External Interfaces/API

Getting Started with Serial I/O

To get you started with the MATLAB serial port interface, this section provides the following information:

• "Example: Getting Started" illustrates some basic serial port commands.
• "The Serial Port Session" describes the steps you use to perform any serial port task from beginning to end.
• "Configuring and Returning Properties" describes how you display serial port property names and property values, and how you assign values to properties.

Example: Getting Started

If you have a device connected to the serial port COM1 and configured for a baud rate of 4800, you can execute the following complete example.

• s = serial('COM1');
  set(s,'BaudRate',4800);
  fopen(s);
  fprintf(s,'*IDN?')
  out = fscanf(s);
  fclose(s)
  delete(s)
  clear s
  

The *IDN? command queries the device for identification information, which is returned to out. If your device does not support this command, or if it is connected to a different serial port, you should modify the above example accordingly.

Note    *IDN? is one of the commands supported by the Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) language, which is used by many modern devices. Refer to your device documentation to see if it supports the SCPI language.

Selected Bibliography

The Serial Port Session