917HITG

BM/Hitachi 917 Host Interface Troubleshooting Guide
Introduction
Revision check Prior to use, check the revision level of this document per the Indianapolis LD
General Procedures Manual, IN-GEN-100, How to Verify Document
Revision Level. Discard old revision level documents.
Purpose of This guide is

guide • used in the novice level training of the TSS group on BM/Hitachi
917, and
• intended to be used as a resource when troubleshooting the 917 host
interface.
Scope This guide is only applicable to the BM/Hitachi 917 host interface.
Caution! This guide is intended as a supplement to Technical Support Host Interface

Training. It is not intended for customer use.
For further When in doubt of information provided or if there is a need for further detail,
information refer to the 917 host interface document or operator’s manual.
Definitions In all examples and formats, a diamond (◊) is used to represent a space.
Continued on next page
Book Name: Technical Support Host Interface Training Guide

Written by: F. Crowel Approved by: T. Gray
Printed by: Document User Date Printed: 01/10/97
Effective Date: 4/15/97 Controlled Copy No.:
Black or Blank copy number indicates uncontrolled copy.
Boehringer Mannheim Corporation confidential. Copy with care.
Revision: 1.0 Page: 1 of 45
BM/Hitachi 917 Host Interface Troubleshooting Guide, Continued
Introduction, Continued
Guide contents This guide covers the following topics.
Topic Page
Parameters 3
Control Packets 10
Analyzer Configuration Packets 12
Data Packets 13
Test Selection Request Packet 16
Test Selection Download Packet 18
Results 22
Sample Result Packet 25
Control Result Packet 28
Photometric Calibration Result Packet 30
ISE Calibration Result Packet 31
Original Absorbance Result Packet 32
Results Request 33
Protocol 34
Bar Codes 37
Checksum 38
Pin Configuration 39
Loop Back Test 40
Communication Log 41
Host Alarms 44

Parameters
Setting All parameter settings on the 917 are configured using the software. The
parameters analyzer must be in standby and host communications disabled for parameter
settings to be changed.
Accessing Use the steps below to access the communication parameters.

parameters
Step Action
1 Touch MAINT/UTILITY button.
2 Touch SYSTEM folder.
3 Touch HOST COMMUNICATIONS button.

Parameters, Continued
Screen The screen below is shown when changing host communication parameters.
Stand-by Tue 06/13/95 11 16
WORKPLACE REAGENTS CALIBRATION QC MAINT/UTILITY
To display speed choices:

System Mainte- Mainte- 1
Touch the Assist Box or press Ctrl+A
nance Log
Host Communication
Speed 9600 T/S Ask Always Yes
Text Size 256 Auto Rerun T/S Cancel
Parity Even Manual Rerun T/S Cancel
Data Bits 7 Bits Stat T/S Yes
Stop Bits 2 Bits Results Only Cancel
Instrument ID 1 Stat Results Mode Cumulative
Host ID 2 Send Comments Cancel
Retry Count 5 Host Priority Cancel
Retry Time 6 Communication Cycle 2
Repeat Count 1 Communication Log Yes
Cancel Enter
Sample Analyzer Sample

Start Print Alarm Help
Stop Stop Track
Speed Baud rates available include 4800 and 9600.

Text size Text size can be set to 256, 512, or 1280. This setting indicates the maximum
packet size. If the packet to be sent is larger than the text size setting, then it
will be split into multiple packets. This setting only effects the Result packet.
The table below shows the maximum number of results in each packet based
upon the text size setting.
Text Size Maximum Results Per Packet

256 19
512 45
1280 100
Parity Parity can be set to even, odd or none.
Data bits Word length can be either 7 or 8 bits.
Stop bit One or two stop bits can be used.
Instrument ID The instrument ID is used to help the host identify where the packet is coming
from. When the analyzer is sending data, this ID is in the sender field. Range
is 1-9.
Host ID The host ID is used to help the host identify who the packet is intended for.
The 917 will put this ID in the receiver field when transmitting data. Range is
1-9.
Retry count Retry count indicates how many consecutive errors the 917 will allow before
terminating communications. This is the number of times the 917 will try to
send a packet. Range is 1-99 and 0 is unlimited retries.

Retry time Retry time indicates how many seconds the 917 will wait before retrying
communications after an error. Range is 1-99 seconds.
Repeat count Repeat count is the number of times the 917 will send a Repeat packet before
canceling the sending of the current packet and moving to the next one.
Range is 1-99 and 0 is unlimited repeats.
T/S ask always This parameter allows the 917 to be put in a mode where the host is requested
for test selections for all samples regardless of test selection availability at the
917. (Yes or Cancel)
Auto rerun T/S This parameter sets whether requests for test selections for auto rerun samples
are always sent prior to rerunning the sample. (Yes or Cancel)
Manual rerun The Manual Rerun T/S parameter indicates whether requests for test selections
T/S for manual rerun samples are always sent prior to rerunning the sample. (Yes
or Cancel)
Stat T/S This parameter sets whether requests for test selections are sent for STAT
samples if no test selections are found in the database. (Yes or Cancel)
Results only The 917 can run in a results only mode in which only results are transferred to
the host and test selections are made at the analyzer. This is a uni-directional
mode and no response from the host should be sent. Host communications
must be enabled for this mode to operate. (Yes or Cancel)

