Brainboxes PS-307 User Manual

Parallel, serial and ieee interface
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brain boxes
P .S.I. BOX
PARALLEL, SERIAL AND IEEE INTERFACE
4.22 Edition April 2001

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Summary of Contents for Brainboxes PS-307

  • Page 1 brain boxes P .S.I. BOX PARALLEL, SERIAL AND IEEE INTERFACE 4.22 Edition April 2001...
  • Page 2 COPYRIGHT © 1985-2001 BRAIN BOXES.
  • Page 3 Your interface is designed and manufactured in England, and our policy is one of complete support to our dealers and direct to our users. The PSI BOX is designed ’in house’ and is completely understood by our staff. Its great strength is the support we give it.
  • Page 4: The Layout Of This Manual

    This manual is a complete description of how to install and use the PSI BOX and PSI BOX PLUS+ interfaces. The PSI BOX is a very flexible 3 way converter. The PSI BOX converts signals between IEEE488, RS232C and Centronics Parallel.
  • Page 5 PSI BOX to suit your needs. The use of the Buffer On switch is explained. Chapter 2, An Introduction To The IEEE-488 Interface Bus Standard used international standard. It explains how the different IEEE devices always know who is sending information and who is receiving information.
  • Page 6 Controls and Functions, lists and explains the full range of IEEE controls and functions currently supported by the enhanced PSI BOX PLUS+ Mode 7 IEEE command language. This chapter details the command syntax, parameters and actual IEEE bus transactions that take place. The IEEE functions are a...
  • Page 7: What Machine Do You Need

    What Machine Do You Need? _________________________ _ The PSI BOX is designed to work with as wide a range of computers IEEE devices and peripheral as possible. Of course, we have not tried EVERY IEEE device and EVERY computer available but we’ve yet to find one that can...
  • Page 8 Chapter 4. The Centronics Parallel Port. Chapter 5. The RS232 Serial Port. Chapter 6. The PSI BOX Modes 1-6 & 8 With Typical Application Examples. Chapter 7. The PSI BOX Mode 7 Overview Chapter 8. The IEEE BUS Command Language Controls and Functions.
  • Page 9: Table Of Contents

    Contents ________ Chapter 1 Setting Up The PSI BOX. Introduction. The PSI BOX. The PSI BOX Modes. The Buffer Switch. Setting It All Up. Configuring The PSI BOX. Problems! Chapter 1 List Of Figures. Figure 1-1. The Buffer Switch. Figure 1-2. Buffer Option.
  • Page 10 PSI BOX Reference Cabling Lengths and Data Transfer Speeds. Using The IEEE Bus. Types Of IEEE Devices. The Listener. The Talker. The Controller. The Controller In Charge. The System Controller. Controller Summary. Command Mode And Data Mode. Addresses. Talk Only And Listen Only Devices.
  • Page 11 Figure 5-6. The Data Word Length. Figure 5-7. The RS232 Port Pin Outs. Figure 5-8. The Loop Back Connector. Figure 5-10. PSI Box To PC Serial Port Cable. Figure 5-9. Connecting To The RS232 Port. Figure 5-11. PSI Box To AT Serial Port Cable.
  • Page 12 Chapter 6 List Of Figures. Figure 6-1 The Mode DIP Switches Settings. Figure 6-2 HPGL Output Commands. Figure 6-3 HPGL RS232 I/f Flow Control Commands. Chapter 7 The PSI BOX Mode 7 Overview Introduction. Mode 7 In 15 Minutes!. Mode 7 Summary.
  • Page 13 Set Some Or All Devices To Local Control. LOCKOUT. Sends The Local Lockout Command. MACRO. Defines Or Lists Macro. MESSAGES=OFF. Disable PSI BOX Messages. MESSAGES=ON. Enable PSI BOX Messages. MLA. Sends My Listen Address. MLA=. Sets Or Changes PSI BOX Listen Address. PSI BOX Reference Intro-13...
  • Page 14 Sends My Secondary Address. MSA=. Set/ Change PSIBOX Secondary Address. MTA. Sends My Talk Address. MLA=. Sets Or Changes PSI BOX Listen Address. NO ATN. Release The Atn Line. NO REN. Release The Ren Line. NO TO. Disable The Timeouts.
  • Page 15: Chapter 1 Setting Up The Psi Box

    Setting Up The PSI BOX. PSI BOX Reference CHAPTER 1 SETTING UP PSI BOX Introduction. The PSI BOX. Chapter 1 Page 1...
  • Page 16 The main power inlet is a fused switchable unit. Fuse rating 3 Amp. The fused connector contains a spare 3 Amp fuse, just in case you might need it. The PSI BOX even comes complete with a fused 13 Amp plug.! The PSI BOX is a slim, brick shaped and is 10.3 inches...
  • Page 17: The Psi Box Modes

    RS232 and Centronics parallel. The following modes of operation are currently available. In modes 1 and 2 the PSI BOX is an IEEE 488 device attached to an IEEE controller computer. MODE 1 IEEE 488 to RS232, bi-directional.
  • Page 18: The Buffer Switch

    Allows HP IEEE plotters to fully emulate Rs232 version. In mode 7, only available on the PSI BOX PLUS+, the PSI BOX is the IEEE 488 controller. The RS232 port of the host computer is used to control the IEEE bus. An enhanced control language is used to address many IEEE devices and to provide complete instrumentation control.
  • Page 19 Due to the many different modes of operation of the PSI BOX the ram buffer partition may be different from that described above. The PSI BOX alters the general case to suit the mode actually in use. When the buffer is disabled then each of the active ports has a 2 byte buffer.
  • Page 20: Setting It All Up

    Using the switch on the back of the PSI BOX switch the PSI BOX on. LED 7 on the front of the PSI BOX is the power LED. It lights up RED when the PSI is switched on. If the PSI BOX does not power up check the cable connections and the mains switches.
  • Page 21 Commodore PET or Hewlett Packard computer. If the PSI BOX is the IEEE controller then you are using it to control an IEEE instrument or other device from the serial or parallel port of some computer.
  • Page 22: Problems

    PSI BOX Reference Setting Up The PSI BOX Problems! _________ You won’t have any problems! BUT if you do it probably due to the RS232 port cross over cable being wired incorrectly. First make sure that you have read the followed the steps above, next re read the relevant sections of this manual.
  • Page 23: Introduction

