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Multiple RS232 in parallel? — Parallax Forums

Multiple RS232 in parallel?

MicksterMickster Posts: 2,721
edited 2012-08-08 13:38 in General Discussion
I have a 2-way serial communication happening between a tablet and an industrial controller via an RS232-Bluetooth adapter on the industrial controller's 232 port. I would like another device to be able to 'listen' only to the same output from the industrial controller. Is there any reason not to parallel-up the RS232 signals at the industrial controller end and use two RS232-BT adapters?

Thanks!

Mickster.

Comments

  • stamptrolstamptrol Posts: 1,731
    edited 2012-08-08 06:13
    Mickster,

    I have "bugged on" on to a wired serial link to do just what you're suggesting.

    But, couldn't you just have another BT adapter at the "listener"? That is, have the controller data be received by both the tablet and the listening device. There is probably some proceedure to get the BT's to agree to the threesome, but the concept does work with other wireless devices.

    If not, the second BT at the controller should be fed only the serial data out of the controller, otherwise any incoming data from the listener could disrupt the controller.

    Cheers,
  • MicksterMickster Posts: 2,721
    edited 2012-08-08 06:41
    stamptrol wrote: »
    Mickster,

    I have "bugged on" on to a wired serial link to do just what you're suggesting.

    But, couldn't you just have another BT adapter at the "listener"? That is, have the controller data be received by both the tablet and the listening device. There is probably some proceedure to get the BT's to agree to the threesome, but the concept does work with other wireless devices.

    If not, the second BT at the controller should be fed only the serial data out of the controller, otherwise any incoming data from the listener could disrupt the controller.

    Cheers,

    It seems the the device is capable of broadcasting but it needs to be in "Master mode" and, from what I understand (not much), it will require the industrial controller to issue "AT" commands which it's not able to do. If I set the device as Master, I can't communicate with it. The manufacturer is not much help, either.

    I have created a CNC controller with the Android tablet replacing the traditional PC-based HMI. However, I want certain machine data available to a separate device such as a smartphone.

    Thanks for the input.

    Cheers!

    Mickster
  • GadgetmanGadgetman Posts: 2,436
    edited 2012-08-08 11:21
    Can the CNC controller accept a small delay in the transmissions?
    If so, add a Propeller between it and the BT adapter, and have it add any necessary control commands.
    Or it could just copy the data stream to another port...
  • MicksterMickster Posts: 2,721
    edited 2012-08-08 13:38
    Gadgetman wrote: »
    Can the CNC controller accept a small delay in the transmissions?
    If so, add a Propeller between it and the BT adapter, and have it add any necessary control commands.
    Or it could just copy the data stream to another port...

    LOL...I'm actually way ahead of you with this idea and want to do this eventually but right now I don't want any home-grown hardware involved.
    I found an off-the-shelf Y cable for this so I'll try that first.

    Thanks,

    Mickster
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