Applications: Protocol Conversion, ASCII
ASCII Master vs Slave

Supporting proprietary serial ASCII protocols requires writing a Script Basic program in the device to parse and format the strings. The distinction of master versus slave amounts to whether you want to control a network device using ASCII commands, or want to query an ASCII device (and send ASCII commands to that device) from the network.

Modbus TCP can be either master or slave (client or server) for ASCII conversion. BACnet IP slave (server) is supported for ASCII. SNMP (agent) support is also available.

I don't know anything about Modbus. Where do I start?

Talking ASCII

This example will open the COM port and simply echo each line entered back to the port:

open "COM:38400" for comm as 1
line input #1, mystring
print #1, mystring

An example of using string functions to send a query and parse a response is illustrated here.

I don't know anything about BACnet. Where do I start?

Is this you looking for
a network gateway? 

You need to start with two pieces of information:
(1) What protocol is on the network?
(2) What protocol does the device talk?

Use the Gateway Chooser to guide you through the questions while you choose from available answers to arrive at a model number.


ASCII and Modbus TCP, Modbus RTU

The AddMe Jr. Data Manager includes Script Basic and support for serial RS232 (or RS485) communications. This model includes Modbus TCP client and server, and SNMP agent (slave).

 ASCII and BACnet IP

Babel Buster SP Custom includes Script Basic and support for serial RS232 (or RS485) communications. This model includes a BACnet IP server (slave).

Is a Babel Buster® easy to set up?

"Easy" is a relative term. If you are new to gateways, the answer is probably "no". But many customers who have used other gateways do tell us that ours are easier to set up than any other gateway they've used. All the drivers you need are included in the one low price. Gateways with Ethernet protocols include a web server with all configuration software contained within the gateway itself. Most other gateways have PC based tools which are available for free download on this web site.