    In March 1972, the IEC committee accepts HPIB as a starting point for the draft document of its IEC standard which is published in June 1980 as IEC 625-1. In April 1975, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Chapter 2 CHAPTER 2 STANDARD. PSI BOX Reference Page 9...
  • Page 24: What Exactly Is Ieee 488

    By 1986 more than 250 manufacturers in more than 14 countries throughout the world are building over 2000 different IEEE 488 based products... and the PSI BOX lets you control them all from your desk top PC! What Exactly Is IEEE 488?
  • Page 25: Ieee 488-1975

    For example a programmable IEEE voltage generator may be instructed to apply several voltages across a resistor, whilst a programmable IEEE Ammeter may be used to measure the current through the Chapter 2 PSI BOX Reference Page 11...
  • Page 26: Intro

    PSI BOX Reference resistor once the voltage has stabilised. In this way IEEE instruments can be easily built up to form a simple but effective automatic test system. So the IEEE Standard 488 specifies a digital interface for programmable instrumentation, that is, it is a way of inter- connecting electronic measuring and control apparatus.
  • Page 27: Intro

    EOI. These five signals are used to manage an orderly flow of information across the bus. The ATN and IFC lines are used by all IEEE bus devices. The remaining three, REN, SRQ and EOI, may or may not be used Chapter 2 PSI BOX Reference Page 13...
  • Page 28: Intro

    PSI BOX Reference by a particular device. ATN Attention. _____________ _ All devices on the IEEE bus must monitor the ATN line. The attention line is used by the controller to specify how data on the data bus is to be interpreted and which devices must respond to the data.
  • Page 29: Eoi End Or Identify

    _____________________________________ _ You are permitted to connect up to 15 devices together on the IEEE bus, that is one PSI BOX plus 14 other devices. This should be more than adequate for the vast majority of users. When more than 15 devices MUST be placed on one bus, the GPIB can be extended with bus extenders.
  • Page 30: Using The Ieee Bus

    PSI BOX Reference devices. Within this limit, the IEEE bus is capable of a maximum data transfer rate of 250K bytes per second with open collector drivers, or 500K bytes per second with tri-state drivers. When shorter distances are involved, 15 metres, with every...
  • Page 31: The Controller

    In addition, the controller can send interface messages to command specified actions within other devices. A typical example of a controller is your PC with the PSI BOX connected, the PSI BOX can also act as a listener or a talker when necessary. ______________________ _ The Controller In Charge.
  • Page 32: Controller Summary

    PSI BOX Reference Controller, this suits 99.99% of all users. __________________ _ Controller Summary. To sum up the Controller states. A controller commands other devices whether they should talk, listen or perform some other action. To avoid confusion, if several controller are connected to an IEEE system, only one of them at a time is allowed to send commands to the bus.
  • Page 33: Addresses

    IEEE devices, especially talkers, should be set to the same address. Valid addresses are in the range 0 to 30 inclusive. It is usual that the Talk address of a device is the same as its Listen address. Chapter 2 PSI BOX Reference Page 19...
  • Page 34: Talk Only And Listen Only Devices

    PSI BOX Reference _______________________________ Talk Only And Listen Only Devices. The only exception to addressed devices are Talk Only or Listen Only devices. There may be only one Talk Only device on an interface bus. When the controller is in the idle state, ATN low, the Talk Only device will always be ready to send its data.
  • Page 35: Parallel Poll

    Devices power up in the PPU state and cannot respond to the Parallel Poll until after they have been configured. The Controller knows which device responds on which data line because it has previously assigned those lines to each Chapter 2 PSI BOX Reference Page 21...
  • Page 36: Device Clear And Device Trigger

    During a parallel the configured IEEE devices put their parallel poll status bit on the IEEE data lines. The PSI BOX reads the data line and store the response in bytes 36-38 of the IEEE control string.
  • Page 37: Remote - Local Functions

    The Remote command is used to make the controller assert the REN line, remote enable, so allowing the bus devices to respond to the PSI BOX. If the REN line is not asserted the bus device will not respond to the PSI BOX, they will ignore the PSI BOX.
  • Page 38 The PSI BOX uses the END command to specify how it terminates outputs from the PC to the IEEE bus devices. The EOS command is used to specify how the PSI BOX recognises the end of an input from an IEEE bus device.
  • Page 39: Chapter 3 The Ieee Port

    The PSI BOX may be an IEEE peripheral, here, the ATN, IFC and REN lines are under control from an IEEE computer and the SRQ line is shared by the PSI BOX with all the other IEEE devices present. The PSI BOX may be the IEEE controller, here, the ATN,...
  • Page 40: The Ieee Leds

    LED flashes whenever the IEEE port receives a byte, ie addressed to LISTEN. As an IEEE device, in modes 1 and 2, the PSI BOX responds to two addresses. The first address as set on the front panel and is the IEEE to RS232 converter address. The second address is one higher than this base address and is the IEEE to Centronics Parallel converter address.
  • Page 41: The Ieee Dip Switches

    LED 1, TALK, flashes whenever the IEEE port of the PSI BOX sends a byte down the IEEE bus. LED 2, LISTEN, flashes whenever the IEEE port of the PSI BOX accepts a byte from the IEEE bus, the byte is stored in the PSI BOX internal buffer.
  • Page 42: Setting The Ieee Address

    PSI BOX to convert an RS232 or Centronics signal to one suitable to control some IEEE devices. If the PSI BOX is not the IEEE controller then you are using an IEEE computer, say a COMMODORE PET, and you are Page 28 ADDRESSES SELECTED.
  • Page 43: Figure 3-4. The Controller State

    Connector is a standard IEEE-488 24 pin plug with screw locks. Any standard commercially available IEEE cable will connect to the PSI BOX IEEE port. We always have a good range of high quality R.F.I. shielded cables in stock. Chapter 3...
  • Page 44: Figure 3-5. The Ieee Port Pin Outs

