Chapter 6, COMPUTER OPERATION
6-7
text) followed by a response terminator. Where the response of the lock-in amplifier
consists of two numbers in succession, they are separated by a byte called a
delimiter. This delimiter can be any printing ASCII character and is common to all
interfaces; it is set via the RS232 Settings menu or by the use of the DD command.
6.5 Ethernet Operation
6.5.01 Introduction
The Ethernet interface in the instrument supports operation on 10-BaseT and
100-BaseTX networks via straight through or crossover RJ45 patch cables. The
instrument includes a built-in web server allowing any browser to communicate with
it using http protocol, as well as support for direct communication via TCP/IP.
6.5.02 IP Address
The IP address of the instrument needs to be unique on the network to which it is
connected. If this network has a DHCP server present on it, then the IP Address
Assignment control on the instrument’s Ethernet Settings menu should be set to
Automatic. This is normally the easiest method of establishing Ethernet
communications with the instrument.
If the network does not have a DHCP server, or if it is desired to connect to the
instrument using a direct Ethernet link, then the IP Address Assignment control on
the instrument’s Ethernet Settings menu (see section 5.3.18) must be set to Manual
and a suitable IP address entered. The instrument’s IP address must be chosen to
ensure that both the controlling PC and the instrument are communicating on the
same Subnet Mask. To achieve this, first set the IP address of the controlling PC.
Normally, if the Ethernet port on a PC is not connected to a network and not set to
use a manual IP address then Windows will eventually automatically allocate it an
address in the range 169.254.xxx.xxx, where xxx ranges from 0 to 255. The actual
address that has been allocated can be determined by using the IPCONFIG utility on
the PC. This is accessed by typing “CMD<return>” on the Start - Run menu, and
then typing IPCONFIG<return>.
Once the IP address of the PC has been found, set the instrument’s IP address so that
the first two octets match that of the controlling PC. For example, if the PC has an IP
address of 169.254.50.10, then set the instrument to use an address in the range
169.254.xxx.xxx, where xxx ranges from 0 to 255 and so that the IP addresses differ.
In this case suitable addresses would include 169.254.50.11, or 169.254.40.10.
If the automatic IP address allocated by Windows to the PC’s Ethernet adapter is for
some reason unsuitable then a manual address can be chosen by editing the Internet
Protocol TCP/IP properties of the adapter.
Setting the IP address manually can be avoided even for direct Ethernet
communications simply by connecting the instrument to an Ethernet router that
provides DHCP functionality, and then connecting the router to the PC.
6.5.04 Home Page
When the instrument has a valid IP address the browser on a computer on the same
network can then access it, simply by typing the IP address in the address bar. A
typical display is shown in figure 6-1 below. The feature is extremely useful for
checking that communications are working properly.
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