Differences between definition and working principle
Configuration screen.
It has built-in configuration software, which can directly read data from the lower-level machine through configuration drivers, and is commonly used in industrial automation scenarios.
It supports multiple protocols (such as Modbus and PLC protocols) and can independently complete data acquisition, logic operations, and remote control.
Serial port screen.
As a slave device, it receives commands from the master device via a serial port (RS-232/485, etc.) to update the displayed content.
Typically, only a single communication protocol is supported, requiring an external MCU to send formatting instructions (such as header and footer checksums).
Feature Comparison
Advantages of configurable screens.
Supports complex interactions: Customizable interface layout, real-time monitoring, data storage, and fault diagnosis.
Independent operation capability: It can connect to sensors, PLCs, and other devices without requiring an external MCU, reducing system complexity.
Features of serial port screens.
Lower cost: Simplified hardware structure, suitable for scenarios with simple display content.
Easy development: Display elements can be controlled by sending commands via serial port, shortening the development cycle.
Application scenario selection suggestions
Scenarios applicable to configuration screens.
Requires independent data processing: such as industrial field data acquisition and smart grid monitoring.
Multi-protocol compatibility requirement: When multiple devices such as PLCs and frequency converters need to be connected simultaneously.
Serial port screen applicable scenarios.
The displayed content is fixed: such as the control panel of home appliances, or the status display of medical equipment.
Cost-sensitive projects: Small to medium-sized embedded systems or scenarios with low requirements for display functionality.
Configuration screens and serial port screens are two different types of displays, and they differ in terms of function, application scenarios, and working principles.
Definitions and Concepts
A configuration screen is a computer software-based display technology that allows for the configuration and management of displayed content. Configuration screens are commonly used in industrial automation, monitoring systems, and building automation, enabling real-time monitoring, data acquisition, and fault diagnosis of equipment.
A serial port screen is a display technology based on a serial communication interface. It exchanges data with a main controller through a serial communication interface to update and control the displayed content. Serial port screens are commonly used in embedded systems, industrial control, medical equipment, and other fields, and are characterized by their small size, low cost, and ease of integration.
Working principle
The working principle of a configuration panel is mainly based on configuring and managing the displayed content through computer software. Users can design the display interface through configuration software, including layout, colors, fonts, etc., and then send the designed interface to the display screen through the software. Configuration panels typically use communication protocols such as TCP/IP and Modbus to exchange data with the main controller.
The working principle of a serial port display is mainly to exchange data with the main controller through a serial communication interface. The main controller sends data to the serial port display through the serial communication interface, and after receiving the data, the serial port display updates its display interface according to the data content. Serial port displays typically use serial communication protocols such as RS-232 and RS-485 to exchange data with the main controller.
Features
The configuration panel has the following features:
Powerful customization features: Users can customize the display interface according to their needs, including layout, colors, fonts, etc.
Real-time monitoring: The configuration panel can realize real-time monitoring of the equipment and display the equipment's operating status, parameters and other information in real time.
Data Acquisition and Analysis: The configuration panel can collect data from the equipment and perform data analysis to provide a basis for equipment maintenance and management.
Fault diagnosis: The configuration panel can perform fault diagnosis based on the equipment's operating status and parameter changes, and promptly detect equipment problems.
Remote control: The configuration panel can realize remote control function, allowing operation and control of the device via the Internet or local area network.
The serial port screen has the following features:
Small size and low cost: Serial port screens typically adopt a miniaturized design, resulting in a smaller size and lower cost.
Easy to integrate: The serial port screen can be connected to the main controller through a serial communication interface, making it easy to integrate into various devices.
The display content is simple: serial port screens are mainly used to display basic information about the device, such as status and parameters, and the display content is relatively simple.
Diverse communication protocols: The serial port screen supports multiple serial communication protocols, such as RS-232 and RS-485, and has good compatibility.
High stability: The serial port screen uses hardware circuitry to implement the display function, which has high stability and reliability.
Application scenarios
Configuration screens are mainly used in the following scenarios:
Industrial Automation: The configuration panel can realize functions such as real-time monitoring, data acquisition, and fault diagnosis of industrial automation equipment.
Monitoring System: The configuration panel can be used as the display interface of the monitoring system to realize real-time monitoring and management of the monitoring equipment.
Building Automation: Configuration panels can be used as the display interface for building automation systems to monitor and manage building equipment.
Energy Management: Configuration panels can be used in energy management systems to enable real-time monitoring and data analysis of energy equipment.
Serial port screens are mainly used in the following scenarios:
Embedded systems: Serial port screens can be used as the display interface of embedded systems to display basic information about the device.
Industrial control: Serial port displays can be used as the display interface for industrial control equipment, enabling real-time monitoring and management of the equipment.
Medical equipment: Serial port screens can be used as the display interface for medical equipment to enable real-time display of equipment status and parameters.
Instrumentation: Serial port screens can be used as display interfaces for instruments, enabling real-time display of equipment parameters.
Many people may think that configuration screens and serial port screens are two completely different types of screens, but this is not the case. A serial port screen is a screen with a built-in serial port, while a configuration screen can be used with various related configuration software. However, there is no clear boundary between the two. Some special serial port screens can also be operated through configuration software, and configuration screens can also have serial ports installed during production, thus becoming serial port screens. Therefore, the difference between the two is not obvious.
Many people are unaware of the difference between configuration screens and serial port screens. In fact, they can be considered the same product, as they can be converted between each other through software and hardware. Regardless of which type of screen is used, attention should be paid to details and the correct installation and operation methods should be followed.
What is a serial port screen?
Let's first understand what a serial port screen is. As the name suggests, it's a screen with a serial port. It has two core functions:
The screen display interface can be designed via PC, and the screen display content can be modified via serial port. Simply put, the screen is used for display, and the data source for the display comes from the device on the other end of the serial port.
Configure serial port screen
In the past, HMIs were sometimes needed in industrial settings to provide workers with a convenient operating environment. However, different application sites had different operating interfaces. Manufacturers with experience in configuration software came up with the idea of using embedded boards to run WinCE. This made it easy to port the code from Windows. Users only needed to configure the system in the Windows configuration tool according to the application site, and then download the generated project files, object files, databases, and other files to the corresponding WinCE board to achieve a WYSIWYG display development process.
Later, some manufacturers also implemented this solution using Cortex-A8 + Linux + QT. These serial port screens are still relatively expensive, given the high cost of the processor platform they use.
Because the configuration software used in this solution uses a screen as the master device for serial port protocols, and supports a wide range of serial port protocols, such as various PLCs, common Siemens S7-200 PPI, Mitsubishi FX, general-purpose equipment Modbus-RTU/TCP, various instruments, frequency converters, etc.
The screen data can be associated with the serial port peripheral through software configuration. First, set the variables in the device window, and then associate the variables when designing the interface.
Universal serial port screen
Then I came across low-cost general-purpose serial port screens. One thing these serial port screens have in common with configuration screens is that their interfaces can be designed using PC software.
The difference lies in the more attractive price, but the serial port of this screen is a slave device of the protocol and generally only supports one protocol (like 0x80~0x85 below). Users need to use an external MCU as the master of the serial port and implement the relevant protocol to modify the data content of the displayed screen.
