25
Serial Interface
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
Utilities
CD-ROM that is included with each TriCoder has a
Hardware Utilities
program that is extremely
useful. 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.
If you ordered the TriCoder with the intent to use it as a serial interface you should have also ordered the
C24
9 pin serial cable with
your TriCoder. This cable has a 9 pin male RS-232 on one end and our 30pin I/O connector on the other end.
If the host port is female, it‟s not serial port. (Parallel ports are female)
If you have the wrong cable (9 pin cable and you have a 25 pin port) you can get a 9 to 25 serial adapter at your computer store.
The easy part is the connection – simply plug the
C24
end of your cable into the open serial port in the back of your computer. Plug
the I/O end of the cable into the port on the bottom 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.
Serial Installation on PC
Serial Interface Communications Software
If you serially connect the TriCoder to a PC, software is required to communicate with the serial port. Some applications read the serial port
directly; no additional software is required.
If you want to connect to the serial port yet emulate the keyboard, use our
PortKey
software.
PortKey
takes data coming from the
serial port and re-directs it through the keyboard buffer, allowing you to emulate most keys on your keyboard.
The TriCoder comes with the
Integrated Hardware Utilities
for Windows
that allows you to configure your serial port, test your
communications, upload data, programs, voice prompts, firmware updates, and tables. The
Integrated Hardware
Utilities
is also the
easiest way to test serial communications.
If you are using a program other than the
Integrated Hardware
Utilities
, follow the installation and setup instructions for that
program.