Stat results This option allows stat sample results to be sent to host as they become
mode available. (Cumulative or Incremental)
If the option is set to Cumulative, the 917 will wait for all results for the stat
sample before sending the results.
If it is set to Incremental, then as the results for a stat sample become

available, they are transmitted to the host.
Send comments This option determines whether or not sample comments are sent with results.
(Yes or Cancel)
If Yes, then the sample comments available are sent after the last Result
packet.
If Cancel, no sample information or comment flags are sent.
Host priority If this option is enabled, the 917 will wait for a response from the host for a
test selection request before continuing sampling. In other words, if the host
does not respond to a test selection request the analyzer will be in a “holding”
mode and will not sample again until the sample’s test selections are received.
(Yes or Cancel)
Communication The communications cycle is the amount of time the host has to respond to a
cycle transmission from the analyzer. This is also how long the analyzer will wait
before sending its next transmission. Range is 2-10 seconds.
Communication This parameter turns the communication log on and off. (Yes or Cancel)
log

Enabling To enable host communications follow these steps.

communications
Step Action
1 Touch START button.
2 Touch PRINT/HOST button.
3 Touch ON-LINE button under Host
Communications.
Print/Host The following screen is used to enable host communications.

screen
Print/Host
Print
Real Time Data Print
Monitor Report No Print
Real Time Calib Print

Print No Print
Host Communication
On-Line Off-Line
Enter

Default test The user can define a default profile that will run on all samples which do not
selections have test selections manually entered in the 917 or downloaded by the host.
To set the default test selection profile follow the steps below.
Step Action
1 Touch START button.
2 Touch DEFAULT PROFILE button.
3 Define profile.

Control Packets
General notes There are five different control packets used by the host and 917 to control
communications as shown in the table below.
Packet Use Direction Frame
Data Accepted Used by receiver to indicate to sender that HOST ↔ 917 >
packet received was good.
Repeat Used by receiver to indicate to sender that HOST ↔ 917 ?

packet received was bad and needs to be
repeated.
The 917 will only send the Repeat packet when

the response to a Data Accepted packet from
the host is bad. If the bad response from the
host is a response to any other than the Data
Accepted packet, the 917 will resend the packet
instead of a Repeat packet.
The 917 will only send the Repeat packet a

maximum of consecutive times as established in
the Repeat Count parameter. Once the
maximum is reached, the 917 will cancel sending
of the current data packet and transmit the next
packet.
Data Bad and Used by receiver to indicate to sender that HOST ↔ 917 @
Suspend packet received was bad and needs to be
repeated but wait until next communication
cycle. The 917 will resend the packet after the
next Data Accepted cycle and the host should
do the same.
Data Accepted Used by host to tell 917 that packet was HOST → 917 A
but Suspend accepted. This packet is treated just like a Data
Accepted and there is not a delay like in other
analyzers.

Control Packets, Continued
Format Each packet has the same format with the difference being the frame character
sent.
The packet number begins with one and should be incremented by one each
time a packet is transmitted from the sender. Once the maximum range of
eight is reached, the next packet transmitted by the sender will start over with
a packet number of one.
Data Receiver Sender Packet Data

Start ID ID Number Frame End Checksum Terminator
STX 1-9 1-9 1-8 >, ?, @, or A ETX CSH CSL CR

Analyzer Configuration Packets
General notes There is one Analyzer Configuration packet used by the 917 to communicate
configuration information to the host. The host can ignore this packet and
reply with a Data Accepted.
The Channel Assignment packet is used to communicate what application

codes or tests are assigned to each channel. The information is transmitted in
two packets regardless of the text size setting.
This packet is sent when any changes are made to the channel assignments or
when host communications is enabled after power up.
Format The Channel Assignment packet format is shown below.
Data Receiver Sender Packet

Start ID ID Number Frame Function Spare
STX Host ID 917 ID 1-8 packet 1: 1 XA space
(1-9) (1-9) packet 2: :
... Start Channel No. Spare Channel Count

... packet 1: ◊1 space 50
packet 2: 51
Channel 1 / 51 Channel 50 / 100

... Spare Application Code ... Spare Application Code
... space photometric: ◊◊1-910 ... space photometric: ◊◊1-910
calculated: 961-980 calculated: 961-980
ISE: 989-991 ISE: 989-991
serum indexes: 992-994 serum indexes: 992-994
Spaces if no application Spaces if no application
code assigned to channel. code assigned to channel.
... Data End Checksum Packet End

... ETX CSH CSL CR

Data Packets
General notes Data packets are used to communicate data between the 917 and host. There
are four different data packets used on the 917 host interface as shown here.
Packet Use Direction Frame

Test Selection Use by 917 to request test selection from HOST ← 917 ;
Request the host for a specific sample.
Test Selection Used by host to send test selections to the HOST → 917 ;
Download 917 for a specific sample.
Results Used by 917 to send results to the host HOST ← 917 1, 2, 3, 4,
for a specific sample. 5, or :
Results Used by host to request results from the HOST → 917 ≤
Request 917 for a specific sample.
Format There are four different data packets and they have the same general format.
Data Receiver Sender Packet Data Packet

Start ID ID Number Frame Data End Checksum End
STX 1-9 1-9 1-8 <, ;, 1, 2, 3, ... ETX CSH CSL CR
4, 5, or :

Data Packets, Continued
Frame symbols Each data packet has a frame symbol which is used to help indicate what type
of packet is being received.
The table below shows the different frame symbols and their use.
Frame Symbol Packet Direction

< Results Request HOST → 917
; Test Selection Request HOST ← 917
Test Selection Download HOST → 917
1 Result Frame 1 HOST ← 917
: End Result Frame HOST ← 917

Data Packets, Continued
Function codes Each data packet also has a function code. The function code is used to
indicate the type of sample information being sent.
The default function code for test selection requests for a non-rerun sample is
class 1. The host may only change this information on non-rerun samples.
The host can not download test selections for a stat sample unless in response
to a request from the analyzer.
The table below shows the various functions and their use.
Test Selections Results

