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How to use

In the main window connection parameters must be set, such as baud rate, data bits number, stop bits number and etc. If you don't know what it is, first read information about COM ports and serial data flow method (see Internet links below).

 

Advanced protocol settings of data transmitting and data transmitting control methods are available in options. Program work is available in interface mode RS-485, which provides half duplex data transmit, in which the program controls RTS lines for selecting data flow direction.

 

Then click "Open" button. COM-port (exclusive) opening with set number will be done. In case of lucky opening , there will be a message in status string and COM-port becomes available for sending and receiving data.

 

Note: Under COM-port number is meant not physical device position but the number set to COM-port in properties of Windows. This number is connected with device address (UART-device) in this system. This address can be changed  in BIOS/Setup settings.

 

Attention:If you don't know what is BIOS or UART, read and don't make any settings in Setup. It can give undesirable results.

 

Also in the main window are (look pic.1 in the previous chapter):

 

Data output window;

Data edit box and "Send" button (it is available in manual mode only);

Serial port parameters control toolbars;

Data display window clear button;

Drop-down menu item, where you can enable or disable writing to protocol file;

Serial line current state toolbar, some signals of which you can control manual;

Buttons for quick access to frequently used options;

 

Select program work mode:

 

Manual control  - in this mode you can send and received data. Data are sent on pressing "Send" or automatically. Automatically ASPM sends data last entered in edit box, over interval, defined in "Delay" field in the main window;

Spy  - in this mode is data transmit over COM-port by other program. That's why in this mode communication parameter setting  is not available, beside spy COM-port number;

Plugins  - in this mode control is given to the selected (additional) plug in module, which controls data receive and transmit. For more productive work you can run several plugins.

 

More detailed information read in the corresponding chapter. The selected mode makes available that or those control elements.

 

In manual and auto modes you can use file as data source. It can be text or binary file. Data source choice is made through menu item "Data source".

 

Input string  - for data sending use input string in the main window. You can make data packet, containing characters with code < #20h, sending of which will be done according to selected work mode;

File  - data are taken from file, which you selected in options. Until file is not set this mode is unavailable.

 

In detail about each data source read in corresponding chapter.

 

If  there is also data receive in program work, they are displayed in data receive window. Format and data display method are set in options. There are many settings for more effective work.

Data receive window can be cleaned manual if you need or set the size of screen buffer in options.

 

Received and sent data can be saved in one or different files. Extended settings of file format and data separation are available in options.

 

To make complete program setting go to menu item "Options/Setting". In the pop up window (pic.1), going from one tab to other make the necessary changes.

 

serial-port-monitor-flowcontrol

Pic.1 Options window example