I am trying to record measured data to my laptop PC (MS Windows). I want to possibly write my own VB6 program to act as data collector. Buying software and dedicated data collector is not possible for me.
So far I have used HyperTerminal experimentally (the comm pgm included with Windows) Have been able to receive the just measured, individual data at 4800 baud. Sent out by the REC button
TR PN: 1 SD:000123456 HA:001031070 VA:009412060 HT:000005000V
Each data record of PN SD HA VA HT is bracketed by:
TR = 01 54 52 02
Hex Dec English
01 = 01 SOH Ctl A
54 = 84 "T"
52 = 82 "R"
02 = 02 STX Ctl B
V = 03 56 04 0D 0A
Hex Dec English
03 = 03 ETX Ctl C
56 = 86 "V"
04 = 04 EOT Ctl D
0D = 13 CR Ctl M
0A = 10 LF Ctl J
The Total Station sends the same record three times then says it failed and fails to increment the point number. It's apparently waiting for a confirmation string from PC after each attempt.
* What is the confirmation string it's waiting for?
* Can the Total Station send other data items? How to set this?
(manual shows a lot more data items that can be sent. Horizontal Distance for example)
* Manual mentions
Remote Control Commands (performing all Total Station keyboard functions from PC?)
Data Setting Commands (example. set plate Zero?)
Data Output Request Command (firing gun from PC?)
I wrote a data collector pgm for the HP100/200 in mid-90's for Topcon ET-1 and Wild but don't have the HP anymore. It was DOS so "could" run on PC but not sure about handling odd serial port numbers that exist under windows (ex. Com29)
Thanks for any helpful info, Bob