Faculdade

iTach API Specification Version 1.5
1. The iTach Modular Design Concept
The iTach family of products' modular design provides a variety of capabilities. Each module provides a particular function: power and network connections, infrared (IR), digital input (RS232), and contact closures (relay). A module may also support one or more connectors of the same type. For example, an IR module has three independent IR connectors; whereas, a serial module has only one serial RS232 connector. This is due to the fact that the number of connectors a module can support is dictated by its 1.5 inch physical width. It is important to understand that a module’s address is determined solely by its physical position within the iTach enclosure. Each module occupies 1.5 inches of front panel space, even if it is part of a larger product. At power on, module addresses are assigned starting with "0" for the left-most module (containing the network and power connectors) and increasing sequentially to the right until all module addresses are assigned (see figure). This presents a consistent programming interface as additional modules are added. A connector's address is its position within a module, starting at 1 on the left, and increasing sequentially as you move to the right. A complete connector address includes the module address and the connector location in the module, separated by a colon. In figure 1 below, one IR module is contained in the iTach IP2IR, and is located in module 1. The first IR connector on the IR module has an address of 1:1, whereas the third IR connector has an address of 1:3. Note: In iTach units containing infrared (IR) and relay contact closure (CC) modules, those modules are always physically located in module 1 (1:*). However, modules 1 through 3 will be accepted in commands to the IR, and 1 through 5 will be accepted by the CC. This is deliberate and allows drivers developed for the GC-100 Network Adapter series of products to function without change.