.. _computer-programming:

Operation: Computer Programming
===============================

There is a variety of methods and interfaces that can be used to program the |product_full| from a computer or programmable logic controller. :ref:`Standard Commands for Programmable Instrumentation (SCPI) <scpi>` are provided for basic ASCII interfacing without any necessary drivers. In addition, an IVI-COM Driver is included with the installation CD and is available for download from the Magna-Power Electronics web page for more advanced programming requirements. The driver allows the power supply to communicate through many different programming languages and software environments, namely: Visual C++, Visual C#, Visual Basic .NET, Visual Basic 6.0, LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, MATLAB, Measure Foundry, and Agilent VEE Pro. Refer to Section 5.7, “IVI-COM Driver” for further details.

|product_full| purchased with optional :ref:`LXI TCP/IP Ethernet (+LXI) <lxi>` or :ref:`IEEE-488 GPIB (+GPIB) interfaces <gpib>` have additional commands and programming instructions.

.. _programming-validation:
   
Communications Validation
-------------------------

It is import to establish and validate basic communications functions before starting a sophisticated computer interface project. The following instructions are intended to help customers isolate problems with computer settings, wiring, and electrical noise.  The validation instructions also provide a common environment for which Magna-Power can reproduce issues in support cases and better serve the customer.  

If not already installed, |company| recommends using the terminal emulation programs called `PuTTY <http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html>`_ for creating serial connections.

These instructions will validate communications over RS232, but the process can be completed over any interface by adjusting the connection settings. To test, make a physical connection between the RS232 connector on the |product_type| and the RS232 connector on the computer. Pin outs for these connectors are described in :ref:`RS232`.

Open *Device Manager* and under ports make note of the COM port number, as shown in :numref:`fig-programming-devmanager`.

.. _fig-programming-devmanager:

.. figure:: /_common-all/_images/programming-devmanager.*
   :align: center

   Window Device Manager
   
Open *PuTTY* and select the *Session* menu. Enter the COM port that was found in *Device Manger* and enter 19200 for the *Speed*. Set the *Connection type* to *Serial*, as shown in :numref:`fig-programming-putty-comm`.

.. _fig-programming-putty-comm:

.. figure:: /_common-magnadc/_images/programming-putty-comm.*
   :align: center

   PuTTY Session Settings
   
Select the *Terminal* menu and set *Force on* for all options. Press the *Open* button to start the communications session with the |product_type|, as shown in :numref:`fig-programming-putty-echo`.

.. _fig-programming-putty-echo:

.. figure:: /_common-all/_images/programming-putty-echo.*
   :align: center

   PuTTY Terminal Settings


Session should open a new blank window. Type the command::
   
   *IDN?

If settings match and wiring connections are correct, the session window should look like :numref:`fig-programming-putty-scpi`.

.. _fig-programming-putty-scpi:

.. figure:: /_common-all/_images/programming-putty-scpi.*
   :align: center

   PuTTY Terminal Session Output