LASER OPERATION
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12
RS232 Port – Functionality
Control of the laser can be achieved via the RS232 port using a terminal emulator such as HyperTerminal or PUTTY. This
allows the operator to:
•
Turn the laser on/off
•
Control the laser power
•
Query information such as laser head/PSU temperature
•
Check the laser status
It is necessary to have the Interlock and Enable switches closed via the Control port in order to enable the laser, prior to
controlling the laser through the RS232 port. Pins 1 and 4 of the Control port must be shorted together to allow maximum
current to be set by the RS232 commands.
The RS232 port uses the standard 9-way connector pin configuration:
Pin 2 TXD: RS232 – Transmit
Pin 3 RXD: RS232 – Receive
Pin 5 GND – Ground
Port settings are:
Baud Rate: 57,600
Parity: None
Stop Bit: 1
Hand Shaking: None
The operator must wait for a response from the PSU before sending the next command. A response is any text string
(including null) followed by a carriage Return, Line Feed.
The system has been tested for compliance using 3m long serial cable. If a serial cable of over 3 meters in length is used
compliance of the system may be compromised. Therefore, it is recommended that if this is required, optical isolation
should be used.
RS232 Port – Serial Commands
Serial Command
Function
OFF
Disables the laser, regardless of the interlock status
ON
Enables the laser subject to Interlock and Enable Switch
status
CONTROL=CURRENT
Sets the Current mode on
CONTROL=POWER
Sets the Power mode on
CURRENT=###
This sets the current to the diodes as a % of the maximum
e.g. to set acurrent of 85% of maximum send CURRENT=85,
followed by striking the RETURN key.
