8 Additional Information
8.1 Host Mode Command String
As discussed in this manual, the control module has three control mode options: continuous, gate, and host. Host mode
requires a serial transmission string from a separate device, typically a PC or process controller. The serial transmission
medium can be either RS-485 or RS-232.
When Host control mode is selected, the host process controller initiates scans using a command string. The command
string is a three-byte message, consisting of:
• Control byte with decimal value 248
• Controller ID (the identification of a specific control module on the string, indicated by one of 15 ASCII letters A
through O, and specified in the PSF)
• Scan initiation byte (ASCII letter S)
The command string is further defined as follows:
/*the below C code will define an array called msg that will contain the Host Scan Command */
unsigned char msg[3]; /*declare three byte unsigned character array using C language */
msg[0]=248; /*control byte */
msg[1]=65; /*assume the controller ID is the letter A */
msg[2]=83; /*assume initiation byte which is the ASCII letter S */
The host transmits this three-byte message at the defined baud rate. The format is one start bit, one stop bit, even parity,
and eight data bits. When the control module receives this message, it initiates a scan (assuming Host mode is selected)
and then updates its outputs as required. The control module then waits for the next Host Command message before
initiating another scan.
8.2 Serial Data Format and Header String
The programmed measurement mode or modes determine the type of information that is serially transmitted. For example if
Meas1 is set for FBB and Meas2 is set for LBB, then the data transmitted to the host contains the values of the first and last
beam blocked. The All measurement mode provides the status of all beams to the host.
In addition to measurement mode information, the data transmission also contains a two-byte start string and a termination
byte. The start string consists of a first byte that does not change, followed by the controller ID. The first byte value is a hex
1C or 28 decimal. At the end of the string, the control module will place a termination byte. The termination bye is the ASCII
character for a linefeed (hex value 0A). These three bytes collectively are called the Serial Header string.
8.2.1 ASCII Format Data Transmission
There are two ways to use ASCII format to represent data. The one used depends upon which measurement modes are
selected.
A-GAGE
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High-Resolution MINI-ARRAY
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