160 SERIAL LINKS
10.2.5 Parameter exchange using ASCII CO MMS
ASCII C O MMS is an ANSI multi-drop protocol for use with a host. (refer to SERIAL COMMS manual) or for
interface with a PC based configuration tool. (PL PILO T). See below and 13.1.1 PL PILOT configuration tool.
See also 5.3 Archiving PL/X recipes. See also 11.5 Remotely mounted display unit.
Note. The PL/X uses an RS232 port to transmit serial data. Some computers may not be fitted with an
RS232 COM port. Instead they will probably possess a USB port. In this case it is necessary to fit a USB -
RS232 convertor to the computer (Eg. Single in line convertor type USB to serial male D9, or multiport type
Belkin F5U120uPC). These are supplied with the required driver utilities. After installation of the convertor,
right click on the ‘My Computer’ icon and select Properties / Device Manager / Ports to find the port
allocations. (C OM1, C OM2, CO M3 etc.). Then you must use the nominated USB port allocation when setting
up comms utilities. Eg. Hyperterminal or PL PILOT.
10.2.5.1 PL PILOT and SC A D A (System Control And Data Acquisition) package
There is a proprietary PC based SC A DA (System Control And Data Acquisition) package available which is
fully configured to communicate with the PL/X range. This package provides many features, including.
PL/X Configuration Data logging Alarm logging Recipe management
Multi-drop capability Bar charts Dra wing package Full parameter monitoring
Chart recording Multi-instument views Multiple comm ports Bit map graphics import
The SC A D A package is designed by SPEC VIEW, and forms the platform for the PL PILOT config tool.
Further details about this package are accessible from the entry page of the PL PILO T configuration tool.
PL PILOT runs on a standard PC (Windows 95 upwards). It can set any parameter value, make any legal
internal connection, and monitor all the available parameters. It provides the user with block diagrams where
each parameter may be quickly accessed and altered. The system allow s recipes of drive configurations to be
stored and/or down loaded as desired. It may also be operated off-line to develop and save recipes.
PL PILOT is also able to support up to 10 drives on one link. It can access all parameters, connections and
diagnostics for each drive. It is able to display these from any drive or combinations of drives and send
recipes to any drive on the link.
This powerful tool is available free of charge and is supplied on a CD with the PL/X.
The operating instructions for PL PILOT are accessed within the tool itself by using the HELP BUTT ON.
Click on the Help BUTTON
in the top right hand corner of the PL PILOT entry menu for further information.
To install from the CD, follo w the self launching instructions w hen the CD is inserted into the PC.
For users that are installing for the first time select. ‘Typical ‘ in the ‘Setup type’ dialog box.
For users that are installing the latest version on systems with an existing version select ‘Repai r’.
If you have existing recipes in the previous version these will automatically be retained in the latest version.
If you have to change any com port se ttings on the computer, or save changed serial link parameters on the
PL/X, then you may need to turn the PL/X off and on again to clear the comms buffers of false data before
the system will start communicating. See also 10.1.4 How to use USB ports.
There is a suitable cable supplied to connect the PC COM 1 serial port to PL/X RS232 PORT1.
187)PORT1 BAUD RA TE. Set to 19200 on the target PL/X, and in ‘ Options’ / ‘Setup COM Port’ in PL PILOT.
188)PORT 1 FUN CTION. Set to ASCII C O MMS on the target PL/X.
Warning. PL PILOT may add up to 10mS to PL/X cycle times, w hich may affect the response of applications
that require fast sampling. Eg. SPINDLE ORIENTATE. To overcome this effect, reduce the baud rate.
Note. PL PILOT is not subject to the PASSWORD. See 11.2 DISPLAY FUN CTIONS / PASSW ORD CO NTROL.
See also 5.3 Archiving PL/X recipes.
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