RoboteQ AX3500 user manual RS232 Communication with the Encoder Module, Roboteq v1.9b 06/01/07 s

Establishing Manual Communication with a PC

COM1port. You can easily change this setting to a different port from the program’s menus.

Note that starting with version 1.9, the Roborun PC utility also includes a Terminal Emula- tion Console for communicating with the controller using raw data. See “Using the Con- sole” on page 196.

In all cases, immediately after reset or power up, the controller will output a short identity message followed by a software revision number and software revision date as follows:

Roboteq v1.9b 06/01/07 s

The letter below the prompt message is a code that provides information on the hardware and can be ignored.

If in R/C or Analog mode, type the Enter key 10 times to switch to RS232 mode and display the OK prompt

FIGURE 93. Power-on message appearing on Hyperterm

RS232 Communication with the Encoder Module

The AX3500 Encoder Module contains its own Microcontroller and firmware in Flash. The Encoder’s MCU communicates with the one on the main board of the controller. During normal operations, the two MCUs exchange information as needed, transparently to the user.

During a short time at power up, however, the Encoder’s MCU will send data to the main serial port.

The sent data is a separate prompt message which:

•Announces the presence of the encoder MCU

•Outputs its software revision and date

•Outputs a code identifying the module’s hardware ID

The serial port settings are described in “Serial (RS-232) Controls and Operation” on page 135.

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