44 OEM4 Family Installation and Operation User Manual Rev 12Chapter 4 Operation4.2.1 Starting the ReceiverThe receiver’s software resides in read-only memory. As such, the unit “self-boots” when turned onand undergoes a complete self-test. If an error condition is detected during a self-test, the self-teststatus word would change; this self-test status word can be viewed in the header of any data outputlog. See the chapter on Messages in Volume 2 of this manual for header information. If a persistenterror develops, please contact your local NovAtel dealer first. If the problem is still unresolved, pleasecontact NovAtel directly through any of the methods in the Customer Service section at the beginningof this manual on Page 13.When the receiver is first turned on, no activity information is transmitted from the COM ports exceptfor the port prompt. The external data communications equipment screen will display one of thesethree messages:[COM1] if connected to COM1 port,[COM2] if connected to COM2 port,or[COM3] if connected to COM3 portAny of these prompts indicate that the receiver is ready and waiting for command input.Commands are typed at the interfacing terminal’s keyboard, and executed after issuing a carriagereturn command which is usually the same as pressing the terminal’s key.An example of a response to an input command is the FIX POSITION command. It can be entered:[COM2]FIX POSITION 51.11635 -114.0383 1048.2[Carriage Return]The above example illustrates command input to the receiver’s COM2 port which sets the position ofthe base station receiver in differential operation. Confirmation that the command was actuallyaccepted is the appearance of <OK.If a command is incorrectly entered, the receiver will respond with “detailed error message).For more information on the various commands and logs please refer to the user manual entitledVolume 2, Command and Log Reference.4.2.2 Remote Terminal, PC and GPS ReceiverGPSolution is the preferred option to DOS or a terminal program, however examples of how to usethe two latter options follows. For this example, consider a situation where a PC’s appropriately-configured COM1 port is connected to the receiver’s COM1 port, and where a remote terminal isconnected to the receiver’s COM2 port.4.2.2.1 DOSOne way to initiate multiple commands and logging from the receiver is to create DOS boot-upcommand files relating to specific functions. This will save time when you want to duplicate testsituations and minimize set-up time. Any convenient text editor can be used to create command textfiles.
