USB to serial to USB "cable"?
DavidZemon
Posts: 2,973
I'm doing a work thing and we may have found a use for a cable that contains a USB type A connection on each end with both ends reporting as serial adapters. This would allow two computers (that do not have native RS232 ports) to talk to each other over serial. Of course we could create such a cable out of a couple USB <-> Serial cables and an adapter in the middle...
But I'm wondering, does anyone know if such a product already exists that we could buy off the shelf?
But I'm wondering, does anyone know if such a product already exists that we could buy off the shelf?
Comments
https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Transfer-Compatible-Computer-Software/dp/B005OTPVMY/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=usb+bridge&qid=1566325391&s=gateway&sr=8-6
As all usb-c cables have controller ic, I think bridging is available by default:
https://www.amazon.com/Juiced-Systems-PowerUp-USB-C-Transfer/dp/B07LFR86HH/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=juiced+systems+power+up&qid=1566325473&s=electronics&sr=1-3
I'm looking at connecting a Raspberry Pi and a custom built embedded Linux device though... proprietary Windows software and USB C won't help I'm afraid.
Driverless it says, so are they CDC class on both ends, (not sure) But a exe file pops up to install windows transfer software.
get two, and maybe needed reroute rx->tx with included cable.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32827851886.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.7c2c5272xszCjS&algo_pvid=21a94022-7884-4f8e-a147-bf0e806b45f1&algo_expid=21a94022-7884-4f8e-a147-bf0e806b45f1-3&btsid=6588d26f-1b91-4bf2-86c7-c92a58322aa0&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_6,searchweb201603_53
Hm... could work? No explanation of how it works, other than to list some obscure chip. I'm guessing if it presents some software to install, then it is more than just a serial connection between two computers and wouldn't "just work" for my needs.
Yep. That would definitely work, and that's what I'm looking for. I'm just hoping someone sells this pre-assembled. We're perfectly capable of building such a contraption, but time is money and it'd be easier to just buy it ready-to-go (we need 20 of them if we go down this route... maybe a few more).
Such an item with opto isolation could be interesting...but nothing seems standard out there.
Simplest in terms of low volume/standard and already packaged items could be 2 x generic USB-DB9 Serial cables and a Null Modem DB9-DB9.
All standard parts, and nothing to design....
Which has been my original thought the whole time, but again, was hoping to find a single product that contains this.
But... seems it doesn't matter anymore. I believe I've confirmed that this won't work since the USB port on the device is already in use. Oh well. Thanks for the help anyway!
Mike
^-- What mike said.
I used to carry around two USB-A <> serial DB9 adapters, plus a null modem cable. Thats fine but kind of bulky
Then I twigged to using two prop plugs, with TX and RX crossed over. I put clear heatshrink over the whole junction, so you can see the leds and diagnose whats happening. And at a pinch you can always cut the heatshrink if you need the prop plugs for something else.