TCPServer

You can use the TCPServer function to define a spreadsheet cell as a TCP/IP server, which listens to connections in for another TCP/IP device to connect and share data over the network.

Note:

  • TCPServer generates an event after receiving a packet. This event updates the spreadsheet.

  • TCPServer accepts only one established connection. If a new connection request comes while there is already a connection, the old connection closes and the new connection replaces it.

TCPServer Inputs

Parameter Description
Port Number

Specifies the port number at which the TCPServer receives connections from TCP/IP devices. The port number is an unsigned 16 bit port number. 0 is not a valid port. The default port number is 3000.

Note: You need to assign the port number entered here on the server.
Packet Type

Defines the formatting of the data string communicated between TCP/IP devices.

Type Description
0 = String CR+LF (default) ASCII format. When a TCP Spreadsheet function is sending, the software appends ASCII characters 13 (Carriage Return) and 10 (Line Feed) to the data string. When receiving, CR+LF terminates the data string.
1 = String CR (13) ASCII format. When a TCP Spreadsheet function is sending, the software appends the ASCII character 13 (Carriage Return) to the data string. When receiving, CR terminates the data string.
2 = String LF (10) ASCII format. When a TCP Spreadsheet function is sending, the software appends the ASCII character 10 (Line Feed) to the data string. When receiving, LF terminates the data string.
3 = String Nullchar (0)

ASCII format. When a TCP Spreadsheet function is sending, the software appends the ASCII character 0 (Nullchar) to the data string. When receiving, Nullchar terminates the data string.

Note: Regardless of the Packet Type, when an In-Sight vision system receives data, the ASCII character 0 (Nullchar) terminates the data string.
5 = String with Custom Terminator ASCII format. When a TCP Spreadsheet function is sending, the software appends the specified Terminator to the data string. When receiving, the specified Terminator terminates the data string.
Terminator Specifies the byte value you use when you specify String with Customer Terminator, or Binary with Customer Terminator for the Packet Type.
Max Packet Size Specifies the maximum packet size that TCPServer can receive. If the remote sender exceeds the maximum packet size, ReadDevice shows an #ERR.

TCPServer Outputs

Returns

A Device data structure. Returns #ERR if any of the input parameters are invalid.
Results

When you insert the TCPServer function into a cell, a WriteDevice function is automatically inserted in the adjacent cell to the right.