Physical Interfaces

Ethernet Interface

The device is shipped with the following factory network configuration:

Parameter

Factory value

IP address

192.168.0.10

Subnet mask

255.255.255.0

Gateway

192.168.0.1

TCP/IP port

10001

Remote port (UDP)

10002

The network settings can be changed remotely with the IP, MASK, GATE and PORT commands. The new IP address, subnet mask and gateway take effect after a CT-BOX reset (see HWRESET).

Tip

Even though the CT-BOX can be connected to a LAN network, a point-to-point Ethernet connection is strongly recommended in order to obtain minimum delay, maximum data-rate performance and to avoid possible communication problems, i.e. to increase communication reliability. This implies that the host PC and the CT-BOX should reside on the same Ethernet subnet.

Tip

The free software ELS Device Manager searches the local network for connected CT-BOX units and configures their network settings (IP address, subnet mask and gateway).

Network settings changed with the ELS Device Manager take effect immediately: no CT-BOX reset is needed. For example, after a new IP address is set, the unit can be reached at that address right away.

The ELS Device Manager uses UDP port 30719 to find the CT-BOX units, so make sure that no firewall on the host PC or on the network blocks UDP traffic on this port, in both directions.

The ELS Device Manager can be downloaded from the CT-BOX product page on the ELS Instruments website (https://www.els-instruments.com/product/ct-box/). For a description of all its features, refer to the Device_manager_Quick_Start_Guide.

In OSC mode the acquired data stream is sent out over UDP to the IP address of the connected TCP client, on remote host port 10002 (configurable with PORT); the receiving application must bind a datagram socket to that port. Commands and replies always travel over the TCP/IP connection on port 10001.

Note

The CT-BOX accepts only one TCP/IP connection at a time. While a client is connected, a connection attempt from a second client is refused; the second client must wait until the first client closes its connection.

Tip

Make sure that no firewall on the host PC or on the network blocks incoming UDP traffic on port 10002 (or on the port set with PORT), otherwise the OSC data stream is not received.

USB Interface

The USB 2.0 interface can be used only in DLOG mode.

  • Windows: the latest ST VCP (Virtual COM Port) driver must be installed. Once the USB cable is connected, a COM port is recognized and becomes visible in the Device Manager.

  • Linux: no driver is required.

Communication is possible using standard serial terminal programs such as PuTTY or Minicom.

Note

If a command that is not supported over USB is issued, the unit replies with error code 26 (USB communication is only supported in DLOG mode); see List of the Error Codes.

RS-232 Interface

The RS-232 serial interface uses a fixed 115 200 baud rate and, like USB, can be used only in DLOG mode. Issuing an unsupported command over RS-232 returns error code 07 (RS-232 communication is only supported in DLOG mode).

Note

The firmware of the CT-BOX device can only be updated over USB, using the third-party STM32CubeProgrammer software. The procedure is described in the CT-BOX User’s Manual.