Demo Data Links

The Embedded SDK provides demonstration projects that show how to implement a data link over a variety of transport interfaces. To show the power and effectiveness of the data link, the demonstration has been designed to provide the same commands across all supported evaluation boards and transport interfaces.

Demo Definition File

The data link definition file for the demonstration is named demolink.xml. The file is distributed within both the .NET Software and the Developer Tools downloads. The Developer Tools installation places the demolink.xml file into the DZX Designs folder within the user's Documents folder.

The definition file provides an example of using both unsolicited and request-response messages. The target device uses an unsolicited messages to transmit a status message. The message is continually sent from the device at a rate of ~15Hz. The host can enable or disable this status message by sending another unsolicited message.

The device demonstrates the usage of request-response messages by providing the host the ability to read and write an area of memory. For each read or write operation, the device responds with an ACK/NAK result code along with any memory data.

Step 1. Device Application

The first step is to get a microcontroller device running the demo data link application. Download the device software and projects from one the provided Embedded SDK kits.

The data link demonstration project is provided for the following evaluation boards.

Program the device with the supplied data link demonstration project.

Step 2. USB Terminal

The USB Terminal can be used to connect and communicate with the device running the demo application. Download and install the Developer Tools to get the USB Terminal application.

The USB Terminal can connect with the device over a native USB, FTDI or a serial port connection.

When using a serial connection, whether as an FTDI device or as a standard serial port, encapsulation must be enabled for the USB Terminal to receive data link messages properly. To enable, from the main menu, select TOOLS -> Options. Select the 'Serial' item within the Options dialog. Ensure the box 'Encapsulate data using SLIP' is checked.

Use the Data Link view within the USB Terminal tool. The Data Link view provides a box to select the data link definition file that is used to interpret messages. Select the demolink.xml definition file to be used by the USB Terminal.

Step 3. Demo .NET Application

A demo .NET application is provided within the .NET Software download. The application demonstrates usage of the generated host code for the data link. The application provides the ability to connect with and control the target device over each of the supported transport interfaces.