    PSI BOX Reference _______________________________ _ Figure 3-5. The IEEE Port Pin Outs. SIGNAL ______ DATA 1 DATA 2 DATA 3 DATA 4 NRFD NDAC SHIELD Page 30 ______ SIGNAL DATA 5 DATA 6 DATA 7 DATA 8 GROUND 6 GROUND 7...
  • Page 45: Chapter 4 The Centronics Parallel Port

    ___________ _ This chapter describes the Centronics parallel port on the PSI BOX. The parallel port connector pin outs, the function of the Centronics Output DIP switch and the Centronics LEDs, the parallel port input and output handshake are all explained in detail.
  • Page 46: Centronics Leds

    LED 5 and 6 are used to indicate the flow of data to the Centronics Parallel port. LED 5, CENTR O/P, flashes whenever the Centronics Parallel port of the PSI BOX sends a byte, from its buffer, to the parallel bus. LED 4, CENTR I/P flashes whenever the Centronics...
  • Page 47: The Centronics Output Handshake

    The Centronics port output handshake is as follows. If the Centronics printer is busy, it should raise the BUSY line true. The PSI BOX will not send any data out of the Centronics port if the BUSY INPUT is high.
  • Page 48: The Centronics Input Handshake

    Shift-PrtScr from the latest breed of fast 386 & 486 PCs, is as follows. If the PSI BOX is busy or if its Centronics input buffer is full, it will raise the BUSY line true. Any data that is sent to the PSI BOX while the BUSY line is high is LOST! Even though the Centr i/p LED may flash.
  • Page 49: Figure 4-3 The Centronics Output Port Pin Outs

    IBM PC, make up a cable as follows. A simple straight through cable with male-to-male 25 pin D connectors as shown in figure 4-4 is all that is required. Since in the PSI BOX the PE line, pin12, is pulled low and /ERROR line, pin 15 and the SELECT line, pin 13 are pulled high the PSI BOX emulates a printer port correctly.
  • Page 50: Figure 4-5. Centronics Input From Pc Printer Port

    10 ACKNOWLEDGE OUTPUT FROM PSI BOX 11 BUSY OUTPUT FROM PSI BOX 12 PE OUTPUT FROM PSI BOX PULLED to Ground 13 SELECT OUTPUT FROM PSI BOX PULLED HIGH NEW LINE 15 /ERROR OUTPUT FROM PSI BOX PULLED HIGH NEW LINE 14, 16-17 NO CONNECTION 18-25 GROUND Figure 4-5.
  • Page 51: Chapter 5 The Rs232 Serial Port

    The RS232 serial port connector pin outs, the function of the DIP switches and LEDs, how to set the baud rate, parity and RS232 handshake options are explained in detail. Details of how to connect the PSI BOX to both an IBM PC and a modem are included. Summary.
  • Page 52: Rs232 Leds

    PSI BOX sends a byte, from its buffer, to the serial bus. LED 4, RCVR, flashes whenever the RS232 port of the PSI BOX receives a byte from the serial bus, the byte is stored in the PSI BOX internal buffer.
  • Page 53: The Rs232 Dip Switches

    RS232 options. These options include baud rate, handshake type, parity options and data word length. The DIP switches are only read when the PSI BOX is powered up. Changing the DIP switch setting whilst the PSI BOX is running will have no effect.
  • Page 54: The Hard Wired Handshake

    XON and XOFF codes. The handshake lines DTR and RTS are still set true, but the PSI BOX ignores the state of the CTS, DSR and DCD signal inputs and the data flow will be controlled by the XON/ XOFF codes in the data stream.
  • Page 55: The Xon/ Xoff Handshake

    BOX buffer. Any data received when DTR or RTS are high high may be LOST, even if the RS232 RCVR LED flashes! When there is more than 128 bytes of room in the PSI BOX buffer, the PSI BOX will set DTR out true. It will remain true provided their is still, at least, 128 bytes of space available in its internal buffer.
  • Page 56 XOFF codes to the device, the data received may be lost if there is no room in the PSI BOX buffer. When there is more than 128 bytes of room in the PSI BOX buffer, the PSI BOX will transmit the XON code.
  • Page 57: Setting The Parity Options

    RS232 Stop Bits. ______________ _ The number of stop bits sent by the PSI BOX is determined by the parity and data word length chosen. No Parity. 2 STOP bits are always sent.
  • Page 58: Rs232 Port Cables

    IBM PC. See Figures 5-12, 5-13 and 5-14. Connect up the earth lines. Lines 1 & 7 of the PSI BOX to lines 1 & 7 of the PC. This gives the two devices a common earth level.
  • Page 59: Connecting To A Modem

    ______________________ _ Connecting To A Modem. If you are connecting a MODEM to the PSI BOX then you will not need a cross over cable and a straight through cable connecting pins 1-8 and 20 is all that is required.
  • Page 60: Loop Back Connector

    A loop back connector can be used to echo RS232 data transmitted by the PSI BOX back into the RS232 receiver. This is of use in Mode 1 and 2 when data written to the PSI BOX can be read back by the IEEE controller. In this way the function of the serial port can be tested.
  • Page 61: Figure 5-11. Psi Box To At Serial Port Cable

    RS232 Port Figure 5-10. Connecting To The RS232 Port. ______________________________________ _ Figure 5-11. PSI Box To AT Serial Port Cable. ________________________________________ ________________________ PSI BOX SERIAL PORT Side USE 25 Pin Female D Connector _____________________________ SIGNAL ______ GROUND 1 GROUND 7...
  • Page 62: Figure 5-12. Ibm At To Pc Serial Port Cable

    This cable makes the IBM AT 9 pin serial port look like the IBM PC 25 pin serial port. It is NOT a cross over cable! To make this work with the PSI Box you will also require the cable in Figure 5-12.
  • Page 63: The Mode Switches

    Changing the DIP switch setting whilst the PSI BOX is running will have no effect. If you wish to change the mode of operation of the PSI BOX you must power it off, reset the switches and power it on again.
  • Page 64 1=On 0 Invalid DIP combinations, or a standard PSI BOX configured for Mode 7, which is only found in the PSI BOX PLUS+, cause the PSI BOX to flash all its LEDs in sequence to indicate an error. Page 50...
  • Page 65: Mode

