INFICON SQM-242 Thin Film Deposition Controller Card Software Operating Manual - Manual (Page 75)

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SQS-242 Operating Manual
Chapter 5
Communications
5.1 Introduction
The computer interface capabilities of the SQS-242 program allow operation from
an external computer via Ethernet or RS-232 serial communications and a simple
ASCII command set. Programs running on the same computer, can also control the
SQS-242 program using ActiveX
® and the same ASCII command set.
Parameters may be read (Query commands) while the process is running, but can
only be changed (Update commands) while the process is stopped. Changes to the
“structure” of a process (e.g., add or delete layers) are not allowed from the
computer interface.
5.2 Serial Interface
Connect a serial cable from the serial port of the computer the SQM card is
installed on to another computer’s serial port. The cable required is a DB9 female
to female with pins 2 and 3 crossed, commonly referred to as a null modem cable.
In the SQS-242 program select the Edit, System menu, then the Comm tab. Set
the Comm Port to match the serial port the cable is connected to on the other
computer. Set the baud rate to match between the host computer and the remote
computer. Communications format is No Parity, 8 bits, 1 stop bit.
5.3 Ethernet Interface
Connect a cable from the Ethernet card to your Ethernet network. In the SQS-242
program select the Edit, System menu, then the Comm tab. Set the Ethernet Port
to 1001, and the Ethernet name to the Network name, or IP Address of the
computer you wish to communicate with. Enter a –1 for the Ethernet Port to disable
the Ethernet functions.
5.4 ActiveX (COM) Interface
Any program that supports Microsoft’s COM (ActiveX) interface (i.e., LabVIEW ® ,
etc.) can communicate with the SQS-242 program. A small ActiveX interface
program, SQS242X.EXE, provides receive data and transmit data entry points to
the global cComm242 class. Contact INFICON for examples in other languages,
and detailed technical information.