Serial Emulation Vfu; Executing Vertical Tabs; Vertical Tab Positions - Printronix P6000L User's Reference Manual

Serial Emulation VFU

In the Serial Matrix emulation mode, the VFU is basically a set of preprogrammed vertical
tabs. Various lines of the form are assigned vertical tabs which are then accessed by control
code for rapid paper advancement to the tab position. Additionally, one form can be assigned
various channels and each channel can be assigned different tab positions. This allows various
formats to be set, stored, and called as needed. Four control codes are used for the Serial mode
VFU: ESC / for channel selection, ESC b for tab setting by channel, ESC B for single channel
tab setting, and VT to execute a vertical tab. These codes and the parameters surrounding their
use are described in the Programming chapter.

Executing Vertical Tabs

The vertical tab execute code is VT. When sent, it prints the contents of the print buffer (if data
is in the buffer) and causes paper movement to the next predefined vertical tab position. If a
tab position is not defined, the paper is moved to the next line at the current line spacing. If a
tab position is at the current line, the paper is moved to the next tab position. If no tab positions
are defined between the current line and the end of the form, the paper moves to the next TOF.

Vertical Tab Positions

Vertical tab positions are set by line number. A maximum of 16 vertical tab positions can be set
per channel of the form. If the single channel format is used, a maximum of 16 vertical tabs can
be set for the form. A sample single channel format is shown in Figure 5-3. The first vertical
tab is set at line 6 for part number data, a second tab is set at line 8 for part name data, and a
third tab is set at line 14 for quantity data. Since this is a single channel format, the ESC B code
can be used to assign the vertical tabs to the lines of the form. Once the tab positions are set,
sending the vertical tab execute code (VT) causes the paper (currently at the top-of-form
position) to advance to the first tab position for PART NUMBER data. Sending another VT
moves the paper to the second tab position for the PART NAME, followed by a third VT to
access the third tab position for the QUANTITY data.
5-14 Vertical Format Units