    IEEE from parallel interface. ____________________ Listen Only Operation. The PSI BOX can also be set to act as a Listen Only IEEE to RS232 output interface. To select the Listen Only configuration set the Mode switches to Mode 1 and set the IEEE address dip switches all upward, ie address 15.
  • Page 66 In a similar manner, when data is requested from the Centronics input port the PSI BOX sends any data from the buffer. When the PSI BOX sends the last byte in the buffer it sets EOI true, indicating to the controller that there is no more to get.
  • Page 67 DIP switch 8 IS monitored whilst the PSI BOX is in operation. This means that the conversion can be switched in and out at will whilst the PSI BOX is on. Data already in the buffer will not be changed only the new incoming data will be converted according to the setting of DIP 8.
  • Page 68: Mode

    BOX becoming IEEE device 15 it will be in Listen Only mode. Here the a controller instructs one device to talk and none, one or more devices to listen, the PSI BOX will listen in to all the data transmitted on the bus irrespective of the IEEE device that is addressed to listen, and send it to the Centronics port.
  • Page 69 DIP switch 8 IS monitored whilst the PSI BOX is in operation. This means that the conversion can be switched in and out at will whilst the PSI BOX is on. Data already in the buffer will not be changed only the new incoming data will be converted according to the setting of DIP 8.
  • Page 70: The Mode 1+2 Secondary Addresses

    When the PSI BOX is a listener, receiving data, it recognises that EOI is the end of stream terminator. addressed to talk the PSI BOX uses EOI to flag the end of its data stream to the controller. In modes 1 and 2 the Data transfer to the IEEE port from the controlling computer is: PSI BOX listen address, from IEEE controller computer.
  • Page 71 01 means some data in PSI BOX buffer. PSI Box sends the state of the RS232 port pins. The PSI Box returns one byte which holds the state of the handshake pins of the RS232 port. A 0, zero bit means that the line is held true, +12 Volts.
  • Page 72: Mode

    If the Centronics input buffer of the PSI BOX becomes full then it will keep the BUSY line high until the RS232 device accepts data from the PSI BOX. In Mode 3 the whole of the PSI BOX ram acts as the Centronics input buffer. Page 58 Modes 1-6 &...
  • Page 73: Mode

    If the RS232 input buffer of the PSI BOX becomes full then it will signal unable to receive more RS232 data until the Centronics device accepts data from the PSI BOX. In Mode 4 the whole of the PSI BOX ram acts as the RS232 input buffer. Chapter 6...
  • Page 74: Mode

    __________________ _ Talk Only Operation. The PSI BOX can also be set to act as a Talk Only IEEE from Centronics parallel input interface. To select the Listen Only configuration set the Mode switches to Mode 5 and set the IEEE address dip switches all upward ie address 15.
  • Page 75 The address of the IEEE device that the PSI BOX accesses is as set on the IEEE address DIP switches. The PSI BOX sends a LISTEN command to the IEEE bus before each data byte is sent.
  • Page 76: Mode

    __________________ _ Talk Only Operation. The PSI BOX can also be set to act as a Talk Only IEEE from RS232 input interface. To select the Listen Only configuration set the Mode switches to Mode 6 and set the IEEE address dip switches all upward ie address 15.
  • Page 77 The address of the IEEE device that the PSI BOX accesses is as set on the IEEE address DIP switches. The PSI BOX sends a LISTEN command to the IEEE bus before each data byte is sent.
  • Page 78: Mode

    These HPGL commands are routed from the host computer directly to the plotter for execution. The PSI BOX buffer, in conjunction with any buffer in the plotter, are used to accept as large an amount of data from the computer as quickly as possible thus freeing up the computer for other processing.
  • Page 79: Figure 6-2 Hpgl Output Commands

    The talk back facility of Mode 8 allows the plotter to receive all these output commands and reply to them. When the PSI BOX RS232 input buffer is empty, the PSI BOX polls the plotter for a response to the computers request after every three second period of inactivity on the RS232 bus.
  • Page 80: Figure 6-3 Hpgl Rs232 I/F Flow Control Commands

    It must not be set for Listen only use. The PSI BOX acts as the IEEE controller and is the source of all IEEE commands. It controls the flow of data on the IEEE bus by addressing the plotter to talk or listen.
  • Page 81 RS232 data until the IEEE device accepts data from the PSI BOX. In Mode 8 the 28,672 bytes of the PSI BOX ram acts as the RS232 input buffer with 2048 bytes for the RS232 output buffer.
  • Page 82: Mode 7 In 15 Minutes

    Mode 7 In 15 Minutes!. ____________________ A good way of using the PSI BOX in Mode 7 is interactively from the keyboard of your PC via a terminal emulation program or a modem program such as one of the many share ware programs like PC TALK or PROCOM.
  • Page 83: Mode 7 Summary

    COMM.EXE program. The COMM program is a very simple, bare bones program, with just the minimum needed code to talk to the PSI BOX. It opens COM1 to talk to the PSIBOX at 1200 baud, 7 data bits, Even Parity and 1 stop bit. Any key pressed on the PC, is echoed on the screen and is then sent to the PSIBOX.
  • Page 84: Mode 7 Power Up.

    PSI BOX rom. It is called into operation automatically whenever the PSI BOX is powered up or reset when DIP switches are set to Mode 7 as shown in the PSI BOX manual page 7 Figure 4. Once the PSI BOX has been powered on in Mode 7 you can access the IEEE bus in two ways.
  • Page 85: The Default Mode 7 Configuration

    PSI BOX Mode 7 Quick Reference Card and is given later on in this chapter. On power up in mode 7 the PSI BOX sends a string of data to the RS232 computer. This message consists of the current PSI BOX rom version and the default IEEE control status string.
  • Page 86: Data Pass Through Mode

    BUS command sequence. Thus the data sequence:- <CR> BUFFET will have the three bytes <CR> BU stored by the PSI BOX until the F character arrives, as this point the PSI BOX determines that <CR> BUS has not been received from the host RS232 computer.
  • Page 87: The Bus Command Sequence

    44-46. The value in this field is the position of the byte in the previous BUS command that the PSI BOX did not recognise, the PSI BOX starts counting from the B in BUS as position 1.
  • Page 88 ’Error In Command’ is particularly effective during interactive use. If any new line of information starts with the characters BUS, in upper case, then that line is treated as a PSI BOX command. The PSI BOX processes the command and takes any necessary action.
  • Page 89: Receiving Data Using The Bus Command

