Sierra Instruments Instruction Manual
Smart-Trak
®
2 Series 100
53
If your computer has no serial port, but has a USB port…
Perform the identical connections as if your computer has a serial port (see previous
paragraph), but do not plug the DB-9 connector into your computer. Instead,
purchase an appropriate Serial to USB converter. Plug the DB-9 connector into
your Serial to USB converter and then plug the USB connector into your computer.
Load the necessary software driver into your computer to operate the converter
(software and instructions should come with the converter).
Your computer will assign a Comm Port number to your USB adapter, but it will
probably not be “Comm Port 1.” Use the Control Panel feature of your computer to
identify which Comm Port number has been assigned to your USB adapter.
Open “My Computer” from your desktop.
Next, open “Control Panel.”
Then, open “System.”
Click on the tab labeled “Device Manager.”
Scan down the list until you see the word “Ports,” then right double-click to
examine the available Com Ports. Record the number(s). You will need to enter
this number or one of these numbers to communicate with your Smart-Trak 2
instrument.
If you plan to control more than one Smart-Trak 2 instrument
from your computer…
If your computer has a number of serial ports equal to the number of instruments
you wish to operate, simply plug each instrument into a separate serial port as
directed above in “If your Computer has a Serial Port…”
If you wish to operate more instruments than your computer has serial ports, you
will usually have to use USB ports instead. If the number of USB ports in your
computer equals the number of instruments, then purchase one serial to USB
converter per Smart-Trak 2 and follow the instructions above. If you have more
instruments than ports, you will need to acquire an edge port device (converts one
USB port into several serial ports) or a USB hub (converts one USB port into many
USB ports). Once you have attached the necessary device and loaded the proper
drivers, connect your Smart-Trak 2 instruments to the serial or USB ports as
outlined in the sections above. Open a separate software window for each meter
and you can monitor all of them at one time.
If connecting your computer to the Smart-Trak 2 creates any confusion, please
contact Sierra Instruments or your IT person for assistance.