MPS_CommTester 1.0
Copyright (c) 2003-2007 By Jason Mussetter
All rights Reserved
Page Updated On:  8/11/07
 

Software Overview:

MPS_CommTester is an RS-232 (Serial) protocol tester and analyzer tool.  It was designed to aid the testing, troubleshooting, and analyzing of serial (rs232) enabled devices.  The software will allow you to open a serial connection to any RS-232 capable device for the purposes of communicating, controlling and testing the device's communication protocols).

MPS_CommTester is unlike most serial communication utilities for several important reasons.  First, unlike HyperTerminal, MPS_CommTester allows you to send serial commands and receive serial responses in both ASCII text as well as HEX and decimal bytes.  Secondly, MPS_CommTester will allow for a connection between 2 existing communicating devices and intercept the bytes and communication strings being sent back and forth between the devices.  The next big advantage that MPS_CommTester has over other serial protocol testing utilities is that it doesn't require that the serial devices being tested and analyzed be a PC.  Most importantly, MPS_CommTester was made specifically for the Audio/Video industry, where proprietary control systems are used, and the devices being controlled are also proprietary hardware such as projectors, plasmas, audio DSPs, media playback decks, audio and video conferencing systems, etc.

How MPS_CommTester Works...

This program can be ran in either of two modes of operation, 1) In single port mode, and 2) in two port bridge mode: 

    1)  In "Single Port" mode, serial connections can be made one-on-one with any serial device, and all 255 ASCII byte characters are available to send to the remote device, and it's responses are shown in both ASCII text and HEX byte values.

    2)  In two port "Bridge Mode", the software acts as a pass-through between 2 serial ports, to allow the user to take an existing device-to-device connection, and connect the PC literally and physically between the 2 devices (using 2 com ports on the PC) and intercept the communication being sent between the 2 remote devices while still allowing the devices to communicate properly between themselves.  The user can also insert data into the stream manually as well while the 2 devices are connected.

What MPS_CommTester Can Do for You...

MPS_CommTester can be beneficial to both A/V Programmers, Installers, and Technicians.  Here are just a few ways that MPS_CommTester can help you and your staff:

    -  In-house testing of control system logic and commands when actual controlled devices are not present.  Now you can use your PC to emulate the devices that your creating control code for.  This will allow you to verify that commands are being sent from a serial controller when they are supposed to, as well as verify that your program is generating the proper commands and reacts to equipment responses correctly.

    - Test a device's control protocol strings to verify proper structure and see the output to expect from the device.  When you're creating new programming modules to control equipment, it is often cumbersome and tedious to make sense of the protocol manual of the device.  Now you can test whether your interpretation of the serial packets work on the device before ever writing a single line of code for the control system.  Just plug into the new device, and test the commands directly to verify they do what you expect before creating programming logic for the command strings.

    -  Determine if proper data bytes are being received from a control system over long cable runs, or on custom terminated cables in the field.  Ever had a piece of equipment not respond to control strings that your control system is sending it?  You may have questioned if the cable run might be too long to ensure data integrity, or maybe the installer terminated the DB9 connector wrong?  Now you can find out, just connect your PC to the far end of the serial cable, and see if the data you are receiving is the same as what you are sending.  When cable runs start getting too long (around 100ft), data integrity is lost, and sometimes the bytes received on the equipment end, are not the same as the bytes sent on the control system end.  When this happens, it can be hard to troubleshoot any other way.

    -  Monitor Bi-directional serial byte data between 2 communicating rs232 devices.  When dealing with upgrades to existing systems, or dealing with older equipment, it is common that the device's protocol manual is no longer available for various reasons.  It's also common that older system need to be reprogrammed because of the lack of original source code for the control system.  Ever wish you could see what is going on between the control system and certain devices before upgrading an existing system.  Now you can!  Just plug the control system into 1 port, and the device into the other.  The control system and device will continue to communicate with each other as before, and you can now view the rs232 bytes being sent and received by each side of the "serial conversation".  This can allow you both document the necessary commands that need to be included in the new control system, or even allow you to "capture" the devices protocol data so it can later be replicated in case the manual is no longer available.

Features:

-  Single Port mode or Bridge Mode (2 port)
-  Send serial command strings using a mix of ASCII, Hex, and Decimal Bytes
-  Receive serial strings in both ASCII and Hex format
-  Supports all common baud rates and flow control options
-  Made specifically for testing and analyzing rs-232 connections for the A/V and Control System  industry.
-  Free 30 Day Trial to test-drive the software with no obligation
-  Free Upgrades for Registered users (minor revisions for same major release number)

NOTE:  To use 2-port "Bridge Mode", this program requires two available Com ports on your PC to work.  If you do not have two available Com ports, one or more USB-to-Serial adapters can bought for $15-$30, from most PC and electronics stores, that will allow you to add multiple Serial Com ports to your PC via your USB ports.

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