So I want to do a little project of my own I want to have a Serial Communication IC acting as a some sort of router so I can exchange information between 2 computers for example.The data format of the message would be

Target Device|Message|Parity bit

n bits. |7 bits |1 bit

So I have built this in Logisim many times but now I want to try it irl.My plan is to use a serial port cable cut one of it's edges then use the cables to manually hardwire them into the breadboard where the serial converter IC would be.What IC should I use for the router?

 

I understand the exercise but to me the concept is completely weird, complex and limited.
I mean what is the point to use "router" if you have only 2 devices communicating. And with this concept, if you want to address more devices, you would need "router" with many serial ports, or a way to multiplex to which device the serial data should go.

Somehow it reminds me of Modbus RTU with a lot of unnecessary hardware in between

First clear up the concept then focus on the hardware.

 

I already have multiplexers (like 30-50 pcs)so I can multiplex the inputs of the computer

 

Can you please post a picture of what you did in Logisim so we are on the same page?

 

Can you please post a picture of what you did in Logisim so we are on the same page?

Tomorrow yes not now I'm on a field trip.

 

I already have multiplexers (like 30-50 pcs)so I can multiplex the inputs of the computer

How are you going to ensure the receiver is listening to the right transmitter when the tx wants to send data?

 

Industrial networks use 2-wire differential bidirectional communication using RS-485 transceivers such as MAX485, SN75ALS176.

 

More years ago than I care to recall I set up a peer to peer between two PCs using RS232 TX to RX and RX to TX. That's all that was needed for peer to peer between two PCs. Today it can likely still be done using USB to RS232 adapters.

Ron

 

More years ago than I care to recall I set up a peer to peer between two PCs using RS232 TX to RX and RX to TX. That's all that was needed for peer to peer between two PCs. Today it can likely still be done using USB to RS232 adapters.

Ron

You can also connect them directly via USB using Bridge Cables.

 

You can also connect them directly via USB using Bridge Cables.

Yep, that also will work. I guess I just fail to understand exactly what the thread starter is after? I just see a simple peer to peer network.

Ron

 

first time i networked computers over RS232 was in 1993 - to play DOOM with my buddy. and while serial interface did evolve (speeds up to megabit) that is only 1% of 100Mbit ethernet.

but... if you want to create serial network dont use RS232 which is only point-to-point (two devices).
use RS422 or 485. the advantages should be obvious:
not limited to two nodes, you can have many.
speeds can be higher. many transceivers are designed specifically to handle higher speeds : 12, 30 42 50 or even 100Mbps (MAX22502E).
your MCU may not be able to keep up or do it alone.

 

I have software that does this.
It will route usb comms over Ethernet.

 

Back in the ol' days, we would plug in a network card and connect RG-58 coax cable to all computers.
Today, you can get a router and connect with RJ45 cable.

There are other options. You can go wireless with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi with ESP32. I have used HC-05 Bluetooth module.

 

Yep, that also will work. I guess I just fail to understand exactly what the thread starter is after? I just see a simple peer to peer network.

Ron

I generally assume that projects like this are being undertaken for their educational and experience merit and not to accomplish something practical. Sometimes that's a bad assumption.

 

Thanks for the replies.But I'm looking something as a star network so it's expandable ,not as mesh.Also I will be graduating in 1 month ,and since I'm autistic I really can't work in a competitive environment (because I can't compete with the completion times of other people and sadly a employer wants money and time is money)si I am looking to start my own business so I can work on something so I am doing different projects to see what fits me(this project could very well be evolved to build isolated networks for a company).

 

first time i networked computers over RS232 was in 1993 - to play DOOM with my buddy. and while serial interface did evolve (speeds up to megabit) that is only 1% of 100Mbit ethernet.

but... if you want to create serial network dont use RS232 which is only point-to-point (two devices).
use RS422 or 485. the advantages should be obvious:
not limited to two nodes, you can have many.
speeds can be higher. many transceivers are designed specifically to handle higher speeds : 12, 30 42 50 or even 100Mbps (MAX22502E).
your MCU may not be able to keep up or do it alone.

Do you know the how to identify the baud rate from the cable when it's bought?

 

i do... the secret is to read the datasheet. unlike RS232, cable matters a lot, it need to be shielded, twisted pair and ends need to be terminated. good cable will have both foil and braid as shield.

 

i do... the secret is to read the datasheet. unlike RS232, cable matters a lot, it need to be shielded, twisted pair and ends need to be terminated. good cable will have both foil and braid as shield.

i do... the secret is to read the datasheet. unlike RS232, cable matters a lot, it need to be shielded, twisted pair and ends need to be terminated. good cable will have both foil and braid as shield.

Nice.So for rs422 cables there ARE markings on the cable so I can read it's DS?

 

Thanks for the replies.But I'm looking something as a star network so it's expandable ,not as mesh.Also I will be graduating in 1 month ,and since I'm autistic I really can't work in a competitive environment (because I can't compete with the completion times of other people and sadly a employer wants money and time is money)si I am looking to start my own business so I can work on something so I am doing different projects to see what fits me(this project could very well be evolved to build isolated networks for a company).

You need to take a step back and ask yourself questions like, "Why would a company buy my one-of-a-kind network that has no track record and viable support model when they could just buy one of the many off-the-shelf private network setups from the local big box store?"

You have to figure out what YOU bring to the table that others will be willing to pay for, and you can't ignore the ready-made alternatives that they could choose from. As a new engineer, that's a hard sell. About the only thing you can likely bring to the table is doing things dirt cheap.

 

This is where we began with calling out two computers.

So I want to do a little project of my own I want to have a Serial Communication IC acting as a some sort of router so I can exchange information between 2 computers for example.The data format of the message would be

Target Device|Message|Parity bit

n bits. |7 bits |1 bit

So I have built this in Logisim many times but now I want to try it irl.My plan is to use a serial port cable cut one of it's edges then use the cables to manually hardwire them into the breadboard where the serial converter IC would be.What IC should I use for the router?

Now we want expandable? Then I suggest a router.

A good and very long time friend of mine specializes in high end data encryption systems. Systems used on Air Force One (Presidential Aircraft). What can you bring to the table that your competition can't?

You have to figure out what YOU bring to the table that others will be willing to pay for, and you can't ignore the ready-made alternatives that they could choose from.

That covers it. You may wish to look at AES 256 Encryption as a selling point.

Ron