HOST ↔ 917 HOST←917 HOST ↔ 917 →917
HOST→
Bar Code Request and Results
Sample Type Reader Download Real Time Retransmitted Request
Status Class 1-5 Class 1-5 Class 1-5 Class 1-5
Routine A A a a
Routine Auto Rerun B B
Routine Manual Rerun ON C C
Stat D D d d
Stat Auto Rerun E
Control ON F f
Photometric Calibration or G
ISE Calibration OFF H
Routine Absorbance i
Routine Rerun Absorbance ON j
Stat Absorbance or k
Stat Rerun Absorbance OFF l
Control Absorbance m
Routine N N n n
Routine Auto Rerun O O o
Routine Manual Rerun OFF P P p
Stat Q q q
Stat Auto Rerun R

Test Selection Request Packet
General notes The Test Selection Request packet is sent by the 917 to request test selections
for a specific sample. This packet is also referred to as Test Selection Inquiry.
The function code will always be class 1 except for rerun sample requests.
The host is able to change the class for non-rerun samples.
When in bar code mode, the host can download spaces for sample number,
disk number, position number, sample cup, age, age units, sex, collection data
and collection time. This only applies to those samples that are not already in
the 917 database.
Format The format of the Test Selection Request packet is shown below.
Data Receiver Sender Packet Function Sample Sample

Start ID ID Number Frame Code Class Number
STX Host ID - 917 ID 1-8 ; A, B, C, D, 1-5 ◊◊◊◊1-10000
(1-9) (1-9) N, O, or P
... Disk Position

Number Number Sample Cup ID Number Age Age Units
... 4 spaces Routine: ◊◊1-100 Standard: 1 13 chars. ◊◊0-200 Days: 1
+ 0-9 Stat: ◊◊1-110 Micro: 2 Months: 2
Years: 3
... Collection Collection Data

Sex Date Time End Checksum Packet End
... Unknown: 0 mmddyy hhmm ETX CSH CSL CR
Male: 1 mm: 01-12 hh: 00-23
Female: 2 dd: 01-31 mm: 00-59
yy: 00-99

Test Selection Request Packet, Continued
Example STX211;A1◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊1◊◊◊◊◊◊◊000001◊◊◊3◊0831951012ETXC4CR

STX 2 1 1 ; A 1 ◊◊◊◊◊
... Disk Position

Number Number Sample Cup ID Number Age Age Units
... ◊◊◊◊◊ ◊◊◊ 1 ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊0000 ◊◊◊ 3
01
... Collection Collection Data

Sex Date Time End Checksum Packet End
... ◊ 083195 1012 ETX C4 CR

Test Selection Download Packet
General notes The host uses the Test Selection Download packet to send test selections for
specific samples.
When running without bar codes, the host must download the sample number.
A test selection field with all 88 positions as zero will delete the sample’s tests
from the 917 database. The 917 will send a Test Selection Request packet
when that sample is processed.

Test Selection Download Packet, Continued
Format The format of the Test Selection Download packet is shown below.

STX 917 ID - Host ID 1-8 ; A, B, C, D, 1-5 ◊◊◊◊1-10000
(1-9) (1-9) N, O, or P
... Disk Position Number

Number Sample Cup ID Number Age Age Units
... 4 spaces Routine: ◊◊1-100 Standard: 1 13 chars. ◊◊0-200 Days: 1
+ 0-9 Stat: ◊◊1-110 Micro: 2 Months: 2
Years: 3
... Collection Collection Test

Sex Date Time Spare Count Test Selections
... Unknown: 0 mmddyy hhmm space ◊0-88 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4
Male: 1 mm: 01-12 hh: 00-23 88 positions
Female: 2 dd: 01-31 mm: 00-59 (positions up to test count
will be processed and
yy: 00-99 remaining will be ignored)
... Comment Comment Comment Comment Comment

Flag 1 Flag 2 Flag 3 Flag 4 Flag 5
... flag for flag for flag for flag for flag for
comment 1 comment 2 comment 3 comment 4 comment 5
0 or 1 depending upon presence (1) or absence (0) of associated comment
... Comment 1 Comment 2 Comment 3 Comment 4 Comment 5

... 30 chars 25 chars 20 chars 15 chars 10 chars
Comment sent as indicated in comment flag. Each must be of appropriate
length. Legal comments are all alphanumeric characters.

... ETX CSH CSL CR

Example STX123;A1◊◊◊◊3◊◊◊◊0◊◊3◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊000003◊10210828950730◊8800000000
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
00000000000000001000101COMMENT◊3◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊COMMENT◊5◊ET
X7BCR
Data Receiver Sender Packet Function Sample Sample Disk

Start ID ID Number Frame Code Class Number Number
STX 1 2 3 ; A 1 ◊◊◊◊3 ◊◊◊◊0
... Position Sample Age Collection Collection

Number Cup ID Number Age Units Sex Date Time
... ◊◊3 ◊ ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊000003 ◊10 2 1 082895 0730
... Test
Spare Count Test Selections
... ◊ 88 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000010
... Comment Comment Comment Comment Comment

Flag 1 Flag 2 Flag 3 Flag 4 Flag 5
... 0 0 1 0 1

... COMMENT◊3◊ COMMENT◊5◊
◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊

... ETX 7B CR

Selecting tests Tests are selected using a 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 in the “tests” field for the position
corresponding to the desired test code as configured on the analyzer.
Character
Do not run test 0
Run test with normal sample volume 1
Run with decreased sample volume 2
Run with increased sample volume 3
Leave as selected and let analyzer 4
determine volume
Channels for These channels indicate the position in the test selection field for the test or
test selections channel to be selected. These channels correspond to the key assignments.
Test Channel (position)

Routine Photometric 1-86
ISE (Na, K, Cl) 87
Serum Indexes (L, H, I ) 88
Calculated tests Order components

