Homer Operation Modes

The Homer can be operated in several modes.

  • The easiest method, in particular for new users, is employing the Microsoft Windows-based HomSoft software, through which the Homer is controlled from a PC.

  • Another option is autonomous operation, which requires nothing more than the Homer itself. To function properly, the Homer must be appropriately configured via its internal configuration files.

  • Yet another possibility is integrating the Homer into your own system. It is relatively straightforward if your system is based on LabVIEW. Otherwise, you have to study Homer Communication Protocol and program the communication with the Homer yourself.

Using HomSoft

  • Turn on your PC.

  • Turn on the Homer DC power supply.

  • If your Homer contains a POWER switch, set it to ON position. The power-up procedure (booting) may last up to 30 seconds. The Homer is ready after playing a Morse code. The Morse sequence depends on the used communication interface:

  • RS232 with transmitting results in binary format: RS, i.e., | × - × | × × × |.

  • RS232 with transmitting results in text (ASCII) format: RSA, i.e., | × - × | × × × |× - |.

  • CAN: N, followed by the Morse code of its CAN Address (e.g., N1, i.e., | - × | × - - - - | for CAN Address = 1). The meaning of CAN Address see in MultiCAN: More Homers on CAN Bus. (For Server versions 53 and less, the initial N is not played, only the number.)

  • EtherNet/IP: ETH, i.e., | × | - | × × × × |.

  • If your device contains AUTOTUNE switch, set it to OFF position.

  • Start a desired HomSoft application (i.e., Tu_rs.exe for RS232, Tu_can.exe for CAN Bus).

Autonomous Operation

This mode of operation needs nothing more than the Homer itself. Its behavior is determined by the content of its internal Hom.cfg and Tun.cfg configuration files.

  • Turn on the Homer DC power supply.

  • If your Homer contains a POWER switch, set it to ON position. The power-up procedure (booting) may last up to 30 seconds. The Homer is ready after playing a Morse code. The Morse sequence depends on the used communication interface:

  • RS232 with transmitting results in binary format: RS, i.e., | × - × | × × × |.

  • RS232 with transmitting results in text (ASCII) format: RSA, i.e., | × - × | × × × |× - |.

  • CAN: N, followed by the Morse code of its CAN Address (e.g., N1, i.e., | - × | × - - - - | for CAN Address = 1). The meaning of CAN Address see in MultiCAN: More Homers on CAN Bus. (For Server versions 53 and less, the initial N is not played, only the number.)

  • EtherNet/IP: ETH, i.e., | × | - | × × × × |.

  • The startup behavior of the tuning stubs is controlled by the following line in the internal Tun.cfg configuration file:

PowOnAction=2   ;Stubs on PowerUp: 0=Stay in Positions 1=AllHome

                ;2=AllHome+Move to Positions

Alternatively, or in addition to that, if your device contains ALL STUBS HOME button, you may wish to press it to initialize the tuning stubs.

  • The startup autotuning behavior is controlled by the following lines in the internal Tun.cfg configuration file:

IsOn=TRUE     ;Activate autotuning (overridden by AUTOTUNE switch)

WaitRF=TRUE   ;Suspend tuning when RF power is absent or too low

If the lines are set up as above, Autotuner starts impedance matching as soon as microwave power is present. If your device contains AUTOTUNE switch, you can override the IsOn setting by changing the position of the switch.

Note: If Autotuner works autonomously, be sure that its startup settings are appropriate for the actual microwave signal waveform. Refer to Homer Analyzer Starting Parameters and Homer Autotuner Starting Parameters on how to change Autotuner startup settings.