TE-1055 (8099) Ethernet Converter for Environmental Chambers

LabVIEW 8.6 Drivers
Mxxx9A_VI.zip (290K) is written by ICS Electronics. A combined VI is capable of controlling the Ethernet-to-Modbus converter. The other VIs are sub-vis for specific functions. For the F4 controller only, not for the F4T.

TestEquity Model 1055 Ethernet Interface Converter a specialized Ethernet to Serial Interface that provides Modbus RTU packet communication to adapt the controllerd used on TestEquity chambers to a network. The converter lets you send simple ASCII read-write messages over the network to control and query the chamber's controller. The converter does all of the Modbus RTU packet formatting. An internal webserver provides a web page to read and control the chamber's set points and event outputs. The converter is packaged in a small minibox case. It can be used with any TestEquity chamber by plugging the converter cable into the chamber's serial interface connector. The TestEquity Model 1055 is based on an ICS Electronics 8099 Ethernet-to-Modbus Interface which has been customized to ensure compatibility with all models of TestEquity Chambers.

Operation
The user sends commands to the converter that sets the Modbus device address, specifies the register to be read or written to and the data value. The converter converts these commands into the Modbus packet format, adds the CRC checksum and transmits the messages to the Modbus device (F4, F4T, or EZ-Zone controller). Received packets are checked and the responses to queries are returned to the network client. The converter command syntax includes an optional question mark to enable automatic response reading by included VXI-11 Keyboard Control program and other smart programs. Modbus communication faults, exception messages and other errors are reported to the user through a Modbus error register in the converter's 488.2 Status Structure. The user can set up the 8099's IEEE-488.2 Status Reporting Structure to generate a Service Request (similar to a GPIB SRQ) on an error or simply read the Modbus Error register if a problem occurs.

VXI-11.3 Compliant
The Converter is a VXI-11.3 instrument so it fits in with todays new test equipment architectures like LXI that use Ethernet networks. VXI-11 is a communication standard developed by the VISA consortium in 1995 in conjunction with the VISA Specification. VXI-11.3 is the sub-specification for network instruments on TCP/IP networks. The VXI-11 Specification is available at http://www.vxibus.org.

LXI Conformance
The converter conforms to the LXI 1.1 Specification for Class C instruments except does not self generate IP addressees. The converter's VXI-11.3 and IEEE-488.2 conformance exceeds LXI requirements.

Easy Programmability
If you program with LabVIEW, National Instruments' VISA library communicates with VXI-11.3 instruments like the 8099 as a TCP/IP resource. NI's Measurement and Automation Explorer also finds and communicates with the 8099 as with any other VXI-11 compliant device. Keysight's and National Instrument's VISA libraries are both VXI-11 compliant. If you are a Visual Basic or C/C++ programmer, you can write your program to make calls to either companies's VISA library. If you program with VEE, Keysight's IO Library treats the 8099 as any other LAN instrument and makes it available to your program. If you use Linux or any flavor of UNIX such as SunOS, IBM-AIX, HP-UX, or Apple's OS X, you can communicate with the 8099 through RPC over TCP/IP.

Remote Procedure Calls
RPC (or Remote Procedure Calls) provides an invisible communication medium that allows the developer to concentrate on his program. RPC calls are commonly used on LINUX, UNIX, and all UNIX like operating systems with C language programs. However, they can be used on any operating system that includes a protocol converter utility (rpcgen). The rpcgen utility converts the RPC language description of the protocol in the VXI-11 Specification to generate the client stubs for writing programs with RPC calls. The VXI-11 Specification is available at http://www.vxibus.org.

VXI-11 Utilities
Two VXI-11 utility programs are supplied with the converter. The VXI-11 Configuration Utility (VXI11_config) walks the user through a menu to set the converter's Network and Serial communication settings. The VXI-11 Keyboard Program (VXI11_kybd) lets the user send commands to the converter and displays the converter's responses without having to write a program. The commands can be SCPI commands, IEEE-488.2 commands or commands for the Modbus slave device(s). The programs include buttons to find and link to the converter. Both programs run without a VISA library which make them easy to use in any Windows computer.

