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6 getting started with rs-232 – Next Advance SP2200 User Manual

Page 41

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NEXT>>>ADVANCE

www.nextadvance.com

SP2200Programmable Syringe

Pump

Publication #1200-02

36

04/29/10

ENABLE SAFE COMMUNICATIONS MODE
SAF [

Set/query Safe communications mode setting.

If

If

FIRMWARE VERSION QUERY
VER

Response: NE50V .

where ‘.‘ is current model and firmware version number.

Set is not applicable.

MASTER PROGRAM RESET
* RESET

Clears program memory and resets communication parameters to Basic mode and address 0.

This is a special system command that will be accepted by the pump regardless of its current address.

8.6 Getting Started With RS-232

Before beginning to develop pump control software for a computer, first setup and experiment with the pump’s
communication. After attaching the pump to the computer, run a terminal emulation Program on the computer.
A generic terminal emulator, supplied as standard software with many computers, can be used to communicate
with the pump in the Basic communications mode.

Next Advance Inc. supplies a terminal emulator, for demonstration purposes only, which allows more complex
control of the pump. Also, this terminal emulator contains a “Pump Programming Language” (PPL™), which
allows Pumping Programs to be developed using symbolic text, modified, and stored in computer files, then
uploaded to the pump. In addition, a Pumping Program generator spreadsheet is available to assist in
developing a Pumping Program and to create the text file for uploading to a pump.

With a generic terminal emulator, setup the terminal emulator with the same baud rate as the pump and with an
8 bit data, no parity, and 1 stop bit (8N1) data frame. Set the communications port to the port that is attached
to the pump. Also enable local echo (half-duplex) and turn flow control off.

From the terminal emulator, you can interactively control the pump by typing in commands on your computer
and seeing the pump’s responses on your screen. This will give you a feel for how the commands work in
addition to allowing you to quickly develop the control sequence that will eventually be coded into the software
being developed.

The final benefit of using a terminal emulator is the elimination of several variables if the control software does
not work properly. If the pump works correctly with the terminal emulator, then this verifies that the hardware
is working properly and will work with any software. Any communications problems can then be narrowed
down to the control software.

Note on USB: If an RS-232 port is not available on your PC, the pump may be operated through a USB to RS-
232 converter cable (available as an accessory, part #CBL-USB232). This cable attaches to the standard RS-
232 to PC cable (part #CBL-PC-PUMP-7). The PC will create a virtual RS-232 communications port that
communicates through the USB to RS-232 converter cable. The terminal emulator can communicate through
this virtual port.