In the "UDP Config" tab of the Hercules utility its possible to search a local network segment for our device using UDP broadcast. The you can for example change the device's IP address, MASK and GateWay. This application note describes the format used to search for devices only, it does not describe the codes for entering the configuration in the module.

How does device lookup/setup work?

• The PC software sends a message as UDP broadcast on port 9999 in this format:

  \377\377\377\377\377\377IIIIMMMMFFFFWWWWUC12345678(c)HW-server.com

• All devices with activated UDP Config on the specific network segment will answer this message. The answer format is described below.
  All the devices, which answered the request, are now in the "UDP Config mode" until a timeout expires. This means, that they wait for an UDP frame with new settings for a certain time. Until the frame comes, the device works normally.
   
• If the device receives an UDP frame with new settings and a corresponding cipher, the new settings are saved and the device is restarted. This document describes only the process of searching for the device, not the configuration change.

Module identification and codes

The device will answer the UDP broadcast with a frame, where it send its setting and a special code. Then the device (module or a HW unit) awaits another frame with configuration from the PC (the Hercules utility). The received frame is verified, and if the encoding is correct it's accepted, otherwise it's ignored. This way also the recipient is identified, if the frame from the PC is sent as UDP broadcast. But this is not necessary, it can also be sent as Unicast, and then it will be answered only by the target device.

Device answers (module or HW unit)

00	unsigned char	MAC[6];	// MAC address of the module
06	unsigned char	IP[4];	// IP address
0A	unsigned char	Mask[4];	// Subnet mask
0E	unsigned char	FwIP[4];	// Acceptable address range IP
12	unsigned char	FwMask[4];	// Acceptable address range MASK
16	unsigned char	Unit[2];	// Device type - more
1A	unsigned char	GW[4];	// GW address (sometime called User1)
1E	unsigned char	User2[2];	// DEVICE CTRL bits settings - more
20	unsigned char	Port[2];	// incomming TCP port number
22	unsigned char	crypt[16];	// Cryption for Write

Device type
Unit2[1]	A0 A1 A2 A3 A4 B0 B1 B2
Unit2[0]	C0 C1 C2 C3 D0 D1 D2 D3
A - Device type	5 bits	// Device FW type name (e.g. Poseidon)
B - General firmware version	3 bits	// Device FW main number (1.8.2]
C - Firmware version	4 bits	// Device FW second number (1.8.2]
D - Firmware sub-version	4 bits	// Device FW third number (1.8.2]

 

DEVICE CTRL bits settings
User2[0] & 1	bit 0	R/W	Enable TCP TEA authorization
User2[0] & 2	bit 1	R/W	Enable NVT
User2[0] & 4	bit 2	R/W	Enable TCP Setup (default on the port 99)
User2[0] & 8	bit 3	Read only	DHCP support (0 = DHCP not supported)
User2[0] & 16	bit 4	R/W	Enable DHCP, fixed IP address ignored

From the previous description you can now see, how to use the module search in your applications. If you also need to modify the configuration of the module, please contact us we will send you detailed information.

The described algorythm, including a MAC address filtering, can be found in the IP Relay Controller software source codes - these codes are compiled using "Borland C++ Builder 6.0".

Controlling of IP Relay output using command line is useful when you need switch relay on/off, for example from the another program (.bat file). Example application can be switching on the warning siren via Ethernet, when any program detected crossing of appropriate temperature, any observed parameter of gas or any similar parameter.

NetCat

NetCat is simple utility, which send data included in the file to the TCP/IP connection to the specified IP adress. This utility is distributed as freeware and can be downloaded from the home page http://netcat.sourceforge.net/ ,where you can find version for operating systems Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, SunOS/Solaris a MacOS X or from http://www.vulnwatch.org/netcat/ , where you can find version for Windows. Application can be used for direct sending commands to the appliance. Run NetCat.exe and by typing appropriate commands send the data (see below picture). List of all commands you can find in NetCat manual.   

In our application we create NVT command-file, which will switch on relay 1 on the IP Relay. This file we will save as “set_rel_1.bin“, and then send to IP address of IP Relay using NetCat and so we control outputs of Relay.
 

