How long can a Programing Cable be?

lockadoc

I wish to make a programing cable to go from my laptop to a project on top of·a light pole.I·will be using
a Propeller Proto Board with the 4 pin header for programing.

Thanks
Bill S

Microcontrolled

I think that 10 feet is the maximum length for RS-232 serial communication. However, with the help of a MAX3232 chip, it can be extended to about 200. You would have to find a way to pull down the RESn line, though.

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Computers are microcontrolled.

Robots are microcontrolled.
I am microcontrolled.

SX Spinning light display·

http://designedbymemicros.blogspot.com/

Mike Green

Programming cables are not expected to go long distances. They're not designed for that. How far you can run one depends on distance, on the electrical environment involved (noise levels, etc.), and on the type of cabling you use. You can extend the distance by using higher voltage (than 3.3V), slower signal edges, and any of several types of drivers (RS232 / RS485 / others).

lockadoc

Thanks That was what I needed to know.


Bill S Louisville, KY.

train nut

There are several RS232 Extender System out there. One in particular is a CAT5 RS232 extender by MINICOM. I have seen a similar system used to extend the mouse and keyboard of a·Windows based computer system up to 3000 feet with great results. These systems are not cheap but are available.

Ben

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

There are cheap USB extenders available that can extend a USB cable to 100 feet or more. I have one (pictured below) similar to those offered in the link, which I paid $39 for.



It uses Cat5 between a pair of modules. Both modules do the necessary signal conditioning and conversion for the long cable. The module at the host end also boosts the +5V USB supply to a higher voltage for transmission. The one at the other end downconverts the supply back to +5V. I've used mine not only for programming, but also to power small remote systems, and it works quite well.

-Phil

Mike Green

Keep in mind that the programming process is very sensitive to timing and any significant signal delays, while very tolerable for ordinary serial communications, cause programming errors. A long cable or level shifters would be fine, but anything with buffering would not be. That's why wireless links generally don't work for programming.

Toby Seckshund

There are loads of those USB-CAT5-USB gizmos in use with our clients. They seem to be prone to being blown by hot-swapping, which is magical for USB ! But then Firewire isn't bombproof.

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Style and grace : Nil point

lockadoc

Thanks for all the extra info.

I made·a cable 13 feet long with 4 pin headers at each end,·and shielded·wire and it works for my

needs (well it works in my shop) .I'll test it outside when the weather gets a·little warmer.

Bill S Louisville KY

Toby Seckshund

A long time ago I was presented with a task of 4 PS2 mouses to a common SG computert. That point was 40 yards away,up in the gallery,·and live transmission was 5 days away, no preasure then. In the end I cobbled together a very thin wire for the clock signal, tapped to the outside of the shielded one or the capacitance was too much. The selection of which mouse went "live" was a researcher with a 4 way switch.

Very fragile, very inelegant but the programme based around 3D noughts and crosses went out.

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Style and grace : Nil point