Rinstrum R323 Communications Manual

Software Versions 3.xx 003R-618-310 Page 1 R300 Series (R320 and R323) Digital Weighing Indicator Communication Manual Software Version 3.0 and higher ...

Software Versions 3.xx Page 2 003R-618-310 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 4 1.1. Intended Audience ..................................................................................................... 4 1.2. Scope......................................................................................................................... 4 1.3. The Manuals Set ........................................................................................................ 5 1.4. Document Conventions ................... ...

Software Versions 3.xx 003R-618-310 Page 3 8. EXECUTE FUNCTIONS ...................................................................................................... 29 8.1. Calibration................................................................................................................ 29 8.1.1. Span......................................................................................................... 30 8.1.2. Linearisation............................................................................................. 31 8.2. Save Settings to EEPROM.............................................................. ...

Software Versions 3.xx Page 4 003R-618-310 1. Introduction This manual details the communications protocol (COMM) of the indicator. This protocol is used by the Viewer program to calibrate and configure the instrument. The Viewer TEST tab can be used as a convenient terminal to test the instrument communications. The indicator is fitted with opto-LINK communications as standard. This allows a temporary isolated communications link to be established with a PC permitting the instrument software to be upgraded. It also allows the use of computerised setup and calibration via the Viewer software. The instrument also has an ...

Software Versions 3.xx 003R-618-310 Page 5 1.3. The Manuals Set This manual is part of a set of manuals covering the setup and operation of the instrument. The set includes the following: • Reference Manual - Contains detailed information on calibration and setup. This manual is intended for use by Scale Technicians who are installing the instrument. • Operator Manual - Aimed at the operation of the instrument, and covers the day-to-day operation of the instrument. • Quick Start Manual - Intended for Scale Technicians who are familiar with the instrument and simply need a quick reference to menu options and connect ...

Software Versions 3.xx Page 6 003R-618-310 2. Connecting to the Instrument 2.1. opto-LINK A temporary infrared com- munications link can be established between any instrument and a PC using an optional opto-LINK cable. The opto-LINK cable can be used to transfer setup information from a PC and download software upgrades to the instrument. This setup information can be stored for later use and/or transferred to other instruments. The PC end of the opto-LINK cable is a standard COM port (female DB9) connector. The instrument end of the cable consists of an infrared transceiver, which attaches to the left side of the instr ...

Software Versions 3.xx 003R-618-310 Page 7 2.2. RS-232 Connection 2.2.1. RS-232 Communications Settings The communications settings for RS-232 are configured using the SERIAL:BAUD and SERIAL:BITS items in the instrument setup menus. Network: One Instrument to PC (RXD, TXD, GND) Figure 2: RS-232 -– One Instrument to PC using COM Port (DB9) Figure 3: RS-232 – One Instrument to PC using COM Port (DB25) ...

Software Versions 3.xx Page 8 003R-618-310 Ring Networks: Multiple Instruments to PC (RXD, TXD, GND) Instruments with K302 software revision V3.82+ can be configured in a Ring Network. This also requires an enhancement in the PC’s software. The Short Ring Network layout can be used in situations up to a total cable run length of about 150 m (500 ft) at 9600 baud in a clean EMC environment. If there are communications errors, or for longer cable runs, lower the baud rate to 4800 or 2400, and/or use the Long Ring Network in Figure 5 below, which uses a separate return path from the ‘Last Instrument’ to the PC. For D ...

Software Versions 3.xx 003R-618-310 Page 9 Long Ring Network: Multiple Instruments to PC (RXD, TXD, GND) The Long Ring Network layout can be used in situations where each leg of the cable run can be up to about 150 m (500 ft) at 9600 baud. If there are communications errors, lower the baud rate to 4800 or 2400. Figure 5: RS-232 Long Cable Runs: Ring Network using COM Port (DB9) ...

Software Versions 3.xx Page 10 003R-618-310 2.3. opto-LINK vs RS-232 Table 1 provides a summary of the differences between the two communications links: opto-LINK RS-232 Supports COMM protocol Yes Yes Supported indicators R300 Series R320, R323 Permanent connection No Yes Communications settings 9600, N, 8, 1 Configurable via SERIAL:BAUD, SERIAL:BITS Timeout with no use 5 minutes None Software upgrade using FLASH Yes No Remote display (Master) No Yes Printing (Print) No Yes Auto outputs (Auto.1, Auto.2) No Yes Restricted control for OPTION:USE = NTEP COMM permission always PERM_NONE Setup menu mimic operation blocked No Y ...

Software Versions 3.xx 003R-618-310 Page 11 3. Getting Started This section gives a brief introduction to using the COMM protocol on the instrument. The examples below use the broadcast address and assume that a PC is connected to the RS-232 port as described in RS-232 Connection page 7. The indicator is assumed to be at address 01. From K302 software revision V3.82+, the instruments can be installed in a Ring Network, see §3.7 below. 3.1. Using Viewer • Start Viewer. • Connect to the indicator. • Select the Test page. • Clear the Use STX,ETX box. • The examples listed in this section may be entered directly ...

