How to communicate with the XMP | Xantrex Technology XMP 2600

Usage Guidelines

How to communicate with the XMP 2600

2Usage Guidelines

How to communicate with the XMP 2600

Using the comm. channels

The purpose of this section is to give the user of the XMP 2600 power system basic guidelines on how to communicate with the Power Supply.

Communicating with the XMP 2600 involves proper usage of the communication channels (either GPIB or RS232), understanding how the XMP 2600 handles the communication from/to the controlling computer and learning the recommended way to communicate with the XMP 2600.

The following sections will tackle the aforementioned issues, in detail.

To communicate with the XMP 2600 one can use either the GPIB bus or an RS232 link. Beyond the basic differences between the two communication mediums (not covered in this manual) both provide the user of the XMP 2600 full access to the XMP’s features.

The only advantage of the GPIB bus (beyond its hardware characteristics) is the ability to send bus commands, such as DCL (Device Clear).

Using the GPIB bus

There are several options for terminators to use when communicating with the XMP 2600:

1.EOI

2.LF (or CRLF)

3.LF + EOI

We recommend the use of LF (without EOI).

Do not use the “auto serial poll” feature of some GPIB drivers. If you want to use SRQs, do the serial poll (or use the *STB? Query) in your program.

Using an RS232 link

RS232 is an asynchronous communication link. The XMP 2600 uses a software method to synchronize communication with it: for every command or query message (ending with a LF or CRLF) that you send to the XMP 2600 it will reply with the ASCII character ACK (acknowledge) – 6 Hex.

This method provides assurance that the communication link is working properly and serves the function of the handshake lines of the GPIB bus.

XMP 2600 Programming Manual rev. 1.1

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Xantrex Technology XMP 2600 manual How to communicate with the XMP, Using the comm. channels, Using the Gpib bus

Contents

Xantrex Multiple Output Power System XMP XMP Warranty Limited What does this warranty cover and how long does itHow do you get service? Last? What does this warranty not cover? Disclaimer Product Information About Your Power Supply Information Safety Summary Description Power Supply SymbolsPower Supply Grounding Do Not Open The Unit Air Inlets And Air Outlet Input Mains Voltage RatingOutput Voltages Nonoperative Modules Power Supply Safety Regulatory Approvals and Safety Agency ComplianceSafety Agency Compliance Regulatory Approvals About this manual Chapters TerminologyWho should use this manual Table of contents Basic Programming Commands and Queries Reference Error Codes summary Byte 1Interfacing XMP Gpib interface Serial interface ACK Programming messages formats Listening Formats Talking Formats Response Data Separator Using the Gpib bus How to communicate with the XMPUsing the comm. channels Using an RS232 link Using commands Recovering from communication haltsUsing queries Programming the XMP Recommendations on using the XMP Initialize the XMP Query installed Power Modules Enforce power-on conditionsSetup the XMP 2600 status system Identify the XMP Setup system level protection shutdown features Initial setup of the Power Modules Activation Protection setupOutput settings Status reporting On-going usage of the XMP Using advanced featuresHandling SRQ and the IEEE488.2 Status Structures Use queries Event registers Event enable registersStatus registers Mask registers Output message Queue Main status byteMain controller events Responding to SRQ events Remote communication time out Summary of power modules statusPower modules status structure Primary engine status structure Faults Register What happens when power is turned onError Code Events Register Usage Guidelines Basic setup and usage Output Setup Power Module output rating Overview of output setup parameters Output activation Output settingsOutput control Globally enabling the outputs Foldback Voltage / current modeCurrent limiting schemes Polarity and disconnect relays Shutdown on current limit Reprogramming DelayRetry Linear foldback Basic Programming Usage guidelines Setting the window thresholdsWorkpoint window warning Enabling the window thresholds Voltage mode example Using the events mechanismUsing the warnings Checking the status Additional usages Protection using the workpoint windowLoad protection OVP Set output to stored values Arm, trigger, sync and rampTrigger mechanism Toggle the output state on/off Sync output What is output ramping? Output ramping Output ramping initiation Output ramping setupSynchronization of operations Simultaneous operations Other operations Using hardware Trig and Sync to serialize operationsOutput on/off Sequential Operations Using software OPC mechanism to serialize operations Controller notification of Operation Complete Shutdown grouping single, group, global Commands to program shutdown groupingSelective shutdown Different shutdown grouping of modules Shutdown on non-fault events Responding to communication time out eventsComm. time out Turn-on and reset behavior Time out events as reflected in the status structure Ieee 488.1 BUS Commands System Commands QueriesCategories GLBL? ResetGlbl Gpib Settings Commands Queries Output Control Protection Commands Queries Trigger Sync Commands QueriesRead-Back Queries Status Reporting Commands Queries Synch Alphabetical reference Mnemonic Parameters None Category System Type Sequential PRE Stores settings of all the Power Modules same as STO command Result register Syntax Return two decimal numbers, in the range 0 to 255. Each bit Cmask Close relay and a value of 1 is returned for an open relay Remove a user message from the XMP 2600 front panel display Set-up the operating mode of the XMP 2600. Re-calculate rqs Response is a series of values one for each installed Power Return output Current measurement of the Power Module. Return the state of the XMP 2600 Local Lock Flag. a value Ocrst Decimal value in the range 0 to Syntax Presence of the Polarity Reversal Relay Option Parameters None Category Settings Type Sequential Master mainframe. For the XMP 2600 this value is String in the following format mssnnn where m=minutes Result is two decimal numbers the first being the level 0t o SN? = Goto = OFF= Stop Module. Result is a decimal number in the range 0 to Shut-down when a remote communication time out occurs. Time out feature Syntax Minus sigh Syntax VLIM? Vset Commands and Queries Reference Ieee 488.2 compatible Status Structures Events Register Events Enable Register Faults RegisterError Code Output Register Events Filtering Positive Mask Register Events Filtering Negative Mask Register Standard Event Status Register read with *ESR? PON CME EXE DDE QYE OPC Primary Status Register read with PSR? Primary Event Status Register read with PER? Status Byte Register read with *STB? Primerr Power Modules Self Test Results Byte Main Controller Errors Detected by the Main Controller Error Codes summaryPower Modules Errors Reported by the Power Module Main Power Modules Communications errors RS232 Communications errors Gpib Communications errorsParser and Execution errors Status reporting Xantrex Technology Inc