Carl Denk <cdenk <at> windstream.net> writes:

>=20
> I am wanting to make a test setup for a PIC PCB that has 2 pressure=20
> sensors and a temperature sensor with RS-232 communications output. The=20
> Pic responds to a control string (the RS-232 goes to RS-485 down the=20
> wire), responding with a string of the values. I have available=20
> preferably a XP home laptop, or could lug a Ubuntu Lucid desktop to the=20
> workshop.  Thinking is use Open Office Calc to display the data,=20
> including unpacking the string. Would need to send the request string,=20
> say 1/second to have updated data without having to hit some keys. I=20
> have searched for a way to communicate with the Com ports, but come up=20
> blank. Also have  looked at RealTerm, which I have used previously, but=20
> hitting the keys is an issue since I can't find away to do a delay, and=20
> resend. Downloading and installing some application (Free) is not a=20
> problem.
>=20
> At the moment, I'm wiring up some new pressure sensors, and want to=20
> verify the readings before putting them into backup stock. :)
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> Thanking in advance for comments. :)

Carl,=20
I was solving similar problem some time ago and ended up writing a GUI app =
(Qt
under Linux, but can be compiled under Win) to:
1. Setup PIC with initial params (frequency of data [0.1 s to 1 min interva=
l],
 etc);
2. Start acquisition;
3. Parse PIC's response;
4. Display data, chart and individual readings.=20

I use it to read 8 thermometers through PIC, but there is an opportunity to
apply linear transformation to data, so units can be whatever you want.

Data can, of course, be saved, as tab-delimited file.=20
If interested, let me know, I will send source code. =20

Sergey Dryga
http://beaglerobotics.com



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