Well here is just a short post to announce our updated version of the mini USB to serial adapter which is compatible with Windows 7 32/64 bit and of course also all other versions of Windows, Linux and Mac. Check it out here:
USB to Serial adapter for Windows 7 32/64-bit
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
5 Things to Check when Chosing a USB to Serial adapter
| Things to check: 1. Preferred processor chip: FTDI or Silabs 2. Preferred serial driver chip: ZyWyn, Maxin or NI 3. At least 5VDC output power at serial connector 4. Build-in static protection to at least 600W 5. LED lights for TX and RX activity The details: 1. Preferred processor chip: FTDI or Silabs This is the utmost most important step. The reason why we highly recommend a USB to serial adapter with a processor chip from either FTDI or Silabs is because these are simply the best. We have extensive experience with these which shows us that these processor chips works with the majority of devices and equipment on the market. The drivers are very stable, easy to install and compatible with all versions of Windows 32/4-bit, Mac, Linux. 2. Preferred serial driver chip: ZyWyn, Maxin or NI The serial driver chip is what is actually communicating and providing the power signals for your device connected to the USB to serial adapter. We recommend a brand name driver chip from ZyWyn, Maxin or NI because these are very reliable and works well with the FTDI and Silabs processor chips. 3. At least 5VDC output power at serial connector We recommend a USB to serial adapter with at least 5VDC power output for the TX/RX signals. This will ensure a strong communication signal and that your device gets sufficient power. The output power is measured from signal ground to the Tx signal and the Rx signal. 4.Build-in static protection to at least 600W Built-in static protection protects the USB to serial adapter against high voltage spikes created either by static electricity or by surges in the supply voltage. This problem can exist both at the USB end and the serial RS232 end. 5. LED lights for TX and RX activity Not required but very nice to have. Being able to actually see when data is transmitted through the adapter is a big advantage when troubleshooting. This way its easier to find out where the problem lies; if its your computer, your device connected to the adapter or the adapter itself. Things to avoid: - Avoid adapters with a low-cost processor chip such as Prolific. The drivers are poorly written, incompatible with newer operating systems and creates unreliable communication. - Avoid adapters with a low output power (less than 5VDC). Low output power makes the communication unreliable or even impossible. U.S. Converters is selling a line of USB to Serial adapters that offers all the above features. We recommend one of these two adapters for all newer operating systems:
Here is an overview of all our USB to Serial RS232 adapters. Further reading: Why most USB to Serial adapters does not work with Windows 7 For further information regarding serial data communication, questions or suggestions please contact U.S. Converters |
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Industrial Ethernet Switch - The beginning...
U.S. Converters inventory of industrial Ethernet switches has started growing. There seems to be a growing tendency for business using this rugged and highly reliable version of Ethernet switches. Is the reason an increase in the economic upturn? We hope so.
What exactly is an industrial Ethernet switch? Well, the answer is actually simple, an industrial Ethernet switch does exactly the same job as a standard Ethernet switch the only difference is that the industrial Ethernet switch is more reliable, better protected and often in a rugged / solid version.
Often the performance is better and more reliable than a standard home office Ethernet switch.
Most industrial Ethernet switches offers a backup system such as dual power supply and redundant network capabilities. For example if one leg of the network goes down then another backup leg is ready to take over the communication to keep up the network. This is sometimes called redundant ring capabilities.
To be continued...
U.S. Converters offers an industrial Ethernet switch line with 5-ports Fiber and 6-ports non-fiber switches.
What exactly is an industrial Ethernet switch? Well, the answer is actually simple, an industrial Ethernet switch does exactly the same job as a standard Ethernet switch the only difference is that the industrial Ethernet switch is more reliable, better protected and often in a rugged / solid version.
Often the performance is better and more reliable than a standard home office Ethernet switch.
Most industrial Ethernet switches offers a backup system such as dual power supply and redundant network capabilities. For example if one leg of the network goes down then another backup leg is ready to take over the communication to keep up the network. This is sometimes called redundant ring capabilities.
To be continued...
U.S. Converters offers an industrial Ethernet switch line with 5-ports Fiber and 6-ports non-fiber switches.
The USB to Serial adapter - 5 things to look for when buying
The USB to Serial adapter, a great little device, however often it comes with lots of frustrations and time consuming setup procedures. Here are 5 things to make your life easier when buying and installing a USB to Serial adapter:
1. Choose a USB to Serial adapter with a FTDI or Silicon Labs chipset.
2. Only buy an adapter with a low-cost Prolific chipset if you plan on using it on older operating systems.
3. Use the latest drivers when installing the USB to serial adapter.
4. Read the installation / setup guide BEFORE attempting to install the adapter.
5. If you run into problems, make sure that the dealer offers qualified tech support.
As always www.USconverters.com offers highly qualified and efficient online tech support for all our products. Check out all our USB to Serial adapters.
