Windows 10 USB to Serial Adapter | U.S. Converters®

Windows 10 has already been announced by Microsoft, however rumors are that it won't be out until late 2015. Even it will take a while before Windows 10 hits the stores we at U.S. Converters are already working on a new USB to Serial adapter which will be fully compatible with Windows 10. The first adapter will be with a RS232 interface, which later will be followed by a USB to Serial adapter with a combined RS485 / RS422 interface. The adapters will be designed around the FT232RL processor chip from FTDI Semiconductors which is one of the most stable and high performance USB / UART processors on the market. The drivers for this chip are updated frequently to ensure compatibility and reliable performance at all times. Our current adapters are also designed around this chip so our customers can expect the new Windows 10 USB to Serial adapter to also work with all previous versions of Windows. So, one adapter for all versions of Windows! Nice..! Not to mention that it will also work with Linux and Mac. Ok, well that's all we can reveal for now. Until Windows 10 hits the stores we recommend one of our current USB to Serial adapters:

Windows Premium Grade adapter	Windows Professional Grade adapter

Controlling a Telescope from a PC over Bluetooth Using ASCOM

This guide describes how to connect a Celestron telescope mount to your computer over Bluetooth using ASCOM drivers which will allow you to control the telescope mount using standard astronomy software. Our test setup is based on a Celestron telescope GT Mount with NexStar+ hand control and the operating system is Windows 7 64-bit. This setup has been tested and confirmed working with the following: Software: Cartes du Ciel (ASCOM drivers) Starry Night Orion Special Edition astronomy software (ASCOM drivers) PHD2 astronomy software (ASCOM drivers) Stellarium astronomy software (not ASCOM drivers) Note: this setup will NOT work with Celestron NexRemote software Mounts: Celestron CGE Mount Celestron GT Mount Celestron SLT Mount Since most Celestron mounts mainly works the same way we expect that this setup will work with most (possibly all) Celestron mounts variations. Controller: NexStar+ hand control Celestron StarSense Auto Telescope Alignment Accessory

The Setup

The setup looks like this:

Read the full article here:
http://www.usconverters.com/controlling-telescope-PC-Bluetooth-ASCOM

What is a serial to Ethernet converter and how does it work?

A serial to Ethernet converter is a small electronic device which can convert Ethernet IP/TCP packets to either RS232, RS485 or RS422 serial data signals and vice versa. It is also sometimes called a serial device server and it comes in several different shapes and sizes; here are a few examples of what it can look like:

Standard	DIN mount	Multi-port	Wireless

As you can see from above images a serial Ethernet converter can have one serial port or it can have multiple serial ports, up to 25 ports or more. The standard panel mount serial Ethernet converter is most common but it is also available with DIN mounts so it can easily be installed on a standard DIN rail. It is also available as a wireless converter in which case the IP/TCP packets are transmitted over a IEEE 802.11a/b/g network link.
Some serial Ethernet converters only has a RS232 interface and some has a RS232 and a RS485 interface, yet others has all 3 interfaces (RS232, RS485 and RS422) built in.
Here you can see a selection of serial Ethernet converters from U.S. Converters LLC.

So what is a serial Ethernet converter used for?

Most commonly it is used for connecting a serial RS232, RS485 or RS422 device such as a serial printer, barcode scanner, scale, GPS, sensor or any other consumer or industrial device with a serial interface, to a computer over a standard LAN network. The advantage of this is obvious; you will be able to control, monitor and communicate with your serial device remotely from a central computer. No need to walk all the way down to the other end of the factory to check your serial device.

How does a serial Ethernet converter work?

The circuitry inside the converter can convert IP/TCP packets to serial data and also convert serial data to IP/TCP packets, so it works in both directions.
Before you can start using the converter you need to install driver software on your computer. This driver software is also called virtual COM software because it creates a virtual COM port in your computer's Device Manager when the converter is connected to your computer. Virtual COM software is usually included with the converter, at least if you buy from a reputable seller.
Below is an example of what the virtual COM port software looks like.


Once the virtual COM port has been created by the Serial to Ethernet converter's driver software the COM port will show up in your computer's Device Manager as if it was a standard built-in COM port, however it actually is the COM port in the converter at the other end of the Ethernet.



Most virtual COM software will also let you change the settings of the created COM port such as baud rate, flow control, parity bits and stop bits so it will match the settings of your serial device. The IP address of the serial Ethernet converter itself can also be changed to your preference. Changing these settings is usually done by logging in to the converter by using a standard web browser.
Below is an example of some of the settings which can be configured in most serial Ethernet converters:

New product: Serial WiFi adapter

Our new Serial WiFi adapter is an easy way of connecting a serial RS232 device to your existing or new WiFi network. It allows you to connect your serial device in infrastructure or SoftAP networks. Since many smart phones uses SoftAP this serial WiFi adapter will work with most of them.

The adapter is designed around the RN171 module from Roving Networks which makes this adapter a very reliable product with lots of advanced configuration options and features.
It is ideal for most office, laboratory, commercial and even light industrial environments.

Free virtual COM port software is included.


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BASIC Programmable Serial to Ethernet converter

We are introducing a new BASIC programmable serial to Ethernet device server. This server is perfect if you are working on a project that needs special features in regards to serial Ethernet conversion, or if you simply just want to be able to control every aspect of the data conversion.

The fact that this device server is BASIC programmable allows you to create your own specifications. You can for example program from 1 to 16 allowable clients, access memory, socket control and much more.
The server is made by Tibbo and comes with a free downloadable IDE programming environment which uses easy to learn BAISC language. It includes lots of support, documentation, programming examples and free libraries.

The device server comes with a pre-loaded virtual COM port software so it can actually be connected and used without any programming, however this server was designed as an advanced unit with the intentional use for advanced customized programmable projects, so its full potential is best accomplished with this type of projects.

USB to Serial RS232 adapter ready for Windows 8

While there is still no official release of Windows 8 yet, the manufacturer (FTDI) of the processor chips for our USB to Serial RS232 and RS485 adapters "Ultimate" and "PRO" versions have validated that the drivers will work correctly with the Consumer Preview and Developer Preview versions of Windows 8.
This is great news since you now won't have to spend money on a new USB to serial adapter after Windows 8 takes over.

5 Steps for Choosing the Best USB to Serial adapter

The Quick Checklist:

1. Preferred processor chip: FTDI or Silabs (very reliable)
2. Preferred serial driver chip: ZyWyn, Maxin or NI (very reliable)
3. Minimum 5.0VDC output power at serial connector (ensures reliable data transmission)
4. Build-in electro-static protection for at least 600W (protects against static electricity)
5. LED lights for TX and RX activity (nice to have when troubleshooting)

U.S. Converters sells 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:




Windows 7 / Vista 32/64-bit
Premium Grade adapter




Windows 7 / Vista 32/64-bit
Professional Grade adapter


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.


Further reading:

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

Small form factor adapter: Mini USB to serial adapter


For further information regarding serial data communication, questions or suggestions please
contact us.






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