Issued by: Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V.

- UK Branch
Document issue: Ver B, January 1999
Produced by : - Customer Technology Centre (UK) (CTC UK)
Travellers Lane, Hatfield, Herts, AL10 8XB, UK
Author: Alex Kew

Databank - Technical Bulletin

FX2N Communication mode/format switching when

using a single communications port
(such as FX2N-232-BD)

Introduction
This data sheet explains how an FX2N PLC can be used to switch between using two serial
communication modes through the same com port. The communication formats being
considered are:

1. NO-Protocol mode.
A user-configured data communication method using the RS instruction of the FX
family of PLCs.

2. FX Direct Programming-Protocol mode.

This is the core programming and monitoring protocol used by programming
software
developed by Mitsubishi Electric, i.e. FX-PCS/WIN, MEDOC etc.

Note:
The communications protocols identified above should not be confused with the pre-configured data collection
protocols used by the FX family, i.e. protocols identified as “1” or “4” used in conjunction with a 485 network
configuration.

Equipment
Equipment used in the testing of this mode switching function was as follows:-

• FX2N-32MR-ES version 2.05

• FX2N-232-BD
• Apricot XEN-PC running Windows 3.11
• Microsoft Terminal Emulator for Windows
• FX-PCS/WIN-E (Version 1.00)
• RS-232 cable (as per FX-232CAB)

Title: FX2N Communication mode/format switching when using a single communications Page 1 of 3
port (such as FX2N-232-BD)
Keywords: FX2N PLC,
FX2N-232-BD,
Communications,
Serial/RS 232 comms,
Mode/format switching,
Changing programming port protocols
Issued by: Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. - UK Branch
Document issue: Ver B, January 1999
Produced by : - Customer Technology Centre (UK) (CTC UK)
Travellers Lane, Hatfield, Herts, AL10 8XB, UK
Author: Alex Kew

Databank - Technical Bulletin

Procedure
In order to switch from No-protocol to Programming-protocol modes, the following
conditions/program actions need to be performed:
1. No-protocol mode
• The required communication parameters need to be set in special register D8120
(baud rate, stop bits, word lengths etc).
• The RS instruction must be active (which defines communication buffers in data
memory and controls communication flow).

2. FX Direct Programming-protocol mode

• The RS instruction must be disabled, i.e. not active.
• A value of zero should be written to special data register D8120.

Note: On change over between communications modes/formats there must be a delay of at

least 2 program scans after the RS instruction has been disabled/enabled.

Communication Settings
To effectively use the communication mode switching feature, the data communications
format (specified by D8120) used in No-Protocol mode, should be set to the following
parameters:-

• 9600 or 19200 bps

• 7 data bits
• 1 stop bit
• Even parity
• No handshaking
• (The use of a header and/or terminator characters is acceptable)

Note: If any other communication parameters are set, then the programming-protocol mode
may not function as expected.

Title: FX2N Communication mode/format switching when using a single communications Page 2 of 3
port (such as FX2N-232-BD)
Keywords: FX2N PLC,
FX2N-232-BD,
Communications,
Serial/RS 232 comms,
Mode/format switching,
Changing programming port protocols
Issued by: Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. - UK Branch
Document issue: Ver B, January 1999
Produced by : - Customer Technology Centre (UK) (CTC UK)
Travellers Lane, Hatfield, Herts, AL10 8XB, UK
Author: Alex Kew

Databank - Technical Bulletin

Example sequence program
The following program is the example used to test the protocol mode switching function.

Please note that this example program has been included as an aid to understanding the
content of this data sheet, and should be used as a reference only.

Title: FX2N Communication mode/format switching when using a single communications Page 3 of 3
port (such as FX2N-232-BD)
Keywords: FX2N PLC,
FX2N-232-BD,
Communications,
Serial/RS 232 comms,
Mode/format switching,
Changing programming port protocols