AMX DGX3200-ENC User Manual

Appendix G – External Serial Controllers
285
Hardware Reference Manual – Enova DGX 100 Series Digital Media Switchers
Appendix G – External Serial Controllers
Overview External Serial Control
Enova DGX Switchers can be controlled externally by attaching a serial control device that uses one of the communication
protocols listed below:
BCS (USB) – ASCII sent over a USB cable via the USB (mini-B) Control port
BCS (Serial) – ASCII sent over a null modem serial cable via the serial (DB-9) Control port
The external serial control device can be attached to the USB Control port via a USB cable (see page 285) or to the serial Control
port (DB-9) over an RS-232 (null modem) serial cable (see page 288). PCs are common serial controllers.
Once a PC is attached to an Enova DGX Switcher via one of its Control ports, the system can be controlled by entering BCS
commands into a terminal emulation program, e.g., the terminal in NetLinx Studio (Tools/Terminal Session).
NOTE: The two Control ports provide direct serial control of matrix switcher processing (they do not work on the same layer of control
as the integrated NetLinx NX Master, which uses the LAN 100/1000 and Program ports). For information on establishing TCP/IP
control from the integrated NetLinx NX Central Control Processor to a LAN, see page 54.
External Serial Control Options
Although the main method of control for the Enova DGX Switcher is the integrated NetLinx NX Central Control Processor (for
System Configuration/Switching page information, see page 163; for SEND_COMMANDs, see page 181), several external serial
control methods are also available. The communication protocols listed at the top of this page are used for these control options:
BCS Control
BCS (Basic Control Structure) is a command language that was developed for executing control operations and for diagnostic
purposes. BCS commands are issued via a terminal emulation program, e.g., the terminal in NetLinx Studio (Tools/Terminal
Session). For information on BCS commands, see the BCS (Basic Control Structure) Protocol Programming Guide at www.amx.com.
Third-Party Controllers
Third-party controllers connect to either the serial port (DB-9) or the USB (mini-B) port on the CPU. If using a third-party
controller, see the controller documentation for setup and operating instructions.
External Serial Control via USB Control Port
Controlling an Enova DGX Switcher using a connection through the USB Control port requires the creation of a virtual COM port.
Once created, the virtual COM port is used as if it were a standard serial connection and can connect to a control application or to
a terminal emulation program. For terminal emulation, use the terminal in NetLinx Studio (Tools/Terminal Session) or another
terminal emulation program.
IMPORTANT: You must have adequate rights to install USB device drivers to the PC. Check with your System Administrator to be sure
you have the required access.
If you are establishing a new connection, complete all of the steps in the following instructions.
Or
If you are reconnecting after previously establishing a USB connection, complete Steps 2 and 3 and then set up and run the
desired software program or utility.
To attach a PC to the USB (mini-B) port and establish a virtual COM port:
1. Download the APBridge.inf file, which is located at www.amx.com (enter APBridge in the Search AMX.com field in the upper
right-hand corner of the site). No user permissions are required.
2. Apply power to the enclosure (see page 47).
3. Connect the enclosure to a PC running Windows with USB cable (FIG. 152).
4. If establishing a new connection, complete the remaining steps.
Or
If reconnecting after previously establishing a USB connection, go to Step 11 to run the desired software.
FIG. 152 USB cable connected to USB port on Enova DGX 3200 and to PC
USB (mini-B) port
USB cable to port

AMX DGX3200-ENC Specifications

General

Brand	AMX
Model	DGX3200-ENC
Category	Switch
Language	English