Measurement Specialties 9116 Chapter Programming and Operation Commands & Responses, Introduction

Pressure Systems, Inc. Model 9116 User’s Manual

Chapter 3

Programming and Operation

3.1Commands & Responses

3.1.1Introduction

This chapter describes all commands a host computer program may send to a Model 9116 Intelligent Pressure Scanner module, as well as the data or status responses returned by the module. Most applications require a working knowledge of only a small number of these commands.

Model 9116 has an Ethernet interface, and uses layered TCP/IP or UDP/IP transmission protocols to communicate with a host computer. All commands/responses to/from Model 9116 modules are embedded in the data fields of either a TCP or UDP packet header. In turn, these packets are themselves embedded in the data field of an IP packet header, which is embedded in the data field of an Ethernet packet header. Thus, the term layered protocols.

3.1.1.1TCP/UDP/IP Protocols

Both TCP/IP and UDP/IP protocols are a well-established set of rules for communicating over a network (LAN, intranet, or internet), and are independent of the network’s physical medium. All the modules use the TCP/IP protocols for most commands and responses since the TCP layer provides a robust error detection and correction mechanism. TCP/IP requires a formal connection be established between host and module. The simpler UDP layer, requiring no formal connection, is utilized for a subset of commands and query responses.

Using the underlying basic IP protocol, the host computer and interconnected modules are all “peers” that can communicate equally. Each “peer” must have its own unique “logical” IP Address (as well as its own unique “physical” Ethernet Address) to be directly addressed. Any “peer” may initiate transmissions without permission from the receiver. In the NetScanner™ System implementation, the host computer is normally a client and generally initiates most transmissions by sending commands to the modules, which are normally servers. However, a module can initiate its own transmissions in some operating modes (e.g., the hardware- triggered or free-runautonomous host streams generated by the Configure/Control Autonomous Host Streams (‘c’) command).

A “peer” may be directly addressed by its IP address (in xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx format), or by use of a predefined logical name that allows its IP Address to be looked-up in the sender’s database or in a central network server’s database. The Windows® 95/98/XP/NT operating systems provide a simple text file database called “Hosts.” Review the file “Hosts.sam” in the “C:\windows” directory. Modify and rename it “Hosts.” (no file extension) to activate it.

Before the host computer and any module can communicate with the higher level TCP/IP protocols, the host (client) must request a connection be established with the module (server). Each module expects all such requests for connection to be requested by its IP Address, and

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