Ethernet Converter for Environmental Chambers

See the complete TestEquity Environmental Chamber product line HERE >>

Ethernet Converter Manual >>
TestEquity Ethernet Programming >>

TestEquity Model 1055 Ethernet Interface Converter is a specialized Ethernet to Serial Interface that provides Modbus RTU packet communication to adapt the F4 Controller used on TestEquity chambers to a network. The converter lets you send simple read-write messages over the network to control and query the chamber's controller. The converter does all of the Modbus RTU packet formatting and handles the response packets. The converter is fully VXI-11.3 compliant. An internal webserver provides a web page to read and control the chamber's setpoints and event outputs. The converter is packaged in a small minibox case. It can be used with any TestEquity chamber by plugging the converter cable into the chamber's serial interface connector.

Operation
The user sends commands to the converter that sets the Modbus device address, specifies the register to be read or written to and the data value. The converter converts these commands into the Modbus packet format, adds the CRC checksum and transmits the messages to the chamber's controller. Received packets are checked and the responses to queries are returned to the network client. The converter's command syntax includes an optional question mark to enable automatic response reading by the VXI-11 Keyboard Control program and other smart programs. Modbus communication faults, exception messages and other errors are reported to the user through a Modbus error register in the converter's 488.2 Status Structure. The user can set up the converter's Status Structure to generate a Service Request (similar to a GPIB SRQ) on an error or simply read the Modbus Error register if a problem occurs.

VXI-11.3 Compliant
The converter is fully VXI-11.3 compliant so it fits in with today's new test equipment architectures that use Ethernet networks. VXI-11 is a communication standard developed by the VISA consortium in 1995 in conjunction with the VISA Specification. VXI-11.3 is the sub-specification for network instruments. The VXI-11 Specification is available at http://www.vxibus.org.

The converter exceeds the LXI specifications for a class C instrument because it is IEEE-488.2 compliant and specifies its compliance with the VXI-11 protocol. It conforms to the requirements for a LXI class C instrument per LXI Standard Rev 1.1 with the exception of no support for auto-IP configuration.

Easy Programmability
The converter can be easily controlled by the different programming techniques that are in common use with today's Test and Measurement systems. If you program with LabVIEW, National Instruments' VISA supports VXI-11.3 instruments like the converter. It will be communicated with as a TCP/IP resource. NI's Measurement and Automation Explorer finds and communicates with the converter as with any other VXI-11 compliant device. Agilent's and National Instrument's VISA libraries are both VXI-11 compliant. If you are a Visual Basic or C/C++ programmer, you can write your program to make calls to either company's VISA library. If you program with VEE, Agilent's IO Library treats the converter as any other LAN instrument and makes it available to your program. If you use Linux or any flavor of UNIX such as SunOS, IBM-AIX, HP-UX, or Apple's OS X, you can communicate with the converter through RPC over TCP/IP.

Remote Procedure Calls
RPC (or Remote Procedure Calls) provides an invisible communication medium that allows the developer to concentrate on his program. RPC calls are commonly used on LINUX, UNIX, and all UNIX like operating systems with C language programs. However, they can be used on any operating system that includes a protocol converter utility (rpcgen). The rpcgen utility converts the RPC language description of the protocol in the VXI-11 Specification to generate the client stubs for writing programs with RPC calls. The VXI-11 Specification is available at http://www.vxibus.org.

JAVA
The converter can be programmed with JAVA and the resulting program run on any computer with JAVA capability.

Network Settings
The converter, like all network devices, has several network settings that have to be set for the converter to operate properly on the user's network. The converter ships with its network configuration set to a static IP address. The user can change the converter's IP address or set the converter to accept a dynamic IP address from a DHCP server. The user can also change the COMM_timeout setting, and enable Keep Alive. The rear panel LAN Reset button can be used to reset the network settings to their factory default values at any time.

There are three ways the user can change the converter's Network settings. The simplest way is to use a standard web browser and interact with the converter's WebServer. The second way is to use ICS's VXI-11 Configuration Utility which runs on any Win 98 or Win32 PC. The third method is to use defined RPC Commands from any computer operating system with RPC capability. All settings are saved in nonvolatile Flash memory and are recalled when the converter is powered-on or reset.

Configuring
The converter's SCPI command parser lets the user configure and query the converter's interface settings with SCPI commands. The SCPI commands cover the serial communication settings, Status Structure Register settings, data format and Modbus timeout. The user can also use a SCPI command to enter an custom IDN message to personalize the converter as part of his own system. The *SAV 0 command saves the current configuration setting and Modbus device address in nonvolatile Flash memory so they can be recalled when the converter is powered-on or reset.

