BASIC stamp manual v2.2

3: Using the BASIC Stamp Editor
BASIC Stamp Syntax and Reference Manual 2.2 • www.parallax.com • Page 47
The Device Type column shows the model of BASIC Stamp found on the
respective port. For example, in Figure 3.10 above, the BASIC Stamp
Editor found a BS2 on COM port 1 and a BS2sx on COM port 4.
The Version column displays the firmware version number of the BASIC
Stamp module that was found.
The Loopback column indicates whether or not a loopback connection was
found on the port. The loopback connection is created by BASIC Stamp
development boards, such as the Board of Education, across serial port
pins 6 and 7 (of a DB9). A “Yes” in this column is an indication that the
serial port and serial cable are properly connected to a BASIC Stamp
development board. Note that the Loopback column should always
indicate “No” when using a BS1 Serial Adapter, regardless of whether or
not the adapter is properly connected to a BASIC Stamp development
board.
The Echo column indicates whether or not a communication echo was
detected on the port’s transmit and receive pins (pins 2 and 3). All BASIC
Stamp 2 models create this echo naturally, even without power. BASIC
Stamp 1 modules do not create this echo. A “Yes” in this column is an
indication that the serial port and serial cable are properly connected to a
BASIC Stamp 2 (or higher) module, and if using a BASIC Stamp
development board, it’s an indication that the module is properly
connected to the development board.
For all BASIC Stamp 2 models, the Loopback and Echo columns are great
for doing some simple connection diagnosis when using a serial port. For
example, a Yes in both columns indicates the serial port and serial cable
are properly connected and that the BASIC Stamp is properly inserted into
its socket. See Table 3.5 below. Note that the Loopback column does not
give reliable results when using a USB to serial adapter, or a USB-based
development board. Usually this is not an error, and the Loopback status
can simply be ignored.
NOTE: when using a BS1 Serial
Adapter, the Loopback column of the
Identification window should always
indicate “No”.