rates and much more is possible
by means of Gemini’s Native Command set. These commands have a format that allows
for easier parsing and execution. The use of a checksum allows for safe transmission.
Command Return Value Description
<<id>:<checksum>#
<parameter
value><checksum>#
Get Value (from L2 up)
><id>:<parameter
value><checksum>#
# Set Value (from L2 up)
Native Serial Command Syntax
Each command has a numeric identification, “id” that is interpreted as an integer; leading
zeros are ignored. To request a value from Gemini, the command begins with the “less
than” character “<”, and to set a value, the command begins with “>”. Some commands
are grouped (e.g. the tracking rates are group 130). If any one of the commands within
this group is used in a “Get Value” command, the actual setting (e.g. 131 for Sidereal
Tracking) is returned.
The checksum for the native commands is calculated by a bytewise XOR operation of the
transmitted characters, including the Get/Set command sign (“<”, “>”). The highest
significant bit of the result is cleared (modulo 128 operation) and 64 is added. For
sending, the checksum is separated by a colon. On receiving, there is no colon, but the
checksum can easily be recognized after the parameter value because it is never a number
(in the ASCII alphabet, number characters range from 48 (30H) to 57 (39H), so the
checksum will always be greater.)
Commands received with a wrong checksum are not executed. If Gemini is in Debug
mode, both the received and the expected internally calculated checksums are displayed
as hexadecimal characters instead.
6.4 Connecting a GPS Receiver
The serial ports of many GPS receiver units have a special, non-standardized design. To
connect these GPS units to a computer, you will have to obtain a cable from your GPS
manufacturer for that purpose. On the PC side, these cables have a DB9 connector like
the one shown in section 6.1. There are two options for connecting this cable to the
Gemini. The first is to buy a commercially available null modem adapter (male DB9
connectors on both sides). A simple “gender changer” will not work, since it would
connect the outputs of both ports (TxD to TxD) and inputs (RxD to RxD) to each other.
The null modem adapter will cross TxD to RxD.
Alternatively, a cable can be made with an RJ22 plug as described in section 6.1, but with
a male DB9 connector and the RxD and TxD wires swapped.
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