XTEST.tlk Driver Reference
Serial Line Testing Master Driver
This driver requires that you have TAS-HMITalk 8.04 installed.
The XTEST driver allows you to test communication ports and communication
links before attaching intelligent physical devices such as
PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), RTUs, (Remote Terminal Units),
Stand-Alone Controllers, Acquisition Modules, RS-232 Networks, etc.
XTEST can send a message to the communication port and then wait to read
it back as a valid answer, provided Tx and Rx are BRIDGED in some point
of the communication link. The answer contains random values that are
received in different channels, simulating analog values coming from
the field equipment.
Also it allows you to send a custom message to see how the conected device
reacts.
LOOP TEST:
The most important feature of the XTEST driver is its ability to determine
how your communications link is working, independent of the physical device
being used.
Usually, it is difficult to initiate communications with a given device
due to several factors.
Device-Independent Factors:
PC Hardware:
- Is your board working OK?
- Does it conflict with other boards?
External Link:
- Is your cable OK? Is it damaged?
- Is your RS-232/422 converter working OK?
- Is your RS-232/485 converter working OK?
- Is your modem link working OK?
- Is your radio link working OK?
- Is your satellite link working OK?
Device-Dependent Factors:
Required Hardware:
- Are you using the right board according to
your device requirements (RS-232/422/485/etc.)?
- Does your external device have the ability to
communicate with a PC?
- Are you connecting the cable to the right port in your device?
(Maybe you are using a network port or the programming port.)
- Have you checked if your device has a switch to enable
communications?
- Does your device have a switch to select different
communication protocols?
- Are you using the correct driver to communicate with your device?
Port Settings:
- Are you matching your device's required port settings:
- BaudRate?
- Parity?
- DataBits?
- StopBits?
- Timeout?
- Other COM flags?
Required Cable:
- Did you adhere to the cable specifications given
in your device's manual?
The important contribution XTEST makes to configurators is that it allows
them to check every aspect of the communication that is device-independent.
By connecting RX and TX on the device side, you can assure that you
are not having problems with your PC hardware, nor with your
external link.
RS-232 PORT:
Standard in your PC, may have plugs DB-25 or DB-9.
PIN DB-25 DB-9
1
2 TX RX
3 RX TX
4 RTS DTR
5 CTS SGN
6 DSR DSR
7 SGN RTS
8 RSD CTS
9
20 DTR
Testing Drivers
RS-232 Port
RS-422 Port
RS-485 Port
COMMAND DESCRIPTION:
Sends a message loaded with random values and waits to receive
the same message as an answer. When the message is received,
the driver parses and returns the embedded values as if they
where replied by a real device. Tx and Rx must be shorted
somewhere in the communication link for this command to behave
properly.
PROPERTY SETTINGS REQUIRED:
HMITalk1.DriverDataType = Analog Input
HMITalk1.DriverNumPoints = 1-250
HMITalk1.DriverP0 = 0
HMITalk1.DriverP1 = 0
HMITalk1.DriverP2 = 0
[1005] DRIVER (Internal): Invalid driver stage
[1300] PROTOCOL (Timeout): No answer
[2001] CONFIG (DataType): Analog outputs are not supported by this driver
[2002] CONFIG (DataType): Digital inputs are not supported by this driver
[2003] CONFIG (DataType): Digital outputs are not supported by this driver
[3036] CONFIG (P0): Invalid header noise length (max=250)
[3554] CONFIG (P1): Invalid footer noise length (max=250)
This driver requires that you have TAS-HMITalk 8.04 installed.
Driver Source Code Last Update: 09/28/2006 09:24:54
Driver Reference Last Update: 10/30/2008 17:48:57
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