Creating of file with command

For sending command, which will switch on for example relay on the channel 1 create a file in the NetCat directory. File will only contain appropriate NVT command. Table of commands you can find in manual for appliance, but be careful commands are in binary form so you must switch your editor to HEX mode as seen in the picture below. And save it for example as “set_rel_1.bin“.

Other commands for controlling IP relay

Action	NVT command
Switch on Relay 1	FF FA 2C 32 25 FF FO
Switch off Relay 1	FF FA 2C 32 15 FF FO
Switch on Relay 2	FF FA 2C 32 26 FF FO
Switch off Relay 2	FF FA 2C 32 16 FF FO
Switch on LED3 – yellow	FF FA 2C 32 10 FF FO
Switch off LED3 - yellow	FF FA 2C 32 20 FF FO
Switch on LED4 – red	FF FA 2C 32 11 FF FO
Switch off LED4 – red	FF FA 2C 32 22 FF FO
Switch on LED4 – green	FF FA 2C 32 17 FF FO
Switch off LED4 – green	FF FA 2C 32 27 FF FO

For sending other commands (more in table) you just create file with corresponding NVT command. And then you send it in the same way.

Note: Compete list of commands will you find in manual for appliance…

Sending file to the appliance

Into the command line write the command:

nc parameters xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx yy < file name

• xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx marks an IP address of appliance you want to send data
• yy marks port on which appliance communicate
• parameters you may leave this space empty or fill it with one or more parameters
  • -d will close window with the command line
  • -n NetCat will accept only digits in IP address
  • -u connection in UDP mode instead of TCP
  • -v will write basic information about connection
  • -w will set time limit for trying to make a connection and also the network inactivity

 

e.g. “nc –d 192.168.1.55 23 < setrel1.bin” will send command for switching on relay on channel 1 (this command is saved in file set_rel_1.bin) to the appliance with IP address 192.168.1.55 over port 23.

 

Creating executable file

If you don’t want type every time command to the command line, you can create file, which will contain the appropriate text. For example “nc –d 192.168.1.55 99 < setrel1”. And save it as “filename.bat”. Executing this file will cause the same thing, as you write the command, which this file contain, into the command line.

Note: If NetCat will not do what you want let’s try NVT sequence in our application Hercules – TEST tab.

To start up of e-mail functionality of the PortStore is not necessary to use mentioned Free SMTP server but is possible to apply different software. Its selection is based on operating system of the server and on additional requirements of organisation.

Free SMTP server settings

Description of programme

Free SMTP server is freeware for MS Windows which enables to send e-mails directly from your computer. It can be used instead of your ISP's one. It does not require authorisation and special settings so it is easy to send e-mails from the PortStore.

Istallation

Installation of software is quite simple. First, we must download last version of Free SMTP server http://www.softstack.com/download/freesmtp.zip. We must unzip downloaded archive to a temporary folder and then we launch setup.exe. Wizard takes us trough the installation.
Notice: Software is located on delivered CD too.

Configuration

Free SMTP server is immediately usable after installation and there usually is not necessity to change any options. There are not many possibilities of configuration. All options are in menu File->Options. We can set two options in this dialog - port number (standard number of SMTP protocol is 25) and DNS server address. First option is necessary to change only in case that we already have another service on this port or due to security arguments. Second choice is suitable when we have special DNS server for an e-mail communication on our network.

Settings of PortStore

We must set the IP address of device, its mask, port number and gateway in PortStore's TCP Setup or RS-232 setup (see User's manual) at first. After this we can configure the e-mail. It can be done according to following example.

WEB51>S192.168.1.7	//IP address of computer where Free SMTP server is running
WEB51>U25	//port number of SMTP service on SMTP server (usually 25)
WEB51>&G<PortStore [at] hwg [dot] cz>	//e-mail address of PortStore
WEB51>&U<mmatejka [at] hwg [dot] cz>	//e-mail address where power failure alert will be sent to
WEB51>&XPower failure!!!	//subject of alert e-mail
WEB51>&V<mmatejka [at] hwg [dot] cz>	//e-mail address where first full buffer alert will be sent
WEB51>&YBuffer is already full!!!	//subject of first e-mail
WEB51>&W<jrehak [at] hwg [dot] cz>	//e-mail address where second full buffer alert will be sent
WEB51>&ZBuffer is totally full!!!	//subject of second e-mail
WEB51>D2	//save of configuration - not necessary
WEB51>R	//restart of device

Tip: After setting up the parameters switch PortStore from Setup mode to Ethernet mode.

