Wheatstone D-8000, Technical Manual

Page: 67 / 169

page 8 – 7
D-8000 / Jan 2003
C P U & D S P M O D U L E S
D-8000 Serial Interface
Using the Serial Interface
The D-8000 Serial Interface is designed to support serial communica-
tions under the RS-422/485 and -232 protocols. The proper serial interface
protocol must be selected (via DIP switches on the CPU module) or else
serial communications will not function correctly. No serial interface
connections are required for normal, stand alone operation of the D-8000
console; in fact the console will work normally even with an improper
connection to the serial interface. The function of the serial interface is to
enable remote operation of the D-8000 console functions; local operation
of the console switches and faders will always override any remote
commands that may have been sent via the serial interface. In addition, the
large button on the CPU module can be used to disable any serial
communications with the D-8000 console. Toggling the switch “ON” and
“OFF” alternately enables and disables the serial interface port on the D-
8000 console. When the PRESET SELECT knob is pressed, the 8-digit
display on the CPU module shows “LOCAL” when the serial interface is
disabled, and “REMOTE” when the serial interface is active. Remember,
the D-8000 console can always be controlled by its faders and switches
regardless of the status of the serial interface. If remote control of the
console is desired, the remote mode must be selected with the CPU switch,
and the display must read “REMOTE”.
The most common use for the D-8000 Serial Interface is to allow
configuration changes (mutes, tallys, etc.) by means of the “Virtual Dip
Switch” program supplied with the console and described in Chapter 9 of
this manual. To do this, the “Virtual Dip Switch” program must first be
installed on a suitable PC, and a serial cable connected from the COM port
of your PC to the lower DB-25 connector on the CPU module. Be sure that
the RS-232 mode for the console serial interface (the default setting) has
been selected via the DIP switches on the CPU module. Push the button on
the CPU module to enable remote operation and start the program on the
PC. Use the program as described in this manual to modify the D-8000
console configuration. Once the configuration has been set, the PC can be
disconnected from the console.
A second common use for the D-8000 Serial Interface is to allow
alphanumeric information to be written to the console input channel
displays by an automation system. By making a suitable serial connection
between the automation system and the D-8000 serial interface (RS-232
or -485), and enabling remote operation via the CPU front panel switch,
the console displays can be updated with cut information, etc., by an
automation system. As the number of systems that have connectivity to the
console for this function is constantly changing, please consult Wheat-
stone for the latest information on automation interfaces. Our Technical
Support engineers can assist you with pinouts, switch settings, .INI files,
etc., as required for your particular system.