NOTE: TestEquity 1055 Ethernet Interface Converter is NOT compatible with Watlow's WatView or Composer software.

SPECIFICATIONS

Supported Standards

VXI-11 Capabilities
Fully VXI-11.3 compliant VXI-11.3 Device Interface
Sockets: 15 + 1 for UDP
Channel types: Data, Abort and Interrupt
Links: 64
Interface Names: intr0 for general use

VXI-11.3 Functions
All VXI-11.3 functions including device read, write, local, remote, clear, readstb, lock and unlock.

RPC Protocol
Conforms to ONC RPC Version 2, VXI-11

Ethernet Interface
Type: IEEE 802.3 compliant
Speeds: 10BaseT (10 Mb/s 100BaseT (100 Mb/s)
IP Address: Static or DHCP
Factory setting: 192.168.0.254 static
Interface name: any [inst0]

WebServer Capabilities
Provides the following HTML 4.01 compatible web pages: Welcome Configuration, Confirmation, Reboot.

Preloaded TestEquity-specific web pages included for temperature and temperature-humidity chambers. Functions include Setpoint entry and readback, readback of actual chamber temperature and humidity, °C or °F setting, and Event Output setting/readback.

IEEE 488.2 Capabilities
Runs all required 488.2 Common Commands,incorporates an extended IEEE-488.2 Status Reporting Structure and the Message Exchange Protocol.

SCPI Capabilities
The converter conforms to the SCPI 1994.0 Specification and uses SCPI commands to set: Baud rate select Data bits 7 or 8 Stop bits 1 or 2 Parity Odd, Even or None RS485 Half-Duplex operation Talk Format HEXlist or ASCii

Serial Interface
Full duplex serial interface with single ended RS-232 and differential RS-422 (RS-485) signals. Signal selection made by jumpers on the converter. RS-485 half-duplex operation enabled with a SCPI command.
RS-232 Signals: TxD, RxD, RTS, CTS, DSR and DTR
RS-422 Signals: Tx and Rx pairs
Baud Rates: 300, 600, 1.2K, 2.4K, 4.8K, 9.6K, 19.2K and 38.4K baud (Note: will be configured for 9600 baud to be compatible with controllers used on TestEquity chambers.)
Data Bits: 7 or 8 bits
Parity Stop Bits: Odd, even or none 1 or 2

Modbus RTU Commands
Converter's Modbus commands accept ASCII decimal values or HEX values starting with #h. Code is the Modbus RTU command code produced by the converter. Register values from 0 to 65,535.

Indicators
PWR - Indicates power on
LAN - Unit connected to an active LAN
ACT - Transferring messages to/from the network
RDY - Unit has passed self test TALK Unit asked to send data
LSTN - Unit sent a command or data
SRQ - Device Service Request asserted
ERR - Blinks for a soft VXI-11 error and On for command errors

Controls
Power Front panel switch
LAN Rear panel push-button that resets the network settings.

Physical
Size, L x W x H : 7.29 x 1.52 x 7.45 inches (1185.2 x 38.6 x 189.2 mm)
Weight: 3 lbs. (1.4 kg.)
Construction: Lead Free

Connector and Headers
Serial: 62-pin female, metal DC shell connector with lock studs
Ethernet: RJ-45

Temperature
Operation -10° C to +70° C
Storage -20° C to +85° C

Humidity
0-90% RH without condensation

Power
9 to 32 Vdc @ 3 VA

Included Accessories:
Instruction Manual
LAN Crossover Cable
62-Pin to 9-Pin Serial null-modem cable for connection to TestEquity chamber
Support CD-ROM with VXI-11 Utilities.
UL/CSA/VDE approved AC power Adapter

See the complete TestEquity Environmental Chamber product line HERE >>