Results
Packets There are various different result packets sent by the 917 including:
• sample results
• control results
• photometric calibration results
• ISE calibration results, and
• original absorbance results.
Channels These channels are used in the transmission of results from the host and
correspond to the key assignments.
Tests Channel
Routine photometric 1-86
ISEs (Na, K, Cl) 87-89
Serum Indexes (L, H, I) 90-92
Calculated Test 93-100
Negative sign The result format has a floating sign as shown below.
format
Positive or Decimal Maximum

Negative Point Digit Count Examples
Absent 6 123456
Positive ◊◊◊◊23
Present 5 123.45
◊◊◊1.3
Absent 5 -12345
Negative ◊◊◊-13
Present 4 -123.4
◊◊-1.3

Results, Continued
Qualitative If the 917 is configured for qualitative results then the established expression is
results transferred in the result field instead of the quantitative value.
Edited results Use of an edited flag is configurable on the

MAINT/UTILITY→SYSTEM→ALARM screen.
If this flag is enabled, and a result is edited, an asterisk (*) will be transmitted
to the host as the alarm character.

Results, Continued
Alarm codes This table shows the alarm codes that can be sent with individual each results.
Host Alarm Report Alarm Description

A ADC? ADC Abnormal
B Calib Calibration error
C Cmp.T Test-to-test compensation error
D I.Std Internal standard concentration abnormal
E Slope? Slope abnormal
F Lin. 8 Linearity abnormal for 8 points or less
G SD! SD error
H S1Abs? Standard 1 absorbance abnormal
I Limt0 Reaction limit over at all points
J Limt1 Reaction limit over except at 1 point
K Limt2 Reaction limit over except at 2 or 3 points
L Level Level error
M Cmp.T! Test-to-test compensation disabled
N Noise Noise error
O Over Overflow
P Prozon PROZONE error
Q CELL? Cell blank abnormal
R Margin Preparation abnormal
S STD? STD error
T Reagn Reagent short
U Dup Duplicate error
V Sampl Sample Short
W Lin. Linearity abnormal for 9 points or more
X ??? Calculation disabled
Y Sens Sensitivity error
Z ABS? Absorbance over
& R.Over Sample value abnormal
$ LimtH Panic value lower limit over
LimtL Panic value upper limit over
@ Random Random error [R-4s]
# Systm1 Systematic error 1 [2-2sA]
Systm2 Systematic error 2 [2-2sW]
Systm3 Systematic error 3 [4-1sA]
Systm4 Systematic error 4 [4-1sW]
Systm5 Systematic error 5 [10xA]
Systm6 Systematic error 6 [10xW]
+ QCErr1 QC error 1
QCErr2 QC error 2
* Edited Edited Results
! CalErr Calibration failure
> >AMAX Nonlinear calibration absorbance exceeds upper limit
N/A Calc? Calculation test error
space H Expected value upper limit over
space L Expected value lower limit over
space nothing Normal, no alarm

Sample Result Packet
General notes This result packet is used by the 917 to transmit results to the host for a
specific sample.
If all test results are deleted by the operator on the DATA REVIEW screen,
then the sample will be transmitted with a test count of zero and no result data.

Sample Result Packet, Continued
Format The format of the Sample Result packet is shown below.
Data Receiver Sender Packet Sample

Start ID ID Number Frame Function Code Class
STX Host ID - 917 ID 1-8 1, 2, 3, A, B, C, D, E, N, O, 1-5
(1-9) (1-9) 4, 5, or : P, Q, R, a, d, n, or q
... Sample Disk Position Sample ID

Number Number Number Cup Number Age
... ◊◊◊◊1-10000 4 spaces Routine: ◊◊1-100 Standard: 1 13 chars. ◊◊0-200
+ 0-9 Stat: ◊◊1-110 Micro: 2
... Collection Collection Result

Age Units Sex Date Time Operator ID Count
... Days: 1 Unknown: 0 mmddyy hhmm 6 chars ◊◊1-100
Months: 2 Male: 1 mm: 01-12 hh: 00-23
Years: 3 Female: 2 dd: 01-31 mm: 00-59
yy: 00-99
... Test Number Result Alarm Code Comment Flags 1-5

... ◊◊1-100 6 digits 1 char. 11111
Repeated “result count” times Sent if Send Comments parameter set

... 30 chars 25 chars 20 chars 15 chars 10 chars
If no comment is available, spaces will be sent. Sent if Send Comments
parameter is enabled. Legal comments are all alphanumeric characters.

... ETX CSH CSL CR

Sample Result Packet, Continued
Example STX423:A3◊◊◊◊3◊◊◊◊0◊◊31◊◊◊◊◊◊◊000003◊◊◊3◊0817951338MDA◊◊◊◊◊3◊
◊1◊◊◊◊-1◊◊21◊◊◊◊◊2◊◊31◊◊◊◊13!11111◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊
◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊COMMENT◊3◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊CO
MMENT◊5◊ETXC4CR
Data Receiver Sender Packet Function Sample

Start ID ID Number Frame Code Class
STX 4 2 3 : A 3
... Sample Disk Position Sample ID

Number Number Number Cup Number Age
... ◊◊◊◊3 ◊◊◊◊0 ◊◊3 1 ◊◊◊◊◊◊000003 ◊◊◊
... Age Collection Collection Result

Units Sex Date Time Operator ID Count
... 3 ◊ 081795 1338 MDA◊◊◊ ◊◊◊3
... Test Alarm Test Alarm Test Alarm

Number Result Code Number Result Code Number Result Code
... ◊◊1 ◊◊◊◊-1 ◊ ◊21 ◊◊◊◊◊2 ◊ ◊31 ◊◊◊◊13 !
... Comment Flags Comment 1 Comment 2 Comment 3

... 11111 ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊ ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊ COMMENT◊3
◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊ ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊ ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊
... Comment 4 Comment 5 Data End Checksum Packet End

... ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊ COMMENT◊5◊ ETX C4 CR

Control Result Packet
General notes This result packet is used by the 917 to transmit results to the host for a
specific control.
Format The format of the Control Result packet is shown below.
Data Receiver Sender Packet Function Sample Control Sample

STX Host ID - 917 ID 1-8 1, 2, 3, F or f space ◊1-40 ◊◊1-150
(1-9) (1-9) 4, 5, or :
... Disk Number Position Number Sample Cup ID Number

... disk 1: 4 spaces + 0-9 disk 1: ◊◊1-110 space 13 spaces
disk 2: 5 spaces disk 2: space + ◊1-57
... Age Age Units Sex Control Lot. No. Operator ID Result Count
... 3 spaces space space 10 digits 6 chars ◊◊1-100
... Test Number Result Alarm Code Comment Flags 1-5

... ◊◊1-100 6 digits 1 char. 00000
Repeated “result count” times Sent if Send Comments
parameter enabled

... ETX CSH CSL CR

Control Result Packet, Continued
Example STX216:F◊◊1◊◊1◊◊◊◊◊◊◊5◊◊◊◊◊◊Ptrol-N◊◊◊◊◊◊XLS-95◊◊◊◊MDA◊◊◊◊21◊◊
1◊◊◊◊◊2I◊◊2◊◊◊◊-7I◊◊3◊◊◊◊-7I◊◊4◊◊◊◊◊7I◊◊5◊◊◊◊◊1I◊◊6◊◊◊◊◊0◊◊◊7◊◊◊◊-4
!◊◊8◊◊◊3.3◊◊11◊◊58.1I◊13◊◊-4.0!◊14◊◊-8.2!◊15◊◊-4.2◊◊16◊◊◊0.2!◊17◊◊◊0.
0◊◊19◊◊-0.4I◊20◊◊◊-12!◊21◊◊◊◊◊6!◊23◊◊◊8.8!◊87◊170.2◊◊88◊12.87◊◊89◊1
70.3◊00000ETX0BCR
Data Receiver Sender Packet Function Sample Control Sample

STX 2 1 6 : F ◊ ◊1 ◊◊1
... Disk Number Position Number Sample Cup ID Number

... ◊◊◊◊◊ ◊◊5 ◊ ◊◊◊◊◊Ptrol-N◊
... Age Age Units Sex Control Lot. No. Operator ID Result Count
... ◊◊◊ ◊ ◊ XLS-95◊◊◊◊ MDA◊◊◊ ◊21
... Test Alarm Test Alarm Test Alarm

Number Result Code Number Result Code Number Result Code
... ◊◊1 ◊◊◊◊◊2 I ◊◊2 ◊◊◊◊-7 I ◊◊3 ◊◊◊◊-7 I
... ◊◊4 ◊◊◊◊◊7 I ◊◊5 ◊◊◊◊◊1 I ◊◊6 ◊◊◊◊◊0 ◊
... ◊◊7 ◊◊◊◊-4 ! ◊◊8 ◊◊◊3.3 ◊ ◊11 ◊◊58.1 I
... ◊13 ◊◊-4.0 ! ◊14 ◊◊-8.2 ! ◊15 ◊◊-4.2 ◊
... ◊16 ◊◊◊0.2 ! ◊17 ◊◊◊0.0 ◊ ◊19 ◊◊-0.4 I
... ◊20 ◊◊◊-12 ! ◊21 ◊◊◊◊◊6 ! ◊23 ◊◊◊8.8 !
... ◊87 ◊170.2 ◊ ◊88 ◊12.87 ◊ ◊89 ◊170.3 ◊
... Comment Flags Data End Checksum Packet End

... 00000 ETX 0B CR

Photometric Calibration Result Packet
General notes This result packet is used by the 917 to transmit photometric calibration results
to the host.
Format The format of the Photometric Calibration Result packet is shown below.
Data Receiver Sender Packet Function Operator

Start ID ID Number Frame Code Spare ID
STX Host ID - 917 ID 1-8 : G space 6 chars.
(1-9) (1-9)
... Spare Channel Number STD Count Calibration Alarm

... Space ◊1-86 1-6 1 char.
Bichromatic and Monochromatic Readings

... STD 1st 1st Initial 2nd 2nd Initial Data Prozone
No. Absorbance Absorbance Absorbance Absorbance Alarm Value
... 1-6 6 digits 6 digits 6 digits 6 digits 1 char 6 digits
Repeated “STD count” times
... SD SD Decimal Point Data

Flag Value Position End Checksum Packet End
... Y or N 6 digits 1 char ETX CSH CSL CR
Spaces if SD Flag is N

ISE Calibration Result Packet
General notes This result packet is used by the 917 to transmit ISE calibration results.
Format This shows the format of the ISE Calibration Result packet.
Data Receiver Sender Packet Function

Start ID ID Number Frame Code Spare Operator ID ISE Type
STX Host ID - 917 ID 1-8 : H space 6 chars. A: NaK
(1-9) (1-9) B: NaKCl
... Na Alarm Space Na Data No. Measured Value Data Alarm

... 1 char spare 1-8 6 digits 1 char
Repeated for data numbers 1-8
... K Alarm Space K Data No. Measured Value Data Alarm

... 1 char spare 1-8 6 digits 1 char
... Cl Cl Data Measured Data Data

Alarm Space No. Value Alarm End Checksum Packet End
... 1 char spare 1-8 6 digits 1 char ETX CSH CSL CR
Present only if ISE Type is B
Data numbers The following data type ranges are used in the ISE Calibration Result packet.
Range Definition Range Definition

1 Internal standard EMF 5 Slope value for display
2 Low standard EMF 6 Internal standard concentration
3 High standard EMF 7 Concentration of M solution
4 M solution EMF 8 Compensation factor