    IEEE control status string, position 66-68. BUS ENTER <CR> BUS ENTER 200 <CR> The ENTER command is much more flexible, a complete bus handshake sequence is performed with the current device Chapter 7 PSI BOX Reference Page 75...
  • Page 90: The Ieee Control Status String

    IEEE bus is preceded by addressing bytes that inform the bus which device is to transmit data and which devices are to receive the data. But how do we tell the PSI BOX which device we want next.
  • Page 91 STATUS command. Any spaces after BUS but before the <CR> are ignored. BUS <Carriage Return> A request for the STATUS causes the PSI BOX to return the IEEE control status string to the RS232 host computer. This is a string of Ascii characters preceded by the word STATUS and terminated by a CR character, decimal 13.
  • Page 92: Figure 7-2 The Ieee Control Status String

    SRQ input line. 1 means SRQ is asserted true by a device so requesting service. 0 or 1 ATN output line. 1 means that PSI BOX is the active controller asserting attention. 0 or 1 REN output line. 1 means that the PSI BOX is asserting REN true.
  • Page 93: The Reset Command And Character

    A concept that effects many bus operations is the current device. The current device is extremely important since all data sent via the PSI BOX in data pass through and all data received from bus via the ENTER command is to and from the current IEEE device.
  • Page 94 PSI BOX Reference functions access the current device when no device number is explicitly specified. The PSI BOX front panel DIP switches allows you to specify the INITIAL value of the IEEE current device number, the default secondary address is none.
  • Page 95: Mode 7 Bus Command Summary

    NO ATN Leaves ATN false when not sending. NO REN Leaves REN false. Asserts REN line continuously true. Chapter 7 PSI BOX Reference Group Execute Trigger Listen Address. My Listen Address. Parallel Poll Configure. Parallel Poll Enable. Select Device Clear.
  • Page 96: Mode 7 Memory Allocation

    Specify the RESET character. Mode 7 Memory Allocation. ________________________ The built in 32K buffer of the PSI BOX can be bypassed by setting the BUFFER ON front panel DIP switch low when the PSI BOX is powered on or reset.
  • Page 97 PSI BOX. If the RS232 output buffer of the PSI BOX becomes full then the PSI BOX will be unable to receive any more IEEE data until the RS232 device accepts data from the PSI BOX.
  • Page 98: Valid Parameters

    FUNCTIONS ___________ _ Introduction. This chapter describes the PSI BOX Mode 7 command language. First there is a discusion of the types of parameter that the various commands require. Then there follows complete alphabetical list of all the Mode 7 commands giving a precise description of the command syntax, function and usage.
  • Page 99 EOS and END commands. EOS=13,7 Input stops on Carriage Return received, 7 Chapter 8 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference Terminate bus activity. Reset all devices. Serially Poll current device. Send secondary address 4 to listener.
  • Page 100 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference EOS=13,8 Input stops on Carriage Return received, 8 <byte> A decimal number in the range 0-255. Used mainly in a data or a command byte. DATA 13 Carriage return char sent to IEEE bus. EOI 10 CMD 63 <bytes>...
  • Page 101 ACTIVE controller. The ABORT command is usually issued when you power your PSI BOX up or, at a subsequent time, when you want to initialise the IEEE bus devices to their power on state. This command will prevent any data transfer between two devices continuing.
  • Page 102 _____ Purpose. To cause the PSI BOX to assert the ATN, attention, _________ _ line when it is not transferring data. The PSI BOX becomes the ACTIVE controller. This command will prevent any data transfer between two devices continuing. All bus devices will become ready to receive address or other IEEE commands from the PSI BOX.
  • Page 103 The CLEAR command is used to send bus devices to a device dependent state. If no device addresses are given then the PSI BOX uses the universal command DCL to send all bus devices to their power on state. If one or more device addresses are specified then those devices are commanded to Listen and then told to perform a selective device clear.
  • Page 104 The user must ensure that he has got the sequence of commands and secondary commands correct. The PSI BOX asserts ATN, if not already true, and becomes the active controller Use NO ATN to drop ATN false again when you have finished sending your stream of commands.
  • Page 105 94or 222 TAD 30 TALK ADDRESS 30 95or 223 UNT UNTALK 96or 224 127or254 SCG 30 SECONDARY COMMAND 30 Chapter 8 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference LAG 0 LISTEN ADDRESS 0 TAD 0 TALK ADDRESS 0 SCG 0 SECONDARY COMMAND 0 Page 91...
  • Page 106 Devices respond to a parallel poll command by asserting a particular data line high or low, this informs the PSI BOX whether the device requires the services of the controller. A...
  • Page 107 ___________ _ Bus Activity. assert ATN if not already so LAG of specified device PPE includes line assignment and sense bit data repeats with LAG of next device as necessary Chapter 8 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference Page 93...
  • Page 108 CMD which sends a byte with ATN true. The EOI line is false whilst the data byte is being sent. The PSI BOX drops ATN false, if not already so, at the end of the data sequence ATN is left false until further instructions makes the PSI BOX become the active controller.
