iChip SerialNET Configuration 1_00 - Connect One

iChip SerialNET 

Quick Configuration Guide 

Version 1.00 

April 2009

Connect One 

SerialNET Quick Configuration Guide 

General 

iChip’s SerialNET mode extends the local host interface to a TCP socket or a UDP 

socket across a LAN or Internet. The host interface can be asynchronous serial or 

USB. Its main purpose is to allow devices, which normally interact over the host 

interface, to interact in a similar fashion across a network, without requiring software 

changes. In order to achieve this, SerialNET mode defines a set of associated 

operational parameters, which determine the nature of the desired network 

connection. When iChip is put in SerialNET mode, it acts as a transparent bridge 

between the device and the network. 

SerialNET mode can be configured for server applications as well as for client 

applications. All the supported communication platforms that are supported by iChip 

can be used: LAN, Wireless LAN, dial-up modem or cellular modem. SerialNET can 

also be configured for Telnet sockets as defined in RFC 2217 (partially implemented). 

This manual describes some of the common configuration options used in SerialNET 

mode. For full description of the SerialNET feature please refer to the relevant 

chapters in the AT+i Programmer’s Manual: 

• SerialNET Theory of Operation 

• SerialNET Mode Initiation 

• SerialNET Mode Parameters 

SerialNET Mode Activation 

• AT+iSNMD=1 or AT+ iSNMD 

• AT+iSNMD=2 or AT+i!SNMD 

• AT+iSNMD=3 or AT+i@SNMD 

• AT+iSNMD=4 

Additional methods of activation include: 

• Connecting to the Remote AT+i Service port defined by the parameter LATI and 

issuing one of the above AT+i commands. 

• Connecting to the embedded configuration website, navigating to the SerialNET 

tab and clicking on one of the links to initiate SerialNET. 

Upon initiation of SerialNET mode, the iChip will reboot. Once in SerialNET mode, 

no additional AT+i commands can be sent, as the host interface link will be dedicated 

to raw local-device data. SerialNET mode extends across power-down. 

Activation of SerialNET mode is allowed if at least the following parameters are set 

with non-zero values: HIF and HSRV, or HIF and LPRT. 

SerialNET Mode Termination 

SerialNET mode can be terminated in the following methods: 

• Applying power to the iChip with the MSEL signal pulled low for less than 5 

seconds. 

• Pulling low the MSEL signal for more than 5 seconds during runtime. 

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• Issuing the “Escape Code Sequence”, defined as half a second delay followed by 

“+++” (three ‘+’ characters), through the host interface. Bit #3 of the SDM 

parameter must be zero. 

• Issuing a BREAK signal on the UART. Bit #4 of the SDM parameter must be set 

to 1 and HIF must be 1, 2, or 3. 

• Connecting to the Remote AT+i Service port defined by the parameter LATI and 

issuing the “Escape Code Sequence” +++. 

• Connecting to the embedded configuration website, navigating to the SerialNET 

tab and clicking on the link to terminate SerialNET. 

When one of these occurs, iChip terminates SerialNET mode and reboots. Afterwards 

iChip will respond to AT+i commands. 

Socket Configuration 

• AT+iSTYP 

Select between UDP, TCP or SSL. 

• AT+iHSRV 

Address of a remote server on the LAN or Internet. Two additional addresses can 

be configured as back up using the parameters: HSR1 and HSR2. 

• AT+iLPRT 

Local listen port number. 

Flush Conditions 

A combination of several parameters determines the timing and the size of outgoing 

data packets: 

• AT+iMTTF 

Set maximum timeout in seconds to transmit accumulated outgoing data. 

• AT+iMCBF 

Set minimum amount of bytes per outgoing packet. 

• AT+iFCHR 

Set a character or hexadecimal byte value to signal the iChip to send out a packet. 

Buffering outgoing data 

• AT+iMBTB 

Set maximum amount of bytes to be saved in local memory while connection to 

the remote server has not yet been established. 

Disconnecting active connections 

• AT+iDSTR 

An open socket connection will be closed if the specified string will be issued by 

the host controller. 

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• AT+iIATO 

An idle open socket connection will be closed if the specified timeout has elapsed. 

• AT+iSNRD 

An amount of time in seconds that iChip will remain unconnected before reinitializing 

SerialNET mode after a connection was terminated. 

Host Interface Configuration 

• AT+iSNSI 

Settings of the local asynchronous serial link to the host controller: 

,,,, 

• AT+iHIF 

Set the host interface as one of the UARTS or USB interfaces. 

• AT+iMIF 

Set the interface to the modem. 

Additional Features 

Additional features can be configured to be active in SerialNET mode: 

• Embedded Web Server 

• IP Registration 

• RAS 

• Wake up procedure of a remote SerialNET Server 

• Filter outgoing packets 

SerialNET Error Management 

Following is a list of the error codes that can be received in response to iChip 

SerialNET commands: 

115 SerialNET could not be started due to missing parameters 

122 SerialNET mode error: Host interface undefined (HIF=0) 

123 SerialNET mode error: Host baud rate cannot be 

determined 

124 SerialNET over TELNET error: HIF parameter must be 

set to 1 or 2 

561 Remote peer closed the SerialNET socket. 

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Examples 

Following are a few examples of configuration of SerialNET mode. Prior to activating 

SerialNET mode, it is essential to set up the network parameters for the active 

Ethernet, WiFi or modem connection. 

Example 1: 

Scenario: A client device which is always connected to the server by LAN (Ethernet 

or WiFi) 

AT+iHSRV=172.20.0.1:3001 

I/OK 

AT+iMCBF=15 

I/OK 

AT+iMBTB=512 

I/OK 

AT+iSTYP=0 

I/OK 

AT+iHIF=1 

I/OK 

AT+iSNSI=”9,8,N,1,1” 

I/OK 

AT+iAWS=1 

I/OK 

AT+i!SNMD 

I/OK 

I/ONLINE 

Address of the remote server 

Outgoing packets should be of size 15 Bytes 

Smaller packets will not be sent 

Save up to 512 bytes in local buffer in case 

data is sent by the host but server is offline 

TCP socket 

Interface to the host is UART0 

Set baud rate to 115200bps, 8 data bits, No 

Parity, 1 Stop bit, Flow Control signals enabled 

The embedded website will be active 

Activate SerialNET in mode 2. The TCP 

socket will always be connected to the server 

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Example 2: 

Scenario: A server device which is connected to the LAN (Ethernet or WiFi) 

AT+iLPRT=5500 

I/OK 

AT+iFCHR=\x0A 

I/OK 

AT+iMTTF=1000 

I/OK 

AT+iIATO=60 

I/OK 

AT+iSTYP=0 

I/OK 

AT+iHIF=1 

I/OK 

AT+iSNSI=”9,8,N,1,1” 

I/OK 

AT+iAWS=1 

I/OK 

AT+iRRMA=user@webmail.net 

I/OK 

AT+iSNMD=1 

I/OK 

I/ONLINE 

Set the port number of the TCP listen socket 

Outgoing packets usually end with Line Feed 

character 

Accumulate data for 1000 milliseconds 

before sending out a packet 

Actively disconnect a client which is idle 

for 60 seconds 

TCP socket 

Interface to the host is UART0 

Set baud rate to 115200bps, 8 data bits, No 

Parity, 1 Stop bit, Flow Control signals enabled 

The embedded website will be active 

Email recipient for a registration message 

Activate SerialNET in mode 1. The TCP listen 

socket will always be available for a remote 

client to connect. 

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iChip SerialNET Configuration 1_00 - Connect One

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