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Factory Configuration Program for an Industrial Pressure Switch
Summary: A Visual Basic 6 GUI prototype was developed based on a rough client specification. The communications details werre resolved by working with the engineer that had programmed the microprocessor device, a Texas Instruments MSP430. The details included the bit and byte packing, the baud rate, and timeouts for error handling. Constraints were added to llimit the data to acceptable values. For example, you can't configure the device as both a temperature and pressure sensor at the same time. The checkboxes in the GUI are constrained to valid combinations.
The program had three main functions: to program the device type and measurement range; to assist in the setup of the device for factory calibration; and to set the operating mode and switch threshold(s).
The program has a diagnostic mode that displays all serial I/O on the screen in hex, integer, or ASCII format. The setup of the serial port is limited to the selection of the COM port number and a software communications delay inserted between bytes to allow the device time to process the serial data in software.
Technologies used: Visual Basic 6 GUI, asynchronous serial programming using MSComm control
Client: TechEn, Inc.
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