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Serial Devices
Reference Manual
Improvision,
Viscount Centre II,
University of Warwick Science Park,
Millburn Hill Road,
Coventry. CV4 7HS
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-Mail: [email protected]
Internet: http://www.improvision.com
Printing History
Edition Date
Edition 1 September 1998
Edition 2 July 1999
Improvision believes the information in this manual to be correct at the date of issue.
However, it is subject to change at any time and does not represent a commitment on
the part of Improvision. Improvision shall not be liable for errors contained herein or
for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing,
performance, or use of this manual. Improvision has a policy of continual
development and reserves the right to change information within this manual without
notice to reflect changes in the system’s design and specification.
© 1998-1999 Improvision, Image Processing & Vision Company Limited.
All rights reserved.
Copyright Notice
Apple, Finder and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
Other brand or product names are the trademarks of their respective holders.
SERIAL DEVICES
Background Information
Overview
Openlab software supports connections to a number of serial devices. This means that
you can control devices directly from the Macintosh, for example microscopes, focus
drives, filter assemblies or cameras, such as the DAGE, that are connected to a serial
port.
Serial devices are connected to a serial port on the back of the Macintosh. Grey G3
and earlier machines connect via the Printer or Modem serial port. Blue G3 machines
and later connect via the USB serial port. This is described in more detail in the
“Connecting Serial Devices” section.
Once you have connected a serial device, you must tell the software that the device is
available for use. You do this by editing the Serial Port Preferences (see “Serial Port
Preferences” section). If you have a Ludl or Leica device, you will also need to edit
device-specific Preferences. This is described in the next chapter, “Device-Specific
Information”.
Devices Supported
The following diagram illustrates the different devices that are supported. The shaded
boxes represent the software interface(cid:190)each has an Openlab Palette. The white
boxes are device specific hardware control modules. The Serial Ports Manager is
common to all users. It allows you to specify a port for each device that is connected
to your Macintosh. Different users will have different combinations of device. You will
receive the appropriate Openlab modules for your devices.
Software Interface Filter Shutter X/Y Stage Focus Drive Other... Camera
Palettes
Hardware Control Leica Zeiss Olympus Ludl DAGE,
Modules
DC-330
Serial Ports Manager
Serial Devices 1
OPENLAB
This guide describes how to connect serial devices and configure the serial
preferences. There are separate User Guides for each device, for example the
Microscope Reference Guide. There may also be additional information for different
makes/models. These variations are documented in the next chapter, “Device-Specific
Information”.
Contents
BACKGROUND INFORMATION................................................1
Overview.....................................................................................................1
Contents.....................................................................................................2
Connecting Serial Devices..............................................................................2
Serial Port Preferences..................................................................................4
Serial Comms and Automator Tasks.................................................................5
An Example Automation.................................................................................9
DEVICE-SPECIFIC INFORMATION........................................... 10
Devices Supported......................................................................................10
Related Documentation................................................................................11
Ludl Devices..............................................................................................11
Connecting Serial Devices
Grey G3 and Earlier Models
The serial ports are the small round ports on the back of the computer. They are
clearly marked, as follows:
Printer port
Modem port
It is possible to have more ports, but you will require additional boards from another
supplier.
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SERIAL DEVICES
The following cabling guidelines apply:
n Make sure that you use the correct cable for each device.
n If both serial ports are already in use, you can unplug an existing device, but
make sure that you are not disconnecting a device that is required.
n If both serial ports are already in use, you may need to install an expansion card
or module with additional serial ports. Contact your Supplier or Improvision for
further details.
n It is possible to control serial devices over a network, but you will need additional
third-party software. Contact your Supplier or Improvision for further details.
Blue G3 and Later Models
Blue G3 and later models have a USB RS serial port, and a built-in modem port. You
need a USB Keyspan serial adapter, which provides two ADB ports to which you can
connect serial devices.
As long as you have attached the USB Keyspan serial adapter before you install the
Openlab software, the Serial Port Preferences will automatically reflect the USB
Keyspan ports (rather than the printer and modem port). If you install the Openlab
software before you connect the Keyspan adapter, you will also need to install
Openlab USB Support from the Openlab Installation CD.
USB port
Serial Devices 3
OPENLAB
Serial Port Preferences
These Preferences allow you to specify additional devices that may be connected to
the serial ports on your computer. You may specify any number of devices, but the
number that you can connect at any given time depends upon how many serial ports
you have free. The preferences come into effect as soon as you save them.
1. Select Preferences... from the Edit menu.
2. Click on the Serial Ports icon in the left-hand column.
Note: The Serial Preferences above apply to grey G3 and earlier models. The port
icons and names will be different for blue G3 and later models that connect via USB
ports.
3. This window shows which hardware devices are connected to your Macintosh and
which port they are plugged into.
4. Click on the pop-up menu in the Is connected to: column to select a serial port for
the device.
Note: If there are additional ports installed, either as part of an expansion card or over
a network, they will appear in this menu.
5. Click on the Save button to save the Serial Port Preferences.
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SERIAL DEVICES
Hints and Tips
If you want to see a list of all devices, and not just the ones that are currently
connected to a serial port, make sure that the Show devices not currently available
box is checked (has an ‘X’ in it).
If the device does not work, check that:
n The cable is firmly connected, to both the device and the serial port on the
Macintosh.
n The device is switched on.
n You have loaded the correct software module for the device.
Serial Comms and Automator Tasks
If you have the Automator module, you will be able to use Serial Comms tasks in your
automation. The tasks will appear in the Task List in the Automator Window.
This section describes the Serial Comms tasks. These tasks allow you to check that
the serial port is working correctly by sending and receiving a serial line or byte of
data. You can also use them to communicate with devices that Openlab does not
Serial Devices 5
OPENLAB
currently support, as long as the devices are attached to the serial port and support
serial communications. Refer to the Automator Reference Manual for further details
about creating and running automations.
Note: You can operate some serial devices outside the strict bounds of the Openlab
hardware control and software interface modules (palettes). For example, the Uniblitz
shutter runs with its own controller.
Send Serial Line Task
This task allows you to send a line of text to the serial port. Use the Setup dialogue to
enter an expression for the line of text that you want to send to the serial port.
Enter an expression for the
message text
You can also use this task to send commands that open or close a shutter. The
relevant text is:
n “@” to open the shutter
n “A” to close the shutter
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SERIAL DEVICES
Receive Serial Line Task
This task allows you to receive a line of text and store it. Use the Setup dialogue to:
n Specify where the line of text is to be stored.
n Set a timeout value, so that the serial port does not wait indefinitely for more data.
Select a variable to store the
result
Enter an expression for the
timeout value
Send Serial Byte Task
This task allows you to send a byte of data to the serial port. Use the Setup dialogue
to enter an expression for the byte that you want to send to the serial port.
Serial Devices 7
OPENLAB
Receive Serial Byte Task
This task allows you to receive a byte of data and store it. Use the Setup dialogue to:
n Specify where the byte is to be stored.
n Set a timeout value, so that the serial port does not wait indefinitely for more data.
Flush Receive Buffer Task
This task flushes the receive buffer. Use it to ensure that the serial buffer is empty
before you receive serial line communication. There is no setup dialogue.
8 Openlab v.2.0.7