Bronkhorst®
Instruction Manual IQ+FLOW® Series Digital Mass Flow / Pressure Controllers for Gases
9.17.045V
17
3.4
Basic RS232 operation
Digital operation adds a lot of extra features (compared to analog operation) to the instruments, such as:
·
Up to eight selectable fluids (if installed)
·
Direct reading at readout/control module or host computer
·
Testing and self diagnosis
·
Identification (serial number, model number, device type, user tag)
·
Adjustable minimal and maximal alarm limits
·
(Batch) counter
3.4.1
Hook-up
Connecting an IQ
+
FLOW® instrument to a COM port of a pc
requires a special cable (7.03.426) which changes the
appropriate pin configuration. Optionally use an RS232 to
USB2.0 converter (9.02.122) to connect to a USB port. Use the
split cable (Y-adapter 7.03.241) in combination with the Plug-
in Power Supply (7.03.424) for powering the instrument.
Instead of using a COM or USB port, it is also possible to
connect the RS232 pinning manually using the loose-end
cable (7.03.419), typically for connection to PLC or
microcontroller devices.
3.4.2
Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)
RS232 communication can be used for operating the instrument using the Bronkhorst® FlowDDE server application.
Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) provides the user a basic level of interprocess communication between Windows
applications. FlowDDE is a DDE server application. Together with a client-application, either self-made or with a SCADA-
program from third parties, it is possible to create an easy way of data exchange between the flow controller and a
Windows application. For example, a cell in Microsoft Excel could be linked to the measured value of the IQ
+
FLOW® and
when the measured value changes, it will be updated automatically in the Excel spreadsheet.
3.4.3
FlowDDE
The FlowDDE server also offers a lot of test facilities and user-adjustable settings for efficient communication with the
connected flow/pressure meter or controller. How to setup a DDE link with FlowDDE is described in the help-file of the
FlowDDE application. Programming examples are available for making applications in: Visual Basic, LabView and Microsoft
Excel.