 

Power failure alert verify

To check sending power failure alert e-mail is sufficient to unplug power adaptor for a couple seconds and then plug back. After start of PortStore we should receive the e-mail (as shown on picture).

 

 

 

 

 

Full buffer alert verify

For verifying of this functionality we will use software utility HW Hercules Setup Utility that is delivered together with a buffer box or it can be downloaded.

First, we must prepare testing data that we will send via RS-232 into PortStore. This we make in pane Serial

 

We right-click on state window (below text "Received/Sent data") and from context menu we choose Send file-> Test file generator and we save the file.

 

 

In next step we send generated data via serial link into the PortStore. Then we have to set communication parameters (set up speed, parity and other parameters of the serial port according to configuration of PortStore) and in field Mode we select PortStore test and then click on Open. Legend "COM opened" should appear in state window.

 

After this we right-click on state window and from context menu we choose Send file-> Send file name… On following dialog we choose test file we made. If everything is O.K. we can see this dialog.

During sending of data we should received two e-mails from the PortStore. The messages look like following ones.

• Buffer is almost full (70%) - screenshot
• Buffer is total full (95%) - screenshot

 

If e-mails come then everything is right and the PortStore works properly. (Tip: It is often that your anti-spam software blocks e-mails from the PortStore because it interprets them as SPAM. If this happens you have to change configuration of the anti-spam.)

 

I am looking forward your comments and technical questions.

When sending a character sequence to a remote serial port connected over Ethernet the packet can be splitted to several smaller packets and each of them can travel a different way, which messes up the timing on the RS-232 or RS-485 serial port.
Some devices controlled over the serial port can require precise timing of the data. This devices than cannot be controled over a common Virtual Serial Port, but you can control them using a special application, which uses the transmition timing of the remote serial port.
The following description is for devices with FirmWare version 2.S and higher:

• PortBox
• PortStore / PortStore2
• Charon 1 - PortBox firmware
• I/O Controller

 
The following functions can be used only under these conditions::

• The communication runs over TCP/IP (T: IP mode TCP)
• NVT commands are enabled (V: NetworkVirtualTerminal On)
• The VIRTUAL PARITY commands support is enabled (&V: Variable Parity On)
• The outgoing packet size for the serial line (Serial Tx) is less then cca 500 character (serial Tx Buffer size)

Commands syntax

The commands have a fixed size of 2 bytes and they use a Virtual Terminal (NVT) and functions for remote parity control (Variable Parity).

• Stop Serial Tx - 0xFE 0x58
• Run Serial Tx - 0xFF 0x58
• Pause Serial Tx 10 ms - 0xFE 0x41
• Pause Serial Tx 20 ms - 0xFE 0x42
• Pause Serial Tx 50 ms - 0xFE 0x43
• Pause Serial Tx 100 ms - 0xFE 0x44
• Pause Serial Tx 200 ms - 0xFE 0x45

 

Pay attention to the 0xFF and 0xFE characters

Beacause of the "NVT" and "Variable Parity" modes support, you need to respect 0xFF and 0xFE characters in the data flow as a prefix for NVT (0xFF) and Variable Parity (0xFE) control. This means, that if you want to send the "0xFF" character to the serial port, you need to send it doubled over TCP/IP.
Example: you are sending "0xFF 0xFF 0x41 0xFE 0xFE" over TCP/IP, but the Charon module will send only 3 characters: "0xFF 0x41 0xFE". If you do not double the FF and FE, they will be processed as a commands!
 

Remote parity control - 9. bit communication

The "Variable Parity" mode is primarily designed for controlling the 9th parity bit for 9-bit communication.
There are two ways of controlling the parity:

• The remote serial port configuration change over NVT
  This way is not very useful, because it does not sychronize the parameter change with the serial port data.
• The parity change for the following character using "Variable Parity"
  This will modify the parity for one following character.

