Networking
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The IEEE-488 GPIB Remote Interface
To connect DNA Engine (and DNA Engine Tetrad) cyclers in a computer-controlled
IEEE-488 network, the computer must be equipped with an IEEE-488 (GPIB) inter-
face card. Connect the instruments and assign addresses as described under
“Networking Instruments Without a Computer” (p. 9-2). Make sure that none of the
networked instruments have been assigned IEEE-488 address 0 as this address is
reserved for a DNA Engine acting as system controller and will cause communication
problems with the computer.
All inputs (commands or queries) to the unit must be terminated with a NEWLINE
character (ASCII 10), an ^END hardware level command on the last data byte of the
message, or a NEWLINE^END combination following the last data byte of the mes-
sage. The preferred terminator is the NEWLINE^END combination. All outputs from
the unit (query responses) are terminated with a NEWLINE^END.
The RS-232 Serial Remote Interface
In a computer-controlled RS-232 (serial) network, each instrument in the network is
connected directly to the controlling computer via a serial port. The number of instru-
ments that can be included in such a network thus depends on the number of serial
ports available on the controlling computer. Use high-quality null modem serial
cables to connect the serial port on each instrument (see figs. 2-3 and 12-4) to a
serial port on the computer.
Use the Setup utilities to configure each instrument for serial communications (see
“Choosing a Remote Port,” chapter 8, and select the serial port and the 9600 baud
rate). The Port Settings should also specify 8-bit data bytes, 1 stop bit, and no parity.
All inputs to the unit must be terminated with a NEWLINE (ASCII 10). Each output
from the DNA Engine is terminated with a RETURN (ASCII 13) NEWLINE combina-
tion.
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