Programming
Guide
This section describes the operation of the MPX 866 A switcher using the Simple Instruction
Set, including:
RS-232 Ports
Ethernet (LAN) Port
Host-to-Switcher Instructions
Switcher-Initiated Messages
Switcher Error Responses
Using the Command and Response Tables
Special Characters
RS-232 Ports
The switcher has three serial ports that make serial control of the switcher possible. The
ports can be connected to a host device such as a computer running the DataViewer utility,
an RS-232 capable PDA, or a control system. The serial ports are:
Two (Primary and Secondary) rear panel RS-232 ports on 3-pin captive screw connectors
The front panel Configuration (RS-232) port, a 2.5 mm mini stereo jack
The default protocol for all ports is as follows:
9600 baud no parity 8 data bits
1 stop bit no ow control
Besides the default 9600 baud, the RS-232 ports can be congured to operate at the 19200,
38400, or 115200 baud rate.
NOTES:• These three ports are hardwired for RS-232 only.
• The rear panel RS-232 Secondary port is active only if the front panel
Configuration port is not in use. If a front panel configuration connection is
made, the rear panel RS-232 Secondary port becomes inactive and the front
panel Configuration port is active.
• The switcher can operate at 9600, 19200, 38400, or 115200 baud rates, but
Extron recommends leaving these ports at 9600 baud only. See “Selecting
the Baud Rate of the RS-232 Primary Port” in the Operation section to
configure the RS-232 Primary port from the front panel. See the Set Serial
Port Parameters SIS command on page 73 to configure all of the ports.
MPX 866 A Media Presentation Matrix Switcher • Programming Guide 5858
