Software Vault: The Gold Collection/Software Vault - The Gold Collection (American Databankers) (1993).ISO/cdr11/supratxt.zip/NEWROM.TXT

Text File | 1993-02-04 | 19KB | 440 lines

                  SUPRA TECHNICAL SUPPORT BULLETIN
               STATUS AND ENHANCEMENTS TO V32BIS ROM (1.2H/J)
                              9/18/92

Supra Corporation
7101 Supra Drive SW, Albany, OR  97321

General [phone] / Fax [phone]
Sales: 7:00am - 5:00pm PST, M-F
   [phone]
   [phone]
Supra Tech Support:  8:00am - 5:00pm PST, M-F
   [phone]  GENERAL
   [phone]  IBM DOS
   [phone]  IBM WINDOWs
   [phone]  MAC
   [phone]  AMIGA

Supra BBS........[phone]  8 lines 24 Hours

CompuServe.......76004,565
BIX..............SupraCorp
America Online...SupraCorp2
GEnie............SupraTech
AppleLink........D2456
UseNet [e-mail]


Dear SupraFAXModem Owner,

I would personally like to thank you for recently purchasing a SupraFAXModem
V.32/ V.32bis.  You have chosen a modem that has quickly become the market
leader due to its excellent performance, wide range of features, and
economical price.  In fact, you may have seen some of the SupraFAXModem's
recent accolades:

    Byte Magazine, Jerry Pournelle, User Column, July '92
         "Recommended."

    MacWorld Magazine, Tom Negrino, Review w/4 Star Rating, August,1992
         "I strongly recommend the SupraFAXModem V.32bis."

    PC Magazine, John C. Dvorak, Inside Track, September 29, 1992
         "The Supra 14.4 fax modem is the one I've been using recently ... "

    Hot Sellers List,  Merisel (2nd largest U.S. computer distributor),
          August 1992 #1 Best Selling Modem

You, our customer, have helped make the modem the success it is today.  To
show our appreciation and to make sure that you have the best performing
product possible, we are offering you a free upgrade to our latest modem
firmware.   We have made several enhancements since you purchased your modem
and this upgrade will bring you to the level of what we are shipping today.
I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this upgrade because it will
enhance your modem performance and give you access to many new features.

Detailed information on the enhancements are provided latter on.

There are two options for upgrading your modem.  Please read each description
and then make the appropriate selection in our online ordering system.

OPTION #1  ─ FREE
This will give you the free upgrade to all of our basic enhancements as
detailed latter on.  Upgrade will be shipped via U.S. Mail within 10 days of
receipt of your order.

OPTION #2 ─ $49.95 + $5.00 UPS BLUE Shipping  =  $54.95
         outside US $15.00 US AirMail shipping = $64.95

Caller ID  allows your computer to know who's
calling you before the modem even answers the phone.  In the near future,
you will find applications that support this feature in many ways.  We have
included more details and a list of potential applications on the back of
this letter.  Your order will be shipped within 3 days of receipt via
UPS Blue Label (2 day) service or US AirMail if outside US. It can be ordered
using Visa, MasterCard, or COD (there is a $5 COD charge).  Our European
customers can order the rom from us now, or from Supra Gmbh in Germany for
a reduced shipping cost.

Again, I encourage you to take advantage of the benefits these upgrades offer.


Sincerely,


John Wiley
President

P.S. Please look for the upcoming Voice firmware upgrade coming soon.


NOTE:  Supra has sent a notice to all registered owners.  You can order the
       roms from that notice, you can order them from Supra's BBS or you can
       send a letter to us with a copy of the serial number on the bottom of
       the modem.  Please mark the letter ATTN: V32BIS ROM.  You MUST have
       your modem's serial number to order the roms from Supra. Only 1 set
       of roms will be sent for each serial number.

       These are the ONLY options available for requesting the new roms.


As you may  know, we use a Rockwell chipset as the foundation of the
SupraFAXModem.  Many of our competitors also use this same chipset.  To
differentiate our product and to make sure it is the best on the market,
Supra has enhanced the standard Rockwell firmware by fixing several small
problems that customers have discovered and, more importantly, by adding new
features and commands.   This gives the SupraFAXModem  vastly superior
performance compared to most of the competitors.  Some of our enhancements
are listed below:

OPTION #1 - FREE
Performance Enhancements:
    Fall-back in speed upon worsening telephone line conditions (V.32bis
    connections)

    Fall-up in speed when the line conditions get better  (V.32bis
    connections)

    Improved DTR signal handling

    Improved busy signal recognition

    Enhanced &V modem settings display

    Selection of V.32 / V.32bis negotiation

    Enhanced fax machine capability

    Numerous other enhancements

New standard features:
    ECM (Error Correction Mode) fax support
       Allows transmission of error-free faxes when used with fax software
       that supports ECM.

    Silent Answer
       This feature allows using one telephone line for both two purposes:
       receiving faxes with the modem, and receiving voice calls with an
       attached answering machine/telephone.  When set to this mode, the
       modem lets your answering machine answer all incoming calls.  If it
       detects fax "CNG" tones, it routes the call to your fax software.
       Otherwise it just sits silently on the phone line while you or your
       answering machine takes the call.

