Can you please help me set up RS232 communication?

[jamie-4-better-light]

Ok, I am trying to read data from a light meter via RS232.  It should be simple enough but I have run into a snag.  I started my vi using a insturment template that includes a instrument assistant.  When I set up the Com1 port, ( 9600 BR, Parity: None, Data Bits: 8, Stop Bits 1, Flow Control: Xon/XOff) it seems I can read the data correctly using the test panel in the set up window.

The problem arises when I return to the inst. assistant and add the step to "Read and Parse".  There doesn't appear to be anything to configure at this point, but when I try to run the step the system will time out and flag and error.

Am I missing something here? 

Jamie

[Matt_S.]

Hi Jamie,

You may want to try to use the Basic Serial Read/Write VI. It's located in the example finder (help->find examples). From there,  you can search for serial or you can expand down hardware->serial and choose it from the list. Either way, put your basic command in the string control and then run the application. See if you get the result you expect from your device in the string indicator. It sounds as though you need to do pretty simple I/O with the light meter, so starting with this VI and making modifications to it would be your best bet for a good start. 

Regards,
Matt S.