1. Choose a USB to Serial adapter with a FTDI or Silicon Labs chipset.
2. Only buy an adapter with a low-cost Prolific chipset if you plan on using it on older operating systems.
3. Use the latest drivers when installing the USB to serial adapter.
4. Read the installation / setup guide BEFORE attempting to install the adapter.
5. If you run into problems, make sure that the dealer offers qualified tech support.
As always www.USconverters.com offers highly qualified and efficient online tech support for all our products. Check out all our USB to Serial adapters.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Serial RS232 and RS485 Connectivity - Problems and Solutions
The RS232 and RS485 serial port has its share of problems. Some of them are inherent while others arise during its usage. The intrinsic ones are constituted by its limitations, while the ones that occur when being used are spontaneous. This means that the RS232 / RS485 serial port has 'an already predicted' problem (the inherent ones) and problems that are unforeseeable. These unpredictable problems, however, occur very frequently and should therefore be seriously considered.
The most common problem, that happens to be a part of the RS232 and RS485 serial ports, is its mode of transmission. It can only send single bits of RS232 data which makes communication very slow. This can be a major problem, especially when its being used in a busy environment, and easily brings a lot of dissatisfaction. The good news is that this problem can be solved by the use of an intermediate RS232 / RS485 data link peripheral interface UART. UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter) is an integrated circuit which contains software that converts single bit data format into 8-bit stream of parallel data. This enhances the speed of RS232 communication between two devices, and, in turn, facilitates the processing of RS232 data.
Another problem that is experienced by users of the RS232 / RS485 ports is the absence of flow control (hand shaking) or its misconnection. This usually results to communication lock-up or buffer overflows. These buffers are usually called FIFO because they occur in a first-in first-out mode. The only way to minimize this problem is by using UART. The UART has trigger levels which indicate the number of bytes of information that can be sent to it from the computer. The computer communicates with the UART devise and access the time that the buffers in it can be refilled. With good RS232 communication between these two (the computer and the UART) these buffer overflows can be greatly reduced. This relates to both RS232 and RS485.
The third problem, which is likely to be experienced, using RS232, is incorrect communication between DTE and DCE devices. This result in some handshaking lines or even the reversal of receives and transmits RS232 data lines. The RS 232 link cable between the two devices is usually the cause of this problem. The solution to this problem is to disconnect the RS232 cable until the problem is over. This is done because the problem might have arisen due to a wrong connection of the RS232 cable.
The fourth problem that is faced by many users of RS232 to RS485 ports is incorrect pin configuration, or finding it hard to deal with the serial ports' connector genders. This makes it hard for people to 'mate' or connect any devise that uses this kind of connecters. This is because some devises have 25 pins while others have 9 pins, some are male some are female. As a result, some people get frustrated with these devises and some end up not using them. To solve this problem, people can use intermediate cables such as RS232 DB9 gender changes or custom made cables. These cables help in connecting devises with different numbers of pins -on either the female or the male connector-and hence make it easier for the users.
The most common problem, that happens to be a part of the RS232 and RS485 serial ports, is its mode of transmission. It can only send single bits of RS232 data which makes communication very slow. This can be a major problem, especially when its being used in a busy environment, and easily brings a lot of dissatisfaction. The good news is that this problem can be solved by the use of an intermediate RS232 / RS485 data link peripheral interface UART. UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter) is an integrated circuit which contains software that converts single bit data format into 8-bit stream of parallel data. This enhances the speed of RS232 communication between two devices, and, in turn, facilitates the processing of RS232 data.
Another problem that is experienced by users of the RS232 / RS485 ports is the absence of flow control (hand shaking) or its misconnection. This usually results to communication lock-up or buffer overflows. These buffers are usually called FIFO because they occur in a first-in first-out mode. The only way to minimize this problem is by using UART. The UART has trigger levels which indicate the number of bytes of information that can be sent to it from the computer. The computer communicates with the UART devise and access the time that the buffers in it can be refilled. With good RS232 communication between these two (the computer and the UART) these buffer overflows can be greatly reduced. This relates to both RS232 and RS485.
The third problem, which is likely to be experienced, using RS232, is incorrect communication between DTE and DCE devices. This result in some handshaking lines or even the reversal of receives and transmits RS232 data lines. The RS 232 link cable between the two devices is usually the cause of this problem. The solution to this problem is to disconnect the RS232 cable until the problem is over. This is done because the problem might have arisen due to a wrong connection of the RS232 cable.
The fourth problem that is faced by many users of RS232 to RS485 ports is incorrect pin configuration, or finding it hard to deal with the serial ports' connector genders. This makes it hard for people to 'mate' or connect any devise that uses this kind of connecters. This is because some devises have 25 pins while others have 9 pins, some are male some are female. As a result, some people get frustrated with these devises and some end up not using them. To solve this problem, people can use intermediate cables such as RS232 DB9 gender changes or custom made cables. These cables help in connecting devises with different numbers of pins -on either the female or the male connector-and hence make it easier for the users.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Improved USB Serial RS232 Adapter
New improved USB Serial adapter, XetaLinx:
http://www.usconverters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=290
You will like it! :-)
http://www.usconverters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=290
You will like it! :-)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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