Specifications

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Terminal Program Compatibility -
If the Interface Card uses shared interrupts, SEATERM (our Windows terminal program) must be used to
communicate with the instrument.
If the Interface Card is configured as a standard COM port, either SEATERM or our DOS-based terminal
programs may be used to communicate with the instrument.
Sea-Bird tested two Interface Cards from one manufacturer with our instruments, and verified compatibility.
The manufacturer and tested cards are:
National Instruments (www.ni.com) -
AT-485/2
PCI-485/2
Other Cards from this manufacturer, and Cards from other manufacturers, may also be compatible with Sea-Bird
instruments. We recommend testing other Cards with the instrument before deployment, to verify that there is
no problem.
Follow this procedure to use the AT-485/2 or PCI-485/2 Interface Card:
1. Install the RS-485 driver software (provided with Interface Card) on your PC before installing the
Interface Card.
2. Install the RS-485 Interface Card.
3. Configure the RS-485 Interface Card in your PC (directions are for a PC running Windows XP):
A. Right click on My Computer and select Properties.
B. In the System Properties dialog box, click on the Hardware tab. Click the Device Manager button.
C. In the Device Manager window, double click on Ports. Double click on the desired RS-485 port.
D. In the Communications Port Properties dialog box, click the Port Settings tab.
Click the Advanced button.
E. In the Advanced Settings dialog box, set Transceiver Mode to 2 wire TxRdy Auto.
4. Make a jumper cable (do not use a standard adapter cable) to connect the Interface Card to the instruments
I/O cable. Pin outs are shown for a Sea-Bird 9-pin (current production) or 25-pin (older production) I/O cable:
DB-9S
(connect to PC)
DB-9P
(connect to Sea-Bird I/O cable PN 801385)
DB-25P
(connect to Sea-Bird I/O cable PN 801046)
pin 1 common pin 5 common pin 7 common
pin 4 TX+ pin 3 'A' pin 2 'A'
pin 8 RX+ pin 3 'A' pin 2 'A'
pin 5 TX- pin 2 'B' pin 3 'B'
pin 9 RX- pin 2 'B' pin 3 'B'
5. Run SEATERM (these Cards use shared interrupts, so the DOS terminal programs cannot be used):
A. In SEATERMs Configure menu, select the desired instrument.
B. In the Configuration Options dialog box, set Mode to RS-485 and set COMM Port to the appropriate
RS-485 port.
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