SonTek/YSI Argonaut-XR Technical Manual - HydroScientific West

3.15. Run-Time Commands
This section describes how to communicate with the Argonaut while the system is in data
acquisition mode.
Argonaut Operation Manual Firmware Version 7.9 (May 1, 2001)
SonTek/YSI
• Run-time commands are commonly used while using the POLLED output mode (see
OutMode in §3.7). This causes the system only to output a data sample on request, and not
to output data automatically at the end of a sample.
• To “talk” to an Argonaut during a deployment (i.e., when it is in the data acquisition
mode), you must first re-establish communications with the system. This is done by
sending a few carriage returns (; ASCII character code 13) over the communications
cable using a terminal emulator such as SonTek’s SonTerm or SonTermW. Note: You may
have to send more than one because during some phases of its operation, the
Argonaut does not recognize the arrival of just one character.
• After the Argonaut recognizes the , it responds with a $ prompt. This indicates that
for the next 10 seconds run-time commands will be accepted. If no additional characters
are received within 10 seconds, the Argonaut automatically resumes its regular power
management mode of operation. If this occurs, the sequence will have to be repeated to
talk to the system. Note: When several carriage returns are sent and recognized, the
Argonaut ignores them and just resets the 10-s countdown. In addition, if the Argonaut is
in the middle of an averaging interval, it continues transmitting (pinging) at the nominal
1-Hz rate whether the system has been awakened or not. As long as you do not send a
BREAK or the “+++” sequence, the system continues collecting data as usual.
• After the Argonaut responds with the $ prompt, you can use any of the commands
described below to communicate with the system. The commands can be used without
causing any delay or interruption of data collection (except for a few milliseconds that the
system spends in executing the command). Argonaut responses to any of these commands
may be delayed up to one second (this is the frequency at which the incoming command
buffer is checked), so allow up to a 1-s delay after sending a command.
+++ (alternative BREAK command)
• Sending three + characters in succession causes the Argonaut to terminate data collection
and return to the command mode.
• The characters must arrive within a time span of 3 seconds.
• This command is provided as an alternative to sending a BREAK when relaying data over a
modem (where sending a BREAK command may not be possible).
• This command can also be used to wake the Argonaut from sleep mode. Note that the
system may not recognize the first + character. You may need to send more than three +
characters in succession to wake the system.
O (output last sample)
• Sending an “O” (letter O) tells the Argonaut to output the last data sample collected. Note:
This command is not available if OutFormat = SEABIRD.
• The last sample is stored internally and is updated at the end of each averaging interval.
• At the end of each averaging interval, the Argonaut places the sample in an output buffer
in the format specified by the OutFormat command (BINARY, ASCII, METRIC, ENGLISH;
see §3.16).
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