The Mintaka Commander application is the most comprehensive way to connect your computer to the Mintaka DUO™ / DUO+™ / STAR™. It offers all the options below plus more, in a simple, one-application interface.
However, if your use of the Mintaka DUO™ / DUO+™ / STAR™ data requires a command line interface; whether a USB command line interface with an application like CoolTerm (DUO / DUO+ / STAR), or a Telnet command line interface (DUO+ / STAR), this is supported functionality.
For either connection you will need a mini USB to a regular USB cable. The computer will power the instrument through the USB cable during this process so other external power is not required.
Getting Started, USB Command Line
Step 1. Install the Drivers
Download and install the drivers on your computer so that the DUO / DUO+ / STAR is properly recognized.*
These come from: www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
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Driver installer
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Instructions
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*With Win 7 or Win 8, it could be that the computer will find and install the drivers automatically when you first plug the Mintaka DUO™ into it for the first time. If it seems to have done that, proceed to Step 2. If not, install them manually.
Step 2. Download the Free Program CoolTerm, or another USB command line application.
CoolTerm Instructions:
Download CoolTerm program from Roger Meiers. These come from freeware.the-meiers.org
Step 3. Configure and Run CoolTerm
Mac Notes
The download is a zip file that includes CoolTerm.app, which you can drag to your Applications folder or run from the extracted zip folder. There is also a Readme file with further notes. Then open the CoolTerm app, and from the menu bar select File > New.
Plug your Mintaka DUO™ into the computer, and open the Options tab. Under Serial Port select the serial number of your DUO / DUO+ / STAR (shown on the front of the device); set baud rate to 57600; under Terminal leave all as is, but check Handle Backspace Character; under Receive change Receive Buffer size to 100000 (i.e. add one zero). Then click OK and then click Connect.
In the CoolTerm screen showing type ‘h’ and enter to get a list of valid commands. When you are finished, you will be asked to save your CooltTerm file; say ‘yes’ and give it a name, i.e. duo.stc. Then next time you open CoolTerm, go to File > Open and load duo.stc and all settings will be there.
PC Notes
The download is a zip file. Extract this to a folder in a location of your choice. The extracted folder contains CoolTerm.exe. The program runs directly from this file; it does not need to be installed. Right click that file and create a shortcut, which you can drag to your desktop. Then click that shortcut to open CoolTerm. (If the Duo is not plugged in you may get a message that no serial ports were found, but the program will still open.)
Plug your DUO / DUO+ / STAR into the computer, and open the Options tab. Under Serial Port select the COM port that has been assigned to the USB port you have used. If there is just one in the list then that is it; if there is more than one, then unplug the instrument, press Re-scan Serial Ports to see which one goes away, which is the one you want. Plug the instrument back in, re-scan the ports, and select the proper one. Set baud rate to 57600; under Terminal leave all as is, but check Handle Backspace Character; under Receive change Receive Buffer size to 100000 (i.e. add one zero). Then click OK and then click Connect.
In the CoolTerm screen showing type ‘h’ and enter to get a list of valid commands. When you are finished, you will be asked to save your CooltTerm file; say ‘yes’ and give it a name, i.e. duo.stc. Then next time you open CoolTerm, go to File > Open and load duo.stc and all settings will be there.
Step 4. Refer to the User’s Guide for a definition of the files available to you, as well as an extended discussion of the other commands available.