Original Absorbance Result Packet
General notes This result packet is used by the 917 to transmit original absorbance data.
The number of absorbance values in each frame is dependent on the text size
configured as shown here. For each frame the sample information is repeated.
Text Size Packet 1 Packet 2 End Packet

256 1-23 24-56 57-73
512 1-65 66-73
1028 1-73
Format The format of the Original Absorbance Result packet is shown below.
Data Receiver Sender Packet Sample

Start ID ID Number Frame Function Code Class Sample Number
STX Host ID - 917 ID 1-8 1, 2, or : i, j, k, l, or m i-l: 1-5 ◊◊◊◊1-10000
(1-9) (1-9) m: space
... Disk
Number Position Number Sample Cup ID Number Age Age Units
... 4 spaces + Routine: ◊◊1-100 Standard: 1 13 chars. ◊◊0-200 Days: 1
0-9 Stat: ◊◊1-110 Micro: 2 Months: 2
Years: 3
... Collection Collection Test Measured Data Blank

Sex Date Time Channel Value Alarm Result
... Unknown: 0 mmddyy hhmm space + ◊1-92 6 digits 1 char 6 digits
Male: 1 mm: 01-12 hh: 00-23
Female: 2 dd: 01-31 mm: 00-59
yy: 00-99
Analytical Data - repeated 4 times 4 times
... Point Count Absorbance Data Data End Checksum Packet End
... space + ◊0-73 6 digits ETX CSH CSL CR
Repeated “point count” times

Results Request
General notes The Results Request packet is used by the host to request a specific sample’s
results.
The 917 will hold up to ten requests in it’s internal buffer. Each time a request
is fulfilled, the request will be deleted from it’s buffer. When the maximum of
ten is reached, the host will acknowledge receipt of the Results Request
packet, but will not add it to the buffer so results for that sample will not be
sent.
The internal buffer for these requests is cleared by resetting the system power.
Format The format of the Results Request packet is shown below.
Data Receiver Sender Packet Function Sample

Start ID ID Number Frame Code Class
STX 917 ID Host ID 1-8 < a, d, n, or q 1-5
(1-9) (1-9)
... Sample Number Disk Number Position Number Sample Cup ID Number
... ◊◊◊◊1-10000 4 spaces + 0-9 Routine: ◊◊1-100 Stnd: 1 13 chars.
Stat: ◊◊1-110 Micro: 2
This data is ignored by the 917 for bar coded samples. Ignored for Ignored for non-
all samples. bar coded
samples
... Age Age Units Sex Collection Date Collection Time

... ◊◊1-200 Days: 1 Unknown: 0 mm: 01-12 hh: 00-23
Months: 2 Male: 1 dd: 01-31 mm: 00-59
Years: 3 Female: 2 yy: 00-99
Ignored for all samples.

... ETX CSH CSL CR

Protocol
General notes The analyzer initiates all communications.
The host must wait for the complete packet from the analyzer before
responding.
The host must respond to all communications within a user defined time. This
time is in the range of 2-10 seconds.
Test selecting The 917 analyzer gets test selections in one of two orders depending upon the
Inquire Always parameter setting. Use the table below to determine which
method is used.
Action
Step Inquire Always OFF Inquire Always ON
1 Reads one sample’s bar code. Reads one sample’s bar code.
2 Checks internal database for Sends Test Selection Request packet
sample’s test selections. to host for sample’s test selections.
3 If no test selections in database, If no test selections received from host,
sends Test Selection Request packet checks internal database for sample’s
to host for sample’s test selections. test selections.
4 If no test selections received from If no test selections are found in the
host, uses a default download. database, uses a default download.
5 If no default download is defined, If no default download is defined, then
then skips sample. skips sample.
Transmitting Results are sent to the host as soon as they are processed (printed at analyzer).
results
Results are buffered when the host is not responding or the 917 needs test
selections.
The 917 can operate in a Results Only mode in which only results are
transmitted to the host. In this mode, the host should not send any
communications to the 917.

Protocol, Continued
Initiating batch The 917 does not allow operator initiated batch test selection requests because
test selection the host is able to send test selections at any time per the protocol.
requests
Initiating batch Follow the steps below to initiate results upload.

result upload
Step Action
1 Touch WORKPLACE tab.
2 Access DATA REVIEW screen.
3 Highlight samples to send and touch SEND TO HOST button.

Protocol, Continued
Overview An overview of the 917 host interface protocol is shown in the table below.
Step HOST 917

1 --- Operator enables host communications.
2 ← Sends Data Accepted packet to initiate communications
with host system and request information if any available.
3 Sends Data Accepted packet because no test →
selections are available and no requests from the
host are needed.
OR
Sends Test Selection Download packet with test →
selections for a sample.
OR
Sends Repeat packet indicating bad packet →
received.
OR
Sends Results Request packet asking for a specific →
sample’s results.
4 ← Sends Data Accepted packet to indicated data received and
additional information can be received. (go to step 3)
OR
← Sends Repeat packet to indicate data not received correctly
(content/checksum). Waits for host to resend packet. (go
to step 3) If previous packet sent was not Data Accepted,
then this previous packet is just resent.
OR
← Receives Data Accepted packet and has no results to send.
Sends Data Accepted packet (go to step 3).
OR
← Receives Data Accepted packet and has results to send.
Sends Results packet.
OR
← Receives Repeat packet and resends last packet (go to step
3).
OR
← Receives Data Accepted packet and has samples with no
test selections. Sends Test Selection Request packet.
5 Receives Results packet and sends Data Accepted →
packet stating data received and can receive more
results. (go to step 4)
OR
Sends Repeat packet indicating bad packet →
received. (go to step 4)
OR
Receives Test Selection Request and sends Test →
Selection Download packet for the requested
sample or a different one. (go to step 4)

Bar Codes
General notes The 917 bar code reader is autodiscriminate and reads:
• Codabar
• Interleaved 2 of 5
• Code 39, and
• Code 128 (subset a, b and c).