OPTION #2  - $49.95
Caller ID
    In addition to all of the above features, Option #2 gives you the
    sophisticated Caller ID feature.  Caller ID service is now approved in
    many states, but you should call your local phone company to check
    availability in your area.  With this feature active, the following
    information will be provided to your computer between the first and
    second telephone rings of each call:

           DATE = 1021     Call date
           TIME = 1405     Call time
           NMBR = 5039672400    Phone  number of calling party
           NAME = SUPRA CORP    Listed name of the calling party (optional)

    Caller ID can be used by many computer applications for improved security,
    efficiency, and convenience.  The following is a list of potential
    applications:

         Bulletin Board Systems (BBS's)
             Allows positive identification of all callers without the normal
             tedious logon sequences.  Also prevents unauthorized entry due to
             lost or stolen accounts and passwords because the BBS knows exactly
             who's calling.

         Screening Calls
             Have your computer display who's calling so you can decide if
             you want to answer or not.  Allow only important calls to
             interrupt your day.

         Professional Billing
             Your computer can match incoming calls to your client list and
             automatically create a charge to their account for your phone
             time.

         Quick Database Lookup
             Have your customer's record or account displayed on your
             computer screen before you even answer the call.  Now that's
             service!


MORE INDEPTH INFORMATION ON 1.2H/J ENHANCEMENTS

Many of the enhancements are unique to the Supra V32/V32bis modem and are not
available from other manufactures who are using Rockwell's v32/v32bis chipset
or other v32/v32bis modems/fax modems that are on the market.

The new rom is currently reved as 1.2H and J and will include the following
features:
        1.2H FEATURES:

        Enhances Busy Detection
        Fixes several Lock Display/Modem problems
        Improved Speed Renegotiation (Fall Back) upon bad line conditions
        Implements Fall Forward upon better line conditions
        Fixes Adaptive Answering (allows data/fax determination)
        Implements ECM  (Error Correction Mode)
                Note:  Must be supported by fax software
        Implements BFT mode (Binary File Transfer)
                Note:  Must be supported by fax/terminal software
        Fixes problem with DCD line turning off if modem configured with &C
        &Dx and &Cx settings are respected when in fax mode
        Fixes problem connecting with some fax machines
        Added S-Register S109
        Added S-Register S110=3
        Implements Silent Answer (allows voice/fax determination)
                Note:  Must be supported by fax software

        AND 1.2J Implements Caller ID



Enhances Busy Detection
        Some people had several different problems with busy detection.  All
        calls would return BUSY or only certain calls would return busy.  All
        known problems have been fixed. This problem only happened to a small
        percentage of users.

Fixes several Lock Display/Modem problems
        The Supra v32bis modem is running several different processors and
        tasks at one time. If the right timing sequence or events happen,
        the modem could lockup.  The only way to fix the problem was to
        power cycle the modem.  This problem only happened to a small
        percentage of users.

Improved Speed Renegotiation (Fall Back) upon bad line conditions
        The 1.2C rom was our first rom to implement this feature.  We have
        continued to improve our code to better handle bad line conditions,
        especially at connect time.

Implements Fall Forward upon better line conditions
        Once the phone line conditions improve, the modem can initiate a step
        up in baud.

Fixes Adaptive Answering (allows data/fax determination)
        A mode which allows the modem to connect with either a fax or a data
        modem.  Once it makes the connection, it will return a result code
        indicating which one it connected with.  It is then the software's
        responsibility to route the call to the proper program.  Some "front
        door" software for BBS and terminal programs have this ability.
        "Front door" software has control of the serial port and waits for an
        incoming call.  When it receives a call, it may present a prompt to
        the user asking which program they want to run, or based upon the
        modems result code decide which program is to be run.  (Thus it
        functions as a call router.) The "front door" software then wakes up
        or runs the correct program, which than takes over control of the
        serial port and thus the modem.  When the call is ended, the program
        quits or shuts down and lets the "front door" regain control of the
        serial port/modem.

        AT +FCLASS=0
        AT +FAA=1 (if using class 2) or +FAE=1 (if using class 1)
        AT S0=(1-255)  or ATA

        Result Codes:  CONNECT XX if data call
        FAX if fax call

        NOTE:  This sequence must be sent before every answer

Implements ECM  (Error Correction Mode)
        Allows the fax software to resend a block of information if it is not
        received correctly by the other modem.  This feature MUST be supported
        by the fax software in order to be used.

Implements BFT mode (Binary File Transfer)
        Allows the user to send a file to another fax modem as if it were a
        fax instead of a file.  This feature MUST be supported by the fax
        software in order to be used. This allows the user to use the fax
        software to send the file instead of using a terminal program.

Fixes problem with DCD line turning off if modem configured with &C
        If the modem was configured with the &C, especially during a
        disconnect, the modem would toggle DCD line.  This problem only
        affected a small percentage of users, generally those running BBSes
        on the Apple II.

