APPNOTE: Connecting to a PM7000 using the USB cable

APPNOTE: Connecting to a PM7000 using the USB cable.

Last reviewed: December 01, 2006
Article ID: 061201sab

The information in this article applies to:

The PM7000 when connecting using a Laptop or Desktop computer.
If using Bluetooth see APPNOTE: Connecting to a PM7000 using a Bluetooth link.
If using a PDA see APPNOTE: Connecting to a PM7000 with a PDA using a Bluetooth link.

Target Audience.

This article is aimed at:

Users of the PM7000.

Summary.

The PM7000 provides USB and Bluetooth interfaces.
This application note details the steps to install the drivers and establish a connection to a PM7000.

Before you start.

You will need the drivers for the PM7000 USB interface. These are on the Pronto CD for releases 4.53 or later and can also be downloaded from http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm by selecting the drivers that match the operating system on your computer. After downloading the drivers, unzip the file contents into a temporary directory of your choice.

Ensure the computer you wish to use is running Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME or Windows 98 SE.
In early versions of Windows 98 the support is unreliable and its use is not recommended.
Windows 95 and Windows NT4.0 do not support USB devices and cannot connect to the PM7000.

Installing the PM7000 drivers.

The instructions below are for Windows XP. Other operating systems will differ slightly.

1)    Plug the square (type B) end of the USB cable into the PM7000 port and the flat (type A) end into a spare USB port on your computer.
2)    Windows will display the Found New Hardware Wizard
3)    On the Welcome to the Found New Hardware page where you are asked Can Windows connect to Windows Update select No not this time and click Next.
4)    On the This wizard helps you install software page select Install from a list or specific location and click Next.
5)    On the Please choose your search and installation options page:
        a)    select Search for the best driver in these locations
        b)    clear the check for search removable media
        c)    set the check for include this location in the search
        d)    enter the location where the drivers are saved (on the Pronto CD or if you downloaded them, the location where they were saved).
        e)    Click on Next.
6)    Wait while the installation completes then click on Finish.

7) The Found New Hardware Wizard will be shown again to install the second part of the drivers. Repeat steps 1 to 6 above and the installation will be complete.

Connecting to the PM7000 with Pronto for Windows.

The PM7000 requires Pronto for Windows Release 5.50 or later.

1)    Start Pronto for Windows.
2)    If the Startup Assistant is not shown select the click on the Help menu and select the item Startup Assistant.
3)    On the Startup Assistant Step 1 click on Control and/or Playback data from a Logger.
4)    On the Startup Assistant Step 2 click on Create new connection settings.
5)    On the Startup Assistant Step 3 select the PM7000 from the list (it is at the top) and click Next.
6)    On the Startup Assistant Step 4 select the Port labelled COMXX FTDI USB Serial Port and click Finish.

Connecting to the PM7000 with PmScreen.

The PM7000 requires PmScreen Beta 21 (Release 2.0) or later.

1)    Start PmScreen.
2)    On the Connect to Logger or Simulator dialog select Logger and click Continue.
3)    If the The Logger is not responding message is shown click on Yes.
4)    On the Modbus Options dialog:
        a)    select the port labelled COMXX FTDI USB Serial Port
        b)    set the Baud Rate to 921600
        c)    If you wish, click on Advanced and set the Protocol to Modbus BIN mode (this is about 30% faster than ASC mode).
        d)    Click OK.

Tips on using your PM7000.

To prevent the COM port number changing, try and always use the same USB port on the computer when connecting your PM7000.

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