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-
- Date: Thursday, 30 May 1985
- From: Minh N. Hoang
- Re: 212/224's Remote digital loopback mechanism
-
- Recent messages indicated that quite a few modems are getting into
- remote digital loops inadvertently so I poked around to find out how
- the modems intentionally get into this. The following comes from
- CCITT V.22bis recommendation which specifies the 2400/1200 bps modem.
- Except for the answer back tone, the 1200 mode is 212-compatible,
- including the loop.
-
- For reference, modem A is the instigator and modem B the one that
- loops back data. (All the modems that see data echoed back are
- instigators.) Here it goes:
-
- *** Entering remote loopback ***
-
- When modem A is instructed to instigate a remote loop, it shall
- transmit an initiation signal of unscrambled binary one at the current
- operating speed. (If you happen to listen to this, you'd hear a tone
- instead of the usual hiss-like noise.)
-
- Modem B shall detect 154 - 231 ms. of the initiation signal, and then
- transmit to modem A scrambled alternating binary 1 and 0. (And your
- modem faithfully passes this to your terminal - hence the UUUUs).
-
- Modem A shall detect 231 - 308 ms. of scrambled reversals, cease
- transmission of the initiation signal, and then transmit scrambled
- binary 1.
-
- Modem B shall detect the loss of initiation signal and activate the
- loopback. (Now, everything modem A transmits will be "echoed").
-
- Modem A after receiving 231 - 308 ms. of scrambled binary 1 (which it
- sent), shall indicate to the terminal that it may begin sending test
- messages. (Modem A will now send terminal's data as usual so you can
- see all you type).
-
- *** Exiting remote loopback ***
-
- When modem A is instructed to terminate the remote loop, the line
- signal shall be suppressed for 77 +- 10 ms, after which transmission
- shall be restored. (A very short simulated carrier loss).
-
- Modem B detects the loss of signal in 40 - 65 and its reappearance
- within 155 +- 50 ms, after which modem B returns to normal operation.
- (For most modems, carrier loss of >300 ms may cause disconnect).
-
- *** -+- ***
-
- Thus, if you're inadvertently dumped into this loop and your modem
- doesn't have a remote loop switch, it's kinda tough to get out without
- losing the connection.
-
- How does your modem initiate this loop? (It's usually not modem B's
- fault.) A common cause is called scrambler lock-up. These modems use
- a scrambler of the form D_tx[n] = D_in[n] .XOR. D_tx[n-14] .XOR.
- D_tx[n-17] and transmit the scrambled output. If the scrambler's
- delay line happens to be filled with 1's, then the modem effectively
- sends unscrambled 1's, the initiation signal. The other modem
- responds with UUUUs. You type a few characters in panic and end the
- lock-up. The other modem senses the end of the initiation signal and
- voila... you're looping.
-
- To prevent this, once the scrambler outputs 64 consecutive 1's, it
- should invert the next input bit. Sometimes, the modem doesn't
- incorporate this detector-inverter because the situation is relatively
- rare, supposedly.
-
- Cheers,