Indexer LPT FAQ

Hi,

Need some help to understand Indexer LPT FAQ:
http://www.abilitysystems.com/faq.htm

Q: Is Indexer LPT considered a motor controller?

A: The word "controller" generally refers to the motor control system
consisting of an "indexer" and a "translator". The indexer portion of
the system is the intelligence. It accepts user generated verbal
commands and in turn generates the electronic signals used to control
acceleration, deceleration, interpolations etc. Indexer LPT
temporarily converts your PC Compatible computer into the indexer
portion of the control system, allowing you to use it to directly
control the step motor translators.



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Q: What is a step motor "translator"?

A: A translator is a special type of power amplifier used for stepper
motors. Translators typically are controlled by two electronic
signals: pulse and direction. In its dormant state, the translator
powers the step motor in such a manner so as to hold the shaft
position. When a translator receives a single pulse, it immediately
applies the appropriate currents to the motor windings so that the
motor moves from its present position by an incremental angle. The
logic level of the direction signal (high or low) at the time of the
pulse determines which direction the shaft will rotate, clockwise or
counterclockwise.



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Q: How does Indexer LPT control the translator?

A: To your DOS or Windows system Indexer LPT "behaves" like a disk
file. Plain English ASCII commands can be written to Indexer LPT in
the same manner as writing to a file. When Indexer LPT receives a
command to move a motor(s), it generates the necessary pulse and
direction signals from the printer card. In most cases the printer
card is wired point to point to the translator.

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My Questions:

Is the "translator" above the same as a stepper motor driver as in
G201 or Camtronics 2A etc?

Is the "Indexer" refered to above the same as the controller programs
often mentioned on this list such as CNCPro, TurbocCNC, Master5,
etc., except at a "lower" level and able to interpret more than just
Gcodes?

Thanks

Lee