Communication parameters

Before turning the Workbench in On Line mode, you need to setup correct communication parameters.

In offline mode, the communication parameters are displayed in the status bar. To change them, use the "Tools / Communication Parameters" menu command or double click on the parameters in the status bar.

The workbench support several possible protocols for communicating with the runtime system:

- Standard "T5" protocol - supported by most of runtimes
- Remote access protocol - for remote serial communication through modems and radio

Select the protocol in the drop list and and enter the settings in the box below. The "..." button opens a wizard box for helping you entering the communication parameters according to the selected protocol.

Settings of the "T5" protocol

The "T5" protocol is supported by most of runtimes and can be used either over ETHERNET or with a peer to peer serial link.

For an ETHERNET communication, you need to enter the IP address of the target system. The workbench uses default port 1100. If your target uses another port number, enter it after the IP address, separated by a semi-colon. For instance:

Ethernet communication:

For an ETHERNET communication, you need to enter the IP address of the target system. The workbench uses default port 1100. If your target uses another port number, enter it after the IP address, separated by a semi-colon. For instance:

        127.0.0.1:1102

Serial Link:

In case of a serial link, you must specify the communication port used on the PC, floowed by the communication parameters according to the following syntax

                COM<np>:<baudrate>,<parity>,<data>,<stops>

<np> number of the serial port used on the PC
<baudrate> baudrate
<parity> parity: N (none) or E (even) or O (odd)
<data> number of data bits (7 or 8)
<stops> number of stop bits (1 or 2)

The following example shows setting for communicating on COM1 port, at 19200 bauds, with Even parity, 8 data bits and 1 stop bit:

    COM1:19200,E,8,1

Settings of the Remote access protocol

This protocol is to be used for remote serial communication and is particularly well adapted to communication systems with severe constraints such as radios and modems. Optionally, the communication driver on the Workbench may take care of dialup if connected to a modem. Press the "..." button for entering parameters in a wizard box. The following parameters are required:

PC port

Identifier of the COM port on the PC. If you want to use an internal modem, you need to map it it to a virtual COM port.

Baudrate

Baudrate

Parity

Parity: N (none) or E (even) or O (odd)

Stop bits

Number of stop bits (1 or 2)

Unit number

This number identifies the remote unit in case of a multidrop network. The default number for a unit on a peer to peer network is 1. The unit number must be a value from 1 to 32767

Timeout

Communication timeout in seconds (time for a single "question+answer" exchange)

Trials

Number of consecutive trials in case of error

Packet size

The messages transported on the protocol may be up to 1024 bytes. If you select the "small" packet size, then the driver splits messages in frames that do not exceed 255 characters.

Additionally, you can specify some dialup options:

Dialup

If this option is checked, the driver dialups the specified number when going On Line

Number

Number to dial

Timeout

Dialup timeout in seconds

Init.

Initialization string for setting up the modem

Note: the dial number specified here can be changed when the Workbench establishes the communication.