Instruction manual

14. Master-8-cp
14.1 Programming by a computer
You can program Master-8-cp through the front panel keys in the same way as Master-8. In addition
Master-8-cp can be programmed via a computer or even by a terminal consisting of a monitor and a
keyboard.
In order to communicate with a computer, you should connect the Master-8-cp to the computer via the
standard RS-232 interface on the rear panel. The connections are described in Appendix A.
Master-8-cp can receive and transmit ASCII characters. The setting of the communication parameters
i.e. baud-rate and character-format is very simple (see Appendix B).
14.2 Communication
A. Programming Master-8-cp by a Computer
Programming Master-8-cp via a computer is identical to programming it via the front panel keys. Each
key has a corresponding code (see Appendix C). Sending the code by the computer has the same effect
as pressing the specific key.
Example 1: The instruction: FREE,3,ENTER’ (meaning set channel #3 on the FREE-RUN mode) is
performed by the computer writing ‘F3E’ to Master-8-cp. (See Appendix C).
Example 2: The instruction: ‘DURA,2,1.4,ENTER,3,ENTER’ (‘set the duration of channel #2 to be
1.4 msec) is performed by the computer writing - ‘D21.4E3E’ to Master-8-cp.
In fact, Master-8-cp does not distinguish whether a certain instruction was inserted via the keys or via
the computer (except for the CHECK instruction, see below).
Please note that the computer can trigger each channel ‘manually’.
Example 3: When channel #8 is on the DC, TRIG or TRAIN mode, you can trigger it manually by
pressing the ‘8’ key. The computer can also trigger channel #8 manually by entering ‘8’ to Master-8-
cp.
B. Reading Parameters from Master-8-cp to the Computer
When you want to read information from the Master-8-cp to your program, you enter a code showing
that your program is ready to read parameters. This code is the value of ‘B’ (for ‘Begin’). The default