How do I set up my terminal to receive a file download across the serial port?

When you run an HMI application, the question of whether or not to overwrite the existing
FactoryTalk Linx
configuration displays. When you select to overwrite the
FactoryTalk Linx
configuration on a terminal (or on the desktop), you are initializing
FactoryTalk Linx
with a new set of drivers and devices. If the
FactoryTalk Linx
configuration in the project does not contain a DF1 Serial Driver, the serial port will not be initialized, and you will not be able to communicate across it.
For example, assume you created a project that did not contain a DF1 Serial Driver, you downloaded that project to a CE terminal, and when presented with the overwrite question, you select Yes. This means now you cannot download subsequent projects across the serial port. Since you did not have a Serial Driver in the project,
FactoryTalk Linx
did not initialize the serial port when it consumed the new configuration during the overwrite process.
There are two ways to ensure your terminal is prepared to receive a download across the serial port.
  • Always configure a DF1 Serial Driver as part of your terminal project even if you are not accessing data across it.
  • Use the reset
    FactoryTalk Linx
    to defaults constructs available in
    FactoryTalk View ME
    . The default
    FactoryTalk Linx
    configuration on a terminal includes a DF1 Serial Driver.
If you have a serial cable from your desktop computer to the terminal, you can now add an auto-configured Serial-DF1 driver to your desktop configuration. The auto-configure logic detects the presence of the terminal and matches its settings accordingly. You are now ready to download across the serial port. Note that because the DF1 driver’s auto-configure logic is a ”try once and then fail out” body of logic, you must have the serial cable connected when the system executes its auto-configure logic.
Provide Feedback
Have questions or feedback about this documentation? Please submit your feedback here.
Normal