How Do You Communicate Between a Logic Board and Host Laptop

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I am currently beginning a business project that involves communication between a host laptop and a automated storage machine's logic board via null RS232.

Machine: High Cube II by Lauyan's & Co. (It is a small parts inventory unit with multiple shelves inside)

Capabilities: The shelves have assigned numbers so that the user can type the desired shelf into the operator user interface (keyboard w/ display) which then lowers the shelf down. It is wired to the logic board via RS232 port labeled "user terminal".

The storage system's manufacturer sells software that will allow this host connection via "host connection" RS232 port. I would like to avoid purchasing the expensive software.

Can I create a simple windows application (text box w/ send button) to input a shelf number into the "host connection" port? What kind of data is transmitted into the logic board: standard serial communication language I can learn or is it based on the manufacturer? I've downloaded visual-studio 2013 for this project, will I need to create a program through this or is there software or code already written on this site or another that I could use to send the data through the serial ports? Is this article up my alley: Machine Controller[^]

I was also wondering if it would be easier to replace the operator interface with my host laptop and try transmitting the data through the "user terminal" as if the laptop was the operator interface.

Below is the circuit drawing and pictures of the machine itself.

http://s91.photobucket.com/user/Kyle3390707/library/High%20Cube%20Storage%20System[^]

Thanks for any suggestions.

Posted 22-Jun-15 5:46am

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Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 22-Jun-15 12:07pm

Via null RS-232? It sounds interesting… :-)
—SA

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OriginalGriff · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-22T06:11:00

We can't tell you - because we don't know.
You need to talk to the manufacturers, and try to get some idea of the communications protocol from them. You can't "guess" how to talk to it - there are far, far to many different ways to do it. If you had the communications software it's possible that by putting a datascope on the serial port you could examine the existing comms and work most (if not all) of it out for yourself, but without that you don't stand a chance.

Get the protocol manual or spec from the manufacturer and you have a good starting place. But with nothing? You will spend more of your valuable time getting frustrated than you would have done buying the software from them in the first place - and you will probably have to buy it anyway. You've already spent a couple of days on it: how many more before it has cost your company more than buying the software? :laugh:

User 59241 · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-22T14:12:00

I refrained from answering your previous question because really where to start. The cost of the vendor software is probably going to be insignificant compared to the time you will need to spend here.

I can give you a generic approach that I would employ in this situation.

1. Obtain a technical manual from the vendor - you will need the command set for the device. There may be an industry standard command set for these devices, if so that is what you need. If you don't have this information do not proceed.

2. Download a serial console such as PuTTY: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PuTTY[^]

3. Hook up your device to your computer using the proper cable. If a laptop you will need a USB serial adaptor: http://www.instructables.com/id/The-serial-port---software-setup/[^]

4. Become comfortable with sending and receiving data from the device using PuTTY. This is where you learn the instructions for your device and confirm that everything is working.

5. Read this article or others like it to learn how to use your own software in place of PuTTY. http://csharp.simpleserial.com/[^]
This link should get you started but there is a wealth of material on the internet on this subject particularly right here on CP. I am assuming you will use C# as you have not stated you have an alternative in mind.

Return here as and when necessary with particular questions.

How Do You Communicate Between a Logic Board and Host Laptop

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