  • Page 109 The DCL command is used to send all bus devices to a device dependent state. The PSI BOX asserts ATN and becomes the active controller, then the IEEE command DCL, hex 14h decimal 20, is sent over the IEEE bus. After the command has been sent the ATN remains true, PSI BOX is the active controller.
  • Page 110 CONFIGUREd, from responding to parallel polls. If no device address is specified then the PSI BOX uses the universal PPU command to prevent all bus devices responding to the parallel poll. All the devices will need to be reCONFIGUREd if they are to take part in future parallel polls.
  • Page 111 The PSI BOX can be instructed never to set EOI true, or EOI can be set true when a particular character, in the range 00- 255, is the last byte to be sent from the PSI BOX. The PSI BOX can be instructed to compare all 8 bits of the character written or just the 7 least significant bits.
  • Page 112 BUS END=10,7 The EOI line is set true only when the PSI BOX sends the Line Feed character 10, or character 138 since a 7 bit comparison is performed, as the last byte in the current output sequence.
  • Page 113 EOI can be set true when a particular character, in the range 00- 255, is the last byte to be sent from the PSI BOX. The PSI BOX can be instructed to compare all 8 bits of the character written or just the 7 least significant bits.
  • Page 114 EOI true, or EOI can be set true when a particular character, in the range 00-255, is the last byte to be sent from the PSI BOX. The PSI BOX can be instructed to compare all 8 bits of the character written or just the 7 least significant bits.
  • Page 115 PSI BOX is sending. The PSI BOX drops ATN false, if not already so, at the end of the EOI with data sequence ATN is left false until further instructions makes the PSI BOX become the active controller.
  • Page 116 7 least significant bits. Of course, regardless of the value of the EOS terminator byte if a talker sets EOI true with a byte sent to the PSI BOX then the PSI BOX knows that the sequence has ended. Format.
  • Page 117 Control Functions ________ _ Example. BUS EOS= When no parameter is given the PSI BOX returns to its default configuration. Inputs from the IEEE bus device only terminate when the device sets the EOI true when sending its last data byte.
  • Page 118 The GET command is used to initiate a pre-programmed action in the responding devices. The PSI BOX asserts ATN and becomes the active controller, then the IEEE command GET, hex 08h decimal 8, is sent over the IEEE bus. After the command has been sent the ATN remains true, PSI BOX is the active controller.
  • Page 119 PSI BOX. The PSI BOX asserts ATN and becomes the active controller, then the IEEE command GTL, hex 01h decimal 1, is sent over the IEEE bus. After the command has been sent the ATN remains true, PSI BOX is the active controller.
  • Page 120 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference ____ IFC. Purpose. To cause the PSI BOX to momentarily assert the _________ _ IFC, InterFace Clear, line. This command will prevent any data transfer between two device continuing. All devices are untalked and unlistened so causing all IEEE bus activity to stop immediately.
  • Page 121 ORed with hex 020h, 32 decimal, and is sent over the IEEE bus. After the command has been sent the ATN remains true, PSI BOX is the active controller. The LAG is used to instruct one or more bus devices that they should listen to the addressed commands or data that follows the listen command.
  • Page 122 ORed with hex 020h, 32 decimal, and is sent over the IEEE bus. After the command has been sent the ATN remains true, PSI BOX is the active controller. The LISTEN is used to instruct one or more bus devices that they should listen to the addressed commands or data that follows the listen command.
  • Page 123 This is necessary when you want the instrument to be totally under the control of the PSI BOX. It prevents accidental pushing of the devices buttons interfering with its operation. The device will return to local control when it receives the GTL command, or when the IEEE REN line goes false.
  • Page 124 PSI BOX. If no device address is specified then the PSI BOX drops both REN and ATN lines false, ALL IEEE bus devices are now under front panel control.
  • Page 125 LOCKOUT are used to prevent a device from responding to its own front panel controls. This is necessary when you want the instrument to be totally under the control of the PSI BOX. It prevents accidental pushing of the devices buttons interfering with its operation.
  • Page 126 This allows multiple, timed, bus sequences to be performed by simply issuing one character. The overhead on the RS232 line is cut dramatically and the PSI BOX can be used in an automated fashion whilst the controlling terminal is busy performing other jobs.
  • Page 127 Control Functions Format. MACRO _________ MACRO <ANY PSI BOX COMMAND > Params. ANY PSI BOX COMMANDS IN ANY ORDER _________ Returns. DEPENDS ON USERS COMMAND SPECIFIED IN _________ _ MACRO. Example. ________ _ BUS MACRO BUS MACRO OUTPUT "SET?" ENTER...
  • Page 128 The default is that messages are ON. Messages are usually switched off when a fully debugged program is used to acquire large amounts of data via the PSI BOX, without having to process the extra data associated with the PSI BOX messages.
  • Page 129: Enable Psi Box Messages

