The “Tools” category is a collection of some useful software tools. The “Tools” category has the “Port Switch”, “Transfer File”, “Configuration”, “Start Debug”, “Select Font”, and “Background Color” menu options. SEE FIGURE 5.17

FIGURE 5.17

5.1.2.5.1 PORT SWITCH

Switches ports and toggles the “Comm” status on the bottom of the display.

5.1.2.5.2 TRANSFER FILE

Transfers a file. Select the file you want to transfer and press the “SEND” button.  SEE FIGURE 5.18

FIGURE 5.18

5.1.2.5.3 CONFIGURATION

Configures the COM port and serial settings. There is a collection of six menu screens: “General”, “Event Control”, “Flow Control”, Timeout Control” and “Monitor Control”.  The default view is the “General” configuration menu option. SEE FIGURE 5.19

5.1.2.5.3.1GENERAL

The “General” configuration menu option contains the main serial port settings and configuration. In order to operate AccessPort the COM port being used must be configured and opened. Selecting the presented required settings and selecting “OK” opens the COM port. The General settings are divided into six sections: “Custom Baud Rate”, “Serial Port Settings”, “Send Display”, “Receive Display”, “AutoSend”, and “Advanced”. SEE FIGURE 5.19

5.1.2.5.3.1.1 CUSTOM BAUD RATE

The “Custom Baud Rate” selects the baud rate data is being transmitted and received. The baud rate is the speed in which the data is be transmitted. The supported baud rates range from 110 baud to 256,000 baud. Standard baud rates are available from the dropdown menu in the Serial Port Settings section. Custom baud rates can be also entered by checking the “Enable” option and typing the custom baud rate. SEE FIGURE 5.19

5.1.2.5.3.1.2 SERIAL PORT SETTINGS

The “Serial Port Settings” allow the COM Port, Baud Rate, Parity Bit, Data Bit, and Stop Bit to be configured. SEE FIGURE 5.19

5.1.2.5.3.1.3 SEND DISPLAY

The “Send Display” selects either Char Format (ASCII Character) or Hex Format (Hexadecimal Number) for the output data that will be sent.  SEE FIGURE 5.19

5.1.2.5.3.1.4 RECEIVE DISPLAY

The “Received Display” selects either Char Format (ASCII Character) or Hex Format (Hexadecimal Number) for the input data display that will be received. SEE FIGURE 5.19

5.1.2.5.3.1.5 AUTOSEND

The “AutoSend” allows the output data to be continuously transmitted with a delay in ms at the end of each transmit specified by the Cycle value. To enable “AutoSend” check the Enable AutoSend box. SEE FIGURE 5.19

5.1.2.5.3.1.6 ADVANCED

The “Advanced” can automatically open a port as soon as the application starts, or notify of any available updates. SEE FIGURE 5.19

FIGURE 5.19

5.1.2.5.3.2 EVENT CONTROL

“Event Control” sets trigger events, if required. Check the “Event Control Settings” options you want to trigger an event. SEE FIGURE 5.20

FIGURE 5.20

5.1.2.5.3.3 FLOW CONTROL

The “Flow Control” settings can be used if flow control is necessary. Flow control is not used by default. You can select whether NONE, RTS/CTS (Hardware), DTR/DSR (Hardware), or XOFF/XON (Software) flow control will be used. Hardware and Software Flow control settings can be configured with the “Hardware Control Settings” or “Software Control Settings”. SEE FIGURE 5.21

FIGURE 5.21

5.1.2.5.3.4 TIMEOUT CONTROL

Input and Output timeout control settings are configured here using the “Read Timeout” settings and “Write Timeout” settings. SEE FIGURE 5.22

FIGURE 5.22

5.1.2.5.3.5 MONITOR CONTROL

The “Monitor” settings allow the maximum data buffer to be defined. SEE FIGURE 5.23

FIGURE 5.23

5.1.2.5.4 START DEBUG

This is an advanced feature that will not be covered in the document. The dropdown looks like this. SEE FIGURE 5.24

FIGURE 5.24

5.1.2.5.5 SELECT FONT

Changes the font, text attributes and color of the input display data.

5.1.2.5.6 BACKGROUND COLOR

Changes the background color of the input display box.