Help debug my serial interface?

IBNobody · Post by **IBNobody** » Tue May 08, 2007 5:29 am

I decided to try and build a serial interface because I heard it would work with a USB to Serial converter.

Result? Nothing! I am at wit's end.

I have tried 2 remotes: A modded 6012 (that I've JP1'd before) and an unmodded 15-2133.

I have tried all 3 COM ports (2 native, one USB).

The USB one tells me that the power is off, and the native ports tell me...

"No response from interface. Make sure that the interface is connected to the PC and that you've specified the correct port."

I used NTE equivalents of the 2N2222. I also used 1N4004 for diodes and .1uF SMT caps.

I've checked the entire board over and over with my meter; all points are connected as per the schematic. All resistance readings are what they should be. All my transistor B-E voltage drops read good (.690ish). All my diodes read good.

I'm lucky enough to have a logic analyzer. I hooked it up to the COM (DB9) and JP1 connectors. This is what I see when I do a device check.

(Click to see the full image.)

What should I be seeing? What should I try next?

gfb107 · Post by **gfb107** » Tue May 08, 2007 6:17 am

The JP1 serial interface will NOT work with a USB-to-serial converter.

The JP1.x interface does work with a USB-to-serial converter, but it only works with JP1.x remotes, which te URC-6012 and RC 15-2133 are not.

One of the hardware guys will have to help you getting it to work with a "native" serial port.

Post by **The Robman** » Tue May 08, 2007 6:37 am

If you want to add a serial and parallel port to your PC, I have some PCI cards available for $15 each.

IBNobody · Post by **IBNobody** » Tue May 08, 2007 3:27 pm

gfb107 wrote:The JP1 serial interface will NOT work with a USB-to-serial converter.

The JP1.x interface does work with a USB-to-serial converter, but it only works with JP1.x remotes, which te URC-6012 and RC 15-2133 are not.

One of the hardware guys will have to help you getting it to work with a "native" serial port.

Ahh... So is there a serial interface for plain old JP1 remotes? Or will I need to dig out my old Parallel port programmer?

(Thanks for the offer, Rob, but I still have a PC that has 2 serial ports.)

Tommy Tyler · Post by **Tommy Tyler** » Tue May 08, 2007 5:23 pm

IBNobody wrote:Ahh... So is there a serial interface for plain old JP1 remotes? Or will I need to dig out my old Parallel port programmer?

Yes there is, and one of the great mysteries of the JP1 group is that, in spite of the fact that it is much more reliable than the parallel version and doesn't carry around all that baggage related to voltage levels, battery problems, etc., hardly anyone knows about it or uses it. I'm not even sure the various interface vendors ever offered it. Maybe it's because it requires that dreaded devil-component, an integrated circuit.

Let me see if I can't find the construction article and get back to you.
What is a "Parallel port programmer?

Tommy

Tommy Tyler · Post by **Tommy Tyler** » Tue May 08, 2007 5:40 pm

That file is buried somewhere, so I just uploaded a new copy at:

http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload ... le_id=4557

Let us know if it works for you.

Tommy

IBNobody · Post by **IBNobody** » Tue May 08, 2007 6:30 pm

Tommy Tyler wrote:Yes there is, and one of the great mysteries of the JP1 group is that, in spite of the fact that it is much more reliable than the parallel version and doesn't carry around all that baggage related to voltage levels, battery problems, etc., hardly anyone knows about it or uses it. I'm not even sure the various interface vendors ever offered it. Maybe it's because it requires that dreaded devil-component, an integrated circuit.

Tommy

A NAND gate is a devil component? LOL! Well... I guess since it's CMOS, you can zap it easier.

Thanks, Tommy. I think I may have a 74HC03 somewhere at home. I'll crank one of these guys out tomorrow.

I appreciate you putting the document up alongside the JP1.x and simple programmers in the Misc/Interface section, too.