PocketTerml - a great VGA VT100 terminal for RS-232 and RS-485

LoopyByteloose

I finally got PocketTerm up and running on one of my Propeller ProtoBoards. It is a great 640X480 resolution dumb terminal for Linux projects and a variety of other Propeller projects where you don't want to tie up your regular computer with I/O.

And as it implies, it is a device that can fix in a pocket and be brought to a keyboard and VGA (no mouse functions)

If you are interested, take a look at BrielComputers.com. Bare boards are $18USD. Kits $60USD. Or just use a ProtoBoard and figure out RS-232 for yourself.

I really needed this for several Linux projects, a RS-485 project, a DS Tini computer, a Linux router project, Propeller Forth, and a headless Linux server with maybe the PandaBoard.

And, I modifed and loaded the software into the Propeller with BST - something new for me as well.

Heater.

Great you have reminded me of that. I exactly need it for a project with a Pandaboard like board (The IGEP board from ISEE) which otherwise needs a PC to talk to the debug port or a display with HDMI for the xwindows interface.

Peter Jakacki

I just realized that I could run PocketTerm on my Pixie pcb which I quickly designed and routed in an afternoon or so. The Pixie is designed to fit inside an extended headshell so this thing plugs right into the back of the monitor itself. The standard interface is RS422 or RS485x2 but it's also directly RS232 compatible because of the biasing and input arrangement. A PropPlug style USB interface is used for programming but can be permanently mounted and even be used as the main communications channel. So if that's not enough I have the USB style connector for interfacing directly to keyboards using either the PS/2 or USB HID protocols, although I just use PS/2 on USB connectors.

There's an option for a ZIGBEE connection as well in case I want to run these totally remote and the unit is normally fitted with it's own switcher supply so it can run from 9 right up to 70V supply.

The headshell case is from PacTec and normally has a square cutout on the back through which I connect my keyboard and wire my communications and power directly into the screw terminals with provision for strain relief.

I really made these up quickly to showcase some other products and needed to drive at least 6 monitors but if there is some interest I might make these available either in kit form or fully assembled.