Checksum
General notes The 917 uses a standard checksum calculation.

Pin Configuration
Layout The 917 has a standard 9 pin female connector on the back of the analyzer.
The host interface cable is connected to the connector labeled ‘Host’ which is
clipped to the rear panel of the 917 control unit (Munz stand). If this label
does not exist, connect the cable to the connector marked ‘Serial A’ on the
backside of the control unit computer which is located inside the 917 control
unit rear panel.
1 - DCD
6 - DSR
2 - RXD
7 - RTS
3 - TXD
8 - CTS
4 - DTR
9 - RI
5 - GND
Pinouts Only the following pins should be connected.
917 End of Cable Host End of Cable

2 Transmit
3 Receive
5 Ground

Loop Back Test
General notes The 917 does not have a loop back test.

Communication Log
General notes The 917 communication log contains the last 2000 packets.
Printing log To print the log use the steps below.
Step Action
1 Touch PRINT button.
2 Touch MAINT/UTILITY button.
3 Touch SYSTEM COMMUNICATION TRACE option.
Log content This table shows the contents of the log for different conditions.
Data Packet Log Contents

Test Selection Request • receiver ID
Test Selection Download • sender ID
Results Request • packet number
Sample Results • frame character
• function character
• sample information
Photometric Calibration Results • receiver ID
ISE Calibration Results • sender ID
Control Results • packet number
• frame character
• function character
Error condition • details of the error
• text up to the occurrence of the error
Control Packet • receiver ID
• sender ID
• packet number
• frame character

Communication Log, Continued
Log messages The table below lists the possible messages on the log and their meaning.
Comm Log Error Meaning

BCC ERROR Analyzer detected a bad BCC from host.
SUM ERROR Analyzer detected a bad checksum from host.
TIME OUT ERROR Host did not respond to the analyzer packet in time.
CHARACTER ERROR The analyzer detected an incorrect character in the
data packet.
FORMAT ERROR The packet from host was not correctly formatted.
TEXT LENGTH ERR The analyzer received a packet of incorrect length.

Communication Log, Continued
Log example Below is an example of a communication log printout.
Note: The italic text in parenthesis and diamonds (◊) are shown only to aid in
training and are not included on the trace printout.
SYSTEM COMMUNICATION TRACE 10/28/91 10:26
10:25:29 - 10:25:29 AU → HOST (Data Accepted packet from analyzer)

141>
ETX
10:25:29 - 10:25:29 HOST → AU (Data Accepted packet from host)

411>
ETX
10:25:29 - 10:25:29 AU → HOST (Test Selection Request packet from analyzer)

142;A1◊◊◊◊5◊◊◊◊1◊◊51◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊25413◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊
10:25:29 - 10:25:29 HOST → AU (Test Selection Download packet from host)

412;A1◊◊◊◊5◊◊◊◊1◊◊51◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊25413◊18311223910539

143>

413>
10:25:29 - 10:25:29 AU → HOST (Result packet from analyzer)

144:A1◊◊◊◊5◊◊◊◊1◊◊51◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊25413◊18311223910539

414>

145>

Host Alarms
Alarm table The 917 will post a SYSTEM I/F Warning when something is wrong with the
host interface.
In most cases, the host communications is not disabled unless the error occurs
a maximum of times set on the parameter screen. In this case, the alarm for
the condition and the alarm for disabling communications is given.
The table below gives the different interface alarms, a description of each and
possible conditions and solutions for each.
Alarm Description Possible Conditions/Solutions

126-001 A receiving time-out has 917 did not receive packet from host in specified
occurred retry count and time:
• Ensure communication parameters match host
• Check cabling
• Review log to ensure host following protocol
126-002 A transmission time-out has
occurred
126-003 A checksum error has occurred 917 received bad checksum value from host:
• Review calculation used by host
126-004 A parity error has occurred The parity or end code setting does not agree with
data sent from host:
• Check parity setting
• Check end code setting
126-005 A framing error has occurred
126-006 An overrun error has occurred
126-007 A frame error has occurred The host used an illegal frame character:
• Check log for packet content - frame character
used is incorrect
126-008 A text length error has occurred The packet received from the host is too long or
too short.
• Check log for packet length - length of packet
sent if wrong

Host Alarms, Continued
Alarm table (cont’d)
Alarm Description Possible Conditions/Solutions

126-009 A function character error has The host used an illegal function character:
occurred • Check log for packet content - function
character used is incorrect
126-010 A sample information data error The host sent illegal values in the sample
has occurred information fields:
• Check log for packet content - sample
information field values
126-011 A test selection data error has The host sent illegal values in the test selection
occurred field:
• Check log for packet content - test selection
field has other than 0, 1, 2, 3, 4
126-012 A comment error has occurred The host sent illegal values in the comment field:
• Check log for packet content - comment field
characters are illegal
126-013 A host ID, instrument ID or The host sent illegal values for host ID, instrument
packet number error has ID or packet number:
occurred • Check log for packet content - check ranges of
host ID, instrument ID and packet number
126-014 Communication disabled after The 917 has sent the maximum number of retries
specified number of retries specified by retry count parameter:
• An error has occurred (see above alarms) a
maximum number of retries...communications
is disabled.