    The default is that messages are ON. Messages are usually switched off when a fully debugged program is used to acquire large amounts of data via the PSI BOX without having to process the extra data associated with the PSI BOX messages.
  • Page 130 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference MLA. _____ _ Purpose. The Listen Address of the PSI BOX device is sent to _________ _ the bus. The MLA command is used to tell all the bus devices that the PSI BOX controller is a listener in the next data transfer sequence.
  • Page 131 The MLA= command is used to change the Listen address of the PSI BOX from the default value of 0 to an other address more convenient to the user. Bytes 50-51 in the IEEE control status string contains the current MLA of the PSI BOX.
  • Page 132 ________ _ Example. BUS MSA ___________ _ Bus Activity. assert ATN if not already so SEC 0 if the PSI BOX sec add has been set to 0 Default is none. Page 118 Control Functions Sends My Secondary Address. __________________________...
  • Page 133 BOX device. The MSA= command is used to change the secondary address of the PSI BOX from the default value of none to an other address more convenient to the user. Bytes 53-54 in the IEEE control status string contains the current MSA of the PSI BOX.
  • Page 134 The MTA command is used to tell all the bus devices that the PSI BOX controller is the talker, the source of the data, in the next data transfer sequence. The listener on the bus will accept data from the PSI BOX.
  • Page 135 The MTA= command is used to change the Talk address of the PSI BOX from the default value of 0 to an other address more convenient to the user. Bytes 56-57 in the IEEE control status string contains the current MTA of the PSI BOX.
  • Page 136 Purpose. To cause the PSI BOX to release the ATN, attention, _________ _ line when it is not transferring data. The PSI BOX stops being the ACTIVE controller and returns to the controller idle state. Byte 9 in the IEEE control status string contains 1 when the ATN line is asserted true, controller active and 0 when the ATN line is false, controller idle.
  • Page 137 Purpose. To cause the PSI BOX to release the REN, remote _________ _ enable, line. The PSI BOX is returning the IEEE bus devices to local control and they cannot return to PSI BOX control until the PSI BOX reasserts REN again.
  • Page 138 PSI BOX, IEEE printers and most especially IEEE plotters are quite slow devices. When the printer or plotter buffer fills up the PSI BOX must wait for it to print the current buffer contents and so make room for more input. During this wait time the PSI BOX will timeout the IEEE printer or plotter.
  • Page 139 Control Functions millisecond to 50 seconds. Therefore each timeout increment represents an increase in PSI BOX wait time of approximately a factor of 2. The timeouts can also be disabled using NOTO or by TO 0. Format. NO TO _________ Params.
  • Page 140 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference OUTPUT. _________ Send A String Of Data To A Bus Device. __________________________________ _ Purpose. To send a string of data to the current bus device _________ _ using a complete handshake sequence. The current IEEE device is addressed to listen and then then the data enclosed with the delimiters is sent to the bus.
  • Page 141 The PSI BOX asserts ATN and becomes the active controller, then the IEEE command PPC, hex 05h decimal 5, is sent over the IEEE bus. After the command has been sent the ATN remains true, PSI BOX is the active controller.
  • Page 142 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference Bus Activity. ___________ _ assert ATN if not already so recommended sequence (if not using CONFIGURE) PPE includes line assignment and sense bit data Page 128 Control Functions Chapter 8...
  • Page 143 The previously assigned data lines is remembered. The PSI BOX asserts ATN and becomes the active controller, then the IEEE command PPD, hex 070h decimal 112, is sent over the IEEE bus. After the command has been sent the ATN remains true, PSI BOX is the active controller.
  • Page 144 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference Page 130 Control Functions Chapter 8...
  • Page 145 The PSI BOX asserts ATN and becomes the active controller, then the IEEE command PPC, hex 060h decimal 96, ORed with byte the user typed and is sent over the IEEE bus.
  • Page 146 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference The PPE command has been included for completeness only, it is advised that the CONFIGURE or DISABLE commands be used to configure a device for Parallel Poll since both these commands automatically send the PPE command.
  • Page 147 PSI BOX then waits minimum of 25 micro seconds for the configured IEEE devices to put their parallel poll status bit on the IEEE data lines. The PSI BOX reads the data line and store the response in bytes 36-38 of the IEEE control string.
  • Page 148 BUS STATUS PP at position 36 :REM PP=000 to 255 Bus Activity. ___________ _ assert ATN and EOI after 25 micro sec read data lines into PSI BOX drop EOI Page 134 Control Functions :REM ISSUE COMMAND :REM READ STRING...
  • Page 149 IEEE bus. Resets ALL devices with the Parallel Poll ability to the idle state. The PSI BOX asserts ATN and becomes the active controller, then the IEEE command PPU, hex 15h decimal 21, is sent over the IEEE bus. After the command has been sent the ATN remains true, PSI BOX is the active controller.
  • Page 150 ENTER command. The PSI BOX drops ATN false, if not already so, at the start of the data input sequence ATN is left false until further instructions makes the PSI BOX become the active controller.
  • Page 151 IEEE commands. If no device address is specified then the PSI BOX assert the REN, remote enable, line. The PSI BOX is putting the IEEE bus devices under its control via the bus. If you press the devices front panel "LOCAL" button it will return to local control unless it has been put into the LOCAL LOCKOUT state.
  • Page 152 REN line is asserted true, PSI BOX remotely controlling bus devices, and 0 when the REN line is false, IEEE devices under local control. Whenever a read or write is performed or whenever any bus command is sent the PSI BOX re asserts the REN line. Format. _________ Params.
  • Page 153 The @ character, decimal 64, is the default reset character. Whenever the PSI BOX in mode 7 receives the reset character from the Host RS232 computer it performs a complete power on reset.
  • Page 154 ORed with hex 060h, 96 decimal, and is sent over the IEEE bus. After the command has been sent the ATN remains true, PSI BOX is the active controller. The SEC should only be used after a listen address or a talk address or the PPC command.
  • Page 155 The SDC command is used to send the currently listening devices to a device dependent state. The PSI BOX asserts ATN and becomes the active controller, then the IEEE command SDC, hex 04h decimal 4, is sent over the IEEE bus. After the command has been sent the ATN remains true, PSI BOX is the active controller.
  • Page 156 _______ Display & Explain Control Status String. ___________________________________ _ Purpose. The PSI BOX sends the control status string back to _________ _ the host computer as a series of labelled fields. The control status string is an ASCII string of 0’s, 1’s and other bytes separated by commas.
  • Page 157 IEEE command SPD, hex 019h decimal 25, is sent over the IEEE bus. After the command has been sent the ATN remains true, PSI BOX is the active controller. The SPD command is used automatically in the SPOLL routine but it can be called separately to finish your own serial poll routine.
  • Page 158 ____ _ Purpose. Initiates a serial poll. _________ _ The PSI BOX asserts ATN and becomes the active controller, then the IEEE command SPE, hex 018h decimal 24, is sent over the IEEE bus. After the command has been sent the ATN remains true, PSI BOX is the active controller.
