Details

Serial Ports

The table shows the available serial ports on the Processor Unit. The list is automatically populated the first time you open the I/O Setup page after a software installation. The list reflects the initial number of serial ports that are available. If you add interface hardware to your computer, you must select Add to add the new ports to the list.

Name

This is the given identity of the serial port. By default, the ports are numbered.

Resource

The Processor Unit can have several serial ports. This is the identification of the communication port. The serial ports are normally named COM1, COM2 and so on.

Baud Rate

This is the current baud rate specified for the serial line. The communication parameters defined for NMEA 0183 are:

• Baud rate: 4800 bit/s
• Data bits: 8
• Parity: Even
• Stop bits: 1

Some instruments may provide other parameters and/or options. You must always check the relevant technical documentation supplied by the manufacturer.

Protocol

This is the current protocol specified for the port. Each port can receive multiple datagrams simultaneously, provided that they all use the same protocol. However, only one peripheral device can be physically connected to the port. If you want to connect several peripheral devices to a single serial port, you must route them through a "mixer". This can be a hardware unit or a computer (with relevant software) collecting and streaming the datagrams.

Input

This column identifies the external sensor (any type of "measuring device") that is currently connected to the port. To choose what type of device to import data from, select Input under the table.

LAN Ports

This table shows the Ethernet (LAN) ports you have available. Each Ethernet adapter supports any number of network ports. Select Add to add a new port.

Ports that have not been initiated correctly have a red background colour.

Name

This is the given identity of the network (LAN) port. By default, the ports are numbered.

Remote IP Address

The Remote IP Address is the Internet Protocol (IP) address for a peripheral device. If the data communication between your system and the peripheral device is set up to only import data from the device, the remote IP address is not required. If you want to export information to one or more peripheral devices (Broadcast mode), set Remote IP Address to 255.255.255.255. This is the default setting. If you want to use point-to-point communication in a closed network, set the remote IP address manually.

Remote Port

The Remote Port is important if you want to export information from the Processor Unit to a peripheral device on the local area network (LAN). The application on the peripheral device will "listen" to this port number. If you want to establish point-to-point communication for data import from a peripheral device on the network, you may need to define the network port on this device. To find the port number on the peripheral device, consult the documentation for the device, and/or the application to be used on it. In most cases, this peripheral device is another computer on a local area network (LAN).

Protocol

This is the current protocol specified for the port. Each port can receive multiple datagrams simultaneously, provided that they all use the same protocol.

Input

This column identifies the external sensor (any type of "measuring device") that is currently connected to the port. To choose what type of device to import data from, select Input under the table.

Add

Select Add to add a new port. This is necessary if you have added new interface hardware, for example by installing an extra Ethernet or Serial adapter. If you have previously released an unused port, but want to bring it back into use, you must also select Add.

If no serial ports are available the Add button is disabled. If one or more serial ports are available, you can select a port in the Add Serial Port dialog box.

Remove

Select this button to delete a communication port.

Once the ST90 system has identified and listed all the available serial ports and LAN ports, they cannot be used by any other software. If the ST90 system does not need a specific port, it can be released for other use. Click the applicable port to select it, then select Remove to delete the port from the list.

Note:

No acknowledgement is required; the port is removed instantly. The chosen port is not deleted from the system, it is only taken out of the list of ports.

Setup

In order to use a serial port or LAN (Ethernet) port to receive or transmit information, its communication parameters must be set up to match the peripheral device. Select one of the listed ports and then Setup under the table to set up the port parameters. A dedicated dialog box opens for you to change or accept the settings.

The communication parameters defined for NMEA 0183 are:

• Baud rate: 4800 bit/s
• Data bits: 8
• Parity: Even
• Stop bits: 1

Some instruments may provide other parameters and/or options. You must always check the relevant technical documentation supplied by the manufacturer.

Monitor

If you suspect that a serial port or LAN port is ineffective, faulty or missing, you can monitor the flow of datagrams. Select one of the listed ports and then Monitor to observe the data communication. The Port Monitor dialog box opens.