Software Versions 3.xx Page 12 003R-618-310 3.3. Reading Gross Weight as Literal Value Type the following (without the “” quotes) and then press Send (which appends ): “20050026:” The indicator will response with a message like: “81050026:^^10.00^kg^G” (along with a trailing ) 3.4. Read Gross Weight as Final Value Type the following and then press Send: “20110026:” The indicator will response with a message like: “81110026:000003E8” Where the value after the “:” is the hexadecimal value of the gross weight without any decimal places or units. In decimal, this value is 1000. For co ...

Software Versions 3.xx 003R-618-310 Page 13 The responses from the instruments echo the command (which is why has been called ‘Echo-On’), which is passed by one instrument on to the next. Each instrument’s response is then added to the end of the incoming message ahead of the ‘Echo-Off’ = character. 3.7.1. RS-232 Ring Network Example Figure 7: RS-232 Ring Network: Example with Two Instruments A typical command from a PC, shown as (1) in the example Ring Network in Figure 7 above, might be: Message (1): 20110150: The first instrument, address 31 in our example, would send the echoe ...

Software Versions 3.xx Page 14 003R-618-310 4. Protocol Overview The instrument contains a number of registers. The indicator is configured by reading and writing the information stored in these registers. Information such as gross weight is obtained by reading these registers. The instrument has registers of different types to hold weights, menu options, etc. 4.1. COMM Message Structure The messages use ASCII characters. Almost all numeric values are transmitted in hexadecimal form using uppercase HEX characters (ie. 0 to 9, A to F). Commands from a Master (typically a PC) to a Slave (typically an Indicator) are of ...

Software Versions 3.xx 003R-618-310 Page 15 4.1.1. Address Field The address field is a two character hexadecimal field where: Bit Field Name Description 7 Response Set by the slave to indicate that this message is a response to a previous command. 6 Error Set to indicate that the data in this message is an error code and not a normal response. Refer to Error Handling page 17. 5 Reply Required Set by the master to indicate that a reply to this message is required by any slave to which it is addressed. If not set, the slave should silently perform the command. 4 to 0 Indicator Address Valid unit addresses are 01 H to 1F ...

Software Versions 3.xx Page 16 003R-618-310 4.1.3. Register Id Field This is the four character hexadecimal register identifier. For the list of registers in the instrument refer to Register Identifiers page 38. 4.1.4. Optional Parameters The value here is dependent on the command and register being accessed. Not all commands require a parameter (eg. CMD_READ_FINAL). Commands that write to a register have the new value as the parameter. 4.1.5. Return Value The value here is dependent on the command and register being accessed. If a command does not return a value (eg. CMD_WRITE_FINAL), then the return value will be an ...

Software Versions 3.xx 003R-618-310 Page 17 4.2. Error Handling If a command cannot be processed, the indicator returns an error code. Typical errors include: • Register not implemented on indicator • Register value out of range • Command not implemented for register An error response is indicated by setting the Error bit in the Address Field of the reply. The message returned by the indicator in response to an error will be of the form: Address Field Command Field Register Id Error Code zz mm rrrr “:” wwwww � An error code will consist of a hexadecimal value representing the specific error code. Note: When a ...

Software Versions 3.xx Page 18 003R-618-310 4.3. Register Types The following types are defined: Type Data Size (bytes) Minimum Value Maximum Value Description TYPE_BYTE 1 0 28-1 Small numeric values. TYPE_OPTION 1 0 28-1 Lists of strings. TYPE_USHORT 2 0 216-1 Unsigned numeric values. TYPE_SHORT 2 -215 215-1 Signed numeric values. TYPE_LONG 4 -231 231-1 Large numeric values. TYPE_ULONG 4 0 232-1 Large unsigned numeric values. TYPE_STRING -- -- -- terminated string. TYPE_BITFIELD 1, 2 or 4 0 28-1, 216-1, or 232-1 Composite setting. TYPE_MENU 1 0 28-1 Menu structure. TYPE_BLOB -- -- -- Binary Large OBject. A block o ...

Software Versions 3.xx 003R-618-310 Page 19 4.4. Permissions 4.4.1. Register Access Each register has permission levels required for reading, writing and executing. These permission levels can be read using the CMD_READ_PERMISSION command. The communications link has a permission level. Changing the current permission level is achieved by writing a passcode to a permission register. If the correct passcode has been given, future messages use that permission level. The passcodes for SAFE and FULL are also used for SPEC:SAFE.PC and SPEC:FULL.PC in the indicator’s setup menus. If more than one passcode register has th ...

Software Versions 3.xx Page 20 003R-618-310 4.4.2. Calibration and Configuration Counters Within the instrument there are a number of trade critical registers that can affect the calibration and/or legal for trade performance of the instrument. If any of these registers are altered, the trade certification of the scale will be voided. The instrument provides built-in calibration counters to monitor the number of times the critical registers are altered. The value of the counter is stored within the unit and can only be reset at the factory. Each time a critical register is altered, the counter will increase. Whenever t ...