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Let’s look at the sentence again, replacing what we know now:
“0x02 0x33 0x30 0x30 0x35 0x41 0x31 0x00 0x31 0x00 [checksum – optional] 0x03”
If you recall, unless your application calls for it specifically –
YOU DO NOT NEED
A CHECKSUM!!! If your application doesn’t need it, you are done with the sentence
construction (just remove the optional placeholder for the “checksum - optional”):
Let’s look at the sentence again, with out the optional checksum placeholder:
“0x02 0x33 0x30 0x30 0x35 0x41 0x31 0x00 0x31 0x00 0x03”
Now there is one more detail which you will need to figure out about your automation
system: “How or does it accept HEX notation?” Some systems are smart enough to
recognize the “0x” as a prefix for a HEX notation number. Others are not. This writer is
aware of an example application called “RS232 Hex Com Tool” which does not
recognize the “0x” as a prefix. This means that the operator/user/programmer must
determine how to enter the data correctly – due to the broad spectrum of programming
styles across all of the varied automation systems this is not covered in this guide nor is it
the responsibility of Anchor Bay to tell you (the reader). Contact your automation
system vendor for clarification on data entry to their system.
As it happens, in the above examples, the byte itself was highlighted with BOLD
typeface to bring attention to the actual value for the byte. This highlighted data is also
what that particular application expects, with a [space] or [comma] to separate the bytes.
Thus the same “power-on” command would be:
02 33 30 30 35 41 31 00 31 00 03 for “power-on” with no checksum
If you are unsure if the automation computer or other machine is working with the
serial cable, the “RS232 Hex Com Tool” program is available for download (shareware –
free trial for 30 days, purchase for a small fee) on the web at: http://www.rs232pro.com/.
Anchor Bay does not warrant the function of this utility or endorse its purchase – this is
simply a reference to one of many options available for testing. The open-source Tera
Term Pro utility used for upgrading iScan VP
xx
products is also capable of sending HEX
or ASCII strings with some minor programming – but we do not support this use of the
program and attempts to use Tera Term Pro as an automation controller should only be
taken on by experienced programmers with some basic coding/programming background.
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