Rev. B
7-35
HMXMC001013
31-Mar-06
7.10 SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS PORTS, CONTINUED
7.10.6 Auxiliary
Port
Port (06)
is defined as an auxiliary communications port. It is sometimes necessary to
interface control of specialized equipment (e.g. multiplexers, serial interface VCRs, etc.)
into the MAXPRO-Net video system. An auxiliary communications port would be
managed by the macro environment (using the DIRECT-PORT-WRITE extended macro
command) to communicate RS-232 control messages directly to the equipment.
e.g. [*P6=MESSAGE DATA#13] ... "MESSAGE DATA{cr}"
[*P6=#02PL#03] ... "{stx}PL{etx}" a play command for a VCR
When more than one (or two) devices need to be controlled it would generally warrant
the use of a Peripheral Control Interface (PCI) module. The multiplexer devices would
be defined in the video input table (as a SMART-DEVICE) with a PCI module allocated to
it for control.
In this way, the video system can automatically manage the distribution of control
commands to the correct device, similar to the way VCRs are controlled.
Another application for an auxiliary type port is to set-up several serial printer output
ports, where different information is written out of each AUX port. Again, the macros
environment would be used to set-up and manage this multi-printer scenario. The
normal video system printer would probably not be used in this application.
The auxiliary port can also receive MAX Protocol messages, similar to other equipment
ports. The
MAXALMI.EXE
alarm interface application running on an external computer
can be connected to this AUX port.
WARNING:
The MAXALMI is a general-purpose alarm
interface that can be configured for most types of third-
party RS-232 protocols. When used with the macro
DIRECT PORT WRITE commands a bi-directional
interface can be configured. You can find MAXALMI.EXE
program on your MAX TOOLS disk.
