The Controlled Device; Technique; Terminal Pass Mode; Netlinx Diagnostics Control Device / Emulate Device - AMX VISUALARCHITECT 1.1 Manual

The Controlled Device

Although not every process can be described, some aspects of verification are commonplace. You must
verify the following information by either reviewing the corresponding device's manual, or contacting
the manufacturer for details:

Technique

Terminal SEND commands can aid you in finding problems. While connected to the Master program
port (within Terminal), you will find that you have two types of commands which allow you to
troubleshoot: SEND_STRING and SEND_COMMAND.

Terminal PASS Mode

In Terminal, while connected to the Master's program port, you can type:
PASS <#>
Where <#> equals the device number. While you cannot use the device name in Terminal,
remember to use D:P:S within NetLinx.
In this mode, whatever you type on the keyboard will be sent directly out the RS-232 port as you
type it. Anything that is returned by the controlled device will then be displayed on your screen.
Your keystrokes are not echoed on the screen in this mode. The port's setting dictates the baud rate,
etc. This is very handy for ASCII based commands, but Decimal and Hex characters cannot be
found on the keyboard.

NetLinx Diagnostics Control Device / Emulate Device

In this diagnostic window of the UI, you can send commands or strings out to any NetLinx RS-232 port
by selecting the appropriate options, typing device number and the string or command in the control
window, and pressing the "Send" button. Enabling Emulation (via the Emulate radio box), you can send
the strings back to the control port that are expected from the OEM controlled device. Enabling the
Emulation also allows for Pushes to be sent.
The Control/Emulate page on the UI allows a user to either Control a device or Emulate a device. This is
done by controlling a device's channels, levels, and sending both send commands and strings to the target
device.
1. Click the Manage System link (from within the System Settings section of the Navigation frame).
VisualArchitect v1.1
CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY. COPYRIGHT, AMX LLC, 2006
Baud rates are set to their default values (If it can be altered, verify current settings).
Cable pin specification are the same as the actual cable.
Make certain the COM port is enabled.
Check unit address (match this with the address in code).
Try sending strings from within Terminal.
If the manufacturer provides control software, see if that works with the target device.
The SEND_STRING command will send the string that follows out of the noted port.
The syntax is: SEND_STRING <#>,"<String>" Where <#> equals the device number (You
cannot use the device name in Terminal). "<String>" equals the string you want to send.
The SEND_COMMAND commands are port configuration commands like the command to
set the baud rate, parity, and data and stop bits.
SEND_COMMAND <#>, ""SET BAUD 9600,N,8,1'"
Or the command to turn on hardware handshaking: SEND_COMMAND <#>, "'HSON'"
Exit PASS mode by holding down the [Shift] key and pressing the + twice, then release the
shift and press Escape [Esc] twice (Shift +, +, Esc, Esc).
Appendix A: Troubleshooting and Support
151