I have a couple of questions regarding this board.
How is the relay status message calculated? Is this message just reporting the last sent relay command to determine relay state, or is this a physical measurement of the relay? We are operating some equipment and need to know 100% that a relay is open or closed; not just previously saved memory.
Using C++ and LabView, when sending a message to the board using a serial module, the only response that is received from the board is an echo of the same message we sent. Aside from that, the board is operating correctly. I send “254 8”, relay 1 turns on, and we receive “254 8”. Per the ICD, we should receive an “85” stating that the command was received and completed.
The relay status is a report of what the onboard processor has stored in the register that controls these relays. It will match the state of the relay unless:
the automatic refresh setting of the board is turned off at which time a manual refresh command must be sent for the relays to match this value
there is a power issue on the power supply in which case there is enough power to run the processor, but not the relay
the relay has fused or is otherwise faulty
This is not a physical measurement of the relay.
As for the echo, our modules won’t echo commands back. Which communication interface are you using? If its RS-232 then you might check the wiring as the TX line could be looping back into the RX line of the controlling PC. If its any other communication interface then it likely a setting on the communication port instantiation.