Send commands to the Parallax Control System using the Tesira Command String block: Tesira software offers powerful logic programming options on its own, but for more advanced logical operations, its possible to send a simple command to the Parallax processor to trigger additional automation sequences to run. In this section we will show you how to send commands from the Tesira DSP to the Parallax Control Processor. Tesira software allows for the creation of a Command String block that is network based. This allows the user to configure the block within a Tesira device to transmit text strings over TCP or UDP to a defined network server address. This communication can be referred to as ‘Unsolicited Communication’ meaning that the Client device sends information to the Server device without the Server device requesting the information. The goal of this document is to provide a basic example of deploying the Tesira Network Command String Block with a Parallax control processor acting as the Server.
Tesira Setup The first step will be to drop in the Command String block with Tesira software. Select the necessary number of strings when presented with the following dialog and the matching block will be created.
Next, we’ll need to populate the block Properties with the appropriate information. Note that the Server Address and Remote Port defines the target to which strings will be sent.
The Network Command String block will only send when it receives a logic high input so we’ll need to connect some logic inputs.
Additionally, we’ll need to define the strings we want sent.
Server Setup:
Within the Node Red program, one or multiple TCP/IP Servers will need to be setup. By setting the Default IP Address to 0.0.0.0 we allow the Server to receive connections from any (Client) IP address. Keep in mind that this Server needs to be online so that the Tesira Network Command String block (Client) can send strings to it.
Drag the Tcp In Node to the canvas:
In the Edit Tcp In Node view, the TCP/IP port needs to be defined. In this example, we are using port 65534. Additional signals will need to be created and connected within the Parallax program based upon the project needs.
Add the switch node, along with debug nodes to read the output.
Configure the switch node to match the incoming strings:
In Tesira trigger one of the command strings, it will show in the debug section. With this you can use the logic to drive additional programming as required.
Test the Tcp in node locally without building a Tesira File:
To test this without building a tesira file, simply drop in a tcp out node and an inject node:
Configure the inject node:
Configure the Tcp out node:
Using UDP
To enable UDP communication, simply replace the Tcp nodes with the associated Udp nodes:
