1. This Software is no longer supported by us. Please download the new motion control software SimTools.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Do not share user accounts! Any account that is shared by another person will be blocked and closed. This means: we will close not only the account that is shared, but also the main account of the user who uses another person's account. We have the ability to detect account sharing, so please do not try to cheat the system. This action will take place on 04/18/2023. Read all forum rules.
    Dismiss Notice
  3. For downloading SimTools plugins you need a Download Package. Get it with virtual coins that you receive for forum activity or Buy Download Package - We have a zero Spam tolerance so read our forum rules first.

    Buy Now a Download Plan!
  4. Do not try to cheat our system and do not post an unnecessary amount of useless posts only to earn credits here. We have a zero spam tolerance policy and this will cause a ban of your user account. Otherwise we wish you a pleasant stay here! Read the forum rules
  5. We have a few rules which you need to read and accept before posting anything here! Following these rules will keep the forum clean and your stay pleasant. Do not follow these rules can lead to permanent exclusion from this website: Read the forum rules.
    Are you a company? Read our company rules

USO datapacket ASCII commands

Discussion in 'Force-Profiler Simulator Control' started by Imaginex, Sep 10, 2009.

  1. Imaginex

    Imaginex New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2009
    Messages:
    8
    Location:
    London, Canada
    Balance:
    0Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Hi, I'm attempting to configure a 12 bit DAC module for 0-10 Volt output but am running into difficulties with the USO parser function. The module requires serial data as follows: AV (module A, Voltage), channel (A,B,C etc), axis value(0-1000), return;
    no handshake needed
    I got 1 axis working with: AVA~a01~~13~ but can't seem to get the correct string for all 3 axes;
    i.e. AVB~a02~~13~ and AVC~a03~~13~
    any ideas on incorporating the 3 axes into a single string with return?

    fyi - the module outputs 4 channels of 12 bit analog (0.01 volt resolutions), any voltage between -10 and +10 VDC,
    20ms response, and a lot of other neat features(ramps, pause, calibration) less than $100 USD;
    if anyone is interested let me know and I'll pass along the vendor info

    to get a 0-10 Volt value (0-1000) I used 16 bit resolution, decimal output with the formula, /65536*1000;
    the module then scales this to 12 bit output

    if anyone has any ideas on the string/parser function it would be much appreciated
    thanks!!
  2. Imaginex

    Imaginex New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2009
    Messages:
    8
    Location:
    London, Canada
    Balance:
    0Coins
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Hi - it's one 4 channel module on a single comport, RS-232, read mode only - no return

    thanks for the serial port monitor suggestion - with this I could see that the USO datapackets were hitting the DAC module too fast and it couldn't read & calculate the four channels outputs fast enough - it just bottle-necked with error.
    ideally, this module would like to see each channels' values in a separate string e.g. AVA500~13~ (I'm assuming with 1-2 ms delay in between)
    since the USO can only output 1 datapacket per cycle, the initial attempt that froze the DAC module was:
    AVA~a01~~13~AVB~a02~~13~AVC~a03~~13~

    the revised datapacket that works is:
    AVA~a01~~13~~13~~13~AVB~a02~~13~~13~~13~AVC~a03~~13~~13~~13~
    by inserting 2 additional carriage returns after each channels values it creates enough of a delay within the datapacket to give the module time to receive & compute each channels' value. (not ideal but it works well)
    the datapackets are being sent with only a 10-20ms pause between them;

    btw - this 12 bit analog output ($99 USD) combined with a 12 bit joystick interface ($50 USD) produces very high resolution input/output and I'm very pleased with the sim's performance at this stage!

    if anyone is interested in any of the above just say and I'll provide more info

    thanks again