Artifex LDD100-F Series, Original Operating Instructions, Page: 62 / 72

LDD100 Operating Instructions
62 / 72
11 Communication
Communication with the LDD100 is via USB 2.0.
The most recent USB driver for the Microsoft Windows

operating system is included on the
storage medium shipped with the device.
Following installation there will be two drivers in the device manager under “System
Properties”. One is in the communication ports (COM und LPT), the other is in the list of
USB controllers.
The first driver generates a virtual COM port for ease of control. The communication can be
realized via a terminal programme.
The second driver can be addressed directly without a port number for integration in custom
software. A library file (dll-file) and example programmes showing use of the dll are also
included on the storage medium provided (folder “SDK”). The description of the dll-file is
contained in a separate document.
11.1 Connection
The following paragraphs describe the direct communication with the LDD100 in the same
manner as used in the dll-file.
After opening the connection, the following procedure must be followed:
1. Send a Byte with the value 170 (decimal) or AA (hex).
2. Wait 100ms.
3. Set RTS.
4. Wait 100ms.
5. Check whether CTS is set. If not, then the connection was not successful.
6. Read one Byte. This Byte is the instrument code and must be 16 (decimal) or 10
(hexadecimal).
7. Read one Byte. This is the firmware version. The Byte 30 (decimal) stands for Version
3.0 and must correspond to the software being used.
8. Read one Byte. This Byte is the current limit high Byte (HB).
9. Read one Byte. This Byte is the current limit low Byte (LB).
The current limit is calculated as ((HB*256) + LB)*10 [A].
10. Read one Byte. This Byte is the maximum current of the instrument, high Byte (HB).
11. Read one Byte. This Byte is the maximum current of the instrument, low Byte (LB).
The maximum current of the instrument is calculated as ((HB*256) + LB)*10 [A].
12. Read one Byte. This Byte is the maximum bias current of the instrument, high Byte
(HB).
13. Read one Byte. This Byte is the maximum bias current of the instrument, low Byte
(LB).
The maximum bias current of the instrument is calculated as ((HB*256) + LB)*10 [A].
14. Read one Byte. This is a status Byte. If no errors have occurred, the value will be 0.