5-3
Serial Interface
Connecting the Hardware
The TriCoder can operate as a serial interface reader on a PC. To use the
serial interface, you must have software reading the serial port directly, or a
keyboard emulation program like PortKey, (allows a serial interface
TriCoder to look like it’s working as a keyboard wedge). The TriCoder
Utilities disk that is included with each TriCoder has Windows utilities that
are extremely useful on a PC serial port. Use the following procedures and
illustrations to connect the TriCoder to the PC serial port
Serial Installation on a PC
The RS-232 serial ports on a PC are commonly called COM ports and are
referred to as COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4. Typically you will be
using COM1 or COM2.
1. If you ordered the TriCoder
for serial upload and planned to use
it on a PC, you should have also ordered one of two cables, either
the 25 pin F34 cable or the 9 pin F36 cable. The F34 25pin female
null modem cable is designed to work directly off of a 25 pin PC
serial port. The F36 9pin female straight cable is wired to connect
directly to a 9 pin PC serial port. Both cables have a female 9 pin
or 25 pin end and a RJ-45 modular (telephone style) 8 pin end.
2. If the host port is female, it’s not serial port.
3. If you have the wrong cable (9 pin cable and you have a 25 pin
port, or vice versa) you can get a 9 to 25 or 25 to 9 adapter at your
computer store.
4. The easy part is the connection – simply plug the 25 pin or 9 pin
end of your cable into the open serial port in the back of your
computer. Plug the modular end of the cable into the port labeled
COMPUTER on the side of the TriCoder. If your serial ports are
labeled (COM1 or COM2), make a note of which port you are
plugged into – the software you use will need to know which COM
port you are using.
