If the CPU is busy with other programs, printing, or lots of traffic on
the USB bus, then signals to and from the ValveLink8.2 may suffer. For
maximum performance, plug the ValveLink8.2 into a USB port connected
to its own USB bus. Remember that computers with multiple USB ports
may simply be splitting a single USB bus internally. Check with your
computer's manufacturer or add a separate USB card to your computer for
minimum latency.
The System Status window has a large switch labeled "Local Control"
and "Remote Control." When set to "Local," each ValveLink8.2 follows
its own Mode settings as
described in the "Modes"
chapter earlier in this
manual. When set to
"Remote Control," all
networked ValveLink8.2s
behave according to a single
common "Mode" setting
made on the System Status
window. In this way, up
to eight ValveLink8.2s can
be networked into a single,
virtual 64-channel controller.
A single "Master Valve" can
be selected on a "Master
Controller" like Mode #5 on the ValveLink8.2. Also "1-on" Mode means
only one valve will be open at-a-time on all of the networked controllers.
When the System Status switch is set to "Local Control" you can click the
"Mode" button on any ValveLink8.2 sub-window to access a dialog box
of Modes for that ValveLink8.2 along with eight text "labels" which will
display under each button. These labels can be used to help identify which
solutions are being delivered through each valve.
The same comments about USB communications speed above also apply
to multiple-ValveLink8.2 networking. If "1-on" Mode is used and a button
is pressed on one ValveLink8.2, that signal must travel to the User Interface
program on the PC and back to all other ValveLink8.2s to close any
open valves. The double delay may be noticeable on slower computers
or USB busses.
AutoMate Scientific chose the older USB-1 protocol over the newer, high-
speed USB-2 architecture for three reasons: 1) less expensive, 2) older
computers don't have USB-2 ports, and 3) USB-2 has more bandwidth
(transfers large amounts of data faster), but the same latency (delay) as
USB-1. The ValveLink8.2 needs short bursts of data quickly, so USB-2
would not help.
*This software requires Windows .NET version 4.0 or higher be
installed.
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