Hi Guys,
Forgive me if that question is stupid (I'm an Arduino newby)
I wonder if it's possible to use Arduino as interface to multiple serial devices.
What I want to implement is a "proxy" for these devices (4-5 at least).
I see that Arduino Mega 2560 has 4 UARTs.
The question is: it's possible to "adapt" these UARTs to stadard RFC232 or USB ports?
If so, how?
Thanks in advance.
Darkav.
Yes, that's possible...
Standard RS232 is probably easiest. All Arduino-pins are 5 volt tolerant while the comport of a PC uses a higher voltage. You'll need to use a max232-like chip to be able to connect them.
USB is also possible, but... getting the Arduino to work as a USB-host can be quite difficult. Configuring them as slaves isn't. With a few FTDI-chips like the FT232rl or... a few el cheapo Nokia CA-42 - cables the arduino will present itself as comport on your PC.
The 4 com-ports are built in the controller, should you need more ports, you could also use a serial library to create more comports using the pins you like.
The new Uno-version of arduino uses a microcontroller instead of a USB-dedicated chip which makes it possible to treat it as USB-host, others have created an USB-host shield you could use should you need it, but that requires a lot more programming/knowledge as slave-ports.
Thank you very much!
Let's forget USB (for now).
If I well understood, if I use 4 of these: Error, Electronic & Electronics Components Depot United States
...connected to the Arduino Mega 2560 4 ports, I should be able to control/get data 4 serial devices.
This is correct?
Darkav.
Darkav:
Thank you very much!Let's forget USB (for now).
If I well understood, if I use 4 of these: Error, Electronic & Electronics Components Depot United States
...connected to the Arduino Mega 2560 4 ports, I should be able to control/get data 4 serial devices.
This is correct?Darkav.
Anyone can comment the feasibility of that? I only need to know if it seems feasible or there's no chance of make that working...
Sorry for responding so late...
Those boards could just work fine. Looking at the schematics they only support the TX/RX lines. Those are the most important ones and loads of equipment only use those.
RS-232 can... use a lot more lines though.
Loads of these lines haven't been used much by equipment sold in the last 15 years, but some equipment still uses more as TX and RX. You should check the devices you'll control what they require.
The max232 chip itself is capable of translating 4 signals (TX,RX and two others). It's a pity the manufacturer didn't make use of those two extra lines, it would only require 2 more pins on each side.
It may be interesting to find a board that does.
You could also build it yourself, should your devices be satisfied with just TX/RX-lines, you could create two RS232-interfaces with one max232.
By the way, keep in mind that the ATmega2560-chip has 4 serial ports, but that one is already in use by the USB-port. By connecting 4 interfaces and still using the USB-function you will require a software driven serial port.
Sofar I did hook up a GPS-unit to a software serial port on an Arduino with 328 controller, I wonder what the limit of software serial ports is/ whether it would be possible to use a cheaper arduino to drive 4 software ports next to it's USB connection.