If the VIRTUAL PARITY (&V: Variable Parity On) mode is allowed, you will change the parity for the following character if you insert a 2 byte sequence 0xFE 0x50 before the character.
 

Examples of "Serial Tx delay" usage

We used the Charon 1 module in the "Charon 1 DK" for testing. This is the configuration:
******* WEB51 remote setup ******
*** HW-group.com HW 6.0 SW 2.S #01 ***
*** PortBox I/O ***
MAC Address 00:0A:59:00:9D:AF
=========== IP Setup ============
I: Address 192.168.1.24
J: Port 23
M: Mask 255.255.255.0
G: Gateway 192.168.0.1
===== In IP access filter ======
W: Address 0.0.0.0
N: Mask 0.0.0.0
X: Port 0.0
Y: Port Mask 0.0
== Active (Client/Server) mode ==
S: Send to IP PASSIVE mode
U: Port 23
T: IP mode TCP
V: NetworkVirtualTerminal On
K: Keep connection Off
E: Erase buffer on None

========= Serial Setup ==========
&B: Speed 9600
&D: Data bits 8
&P: Parity NONE
&V: Variable Parity On
&S: Stop bits 1
&C: Flow Control NONE
&R: RS485/RS422 control RTS = On [+8V]
&T: Serial Line Timeout 0 - Off
&G: Char. Transmit Delay 0 - Off
&H: Tx Control Tx FULL duplex
======== Security Setup =========
%A: TCP autorisation Off
%K: TEA key 0:01:02:03:04 1:05:06:07:08 2:09:0A:0B:0C 3:0D:0E:0F:10
%S: TCP/IP setup On
======= I/O Control Setup =======
#T: Trigger AND mask 255
#A: Power Up INIT 189
#B: Power Up AND mask 255
#C: Power Up OR mask 0
#D: Power Up XOR mask 0
#X: KEEP mask 0
#Y: AND mask 255
#Z: OR mask 0
#W: XOR mask 0
============ Other ============
D: Load/Save Settings from/to Flash
R: Reboot

WEB51>
 
The image (original size screenshot is here) shows timing of 3 different macros sent from the Hercules software over TCP connection of the serial port.

• Macro 1 - "123456"
  There has been a delay of 30 seconds and 415ms since SAL232 was launched till the "123456" message was received. This is written on the first line, just before the "123456", which was received as a whole.
• Macro 2 - "1$FE$442$FE$443$FE$444$FE$445$FE$446"
  There has been a delay of 918ms since the previous "123456" message was received, till the "1" character was received (time to click the second macro button). But you can see the obvious space of 100ms between the numbers. Slight diversions are caused by windows timer, which has accuracy of cca 10 ms.
• Macro 3 - "U$FE$45V$FE$45W$FE$45X$FE$45Y$FE$45Z"
  There has been a delay of 1024ms between receiving the "6" and the "U" characters (time to click the third macro button). But you can see the obvious space of 200ms between the numbers. Slight diversions are caused by windows timer, which has accuracy of cca 10 ms.

The SP Duo is an In-System Programmer for Atmel's AVR series of microcontrollers. It can program using the through the SPI or JTAG standards, fast. Hardware and firmware had been developed by Embedded Creations.
For application development is working with SP Duo more comfortable, you can program over JTAG and AVR Studio does not, in contrast to standard HW STK 500, bother you with demands for FW upgrade.

SP Duo basic features

• Two programming interfaces: SPI + JTAG
• Supports all AVR devices using SPI or JTAG programming
• Fast programming with JTAG
• Fast programming with auto-adapting SPI clock
• STK500 compatible programmer - compatible with existing PC software and IDEs that support the STK500 protocol
• Supports all In-system-programming functions: programming + readback of Flash, EEPROM, Fuses, Lockbits, and oscillator calibration bytes
• Programmer is firmware-upgradeable to support future AVR devices
• RS-232 interface
• Draws power from target, no external power supply needed

 
Supported AVR Devices using SPI

• ATmega8, ATmega8515, ATmega8535, ATmega16, ATmega162, ATmega32, ATmega169, ATmega64, ATmega128, ATmega161, ATmega163, ATmega323, ATmega103
• AT90S1200, AT90S2323, AT90S2343, AT90S2313, AT90S4433, AT90S8515, AT90S8535, AT90S2333, AT90S4414, AT90S4434
• ATtiny12, ATtiny15, ATtiny26, ATtiny22, ATtiny13, ATtiny2313

