serial commands help for VAT PL-2

[shonoguy]

Hi,

I am trying to control a VAT PL-2 valve controller using RS232. I am unfamiliar with serial communications, and I need help. Here's an example of what I want to do:

Send a command with format: A:<CR><LF> and I should read something like: A:xxxxxx<CR><LF>

I tried using NI MAX to attempt wrting and reading to the device but I dont know if what I am doing is correct. A sample VI would also be helpful.

Thanks.

[Matt_S.]

Hi Shonoguy,

In NI-MAX you should be able to right click on your serial port and choose "Open VISA Test Panel". Then go to your Basic I/O tab at the top. You should be able to put in your command in the Write tab, hit Execute, then go to the read tab and hit execute. This should let you see if basic communiciation is working.

A great example program for you to use is the basic write-read vi. You can find this in LabVIEW by going to Help->Find Examples. Then going to

Hardware->Serial->Basic

It's a great example for this type of application.

Regards,
Matt S.

[rainier]

Hi Matt,

Thanks for your reply. For the string input in the vi, do I just type in "A:xxxxxx\r\n" ? I tried this using max and I was not getting the correct response, it just times out. Any suggestions? I'm new at this, thanks.

[Matt_S.]

Hi rainer,

From what you described above you'd send just "A:\r\n" and get a response back with some numbers after the "A:". I would recommend taking a look at the manual and seeing if you can get a better description of how you're supposed to be sending and receiving to talk with this device. Could you possibly post a link to a software copy of the manual?

-Matt S.

[Dennis_Knutson]

And try communicating to the instrument with Hyperterminal. If it doesn't work there, you may have the wrong port settings or cable. If you talk to the vendor and say you can't get anything with Hyperterminal, you'll probably get some help. A lot of instrument vendors (serial especially), have never heard of LabVIEW.