Controlling I/O ports (parallel and serial com port) is a special feature XtraSense provides. If you want to interface XtraSense with external devices like sensors or GSM modem, you may need to know how XtraSense get data through parallel port.
XtraSense uses a parallel port's data pins( Pin 2 to Pin 9) to get external sensor status. The parallel port must be either built-in on mother board or on a PCI I/O card. The USB to Parallel adapter will NOT work as it presents in windows as a printer port rather than a generic parallel port.
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The default Pin status on your parallel port is LOW (0v). If your sensor's "normal" output is HIGH(+5v), you need to set the default value for corresponding pin to HIGH in system configuration page.
The Master Control pin is used to arm and disarm system by external device.
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Serial Port
Serial port is used to send SMS notifications through GSM modem (as shown below) or mobile phone (need data cable or Infra-red port). You can choose any brand of GSM modem as long as it supports AT command set.
If you are using a laptop without COM port, you can either purchase a USB-SERIAL adapter to connect to GSM modem or use laptop's infrared port to connect to a mobile phone. In order to use mobile phone as a GSM modem, you need to install the drivers in the CD came with the phone. If you don't have any CD, you may need to download the software from manufacturer's website.
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USB to Serial adapter |
GSM modem |
