When using a laptop + docking station, after completing a test in an Ansur QED 6 test template, a [Q] command is sent from Ansur and is received by QED 6, but QED 6 doesn't go to its main screen (Main Menu 1) interrupting the serial communications and therefore the QED 6 and Ansur test template hangs. It recovers only if the QED 6 is restarted.
As a work around, we have implemented the following in Ansur QED 6 Plug-in ver. 1.0.3 (available for download from the Fluke Biomedical website):
If and when the serial communication hangs, Ansur prompts the user to click the QED 6 "more" soft key twice, as shown in the message box below (no need to restart QED 6).
The message box also appears if QED 6 is switched off or connected to different COM port (when run through normal desktop PC, or a laptop NOT connected via a docking station).
After clicking OK, the "Instrument not found" message appears and the user needs to select or re-select the COM port to which QED 6 is connected.
When running from laptop + docking station, the message boxes (Fig: 1 and Fig: 2) will repeat for each QED 6 test. For example: if a template has 5 QED 6 test elements, then the message box (Fig: 1) appears 5 times .
Alternative solutions include:
- Trade in the QED 6 for an Impulse 6000D or Impulse 7000DP and the Ansur Impulse 6000D/7000DP Plug-in. See your local Fluke Biomedical representative for details and a quotation.
- Use QED6 with Ansur by connecting QED 6 to an Edgeport Serial-to-USB Adapter/Converter and the Edgeport Serial-to-USB Adapter/Converter to one of the computer's USB ports. Google keyword Edgeport to find a distributor near you or purchase online from DigiKey.