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1.
Which operating systems support the VIATOR® HART®
Interface product line?
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Win 98 SE |
Win NT |
Win2000 (3) |
Win XP |
Win2003S |
Vista |
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PCMCIA VIATOR |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
2 |
2 |
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RS-232 VIATOR |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
1/2 |
1/2 |
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USB VIATOR |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
2 |
2 |
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Bluetooth VIATOR |
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Y |
Y |
2 |
2 |
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1)
The RS-232 VIATOR does not require drivers other
than those supplied by the operating system.
2)
An updated driver installation package is in
development and will be available soon.
3) Win2000 SP2 or higher |
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2.
How should I configure my serial port settings when using a
VIATOR HART Interface?
ANSWER: During
startup your HART application software will automatically
configure the port for 1200 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit,
odd parity, and hardware handshake using RTS in half-duplex
mode. The only port configuration option you need to set
manually in Windows is the "FIFO buffer" control described
below. (How do I configure the FIFO buffer?")
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3.
How do I configure the FIFO buffer?
ANSWER:
Verify the
serial port FIFO buffer is disabled for the serial port you
have the RS-232 VIATOR connected to. Open the Windows Device
Manager by right-clicking on "My Computer", choose "Manage"
from the popup menu, and then select "Device Manager". In
the right hand pane, click on the "+" next to the "Ports"
section to expand the port list. Double-click the
Communication Port you are using. Select the "Port Settings"
tab and then click the "Advanced" button. Make sure the "Use
FIFO Buffers" box at the top of the window is not checked.
If you have unchecked this box, you will need to reboot the
computer for the setting change to take effect.
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4.
My new notebook computer does not have a RS232 port on it –
only USB. Can I use a USB to RS232 converter so that I can
continue to use my RS232 VIATOR HART Interface?
ANSWER:
Commercially available USB to RS-232 adapters typically do
not meet the HART protocols strict timing requirements and
generally don't control the hardware handshake lines as
required for HART communications.
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5.
Do I have to connect the leads of the VIATOR HART Interface
directly to the terminals in the HART device?
ANSWER:
You may
connect the VIATOR HART Interface across the instrument or
across the series resistor. You will not damage the VIATOR
by connecting it across the power supply directly but it
will not be able to communicate.
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6.
What size HART loop series resistor do you recommend?
ANSWER:
The HART
specification allows for a series resistor range from 250
ohms to 1000 ohms with 500 ohms being the recommended value.
Higher resistor values allow for a stronger HART signal but
can reduce the power available to your instrument and impact
reliability. Most installations stick to the lower end of
that range, particularly when longer cable runs are used.
The VIATOR will be able to communicate reliably with a
series resistor as low as 150 ohms.
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7.
My
supplier did not provide the installation CD with my VIATOR
HART Interface. Are the drivers and instructions available
online?
ANSWER:
The
instruction Manuals, data sheets, application notes, and
drivers for all of our products are available in the
downloads section of our web site.
(Download the Universal Viator Installer)
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8.
Can I
connect more than 1 VIATOR USB HART Interface modem to my PC
at a time?
ANSWER: Yes. Using
a multi-port USB hub, several VIATOR USB HART Interfaces can
be simultaneously connected to a single USB port. This will
allow the troubleshooting of a device and a final control
element at the same time. One modem is required per device.
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9.
Do I need to update any VIATOR software when I update a Device DD?
ANSWER:
No
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10.
Can I use
the VIATOR HART Interface with vendor specific configuration
software from suppliers such as ABB, Masoneilan, Yokogawa,
Magnetrol or Micro Motion?
ANSWER:
Yes.
The VIATOR HART Interfaces meet the HART Communication
Foundations specifications for interface devices and are
presented to Windows as a virtual serial port. The vast
majority of HART Application software were written to use
serial HART interfaces and thus work well with the entire
VIATOR product line.
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11.
How do I
install my PCMCIA VIATOR HART Interface on Windows NT?
ANSWER:
Download
the "PCMCIA Installer" file from our web site and read
through the included instruction. Installation only takes a
few minutes.
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12.
Do I
need a configuration software program to use my PC or
notebook to communicate to a HART device? If so, which one
do your recommend?
ANSWER:
HART
communication software is required to read and configure
your HART devices. Most HART instrument manufacturers
produce a software package for their line of products.
Software is available that supports many brands and models
of HART instruments in a single package. One such
application is SIMATIC PDM from Siemens and is available
from our online store.
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13.
What does
the VIATORCheck software do?
ANSWER:
VIATORCheck is a utility to help ensure that the VIATOR
Interface hardware and driver are correctly installed.
After connecting a HART Device, start VIATORCheck and the
VIATOR Interface will be listed in the top window. Clicking
on “Check for Device” causes the device to be questioned and
its information to be displayed in a window. Clicking
on "Read Primary Variable" reads and displays the device's
primary variable in a window. This confirms that
communication between the device and the computer is working
properly. VIATORCheck is available as a free download....
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