917 Review
Revision check Prior to use, check the revision level of this document per the Indianapolis LD
General Procedures Manual, IN-GEN-100, How to Verify Document
Revision Level. Discard old revision level documents.
Purpose This document is to be used as a review of the BM/Hitachi 917 host interface.
Answers can be found at the back of the document.
Caution! This review is intended as a supplement to Technical Support Host Interface

Training. It is not intended for customer use.
True or False Circle T (True) or F (False) in answer to each statement.
1. The 917 can be put into a mode in which the host always T F
asks for test selections before looking internally.
2. In the 917 Stat Results mode, results will be sent to the host T F
for all samples as each result is available.
3. The 917 lets the user define the time in which the host has to T F
respond to a transmission from the analyzer.
Book Name: Technical Support Host Interface Training Guide

Written by: F. Crowel Approved by: T. Gray
Printed by: Document User Date Printed: 03/10/97
Effective Date: 4/15/97 Controlled Copy No.:
Black or Blank copy number indicates uncontrolled copy.
Boehringer Mannheim Corporation confidential. Copy with care.
917 Review, Continued
Multiple choice Circle the best answer.
1. On the 917 interface, the user can define:

a. Repeat count - number of times the 917 will send a Repeat packet
before canceling the sending of the current packet and moving to
the next one
b. Retry count - how many consecutive errors the 917 will allow
before terminating communications
c. Retry time - how many seconds the 917 will wait before retrying
communications after an error
d. All of the above
2. The 917 can be configured to ask the host for test selections for what
mode when tests are not available internally?
a. Automatic Rerun
b. Manual Rerun
c. Stat
d. All of the above
3. In the Host Priority mode:

a. The 917 will wait for a response from the host for a test selection
request before continuing sampling.
b. The host initiates all communications.
c. The host can have the 917 holds results while it downloads test
selections.
d. All of the above.

Matching Match the best definition to each word. All definitions will be used once
Data Accepted but a. Message on communication log indicating

Suspend the checksum was calculated incorrectly.
3 b. Indicates a SYSTEM I/F Alarm.
c. Packet used by receiver to indicate to sender
* that packet was received.
SUM ERROR d. End Result packet frame symbol.
126-### e. Edited flag.
f. Test selection value indicating to run sample
: with increased sample volume.
Questions Answer each question. Refer to the Troubleshooting Guide if necessary.

1. On a 917, the alarm 126-014 was received. What does this alarm
indicate, what might be wrong and what tools would you use to
determine the problem?
2. What alarm disables communications?
3. If TS ASK Always is ON, what are the steps used by the 917 to get
test selections?

Answers
True or false Below are the answers for the true and false questions.
1. TRUE
2. FALSE. Sends results for Stat samples only.
3. TRUE
Multiple choice The answers below are for the multiple choice questions.
1. On the 917 interface, the user can define:

a. Repeat count - number of times the 917 will send a Repeat packet
before canceling the sending of the current packet and moving to
the next one
b. Retry count - how many consecutive errors the 917 will allow
before terminating communications
c. Retry time - how many seconds the 917 will wait before retrying
communications after an error
d. All of the above
2. The 917 can be configured to ask the host for test selections for what
sample type when tests are not available internally?
a. Automatic Rerun (Note: Tests are always available for a rerun.)
b. Manual Rerun (Note: Tests are always available for a rerun.)
c. Stat
d. All of the above
3. In the Host Priority mode:

a. The 917 will wait for a response from the host for a test
selection request before continuing sampling
b. The host initiates all communications
c. The host can have the 917 holds results while it downloads test
selections
d. All of the above

Answers, Continued
Matching The answers for the matching section of the review are given below.
c Data Accepted but Suspend

f 3
e *
a SUM ERROR
b 126-##
d :
Questions The answers to the questions portion are given below.

1. A receiving time out has occurred. The 917 did not receive a
packet from host in specified retry count and time. Need to ensure
communication parameters match host, check cabling, and review
log to ensure host following protocol.
2. 126-014 - Communication disabled after specified number of
retries.
3. Reads one sample’s bar code; Sends Test Selection Request packet
to host for sample’s test selections; If no test selections received
from host, checks internal database for sample’s test selections; If
no test selections are found in the database, uses a default
download; If no default download is defined, then skips sample.

917HITG

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BM/Hitachi 917 Host Interface Troubleshooting Guide

Purpose of This guide is

Caution! This guide is intended as a supplement to Technical Support Host Interface

Continued on next page

Book Name: Technical Support Host Interface Training Guide

Guide contents This guide covers the following topics.

Revision: 1.0 Page: 2 of 45

Accessing Use the steps below to access the communication parameters.

Continued on next page

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Stand-by Tue 06/13/95 11 16

WORKPLACE REAGENTS CALIBRATION QC MAINT/UTILITY

To display speed choices:

Sample Analyzer Sample

Speed Baud rates available include 4800 and 9600.

Continued on next page

Revision: 1.0 Page: 4 of 45

Text Size Maximum Results Per Packet

Parity Parity can be set to even, odd or none.

Data bits Word length can be either 7 or 8 bits.

Stop bit One or two stop bits can be used.

Continued on next page

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Continued on next page

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If it is set to Incremental, then as the results for a stat sample become

If Cancel, no sample information or comment flags are sent.

Continued on next page

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Enabling To enable host communications follow these steps.

Print/Host The following screen is used to enable host communications.

Real Time Calib Print

Continued on next page

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Packet Use Direction Frame

Repeat Used by receiver to indicate to sender that HOST ↔ 917 ?

The 917 will only send the Repeat packet when

The 917 will only send the Repeat packet a

Continued on next page

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Control Packets, Continued

Data Receiver Sender Packet Data

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Analyzer Configuration Packets

The Channel Assignment packet is used to communicate what application

Format The Channel Assignment packet format is shown below.

Data Receiver Sender Packet

... Start Channel No. Spare Channel Count

Channel 1 / 51 Channel 50 / 100

... Data End Checksum Packet End

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Packet Use Direction Frame

Data Receiver Sender Packet Data Packet

Continued on next page

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Data Packets, Continued

Frame Symbol Packet Direction

Continued on next page

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Data Packets, Continued

Test Selections Results

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Test Selection Request Packet