10
Connections
3.2 USB Port
Communication with the Mini-Matrix through one of the USB ports can be
accomplished by connecting the Mini-Matrix to an RS-232 port on a PC or the
USB port on a PC. Either way a few essential items will be needed.
2 RS-232 to USB cables (
Note: If the user will be communicating
with the Mini-Matrix through the RS-232 port of a PC then only 1
RS-232 to USB cable is needed
)
1 null-modem cable
Depending on the gender of the port connectors a female to female 9 pin
D-Sub connector
Download PuTTY or another SSH (Secure Shell). A SSH is a command
interface and protocol for securely getting access to a remote computer
or device. The Mini-Matrix is the remote device that will be accessed by
the SSH. PuTTY is the SSH used to demonstrate how to connect to the
Mini-Matrix.
To communicate with the Mini-Matrix through the USB port, follow the steps in
sections 3.2.1 and 3.2.2 below.
3.2.1 Connecting to a RS-232 Port
To connect the Mini-Matrix to an RS-232 port of a PC perform the following
steps.
1. Connect the USB to RS-232 cable to the Mini-Matrix before turning the
Mini-Matrix on.
Note:
This is important because the drivers for the
cable are installed during the boot up of the Mini-Matrix.
2. Connect one end of the null-modem cable to the D-Sub connector of the
USB to RS-232 cable.
3. Connect the other end of the null-modem cable to the RS-232 port on a
PC. Depending on the gender of the D-Sub connectors, a female to
female D-Sub connecter may be needed.