Remote communication, Rs-232, Nterface – BNC 577 User Manual
Page 25: 8 remote communication, Warning, 1 rs-232 interface, 2 usb interface
Model 577 Operating Manual
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8 Remote Communication
The 577 ships standard with an RS232 serial and USB interface. Ethernet and GPIB interfaces are available as
an option. All menu settings can be set and retrieved over the computer interface using a simple command
language. The command set is structured to be consistent with the Standard Commands for Programmable
Instruments. Due to the high number of special features found in the 577, many of the commands are not
included in the SCPI specification. The syntax is the same for all interfaces.
WARNING:
When communicating with the unit (USB, Serial or Ethernet), avoid sending any commands that
include the “*” character as the unit is booting up. This may result in an undesired lockup of the instrument.
8.1 RS-232 Interface
The serial port is located on the back of the 577 and uses a 9-pin D-type connector with the following pin-out (as
viewed from the back of the unit):
1
No Connection
2
Tx - Transmit (to computer)
3
Rx - Receive (from computer)
4
DTR - Connected to pin 6
5
Ground
6
DSR - Connected to pin 4
7
RTS - Connected to pin 8
8
CTS - Connected to pin 7
9
No Connection
The serial port parameters should be set as follows:
Baud Rate
4800, 9600 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200*
Data Bits
8
Parity
None
Stop Bits
1
*The default baud rate for the RS232 is 115200.
8.2 USB Interface
The USB interface is standard on the 577. The Model 577 uses an FTB232 UART with FTDI drivers. The drivers
are standard on almost any PC. Before this type of communication can be used, the appropriate drivers must be
installed on the personal computer (PC). These drivers are included on the CD that was shipped with your unit.
Please contact Berkeley Nucleonics or visit
for updated installation files and
instructions.
USB communication is achieved by using a mapped (virtual) COM port on the PC. The driver installation
executable will obtain an unused COM port number, install the USB drivers, and make that COM port number
available for typical serial communication to the pulse generator. HyperTerminal or other common software may
be used.
When communicating through the mapped COM port over USB, the baud rate for the communication port used by
the USB chip must match the baud rate for the COM port on the PC. Access to the USB port baud rate is done
using the SCPI command “:SYSTem:COMMunicate:USB:BAUD
accessed via any communication method. The default baud rate for USB is 115200.