OC32 Transparent Mode

• It is possible to switch UCCI into Transparent Mode using an option configuration command. From that moment (until a “reset”), UCCI no longer behaves as a UCCI but as a USB-RS485, USB-RS232, or RS232-RS485 converter. The main application of Transparent Mode is that you can then configure and test OC32s with the available software without needing a USB converter.
• Transparent Mode works when using either the RS232 port or the USB port to connect to the PC. Note: When using the RS232 port, the connection only works at 19,200 bps. If you use OC32Config, make sure you only use this speed and no other. When using the USB port, the set speed is irrelevant.
• Transparent Mode works best if you have connected the OC32(s) to UCCI via RS485. In that case, you have full configuration functionality. For older UCCI units, you must install a MAX3082 RS485 driver yourself. From mid-April 2013, this is included as standard. If you have connected the OC32(s) via RS232, it also works, but there is no possibility to read back information from the OC32(s).
• When Transparent Mode is switched on, all LEDs on the UCCI first turn on and then turn off one by one. Then the red LED flashes to indicate that UCCI is in Transparent Mode. When sending data from the PC to the RS485/RS232 network behind UCCI, the green LED lights up; when sending data from the RS485 network behind UCCI to the PC, the yellow LED (1) lights up.
• You can end Transparent Mode by switching the UCCI off and on again.

Bootloader Transparent Mode

• It is possible to switch UCCI into Bootloader Transparent Mode using an option configuration command. From that moment on, UCCI no longer behaves as a UCCI but as a USB-RS485 or RS232-RS485 converter. The main application of Bootloader Transparent Mode is that you can then provide OC32s located in the network behind UCCI with new firmware via the VPEB Bootloader without needing extra hardware, such as a U485 converter. Note: Bootloader Transparent Mode only works if you use RS485 for the UCCI-OC32 connection. This is because the Bootloader only works with bidirectional communication.
• Bootloader Transparent Mode works when using either the RS232 port or the USB port to connect to the PC. Note: When using the RS232 port, the connection only works at 38,400 bps. Make sure that 38,400 bps is set as the speed in AVRootloader. When using the USB port, the set speed is irrelevant.
• When Bootloader Transparent Mode is switched on, all LEDs on the UCCI first turn on and then turn off one by one. Then the red LED stays on continuously to indicate that UCCI is in Bootloader Transparent Mode. When sending data from the PC to the RS485 network behind UCCI, the green LED lights up; when sending data from the RS485 network behind UCCI to the PC, the yellow LED (1) lights up.
• You can end Bootloader Transparent Mode by switching the UCCI off and on again.
• For the record: Bootloader Transparent Mode is NOT intended for providing UCCI itself with new firmware via the Bootloader, but for providing components (OC32s) behind UCCI with new firmware.

Activating (Bootloader) Transparent Mode

You can activate Transparent Mode and Bootloader Transparent Mode via DinamoConfig. The requirement is that you use at least DinamoConfig 1.03. Transparent Mode can also be activated directly from OC32Config (0.0.2.3.c or later).

Have fun! (modified May 14, 2013)