VXI-11 Utilities
Two VXI-11 utility programs are supplied with the converter. The VXI-11 Configuration Utility (VXI11_config) walks the user through a menu to set the converter's Network and Serial communication settings. The VXI-11 Keyboard Program (VXI11_kybd) lets the user send commands to the converter and displays the converter's responses without having to write a program. The commands can be SCPI commands, IEEE-488.2 commands or commands for the Modbus slave device(s). The programs include buttons to find and link to the converter. Both programs run without a VISA library which make them easy to use in any Windows computer.

Customization
The converter's firmware allows the user to store a custom IDN message and other interface setup parameters in the converter's Flash memory. The user can also alter the appearance of the HTML pages used by the converter's WebServer to include the user's company name, logo and even page layout.

NOTE: TestEquity 1055 Ethernet Interface Converter is NOT compatible with Watlow WatView software.

SPECIFICATIONS

Supported Standards

VXI-11 Capabilities
Fully VXI-11.3 compliant VXI-11.3 Device Interface
Sockets: 15 + 1 for UDP
Channel types: Data, Abort and Interrupt
Links: 64
Interface Names: intr0 for general use

VXI-11.3 Functions
All VXI-11.3 functions including device read, write, local, remote, clear, readstb, lock and unlock.

RPC Protocol
Conforms to ONC RPC Version 2, VXI-11

Ethernet Interface
Type: IEEE 802.3 compliant
Speeds: 10BaseT (10 Mb/s 100BaseT (100 Mb/s)
IP Address: Static or DHCP
Factory setting: 192.168.0.254 static
Interface name: any [inst0]

WebServer Capabilities
Provides the following HTML 4.01 compatible web pages: Welcome Configuration, Confirmation, Reboot.

Preloaded TestEquity-specific web pages included for temperature and temperature-humidity chambers. Functions include Setpoint entry and readback, readback of actual chamber temperature and humidity, °C or °F setting, and Event Output setting/readback.

IEEE 488.2 Capabilities
Runs all required 488.2 Common Commands,incorporates an extended IEEE-488.2 Status Reporting Structure and the Message Exchange Protocol.

SCPI Capabilities
The converter conforms to the SCPI 1994.0 Specification and uses SCPI commands to set: Baud rate select Data bits 7 or 8 Stop bits 1 or 2 Parity Odd, Even or None RS485 Half-Duplex operation Talk Format HEXlist or ASCii

Serial Interface
Full duplex serial interface with single ended RS-232 and differential RS-422 (RS-485) signals. Signal selection made by jumpers on the converter. RS-485 half-duplex operation enabled with a SCPI command.
RS-232 Signals: TxD, RxD, RTS, CTS, DSR and DTR
RS-422 Signals: Tx and Rx pairs
Baud Rates: 300, 600, 1.2K, 2.4K, 4.8K, 9.6K, 19.2K and 38.4K baud
Data Bits: 7 or 8 bits
Parity Stop Bits: Odd, even or none 1 or 2

Modbus RTU Commands
Converter's Modbus commands accept ASCII decimal values or HEX values starting with #h. Code is the Modbus RTU command code produced by the converter. Register values from 0 to 65,535.

Indicators
PWR - Indicates power on LAN Unit connected to an active LAN
ACT - Transferring messages to/from the network
RDY - Unit has passed self test TALK Unit asked to send data
LSTN - Unit sent a command or data SRQ Device Service Request asserted ERR Blinks for a soft VXI-11 error and
On for command errors

Controls
Power Front panel switch
LAN Rear panel push-button that resets Reset the network settings.

Physical
Size, L x W x H : 7.29 x 1.52 x 7.45 inches (1185.2 x 38.6 x 189.2 mm)
Weight: 3 lbs. (1.4 kg.)
Construction: Lead Free

Connector and Headers
Serial: 62-pin female, metal DC shell connector with lock studs
Ethernet: RJ-45

Temperature
Operation -10° C to +70° C
Storage -20° C to +85° C

Humidity
0-90% RH without condensation

Power
9 to 32 Vdc @ 3 VA

Included Accessories:
Instruction Manual
LAN Crossover Cable
62-Pin to 9-Pin Serial null-modem cable for connection to TestEquity chamber
Support CD-ROM with VXI-11 Utilities.
UL/CSA/VDE approved AC power Adapter

See the complete TestEquity Environmental Chamber product line HERE >>