B&B Electronics ESR904W Adjusting the Behavior of Device Communication Ports, Polling Strings

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Device Communication Ports

Chapter 5: Adjusting the Behavior of Device Communication Ports

There is a significant difference between serial and Ethernet data communications. Data that comes in through the Ethernet is presented to the device in the form of very distinct packets. On the other hand without information about the format of the data coming in through the serial port the device may not know at what point to package up the data and hand it off to the Ethernet network. It is for this reason that the ESR90xW series of devices allow you to define when the device converts serial stream data into Ethernet packets. The following examples are provided to illustrate the power behind these options:

Configuration #1: The ESR90xW is connected to a device used to monitor air temperature. Software that interfaces with this hardware polls the device for the current status once a minute. This data is returned in the form of a single byte containing the temperature in Celsius.

Configuration #2: This ESR90xW is connected to a machine is connected to an ATM machine. When a customer starts a transaction with the ATM a large burst of serial data is passed onto the central bank.

Obviously in both of the configurations the data is critical and needs to be passed over the network in the quickest manner possible. For configuration #1 the best behavior for the device would be to send the incoming byte of temperature information out over the network as soon as it comes in. On the other hand if the device acted the same way for the second configuration it would flood the network with all of the Ethernet overhead. In this case the device would be better to wait for a moment and send a full Ethernet packet rather than a packet for each byte of data.

There are a number of different conditions that your ESR90xW can be configured to watch for when dealing with the data coming in through it’s serial communication port(s).

•Polling Strings

•Timeouts

•Data Quantities

Documentation Number: ESR90xW-4905m

Chapter 5

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Device Communication Ports

Polling Strings

Polling strings are used when you want the ESR90xW to look for a specific data pattern before taking the data in it’s serial buffer and creating an Ethernet packet with it. Polling strings can be configured to monitor not only the serial traffic but the Ethernet traffic as well.

Timeouts

Polling strings are used when you want the ESR90xW to look for a specific data pattern before taking the data in its serial buffer and creating an Ethernet packet with it.

There are two different types of timeouts. Total Message and Inter-character timeouts. A Total Message timeout counter starts when the first byte is received. Once the specified amount of time has elapsed since this initial byte the trigger is fired and the device will transmit the buffered data.

The second type of timeout is an Inter-character timeout. This is used to trigger after a defined amount of inactivity.

Data Quantities

In addition to the two previously mentioned methods of Ethernet packet transmission triggers you can also setup a specific data amount that the device will wait for before acting on the incoming data.

Using Multiple Conditions

You can use the data trigger conditions individually or it is also possible to use them in combination with each other. When more than one condition is specified they are treated as a “logical AND”. This means that if any of the conditions specified is true then the data buffer is transmitted.

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Chapter 5

Documentation Number: ESR90xW-4905m

B&B Electronics Mfg Co Inc – 707 Dayton Rd - PO Box 1040 - Ottawa IL 61350 - Ph 815-433-5100 - Fax 815-433-5104 – www.bb-elec.com

B&B Electronics Mfg Co Inc – 707 Dayton Rd - PO Box 1040 - Ottawa IL 61350 - Ph 815-433-5100 - Fax 815-433-5104 – www.bb-elec.com

B&B Electronics Ltd – Westlink Commercial Park – Oranmore, Galway, Ireland – Ph +353 91-792444 – Fax +353 91-792445 – www.bb-europe.com

B&B Electronics Ltd – Westlink Commercial Park – Oranmore, Galway, Ireland – Ph +353 91-792444 – Fax +353 91-792445 – www.bb-europe.com

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Contents ESR901W232, ESR901W485 ESR902W, ESR904W Vlinx Wireless Serial ServersEuropean Headquarters International HeadquartersDocumentation Number ESR90xW-4905m Table of Contents Introduction About Your Vlinx ESR90xW Wireless Serial ServerDirect IP Mode FeaturesWireless Network Configurations Wireless Networking BasicsVirtual COM Mode Serial Tunneling ModeIeee 802.11g ESR90xW Startup ProcedurePackage Checklist Hardware SetupOperation Power UpSet Up PC ConfigurationPackage Checklist Hardware FeaturesVlinx ESR90xW Hardware Serial Port Connectors Connections for Server ConfigurationConfiguration Port Connector Antenna ConnectorOther Hardware Connections Connection via the Wireless LANConfiguring Communications Modes and Protocols Device Configuration via Web ConsoleAccessing the Web Browser Configuring the Serial PortManaging Users Accounts Configuring Network PropertiesConfiguring Wireless Properties Wireless Output Power Security Method WEP o LeapVlinx Web Console Users Using Device Status InformationPolling Strings Adjusting the Behavior of Device Communication PortsTimeouts Using Multiple ConditionsVcom Port Setup Device Discovery and Virtual COM PortsDevice Detection Utility Product Specifications TCP Default Server PropertiesVlinx ESR90xW Dimensional Diagrams Server Name Serial Number PasswordDimensional Diagram of the Vlinx 902W DB-9 Pin-outs for RS-232 and RS-232/422/485 Connections DB-9M RS-232RS-422 RS-485 Pin +12 VDC to 30 VDC RX+ RJ-45 Pin-out for Configuration Port ConnectionRJ-45 Pin Signal Wire Color TX+Declaration of Conformity Declaration of Conformity

VLINX WIRELESS SERIAL SERVER, ESR901W232, ESR904W, ESR901W485, ESR902W specifications

B&B Electronics has made significant strides in the realm of wireless communication technology with its series of products designed for reliable, high-performance connectivity. Among their offerings, the ESR902W, ESR901W485, ESR904W, and ESR901W232 stand out as essential tools for businesses looking to enhance their serial device communication capabilities. Each model comes with unique features tailored to different applications, ensuring versatile solutions for various industrial settings.

The ESR902W is a robust wireless serial server that converts RS-232 serial data into a 2.4GHz wireless radio connection. This device supports a broad range of serial data rates and can maintain reliable connections up to 1,200 feet in line-of-sight conditions. With its simple setup and compatibility with numerous protocols, the ESR902W is ideal for remote monitoring and control applications where conventional wired communication is impractical.

The ESR901W485 version takes things a step further by offering support for RS-485 serial connections. This model is particularly beneficial in environments with multiple devices and longer distance needs. Its multi-drop capability allows for the connection of up to 32 devices on a single network, providing a seamless way to manage extensive operations. Like the ESR902W, it also features a robust wireless link that enhances flexibility and reduces installation costs.

The ESR904W offers unmatched performance with its four serial port capabilities, making it suitable for applications requiring simultaneous connections to multiple devices. This model is known for its network scalability, allowing users to easily integrate additional devices without sacrificing performance. It seamlessly handles complex communication tasks in industries ranging from manufacturing to transportation.

Finally, the ESR901W232 model focuses on delivering reliable RS-232 connectivity. With built-in security features such as AES encryption and an accessible web interface for monitoring, this wireless serial server is optimized for secure data transmission, making it perfect for sensitive applications that demand high security.

The VLINX Wireless Serial Server technology underpins these devices. Utilizing various wireless protocols, including Wi-Fi and Zigbee, these servers offer a range of communication options based on application requirements. With features such as robust packet handling, automatic data buffering, and user-friendly configuration interfaces, B&B Electronics ensures that their products deliver reliable and efficient communication solutions suited for diverse industrial landscapes. Overall, these wireless serial servers are valuable components for organizations seeking to modernize their data communication infrastructure while enhancing operational efficiency.
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