&Dx and &Cx settings are respected when in fax mode
        The CCITT TR29.2 committee has not defined how the modem should
        react to the &D and &C settings when in class 2 fax mode.  While the
        committee has not defined this, there is a strong sentiment for
        respecting the &D and &C settings as it is handled in class 1 and
        when the modem is in data mode.  This also allows the modems to work
        better under fax mode in the Unix environment.

Fixes problem connecting with some fax machines
        The 1.2C roms had a few problems making connections to some fax
        machines.  The fax machine used a slightly different tone when
        answering.  This resulted in the two machines toning back and forth,
        not making a connection and then eventually hang up. This problem
        only happened to a small percentage of users.


Added S-Register S109
        Controls speeds available for V.32bis carrier handshake, or the
        carrier rate to negotiate error correction, if S-Register S110=3.

        Decimal Value   Explanation
                1       reserved
                2       4800 bps
                4       7200 bps
                8       9600 bps
                16      12000 bps
                32      14400 bps
                64      reserved
                128     reserved

        *S109 is a bit-mapped register, so you simply place the sum of the
         rates you wish to support in S109.  The default is all rates
         supported by turning on all valid bits with S109=62.


Added S-Register S110=3

        V.32bis standard negotiates carrier speed at 4800 baud then jumps to
        the agreed carrier speed to negotiate error correction/data
        compression.  On noisy lines this can cause various connection
        problems.  Supra's solution is to set S-Register S110 to 3.  This
        causes the modems to connect at the slowest possible V.32 or V.32bis
        speed.  Once this is done, as long as the line is clean enough, the
        modems will up-shift to the next possible carrier rate.

        The slowest possible carrier speed can be limited by the use of
        S-register S109.

NOTE:   Some modems can only up-shift a few times and then they will lose the
        connection  (especially Supra V.32 and V.32bis with ROMs < 1.2C).
        The solution is to change S-Register S109 so that it does not need
        to up-shift as many times.

        S109=56 S110=3 is a good setting with units that only handle a
        few speed shifts.

NOTE:  This only works when the modem is originating the call.

Implements Silent Answer (allows voice/fax determination)
        When the phone rings, the modem will start monitoring the telephone
        line after the 2nd ring.  If it detects a fax tone, it will do one
        of two things:

        1.      If S-Register S0 > 0, the modem will immediately answer the
                phone and attempt a fax connection.

        2.      If S-Register S0 = 0, the modem will quickly issue up to 9
                RINGS messages, expecting the fax software to issue an ATA.

        This eliminates the need for a $150 voice/fax black box.

NOTE:   DO NOT plug the answering machine into the telephone jack on the back
        of the modem, or plug the modem into the answering machine.  They
        should be plugged into seperate jacks, or side-by-side with a duplex
        jack.  This option also also works with a telephone is in the circuit
        with the faxmodem.

NOTE:   You must be able to modify your fax software initialization string to
        take advantage of this feature.  (Not all software initialization
        strings can be modified.)  Your software may also issue commands you
        are not aware of, which could interfere with your ability to use this
        feature.  Software is being updated to support Silent Answer; if your
        software does not support Silent Answer, please contact the software
        company.

        If you can modify your fax software initialization string, use the
        following fax commands to enable Silent Answer:

             AT +FCLASS=0
             AT +FAA=2 (if you are using class 2) or AT +FAE=2 (if you are
                        using class 1)

        *If you do not know which class your software uses, please contract
         the software company.

Implements Caller ID

        This is a feature is only available in some areas of the country.
        In between the 1st and the 2nd ring, the phone company will send
        information on who is calling you.  If you ere in terminal mode and
        had told the modem to answer on the 3rd ring, you would see:

                RING

                DATE = 0321
                TIME = 1405
                NMBR = 5039672400
                NAME = SUPRA CORPORATION    (Not available all areas.)

                RING

                CONNECT 19200

        To enable CALLER ID:

                AT#CID=1        Enables Caller ID in formatted format
                AT#CID=2        Enables Caller ID in unformatted format
                                (ASCII printable hex numbers)
                AT#CID=0        Disables Caller ID


In addition to the enhancements and corrections noted above, Supra's new
1.2H and 1.2J ROM releases also include modifications that were implemented
in the previous 1.2C ROM release.  They are as follows:

%G0     disables Rate Renegotiation on V.32bis

%G1     enables Rate Renegotiation on V.32bis
        enables Rate Renegotiation and Retrain on V.32

%E      has not changed, but if both %G1 and %E1 are set, then the modem will
        Rate Renegotiate during a Retrain.  This is also the only way the V.32
        modem can Rate Renegotiate.

AT&F1 and AT&F2 defaults now include %G1

S-Register S110:

        0       causes connect at V.32 only
        1       enable V.32bis on V.32bis modems
        2       enable V.32bis and automatic rate renegotiation.
        3*

        *S110=3 was not added in the 1.2C code.

Fixed several problems on the fax side of the modem


UPCOMMING FEATURES AND NEW PRODUCTS:

The following features and new products are being worked on.  We do not have
any information on dates, technical information, upgrade costs, or product
cost. As soon as we have the information, we will post it on our BBS.

        Internal version
        Certifiable International version
        V23
        Voice digitization in modem
        Voice software
        DTMF encoding/decoding