Pelican Device Simulator

A Python-based simulator for Pelican coin counting devices (301, 305, 309) and CDS (501, 524, 709, 726) coin machines. This simulator implements the PeliHost communication protocol for development and testing purposes.

Features

• Full Protocol Implementation:

  • RS232 serial communication (9600 baud, 8N1)
  • STX/ETX message framing
  • CRC-16 checksum validation
  • Link management (construct/destruct)

• Supported Commands:

  • Construct/Destruct Link (0x01/0x03)
  • Get Value (0x11) - current count, total count, software version, machine status
  • Get/Set Display (0x31/0x33)
  • Lock Display (0x37)
  • Lock Keyboard (0x39)

• Device State Simulation:

  • 20 coin type counters
  • Display management (2x20 character LCD)
  • Keyboard lock/unlock
  • Motor status
  • Program states

Installation

# Install dependencies
pip install pyserial

# Or using uv
uv pip install pyserial

Usage

Basic Usage

# Run with default settings (/dev/ttyUSB0, 9600 baud)
python main.py

# Specify serial port
python main.py --port /dev/ttyS0

# Specify baud rate
python main.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --baudrate 9600

Command Line Options

• --port, -p: Serial port device (default: /dev/ttyUSB0)
• --baudrate, -b: Baud rate (default: 9600)

Protocol Overview

Message Format

All messages follow this structure:

STX (0x02) | Length | Data Bytes | CRC-Hi | CRC-Lo | ETX (0x03)

Example: Construct Link

Request:

02 09 01 36 39 33 39 30 32 37 34 [CRC] 03
       ^  ^-----------------^
       |   Password "69390274"
       Command 0x01

Response:

02 02 02 00 [CRC] 03
       ^  ^
       |  Status (00=OK)
       Response 0x02

Password

The fixed password for establishing a link is: 69390274

Protocol Specification

This simulator is based on the official PeliHost protocol specification (PeliHost_09_03_30-III). The document is included in this repository as PeliHost_09_03_30-III.pdf.

Development

Project Structure

pelican-simulator/
 main.py                     # Main simulator implementation
 pyproject.toml              # Project dependencies
 README.md                   # This file
 PeliHost_09_03_30-III.pdf  # Protocol specification

Key Components

• CRC Calculation: Implements the CRC-16-CCITT algorithm as specified
• Message Parser: Validates STX/ETX framing and CRC checksums
• Command Handlers: Individual handlers for each protocol command
• Device State: Maintains simulated device state (counters, display, etc.)

Testing

To test the simulator with your Pelican client:

1. Create a virtual serial port pair (e.g., using socat):

   socat -d -d pty,raw,echo=0 pty,raw,echo=0
   

2. Run the simulator on one port:

   python main.py --port /dev/pts/X
   

3. Connect your client to the other port

License

This is a development/testing tool. The Pelican protocol is proprietary to CT-Coin & ASAP Electronics.

Technical Support

For questions about the Pelican protocol:

• ASAP Electronics
• Email: info@asap.dk
• URL: www.asap.dk