LI-COR Environmental NewsLine

Traffic Control – Using XML to Communicate

As an alternative to the gas analyzer Windows^® Interface software supplied with our instruments, our analyzers can be fully configured and programmed using simple text based (XML or similar) configuration language over RS-232 or Ethernet. This provides the flexibility to communicate with and configure the instrument using terminal programs (HyperTerminal, TeraTerm, etc.), LabView or other programming environments.While developing the protocol, or for regular communication later on, streamlining the traffic over the RS-232 or Ethernet port can be very useful.

This can be achieved by first setting the output rate of the instrument to zero to stop the stream of data being output over the RS-232 or Ethernet port. After the first command is received by the analyzer, a poll or data request command can be sent when needed. Alternatively the poll or request for data command can be placed in a loop that runs at any desired frequency. The table below lists the command syntax that needs to be sent over the RS-232 or Ethernet port to accomplish what we have described for several analyzers.

Tags: LI-7200, LI-7500A, LI-7700

This article was originally posted on Wednesday, September 28th, 2011.