1. André Augustinus 13 June 2005 Control through serial links RS232 etc.

2. André Augustinus 13 June 2005ALICE DCS Workshop Introduction  Many (commercial) devices come with a serial remote control interface RS232 and derivates Mainly intended for use in lab Simple and well proven technology  Used by several detectors in ALICE

3. André Augustinus 13 June 2005ALICE DCS Workshop RS232 in ALICE  Identified so far… TPC: pulser, VHV, laser, drift velocity T0: calibration …  I’m convinced there will be more we don’t know of (and maybe even you don’t know of)  Let us know if we missed you

4. André Augustinus 13 June 2005ALICE DCS Workshop Interfacing RS232  RS232 is an old and widespread standard 1001 ways to interface it Some confusion might have been created  Before you start: talk to us ! We discuss your requirements We can help you to select the most adequate solution for your requirements We can help to get you started

5. André Augustinus 13 June 2005ALICE DCS Workshop Interfacing RS232  Three parts to interfacing RS232 1.The “physical” interface (cables and alike) 2.The “software” interface (transporting the data) 3.The “functional” interface (exchange sensible data)  Some (1,2) of them we would like to be standardized  The last one is by nature application dependent.

6. André Augustinus 13 June 2005ALICE DCS Workshop RS232: “physical” interface  Usually interfaced to a PC (COM port) Exception: TPC VHV: interface to PLC  Normal RS232: cable length limited to a few metres PC close to device Not always desirable, sometimes impossible All PCs concentrated in CR3, devices in UX “Convert” RS232 RS232 over TCP/IP

7. André Augustinus 13 June 2005ALICE DCS Workshop RS232: “physical” interface  Digi solution: Connect your device to an etehrnet-RS232 converter On the PC you communicate through a ‘virtual’ COM port All existing software will still work Note that the network will be “private” and on secure power Your device is more likely to be without power than the network

8. André Augustinus 13 June 2005ALICE DCS Workshop RS232: “physical” interface  Used and tested at CERN  Low cost (~250 CHF)  Also “multi-port” versions Envisaged by TPC for pulser  Info: Contact us, or www.digi.co No, I have no shares in this company…

9. André Augustinus 13 June 2005ALICE DCS Workshop RS232: “software” interface  PVSSII has all you need The standard calls: open(), read(), write(), close() are available in PVSSII No need to pass through visual basic, Labview or other applications Please contact us to get started (or converted) Even if you already have (or more familiar with) a solution using 3 rd party tools

10. André Augustinus 13 June 2005ALICE DCS Workshop RS232: “functional” interface J Here you are on your own... This is the command protocol that is used to control your device By nature depending on your device and its use If you are lucky this protocol are independent command-response pairs In case of a given command sequence more work will be involved to handle communication errors (but this is independent of the underlying implementation) In any case: do not hesitate to contact us for advice!

11. André Augustinus 13 June 2005ALICE DCS Workshop Summary  Let us know your serial connections and requirements  Use the Digi solution for longer distances  Use PVSSII (directly) to communicate with your device  We are there to advise and help you: come and talk to us !