
AD8150
–22–
REV. 0
After running the software, the user will be prompted to identify
which (of three) software driver is used with the PC
’
s parallel
port. The default is LPT1, which is most commonly used. How-
ever, some laptops commonly use the PRN driver. It is also
possible that some systems are con
fi
gured with the LPT2 driver.
If it is not known which driver is used, it is best to select LPT1
and proceed to the next screen. This will show a full array of
“
buttons
”
that allows the connection of any input to output of
the AD8150. All of the outputs should be in the output
“
OFF
”
state right after the program starts running. Any of the active
buttons can be selected with a mouse click which will send out
one burst of programming data.
After this, the PC keyboard
’
s left or right arrow keyboard key
can be held down to generate a steady stream of programming
signals out of the parallel port. The CLOCK test point on the
AD8150 evaluation board can be monitored with an oscilloscope
for any activity (user-supplied printer cable must be connected).
If there is a square-wave present, then the proper software driver
is selected for the PC
’
s parallel port.
If there is no signal present, then another driver should be tried
by selecting the Parallel Port menu item under the
“
File
”
pull-
down menu selection just under the title bar. Select a different
software driver and carry out the above test until signal activity
is present at the CLOCK test point.
Software Operation
Any button can be clicked in the matrix to program the input
to output connection. This will send the proper programming
sequence out the PC parallel port. Since only one input can be
programmed to a given output at one time, clicking a button in
a horizontal row will cancel the other selection that is already
selected in that row. However, any number of outputs can share
the same input. Refer to Figure 40.
A shortcut for programming all outputs to the same input is to
use the broadcast feature. After clicking on the Broadcast Con-
nection button, a window will appear that will prompt for the
user to select which input should be connected to all outputs.
The user should type in an integer from 0 to 32 and then click
on OK. This will send out the proper program data and return
to the main screen with a full column of buttons selected under
the chosen input.
The Off column can be used to disable to whichever output one
chooses. To disable all outputs, the Global Reset button can be
clicked. This will select the full column of OFF buttons.
Two scratchpad memories (Memory 1 and Memory 2) are pro-
vided to conveniently save a particular con
fi
guration. However,
these registers are erased when the program is terminated. For
long-term storage of con
fi
gurations, the disk-storage memory
should be used. The Save and Load selections can be accessed
from the
“
File
”
pull-down menu under the title bar.