Supported AVR Devices using JTAG

• ATmega16, ATmega162, ATmega32, ATmega169, ATmega64, ATmega128, ATmega323

 

Connecting HW to the SP Duo

For proper functionality of the SP Duo along with Charon 2 DK is necessary to provide PullDown for SCK signal.
We recommend to plug in resistance in between output 7 of SCK signal on the SPI and ground. Recommended resistance is 1k to 2k. This is necessary for Charon 2 DK too.
Charon 2 DK modification (version 5.0 and before), detail on the photo:

 
 

How to use Charon 2 DK / SP Duo SPI

1. Connect Charon 2 DK and SP Duo - cable SPI and connector SPI
2. Connect SP Duo and PC - cable RS-232
3. Connect power supply to Charon 2 DK
4. Switch STK500E jumper in case of troubles during programming though it was not necessary for programming during testing.
   In case you use the jumper, do not forget to switch it off after you finish otherwise UART0 does not run (see Charon 2 DK diagram).
5. Green LED will light up on the SP Duo

Attention: Do not switch off JTAG in fuses, if you do not configure fuses of oscillator properly, then you can program again via JTAG. But JTAG must be enabled! If not only parallel programmer or direct external clock to process helps

How to use Charon 2 DK / SP Duo JTAG

1. Connect Charon 2 DK and SP Duo - cable JTAG and Connector JTAG
2. Connect SP Duo and PC - cable RS-232
3. Connect power supply to Charon 2 DK
4. Green LED will light up on the SP Duo

 

Programming in AVR Studio

Tested versions of AVR Studio are:
- AVR Studio 4, ver.: 4.07, Build 260
- AVR Studio 4, ver.: 4.10, Build 356

Notice for use of JTAG:

1. Set up Fuses to JTAG Interface Enabled before programming over JTAG. Program fuses over SPI, we recommend to enable JTAG always, see problem with misconfiguration of oscillator fuses
2. JTAG can be switched off via program, to do so push RESET button during launching of programming mode

Notice: All following configuration is the same for programming over SPI cable as well as over JTAG cable.

1. After launching AVR Studio click through to the following menu:
   Tools / Tools / STK500-AVRISP-JTAG ICE / STK500-AVRISP-JTAG
2. Choose the right processor ATmega128 in Device :
   
3. Set up Fuses
   Check following boxes :
   1. JTAG Interface Enabled
   2. CKOPT
   3. Ext. Crystal/Resonator High Freq.; Start-up time: 16K CK + 64ms;
   4. Program fuses - Program

   
   

4. In Flash enter path to HEX file, Charon II DB Demo below
   
5. Program - Program

During developing you can set up fuses Verify Device After programming because of slowing down. Do not forget to turn it back on after.
 

Summary

If you have already used STK500 and Charon 2 along with Charon 2 DK, then new SP Duo programator is absolutely simple and learn to use it is just a question to solder a resistor on the Charon 2 DK and set up one jumper in AVR Studio. Experience of flying programming follows
For those who do not have any experiences - do not worry, it is extremely simple to learn.
 

FAQ

• Can I use the SP Duo for JTAG Debugging?
  No, you can only upload or download FLASH and EEPROM memory contents or set or clear the fuses and lock bits.
• AVRStudio offers to upgrade the STK500. Should I?
  No, the SP Duo is no STK500 or ATJTAGICE clone. Thus, the firmware upgrade offered by AVRStudio will not work on the SP Duo. Ignore this message and AVRStudio will work just fine with the current SP Duo firmware.
• I accidentally let AVRStudio do an upgrade and the SP Duo stopped working. Can I repair this?
  In some cases it has been reported, that the AVRStudio upgrade will indeed spoil the SP Duo firmware. You can re-enable the SP Duo by uploading any original SP Duo firmware version.
• AVR Studio shows alert ... FAILED! ... during programming over JTAG cable?
  Use the SPI cable and set up JTAG Enabled in Fuses
• AVR Studiu shows alert ... FAILED! ... during programming over SPI?
  Turn on the Jumper STK500E on the Charon II DK or plug in 1k or 2k resistance in between output 7 of SPI connector and ground, see above Charon II DK modification

