UHDAS serial port access (gui)

Description of tk_terminal.py

The UHDAS computer has a terminal emulation program for access to serial ports. The program allows the user “adcp” to

• choose a serial port
• change baud rate
• change parity, stop bit, [etc]
• send commands
• view data on the specified serial port
• capture a dialog or incoming messages

This program is written in python and tk and is accessed on the command line as:

tk_terminal.py
/home/currents/programs/uhdas/serial/tk_terminal.py

This program can be run to assess ascii serial data streams or to communicate with an Ocean Surveyor, Workhorse, or Broadband RDI ADCP. To communicate with an NB150, use rditerm.py

Note

Do not run this program to access an serial port which is in use by UHDAS. To see a list of configured ports, type:

grep tty /home/adcp/config/sensor_cfg.py

It is safest to use this program when the UHDAS gui is not running but if you are sure a given port is not in use, you can interact with that port using this program even if UHDAS is running.

UHDAS locks the serial ports so it will not be confused. Do not use tk_terminal.py to access any ports listed here:

ls /var/lock/tty*

tk_terminal.py should not allow you to choose a serial port that is locked, but it is always safest to check. Error messages are written to the terminal window which called the program.

How to use

1. Type on the command line

tk_terminal.py

2. Choose the port

Use the Port menu to choose the Device. For example the first on-board serial port is called /dev/ttyS0. You will probably not need to use View/Set, but if you need to change parity for instance, that is where to do it.

3. Choose the Baud rate

Use the Baud menu to choose baud rate.

4. Connect to the port

Under the File menu, choose Connect to Port. This opens the port for communication.

5. Saving input

If the serial port is connected to a device with serial messages spewing forth, you should see those in the tk_terminal window. To stop the flow, choose Disconnect from the File menu.

The rest of the menu options under the File menu are related to saving input. You can

• clear the screen (“clear”)
• save what exists there (“save previous”)
• start a log file (“start saving”)
• stop a log file (“stop saving”)
• close the connection (“Disconnect”)

6. Sending Commands

There are two kinds of commands that can be sent to an instrument

• BREAK

  This is a long pulse sent (to instrument such as an ADCP) to wake it up. After the serial port is set up, you can send a break to an instrument under the Command menu

• ascii commands

  Use: for instance, running diagnostic tests on an ADCP or (in desparation) sending commands to an Ashtech. To send an ascii command to an instrument, type the command in the bottom panel where it says “Transmit line:”, then send it by hitting the <return> key.

7. ADCP troubleshooting

Most RDI ADCPs allow you to start figuring out the commands they know by typing a ? (question mark). If you type a ? you will see what kinds of commands they know.

For example, the diagnostic tests on the ocean surveyor are usually commands that start with “P”. You can send P? to see what they are.

Warning

DO NOT PING OCEAN SURVEYOR IN AIR

A similar approach works with a BB or Workhorse ADCP.

• Type type ?,
• look for a menu item for tests
• and type that letter followed by ?.
• NB150 is much more cryptic and you have to read the manual

Note

It is OK to ping fixed transducers in air, (BB300, NB150 or Workhorse)