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Debugging/Simulating mode
This mode
allows you to control serial devices directly from your PC. For example: you
can control a projector using this software, it is useful for programmers
in developing / debugging their control software.
Frequently used
command buttons, programmable buttons and auto-response are highly useful and convenient tools for sending or responding to the
commands sent from the controlled device. By using these features
together, even a highly complicated serial device can be easily
controlled.
Sending
Data
There are
many ways of sending commands, including the Send_Command Pane, Frequently
Used Commands, Programmable Buttons, Programmable Auto-Response, and
Programmable Macros.
The program allows you to send data in different notation:
Hexadecimal, decimal, octal, binary or character string.
As
illustrated below, when the "Send" button is pressed, the program will
repeatedly send out the command string "41,54,49,31,D,A,", with
a 1000ms delay,
1x repetition, and at 500ms intervals.
Sending
Signal
There are
also numerous ways of sending signals: From Programmable Buttons,
Programmable Auto-Response, Programmable Macros or simply by using the
virtual LEDs. When you click on DTR or RTS LEDs, it will turn ON/OFF
the signal respectively. The BRK LED allows you to stop the
communication temporarily for 500ms.
(Virtual LEDs)
Receiving
Data and Signal
Data and
any signal received will be logged into the Logging Window (as shown
below). Data refers to the command strings that are sent to/from external
devices, and signal refers to the line state changes. The program
allows you to view the incoming data in different notations:
Hexadecimal, decimal, octal, binary or character string. Virtual LEDs provide an easy way of knowing
the current line state.
Programmable Buttons
Programmable Buttons provide an easy way to control external
devices. This allows you to store command strings and signal controls into a
single button with delay, repeat and interval options. You can also
chain different buttons together, so that when the first button's
commands are completed, it will continue to send commands that are
stored in the following buttons.
Programmable buttons are a very useful feature as some devices need to
receive a series of commands in order to perform certain tasks, such
as moving a camera's pan/tilt head.
There are a total of 32 possible programmable buttons.
Programmable Auto-Response
Programmable Auto-Response provides an easy way to control
external devices; it allows the program to respond to certain
incoming data. For example, when the program receives an Enquiry Code: 5,
it can respond with Acknowledgement Code: 6. In addition to code
response, the program can also respond to line changes. For example,
when the line state changes to DSR ON (external device is ready for
receiving data), the program can send out the preset commands.
Programmable Auto-Response is a useful feature that allows the user to
communicate with the controlled device more effectively and
precisely, especially since some controlled devices require a response
within a certain timeframe, e.g. 500ms.
There are total 16 options with Auto-Response.
Auto-Response can be toggled by using the toolbar buttons below.
 Auto-Response is
currently ON, click to turn OFF
 Auto-Response is
currently OFF, click to turn ON
Programmable Macros
Programmable Macros is an advanced feature which provides an easy way
for simulation and automation. There are a total of 8 Macros, each
one consists of 8 steps and 8
sub-routines.
Steps are the running sequence of each Macro. There
are two options in the Step: Send Commands (and/or Signals) or running
Sub-Routines.
- Send commands (and/or Signals) allows you to send out commands
and/or signals with the options of Delay, Repeat, and Interval.
There are total 8x Steps in each macro.
- Sub-Routine allows you to check the incoming data (and/or line
state) or signal, then respond accordingly. Three conditions are
checked: IF, ELSE IF and ELSE. There are a total of 8 Sub-Routines in
each macro.
- Running Macros
 Play (Shortcut key: F5)
 Pause (Shortcut key: F6)
Note: Macro will stop the current Step and resume on next Step if
Play button is click later on.
 Stop (Shortcut key: F7)
 Single Play (currently
selected Macro only) (Shortcut key: F8)
 Continuous Play (start
from currently selected Macro and run until Macro 8) (Shortcut key:
F8)
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