I am looknig to control an RS-232 device (Sirius tuner) using both the Handheld (T2C+, and XP8) and the Touch panel (G! TS-7 and HC-6).

I need two-way communication on both.

It seems impossible, due to drivers required, and cross-contamination of the data.

Its it possible??

Yes it is possible but it may not be easy as you would like and it would depend on how robust you want it to be.

Pretty interesting setup having two very capable home automation systems in the same home (or whatever).

How did that come about - or can you say?

It's a large system. 18 zones of Elan G! with 6 subzones (slaved, and discreet volume and amplification via the Elan D-12).

There are 11 RTI Touch screen remotes around the house. One Dedicated Theater, and (4) Living space Theaters.

Four of the Color RTI's talk to the Elan HC-6/S86A to allow local zone control.
We put in (2) Sirius tuners, so one could two-way on the remotes, and one on the G! Touchscreens.

We also have a Qsonix music server that is too old to two-way, so we copied all the files and put them on an ipod, on a FS-22 iPort dock, and it gives two way on the G! panels (or the RTI, but not both.....).

We WANT to get the iPod feedback on the RTI touch screens too, as the customer feels that it was promised to him that he could have feed back of his music library from any control device (except B&W remotes).

I am pushing back hard to let him know that not only is it not in the proposal, or any emails from him that lack of this feature is a 'deal breaker', but it is un-advisable to create 'beta' devices and throw them into the mix.

We are nearing completion of the project, and I fear I will not get my 10% balance unless I can come up with a solution, a convincing retort, or a good lawyer....!

So, that's why I ask the question:

Two-way RS-232 control of one device controlled by two control systems?
Can it be done?

The g! system has the ability to share most devices to another control system. Under the communication Device set sharing to yes and pick a port number. If your XP8 can be set to communicate with devices over IP set it to point the g! system's IP address and the port number.

This was put in to share devices with VIAs, but I use it to share with AMX in my showroom.

If Mark's approach doesn't work and you HAVE to do this you may need a device to function as a "traffic cop".

There are any number of very small computer devices available running some variant of embedded Windows. With three serial ports and a small program you could achieve what you need.

The program would in essence have to monitor for commands from either "control" port and pass the command to the controlled device, wait for the reply and direct it back to the device which initiated the command via the "control" port on which the command was received.

This would prevent commands that might come in on both "control" ports, at the same time, from "colliding". One command would be delayed until the other had been processed.

Depending on the complexity of the commands and responses it could be a bit tricky but it could be done.

Don't know if you implemented anything or not but this will almost certainly work for what you are trying to do. I've used many on different projects and with different devices without any issues. You want the top one that has all DB9 connectors. I'm also an Elan G! dealer.

[Link: bb-elec.com]

The traffic from the controllers would be isolated from each other. The return traffic would go to both but that wouldn't be any issue because either the controller would know how to respond to the info it receives, or it would just ignore it.

Shane

I send RS-232 from both my Pronto RFX9600 extender and computer to my Sony BDP-CX7000ES Blu-ray Changer using the same splitter. Works great! No issues.

if you get stuck you can make them yourself , which is what i did only costs a few $'s

:)


combining iR is even easer . just use signal diodes from each transmitter to one emmitter.

You should contact from Network Management Services fro better solutions.

What the hell does that have to do with the OP's question?

Xantach makes a RS232 splitter..
[Link: xantech.com]