MPE DP SERIES II, Operating And Service Manual

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4.0 PROGRAMMING WITH SCPI COMMANDS
4.1 Command Features
The DP Series power supplies provide RS232 communications as a standard feature and IEEE-
488 or Ethernet communications as an optional feature. A second UART port, a factory installed
option, is enabled after power on by recognizing which port is receiving communications. Once
a particular port has been activated, the other UART port cannot be recognized unless there has
been a period of inactivity for 5 minutes. After this period, a new UART port can be recognized
by sending communications.
In addition to RS232, IEEE-488, or Ethernet communications, other communications options are
possible using external RS232 converter modules. These modules transparently converts data
between the RS232 port and the one tied to communications system. Refer to the Appendixes
for details on the optional communications ports and the external converter modules.
An IVI-COM Driver is included with the installation CD and is available for download from the
Magna-Power Electronics’ web page. The driver allows the power supply to communicate
through many different programming languages. The driver handles the low-level bus protocols
simplifying automation development. It supports TCP/IP, GPIB, and RS232 using standard
VISA resource descriptors. For additional documentation and details on using the IVI-COM
driver, see the driver's included help file (MPEIVI.chm).
The RS232 port, connector JS3, located on the rear panel, allows all of the front panel functions
plus some additional commands to be implemented using SCPI commands. To establish RS232
communications, configure the power supply for remote operation using the front panel
commands described in Sections 3.1.1.3 or 3.1.2.2, set the RS232 interface to the specifications
detailed in Section 1.5, and connect a 9-conductor straight through, D-subminiature cable
between the computer interface and connector JS3.
RS232 communications to the DP Series power supply can be made using a Terminal program or
with the Remote Interface Software supplied with the power supply. The Remote Interface
Software, covered in Section 5.0, contains command output frames to display the SCPI
command being written to obtain the desired result. This feature provides feedback to the user to
help program with SCPI commands.
The RS232 port, connector JS3 slave, also located on the rear panel, allows communications
with the slave module for detailed diagnostic functions and calibration.
4.2 Electrical Testing Using RS232 Communications
DP Series power supplies can be tested using any Terminal program; one is included with
Microsoft Windows (tm) called HyperTerminal. The following outlines the procedure.
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