  • Page 159 Control Functions drop ATN and read serial poll status byte. Chapter 8 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference Page 145...
  • Page 160 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference SPOLL. _______ _ Purpose. To determine which device has requested service _________ _ from the controller and why. The SERIAL POLL is usually called after a device asserts SERVICE REQUEST by setting SRQ low. Serial poll is the only method that can correctly cause the device to return the SRQ line false.
  • Page 161 TAD third address (drop ATN) ACPTR (receive byte from 3rd device) assert ATN UNT (leave ATN asserted) Chapter 8 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference :REM PUT THE WHOLE STRING HERE :REM SRQ I/P =1 DEVICE NEEDS SERVICE :REM WAIT FOR SRQ... :REM POLL CURRENT DEVICE...
  • Page 162 _________ _ string back to the host RS232 computer. The PSI BOX stores a table of data that it uses to inform itself of which devices to access and in what manner it should control the bus. This table of data is called the IEEE control status string.
  • Page 163 None. _________ Returns. Up to 255 bytes of data starting with _________ _ STATUS 04, ,00 etc. ________ _ Example. BUS STATUS <Carriage Return> BUS <Carriage Return> Also see the SHOW command. Chapter 8 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference Page 149...
  • Page 164 This will send the text HELLO to the current bus device. Bus Activity. ___________ _ assert ATN if not already so TAD PSI BOX is the talker default address is 0 LISTEN 4 command device 4 to listen DAB 68 (H) DAB 65 (E)
  • Page 165 ORed with hex 040h, 64 decimal, and is sent over the IEEE bus. After the command has been sent the ATN remains true, PSI BOX is the active controller. The TAD is used to instruct one bus device that it is the active talker following in the Serial Poll routine or in data transfers.
  • Page 166 ORed with hex 040h, 64 decimal, and is sent over the IEEE bus. After the command has been sent the ATN remains true, PSI BOX is the active controller. The TALK is used to instruct one bus device that it is the active talker following in the Serial Poll routine or in data transfers.
  • Page 167 IEEE command TCT, hex 04h decimal 4, is sent over the IEEE bus. After the command has been sent the ATN remains true, PSI BOX is the active controller. The NO ATN command should be used to drop the ATN line false so allowing the addressed controller to assert ATN and become the active controller.
  • Page 168 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference TIMER. _______ _ Purpose. The PSI BOX waits for the given number of milli _________ _ seconds to pass. The TIMER command is used to allow the PSI BOX to wait a fixed interval between bus accesses. Typically it is used in a repeating MACRO so that a series of readings are taken once every given interval.
  • Page 169 Control Functions ___ _ Purpose. To set the length of time the PSI BOX will wait in a _________ _ bus handshake routine till the responding device is ready for the data transfer. This prevents the PSI BOX hanging up when the device is not ready.
  • Page 170 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference TO 6 TO 7 TO 8 TO 9 TO 10 TO 11 TO 12 TO 13 TO 14 TO 15 Example. ________ _ BUS TO 10 BUS STATUS TMO at position 57 Page 156 milli second wait till timeout.
  • Page 171 Amps, the TRIGGER 2,3 command performs the test on the resistor. If no device address is specified then the PSI BOX simply sends the GET command, this will active all currently listening devices. If one or more devices addresses are given then those devices are commanded to Listen and then told via the GET command to perform the pre programmed action.
  • Page 172 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference ___________ UNCONFIGURE. Purpose. To prevent all devices responding to the parallel poll _________ _ command. UNCONFIGURE completeness, it performs identically to the PPU command, it prevents all devices, which have been previously CONFIGUREd, from responding to parallel polls.
  • Page 173 The PSI BOX asserts ATN and becomes the active controller, then the IEEE command UNL, hex 03Fh decimal 63, is sent over the IEEE bus. After the command has been sent the ATN remains true, PSI BOX is the active controller.
  • Page 174 After an UNTALK command one device must be TALKed before it can source any data. The PSI BOX asserts ATN and becomes the active controller, then the IEEE command UNT, hex 05Fh decimal 95, is sent over the IEEE bus. After the command has been sent the ATN remains true, PSI BOX is the active controller.
  • Page 175 BOX to the RS232 host computer whenever the PSI BOX receives the VERSION command. A request for the VERSION causes the PSI BOX to return a message to the RS232 host computer. This is a string of Ascii characters of the following form :- PSI BOX Version 4.0f 16/06/90...
  • Page 176 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference WAIT. ______ _ Purpose. The PSI BOX waits for the given number of milli _________ _ seconds to pass. The WAIT command is used to allow the PSI BOX to wait a fixed interval between bus accesses. Typically it is used in a repeating MACRO so that a series of readings are taken once every given interval.
  • Page 177 The PSI BOX will wait for SRQ until timeout or until the SRQ is true. If you want the PSI BOX to wait indefinitely for SRQ then you should disable the timeout using the NO TO command.
  • Page 178 PSI BOX PLUS+ Reference Purpose. Causes the PSI BOX to execute the stored macro _________ _ command. The X command can be embedded within any valid PSI BOX command string or be by itself. The X command takes one optional parameter that determines the number of times it is to execute.
  • Page 179 52, 53, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 82, 83, 124 80, 81, 82, 106, 114, 115, 123, 137, 138, 148 134, 137, 138, 143, 144, 147, 149, 156 PSI BOX Reference Index 1...
  • Page 180 PSI BOX Reference Cables... 7, 29, 35, 44 Carriage return...19, 24, 74, 79, 85, 86, 94, 98, 101, Centronics handshake...55 Centronics input...34, 36, 50, 51, 52, 58, 60, 61 Centronics leds... 31, 32 Centronics output...31, 33, 35, 50, 54, 55, 59 Centronics port...
  • Page 181 102, 112, 126 79, 81, 86, 94, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 126, 133, 134, 150 89, 112, 114, 115, 164 54, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 64, 65, 69, 76, 79, 84, 133, 139 PSI BOX Reference Index 3...
  • Page 182 PSI BOX Reference Get... 52, 68, 79, 81, 90, 104, 139, 157 Go to local... 23, 81, 90, 105, 110 Gtl... 23, 81, 90, 105, 109, 110, 111 Handle ... 76 Handshake... 2, 12, 16, 26, 31, 33, 34, 37, 39, 40, Handshakes...69...
  • Page 183 71, 72, 74, 75, 77, 78, 80, 81, 85, 86, 89, 90, 91, 94, 96, 101, 107, 108, 110, 116, 117, 121, 126, 127, 129, 132, 136, 137, 140, 150, 157, 164 116, 117, 121, 136, 140 110, 111, 123, 137, 138 157, 164 PSI BOX Reference Index 5...
  • Page 184 PSI BOX Reference No to... 82, 124, 125, 155, 163 Nrfd ... 12, 13, 26, 30, 52, 55 Open... 16, 56 Output...2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 26, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, Output status...65 Parallel poll...15, 21, 22, 71, 78, 81, 82, 86, 90, 91, Parallel poll configure...
  • Page 185 46, 47, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 77, 79, 82, 83, 112, 139, 148, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 59, 62, 64, 67, PSI BOX Reference Index 7...
  • Page 186 PSI BOX Reference Sdc... 22, 81, 82, 86, 89, 90, 141 Sec... 72, 77, 81, 85, 86, 113, 118, 119, 129, Secondary address... 56, 70, 71, 72, 76, 78, 80, 81, 85, 107, Selective device clear... 89, 90, 141 Sending data... 17, 41, 56, 68, 75, 79, 81 Serial poll...15, 20, 21, 71, 76, 77, 78, 81, 85, 91,...
  • Page 187 140, 143, 144, 151, 152, 153, 160 101, 110, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 132, 147, 150, 153, 157, 159, 164 132, 136, 143, 144, 145, 147, 160, 164 147, 154, 155, 156, 162, 163 PSI BOX Reference Index 9...

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