This article is not avalaible in english as it concerns a french forum only.
2010-05-23
2008-03-16
Easy Modbus interface with HVAC system of Sauter :)
So today I went on site for interfacing a NetLinx AMX system with Sauter HVAC system. The HVAC system is interfaced through a PC that translates internal bus to more regular Modbus/Jbus protocol.
Modbus is a pretty simple protocol but its implementation is not so simple due to three facts:
- It uses a pretty complex system to calculate a mandatory checksum at end of each message. But with help of a friend Jon, and also piece of code made by Crestron for their Modbus module, I was able to automate creation of Modbus messages in my NetLinx program. Here is result for exemple for a read command:
- Second problem is for answer you get back from HVAC as temperature value is coded with IEEE system. I looked at it on internet but it looks pretty complex to encode, so for now I just do a comparison between know values and it allows me to get correct value, at price of extra comparison work but it functions perfect
If someone already did a piece of code in NetLinx to encode/decode IEEE value, I’m interested in ! - Last point very important with Modbus protocol is that it doesn’t speak by itself
So each time you want to know something you have to issue a read command. So best way is to use a timeline you run in background that continuously asks values at system so you keep always value up to date
STACK_VAR
CHAR TEMP[6]
CHAR INTERRO_A_ENVOYER[8]
LONG TEMP_1
LONG XFLG
LONG I
LONG J
LONG CRC
{
TEMP = “1,3,0,((ETAPE-1)*4),0,2″
CRC = $FFFF
FOR(I=1;I<7;I++)
{
TEMP_1 = TEMP[I]
FOR(J=1;J<9;J++)
{
XFLG = (CRC^TEMP_1) & $0001
CRC = CRC >> 1
IF(XFLG<>0)
{
CRC = CRC ^ $A001
}
TEMP_1 = TEMP_1 / 2
}
}
I = CRC / 256
J = CRC – (I*256)
INTERRO_A_ENVOYER = “TEMP,J,I”
SEND_STRING dvCLIM,INTERRO_A_ENVOYER
}
That sample computes automatically checksum for a read message of two bytes
Hope it helped you, and feel free to ask questions you might have in comments !
2008-02-13
My first Adagio programmation: wow :)
So here we are, I have to go on site to program an Adagio system in emergency for a customer that didn’t realise some few things
He bought an Adagio System with five iPod docks. He learned lesson from manufacturer stating you can install an Adagio directly out of the box without computer neither programming work Unhappy it’s not true if you use five docks as you need to attribute each dock at a room ! So I have been called in emergency to go on site and program system. Unhappy I had never used previously an Adagio, yet less programmed one but Crestron told me it was really simple with Adagio Designer, so let’s go….
Here I’m few days later on site, in a nice place in french Alps with my Macbook ready to program (well I read all manuals of equipment few days before, downloaded all firmwares of products used and checked I had latest version of System Builder installed).
First thing, I check quickly wiring made by the dealer (correct wiring between iPod dock, Abar, Adagio, and loudspeakers). It looks fine. So now I connect my computer with program cable to program port of Adagio and set up its network with Toolbox. Once setup and one reboot later of Adagio, I’m able to connect to it with Toolbox directly through Ethernet Looks to be on good way !
Now let’s start Adagio Designer, it’s really simple, select number of zones, name of each one, output used, number of accessories (so I declare my five iPod docks), which input I use for each one, number of keypads used (five APAD here), and then it generates everything for me, and it flips to System Builder directly ! Wow, I did nothing special, very simple and straighforward 
I just check quickly what system has done for me and it looks fine, so I decide download everything, it first starts to download keypads (slowly, not very nice for that), then Adagio program, and Adagio restarts at the end.
I go to first APAD, put my iPod in dock, and it works great and so on for the other four zones !
So I must confess it’s really simple to program (well it’s not programming when you do so few things) and quickly avalaible for use by end user
It looks to be really a great product as it includes also a bunch of control ports as a regular controller so you can get a whole multizone audio system with also control of other sources or equipments such as lights, HVAC.. without additional equipments for automation !
Thanks CRESTRON to make it so simple !
P-S: I also did update of firmware of all equipments before first upload of program to be sure everything is well up to date
2008-02-12
Welcome here ;)
Hello,
Welcome on that new blog but why that new blog on Internet ? One more you’ll say ! that’s right but that one will be focused on automation markets for audiovisual and conferencing rooms (typically AMX and Crestron systems) but we’ll also speak about Cue, Control4, Pronto, Vity, Dataton and all others I forgot to name 
It’s free from any manufacturers so we are free to speak about what we thing so long it keeps polite and true.
We’ll publish some articles dedicated at new products of these manufacturers, but also some tips for installation, programmation, bugs, issues….. so we hope it’ll become an enjoyable ressource for all people concerned by these products for installation and use
Welcome on board
Vincèn
