C
ommunicating
data
The PTC-860 is able to communicate with other computers and
PTCs. How it communicates and how it is connected depends
on your data collection program and how your PTC-860 is
equipped.
The PTC-860 can be set up for either one-way or two-way
communication. It can communicate through its optical coupler
or through its RS-232-type 25-pin connector.
The PTC-860 can be connected directly to a host computer or
another PTC, or it can be equipped with an optional modem to
communicate over telephone lines.
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Using the optical coupler
The PTC-860 has an optical coupler on the back of its unit. The
optical coupler converts electronic signals inside the PTC into
pulses of light that can be detected by the CS-860 Optical
Communication Station or the MCO-860 Four-Bay Cradle.
When the PTC-860 is placed in a cradle, an optical coupler on
the cradle senses the pulses of light from the PTC and converts
them into electronic signals for direct communication to the
host computer or, with an external modem, for transmission
over telephone lines.
Likewise, the cradle can communicate back to the PTC through
the optical couplers.
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