Sean S
Titanium
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2000
- Location
- Coos Bay, OR
Heya!
I have an 84 Deckel FP-2NC with a Dialog 2 control.
This control is the sort where it has an audio connector (stereo phono) to transfer programs to cassette tape. The tones this generates are similar to low speed modem tones (warbles and blip, no HS hiss).
In another transfer mode, the control uses the same plug to transfer to paper tape or printer. The tones from this are low frequency and sound the same as when I transfer out of the computer at 300 baud.
(basically I have listened via headphones to the PC when transmitting and to the control while transmitting...pretty scientific eh?)
Since I have no idea *what* protocol the control is outputing, nor at what speed, listening was my best bet at at least determining the baud rate...which seems to be 300.
Now, the DNC software will recieve characters from the control but they are garbage (nothing resembling the program). Changing the baud rate on the PC, or changing the bit style (7 or 8, stop bits.. ASCII, ISO, EIA etc.) will of course change the characters I get, but sadly, all combinations I've tried are trash.
More clues:
The Deckel documentation states to/from paper tape or *to* printer, which leads me to think that they are saying they don't mean a paper tape printer or punch (but who knows), which leaves whatever protocol an early '80 printer would use (which I have no clue)
There is an accesory listed as a "programming center" which I believe to be a terminal although no pic's of it are in the documentation. This could be a proprietary unit which understands this protocol, or just a garden variety terminal which likely had "Deckel" stuck on it and used a common protocol of the time....again...unknown.
The control documentation shows no provision for remote access, and the procedure to transfer a program involves completely manual steps (ie Press transfer after starting cassette tape or paper tape), which leads me to believe that no handshaking is involved. (the control will start it's signal even with nothing hooked up but my headphones).
The documentation has very limited specs on this "programming center" terminal thingy which state this:
===========================
'Programm-Zentrale'
NC programming unit
Technical data:
Storage capacity 24kb
backup battery 170h
modes of operation 9
Program input MDI, Input from tape or from machine control.
Interfaces 20mA, V24(RS232)Kansas city
Connection of monitor via plug connector (BAS)
Max cable length to machine 200m
This external programming unit permits the preparation of comprehansive NC programs without requiring valuable machine time.
The programming unit is connected with one or, via data selectors, any number of machines and can thus transmit programs to, and receive programs from, each machine.
A cassette recorder, external display screen, and terminal can be connected via serial interfaces.
=============================
Ok, so the easy answer is, this unit translates proprietary format Deckel characters into something useable.... OR... it's just a terminal (which makes more sense)
The documentation in other parts of the book does not state that you need this unit to "export" programs to cassette or paper, or printer (did they forget to mention that?) It simply sounds like a unit that lets you type your program...but who knows?
The feeling I am getting is that the control is simply sending character which are not being properly translated by the DNC software. Perhaps it is a standard which is too old for the dnc to have included?
Any ideas?
Thanks
Sean
I have an 84 Deckel FP-2NC with a Dialog 2 control.
This control is the sort where it has an audio connector (stereo phono) to transfer programs to cassette tape. The tones this generates are similar to low speed modem tones (warbles and blip, no HS hiss).
In another transfer mode, the control uses the same plug to transfer to paper tape or printer. The tones from this are low frequency and sound the same as when I transfer out of the computer at 300 baud.
(basically I have listened via headphones to the PC when transmitting and to the control while transmitting...pretty scientific eh?)
Since I have no idea *what* protocol the control is outputing, nor at what speed, listening was my best bet at at least determining the baud rate...which seems to be 300.
Now, the DNC software will recieve characters from the control but they are garbage (nothing resembling the program). Changing the baud rate on the PC, or changing the bit style (7 or 8, stop bits.. ASCII, ISO, EIA etc.) will of course change the characters I get, but sadly, all combinations I've tried are trash.
More clues:
The Deckel documentation states to/from paper tape or *to* printer, which leads me to think that they are saying they don't mean a paper tape printer or punch (but who knows), which leaves whatever protocol an early '80 printer would use (which I have no clue)
There is an accesory listed as a "programming center" which I believe to be a terminal although no pic's of it are in the documentation. This could be a proprietary unit which understands this protocol, or just a garden variety terminal which likely had "Deckel" stuck on it and used a common protocol of the time....again...unknown.
The control documentation shows no provision for remote access, and the procedure to transfer a program involves completely manual steps (ie Press transfer after starting cassette tape or paper tape), which leads me to believe that no handshaking is involved. (the control will start it's signal even with nothing hooked up but my headphones).
The documentation has very limited specs on this "programming center" terminal thingy which state this:
===========================
'Programm-Zentrale'
NC programming unit
Technical data:
Storage capacity 24kb
backup battery 170h
modes of operation 9
Program input MDI, Input from tape or from machine control.
Interfaces 20mA, V24(RS232)Kansas city
Connection of monitor via plug connector (BAS)
Max cable length to machine 200m
This external programming unit permits the preparation of comprehansive NC programs without requiring valuable machine time.
The programming unit is connected with one or, via data selectors, any number of machines and can thus transmit programs to, and receive programs from, each machine.
A cassette recorder, external display screen, and terminal can be connected via serial interfaces.
=============================
Ok, so the easy answer is, this unit translates proprietary format Deckel characters into something useable.... OR... it's just a terminal (which makes more sense)
The documentation in other parts of the book does not state that you need this unit to "export" programs to cassette or paper, or printer (did they forget to mention that?) It simply sounds like a unit that lets you type your program...but who knows?
The feeling I am getting is that the control is simply sending character which are not being properly translated by the DNC software. Perhaps it is a standard which is too old for the dnc to have included?
Any ideas?
Thanks
Sean