ROTRONIC HygroLab - Manual (Page 7)

IN-E-HyLab-V4_11
Rotronic AG
Bassersdorf, Switzerland
Document code Unit
Instruction Manual
Document Type
HygroLab bench top indicator version 4:
instruction manual
Document title
Page 7 of 51
© 2006; Rotronic AG IN-E-HyLab-V4_11
2.4 Serial interface (HygroLab 2 and 3)
Both the HygroLab 2 and 3 have external receptacles (located on the back panel) that provide both
a RS-232 and a RS-485 interface.
Serial interface settings
The HygroLab indicator is compatible with the ROTRONIC HW4 software (version 1.2.2 or higher)
and backward compatible with the ROTRONIC HW3 software. Each software uses a different
communications protocol and different settings regarding the parity, number of data bits and
number of stop bits. When interrogated, the HygroLab automatically recognizes which software and
which protocol is being used. This allows the HygroLab to be used with either HW3 or HW4 without
requiring a manual configuration of the HygroLab serial settings.
When used with HW4, the HygroLab automatically sets its serial interface as follows:
Parity :
none
Data bits : 8
Stop bits : 1
When used with HW3, the HygroLab automatically sets its serial interface as follows:
Parity :
even
Data bits : 7
Stop bits : 1
Note: the HygroLab will automatically set its serial interface to the above settings when interrogated
by a third-party software that uses the same ASCII commands as HW3 to request data. On models
with the optional Ethernet interface, the internal module must be re-configured as indicated in
document IN-E-TCPIP-Conf_11 (available in PDF format).
IMPORTANT: The HygroLab can be configured by the user with a Baud rate of 57600. The factory
default Baud rate of 19200 is compatible with both HW3 and HW4. The Baud rate of 57600 is
compatible only with HW4.
RS-232 interface
This interface is used to read measurement data, adjust any HygroClip probe connected to the
HygroLab and to configure the HygroFlex. The RS-232 allows direct connection of the HygroLab to
the COM port of a PC (up to 150 m / 490 ft separation)
The HW4 software (version 1.2.2 or higher) should be installed on the PC.
It is also possible to connect the HygroLab 2 or HygroLab 3 to an Ethernet network by using a
device server with a RS-232 port (TCP/IP encapsulation). Depending on the software used to
communicate with the HygroLab, the serial port of the device server should be configured as
indicated below: