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Serial RS-232, RS-485, RS-422 and TTL Converters
USB Adapters - Fiber Optic Converters - Ethernet Converters
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ARTICLES
The Importance of RS-232, USB, and Other Serial Converters
If
you're
a
hard-core
techie,
you're
probably
familiar
with
the
often-arcane
world
of
USB,
RS232,
RS485
and
RS422
converters.
This
article
is
geared
toward
the
more
casual
computer
user
who
may
need
those
interface
protocols
on
the
job
and
wonders
what,
exactly
they
are,
and
how
to
use
them.
So,
let's
talk
about
the
serial
interface
in
general,
why
serial
connections
continue
to
be
important,
and
why
reliable
converters
are
often
crucial.
Today, when we connect something to a computer, it likely uses USB, which stands for Universal Serial Bus. Computers from Apple and some other manufacturers may also have an IEEE 1394 "Firewire" interface, though with USB 2.0 so fast, IEEE 1394 is used less often now. We are also used to the various card slots, ranging from the original PC Card format (often combined with ExpressCard connectivity) to slots supporting CF cards, SD cards, the tiny microSD cards and a number of other formats. Most external peripherals -- such as hard disks, optical drives, mice, cameras, etc. - connect to computers via one of the above methods. Most, but not all.
That's because, for a variety of reasons, there is still a large number of applications and peripherals that use serial communication. Serial communication goes way back to the early days of computing and refers to a technology that sends data bit by bit in serial fashion. It is a simple, reliable, and time-tested means of electronic communication, and sort of a common denominator that can be used between just about any two pieces of electronic equipment. At its most basic, RS232 uses different voltage levels with respect to ground to communicate point-to-point at slow speeds over short distances. RS422 uses twisted pairs and communicates signals faster and over longer distances via negative and positive voltages. Since it uses two twisted pairs, RS-422 can communicate in both directions simultaneously. RS485, finally, works like RS422, but uses an addressing system (a bit like Ethernet) and therefore can communicate with multiple devices. There are also devices that use TTL (Transistor Transistor Logic).
While these serial technologies continue to be used in a wide range of computer, automation and other commercial and industrial applications, they are now considered "legacy" interfaces by the computer industry, or at least the consumer side of things. As a result, most modern laptops no longer have a serial connector, and even on desktops they are becoming less common. And even devices that have "legacy support," i.e. a 9-pin serial connector, generally only provide RS232 connectivity.
This is where protocol converters and adapters come into play. These converters come in various sizes and configurations and convert between RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, and TTL. There may also be a need to convert between the electrical signals generated by computers and fiber optic transmission methods used for high-speed/high bandwidth connections. Often it is just a matter of getting an adapter to convert between your computer's USB port to whatever serial protocol is needed. Other times conversions is a bit more complex and requires special insulation, gender changers, the ability to manually manipulate signals, or there may be other special considerations. All of this is doable, and there's a whole industry dedicated to making and selling whatever converter you need for your project.
Today, when we connect something to a computer, it likely uses USB, which stands for Universal Serial Bus. Computers from Apple and some other manufacturers may also have an IEEE 1394 "Firewire" interface, though with USB 2.0 so fast, IEEE 1394 is used less often now. We are also used to the various card slots, ranging from the original PC Card format (often combined with ExpressCard connectivity) to slots supporting CF cards, SD cards, the tiny microSD cards and a number of other formats. Most external peripherals -- such as hard disks, optical drives, mice, cameras, etc. - connect to computers via one of the above methods. Most, but not all.
That's because, for a variety of reasons, there is still a large number of applications and peripherals that use serial communication. Serial communication goes way back to the early days of computing and refers to a technology that sends data bit by bit in serial fashion. It is a simple, reliable, and time-tested means of electronic communication, and sort of a common denominator that can be used between just about any two pieces of electronic equipment. At its most basic, RS232 uses different voltage levels with respect to ground to communicate point-to-point at slow speeds over short distances. RS422 uses twisted pairs and communicates signals faster and over longer distances via negative and positive voltages. Since it uses two twisted pairs, RS-422 can communicate in both directions simultaneously. RS485, finally, works like RS422, but uses an addressing system (a bit like Ethernet) and therefore can communicate with multiple devices. There are also devices that use TTL (Transistor Transistor Logic).
While these serial technologies continue to be used in a wide range of computer, automation and other commercial and industrial applications, they are now considered "legacy" interfaces by the computer industry, or at least the consumer side of things. As a result, most modern laptops no longer have a serial connector, and even on desktops they are becoming less common. And even devices that have "legacy support," i.e. a 9-pin serial connector, generally only provide RS232 connectivity.
This is where protocol converters and adapters come into play. These converters come in various sizes and configurations and convert between RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, and TTL. There may also be a need to convert between the electrical signals generated by computers and fiber optic transmission methods used for high-speed/high bandwidth connections. Often it is just a matter of getting an adapter to convert between your computer's USB port to whatever serial protocol is needed. Other times conversions is a bit more complex and requires special insulation, gender changers, the ability to manually manipulate signals, or there may be other special considerations. All of this is doable, and there's a whole industry dedicated to making and selling whatever converter you need for your project.
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