Exatron 3000B
www.exatron.com 3-22 Chapter 3 Interface Info
HP RS-232:
The HP RS-232 interface was originally added to the Model 5000 handler at the request of one of
Exatron’s customers at Hewlett Packard. The customer wanted to use the basic Exatron RS-232
Interface with some additional information sent from the handler to the computer controlling the
customer’s tester. This information adds to the basic Exatron RS-232 comm ands which we have
incorporated into our Series 5000 and Series 3000B handlers.
The way in which the handler starts and ends each test cycle for the H P RS-232 Interface is the same as
for the Exatron RS-232 Interface, described in the basic handler/CPU test cycle handshake above. The
following explains in detail the additional H P RS-232 commands:
1. Handler sends a "$G [cr]” Handler is running; light pole if present, is set to GREEN.
2. Handler sends a "$R [space] (16 ASCII character string [cr]" The light pole, if present, has turned
RED: Handler error message.
3. Handler sends a “$Y [space] (16 ASCII character string) [cr]” The light pole, if present, has turned
YELLOW: Handler error message
4. Handler sends a "$B [space] (16 ASCII character string) [cr]" The light pole, if present, has turned
BLUE: Bin information will be displayed.
5. Handler sends a “$L [space] PART DROPPED ? [cr]” The light pole, if present, has turned RED:
Operator to check for handler mis-cycle.
6. Handler sends a “$E [space] EMPTY/LOAD PART [cr]” The light pole, if present, has turned
YELLOW: Handler is empty; the operator should load devices into the handler and press the Enter
button.
The handler will send out message strings at various times during the handling cycle and upon all
error/jam conditions. All of these strings will start with a “$” (dollar sign) and end with a “[cr]” (carriage
return.) The handler does not require any input back from the tester’s computer. The handler sends
these messages to the computer as FYI information only.
After the “$” (dollar sign) there will be an upper case ASCII letter. This letter may indicate the status of the
handler’s light pole. (The light pole is optional equipment, obtained by special order.) Other letters are
used for specific error conditions. Except in the case of a “G,” the handler will then follow the ASCII letter
with a “[space]” and then with an up to 16 character upper case ASCII error message string. The final
character in the communication from the handler will always be a “[cr]” (carriage return.)
Message String Details:
G for GREEN - handler is running normally. No operator action is required.
R for RED - the handler is stopped with a serious jam condition and requires operator assistance. If your
handler is sending excessive RED error messages, check that the handler is properly set up and is in
good working order.
Y for YELLOW - the handler is stopped but not jammed. The operator should check the handler and
restart its operation. Yellow errors include the handler being in PAUSE, MANUAL, SETUP,
DIAGNOSTIC, and ALL MOTORS OFF modes.
B for BLUE - the handler is stopped and reporting the following bin information: bin number, sort, current
tube count.