 

Links

• Firmware for the SP Duo and utility for recording to programator (description how to do it)
• Description of the SP Duo on pages of producer
• How to connect SP Duo to Ethernut

 

I/O Controller product offers:

• 8 inputs for voltage 5 to 20V DC
• 8 transistor outputs for voltage circa 12V / 300mA (max. 50V)
• serial port RS-232/485

This application note describes:

• Measuring of voltage 110/230V (2x 230V relays)
  Two 230V relays, contacts are connected to I/O Controller inputs.
• Control of 110/230V voltage (2x 12V relays)
  Two 12V relays, controlled I/O Controller outputs, relay contacts control voltage area 110/230V
• Applications of SW solution
  Overview of application that can be used for control

Note: I/O Controller inputs can be controlled from any contact, for example from button or switch that uses 12V power supply I/O Controller. Here are used Relay contacts for clearness.

Connecting scheme

Details of inputs and outputs connecting to I/O Controller:

• I/O Controller manual
  • I/O Controller pin description (see page 7)
  • Example how to connect light bulb and switch to I/O Controller (see page 7)
• Power for the output relays from external 24V DC power source

Inputs

We connect 2 relay contacts to inputs I.0 and I.4. We use I/O Controller as a power source (typical 12V).

• Connect collective ground of inputs (I.GND) to device ground (GND) - marked (a) in scheme.
• Connect I/O Controller input (for instance I.0) to relay contact (see relay number terminal 14)
• I.0 input connect to power supply (PWR) (see terminal 21)
• Connect contact of the second relay to I.4 - see scheme

 
Outputs

Connect inductor of 2 relays relay to outputs O.2 and O.4. We use I/O Controller as a power source (typical 12V) to control relay.

• Connect output of surge guard (O.COM) to device power supply (PWR) (marked as b in scheme)
  This connection protects I/O Controller from spike of relay inductor.
• Connect I/O Controller output (O.2) to relay inductor (relay terminal A2)
• Connect the second relay inductor (see A1) to power supply of I/O Controller (PWR)
• Connect the second relay controlled from output O.4 same way - see scheme.

 

If you need control output relays to other voltage than I/O Controller device power is (up to 48V DC), check the scheme: Power for the output relays from external 24V DC power source.
 

SDK library control

SDK (Software Development Kit) is available for free upon request to simplify control of I/O Controller. This library will save your time and money for developing own applications for I/O Controller.

SDK consists functions as:

• Network search for I/O Controller (UDP Search)
• Device IP address setting (UDP Config)
• I/O pins control (read bit/byte, set bit/byte)
• Remote setting of serial port parameters (speed, parity, etc.)
• Receive information of I/O Controller input state change without established TCP connection (I/O Controller is TCP client)

The library contains transparent manual describing interface. Examples in different program (MS Visual Basic, Delphi, Borland C++, C# etc.) languages are available for free to illustrate applications of SDK library.

Different program languages examples to control relay

You can use basic program language application to control relay connected to I/O Controller. Sample examples for program languages are available on I/O Controller page for free.

• Relay control over C++
  Simple communication examples with common TCP/IP device in Borland C++ Builder 6.00. The example demonstrates simple terminal client and basic NVT commands (Network Virtual Terminal).


• Relay control over Delphi
  Simple communication example with common TCP/IP device in Borland Delphi 5 demonstrates simple client terminal including basic NVT commands (Network Virtual Terminal) and extention for I/O functions.


• Relay control over MS Visual Basic
  Very simple routines for using NVT commands and TCP/IP device through Winsock in MS Visual Basic 5.0. Very simple commands for remote control of I/O Pins are implemented, TEA not.


• Relay control over Java
  Very simple method to control remote I/O pins via JAVA application. The application can be modify according to your wish


• Relay control over PHP
  Very simple method to control remote I/O pins of I/O Controller. User loads a WWW page from PHP server which takes following actions before response: opens connection to IP address and port, reads values, closes connection to binary device and displays loaded values to the user on the WW page.