DEX Protocol

[Roger Garstang]

I have a DEX Female Box to 9pin Serial coming and was trying to get a headstart on developing an app to emulate or at least receive data from a connection to troubleshoot another application that needs to send data somewhere to continue. At first I will most likely just write the data out to a file and not do much with it. Anyone worked with DEX before to give me hints on what to expect and how the data flow looks/works? I found a few documents, but they really don't get down to the raw data level. The DEX Phono Plug just uses RD, SD, and Grnd...so not much flow control options.

[Cliff Nichols]

Roger,
Got a link or 2? It sounds like you are trying to do something with the serial port (ComPort) type of thing, but I have no clue what a DEX is?

[Roger Garstang]

DEX/UCS. It is the protocol used for inventory systems in stores, vending machines, etc. It is a com/serial method I will be accessing it with. It communicates over one of the large stereo phono plugs- 3 connections (tip, ring, shaft) tip/ring are the send and receive lines and the shaft is ground.

[Cliff Nichols]

Roger,
If it communicates serially and you have the codes to communicate with it, then I would start with

<Pb Install folder>/samples/comms/comm.bas

[Roger Garstang]

I've made Serial Communication apps before. I've communicated with motors and other industrial machines and modems...including flashing them with a PB app. So, I know my way around...I was mostly needing a sample of data and how flow control and such works for DEX if anyone else had worked with it. That way I could get an app going while I wait on the port to arrive and don't waste time waiting on it then when it arrives figuring out what the data does.

[Dale Yarker]

I done some serial comm, but hadn't heard of DEX before. So I got curious and did some "Googling". Is this document:

http://epsfiles.intermec.com/eps_files/eps_man/977052006C.pdf

the kind of info you're looking for?

A lot of detail in this protocol, but with money involved there would be.

Cheers,

[Cliff Nichols]

I did a quick search on the document, but there are no references to "Baud" or "Parity"????

What really makes me worried is a "Safety" section and more importantly

First aid
Always obtain first aid or medical attention immediately after an injury.
Never neglect an injury, no matter how slight it seems.


Resuscitation

Begin resuscitation immediately if someone is injured and stops breathing.
Any delay could result in death. To work on or near high voltage, you
should be familiar with approved industrial first aid methods.

Any communications device that is not some sort of metal lathe or home grown electrolysis machine I would not think the though of Resuscitation would even be thought of??????

[Dale Yarker]

OSHA

Vending machines are opened for restocking and minor repair with power turned on.

I didn't think the safety notices odd because Air Force technical orders and commercial manuals for comm equipment contain similar notices. Telephone PBXs also worked on with power on, that is why I have to take CPR refresher course every other year.

[Cliff Nichols]

OSHA

Nexxt thing you know I will not be allowed to sit in front of a computer for 18hrs a day without a 10 min break every hour

Oh wait...I think that is one of their rules?

All kidding aside, I think Roger's initial question was more about communication protocols, and not dangerous (sorry I brought it up)

[Roger Garstang]

It's ok Cliff, it was kinda funny. Yeah, the Intermec document I printed out already. It is sort of high level as are their technical abilities (I have to work with them a lot, and they are very slow and not too technical). Too many people in the handheld world are now all .Net and have no real technical background. Thus, why I'm doing this. I've figured out harder systems, it is nice having a head start on what the raw data will look like and as mentioned the baud and such. I'm hoping they kept it somewhat standard.

[Roger Garstang]

Found a Bluetooth DEX Adapter that gave some hints as to the protocol. It appears it is 9600 Baud, 8 bits, No Parity, 1 stop bit. The device claims to use hardware flow control too...although DEX only has Tx and Rx.