Serial Port A/D Converter -  This circuit is a simple 8-bit analogue to digital converter circuit which is connects to PC serial port. The circuit is based on TLC548 A/D-converter chip (might be hard to get nowadays, Texas Instruments makes this IC) , which is an A/D-converter with serial output. The output of the TLC548 is not directly suitable for standard serial data reception. . . . 

Serial Port tests Digital circuits -  A PC's serial port provides signal lines that you can use to read voltage levels of digital circuits. You can use the port to test digital TTL (transistor-to-transistor-logic)-level circuits. You just need to convert the TTL levels to RS-232 voltages, and you can add a multiplexer to increase the number of signals that the serial port can sense. . . .  [Yury Magda - EDN Design Idea June 25, 2009]

Siemens OP panel programming cable -  Siemens OP panel programming cable to program OP7, OP17 and other siemens operator panels. PC must have a serial port to use this cable. Siemens order number: 6XV14402KH32. . . 

Simple Digital Oscilloscope -  This is a very simple design of digital oscilloscope. The original project comes from EP 8/2004. The only difference I've made was adding RS232 to USB converter to use it with my laptop. Schematic can by found here: analogue and digital. There can be seen analogue input section with OPA2350 amplifiers and relays as voltage dividers. ADC is fast television IC, TDA8703. Digital data goes through DS89C420, via USB to PC application showing results. It is harder and harder to find RS232 connector in modern computers. That's why I decided to make this converter. I doubt there is at least one computer without USB. . . . 

Simple FIFO provides data-width conversion -  09/26/02  EDN Design Idea   Many designs require FIFO elastic buffers to form a bridge between subsystems with different clock rates and access requirements. However, in some applications, you need FIFO buffers for data conversion. One example is the case in . . .  [by David Lou, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium]

SIMPLE FT245 USB OSCILLOSCOPE FOR THE PC -  If you are thinking about adding a USB interface between your project and a PC, read on. Implementing USB is now easier than you think. Eddy Insam will show you how. The USB (Universal Serial Bus) provides a new way of interfacing low and medium speed peripherals to personal computers. That old workhorse, the RS232 connector, is fast becoming obsolete, even becoming absent in newly purchased PCs. . . . 

Simple method tests cables -  10/17/02  EDN Design Idea   MOSFET serves as ultrafast plate driver - Engineers have long known how to test a cable for continuity by simply connecting all conductors in series and checking with an ohmmeter. This method is sometimes impractical, however, bec. . .  [by Jim Keith, Bell-Mark Technologies, Dover, PA]

Simple RS232 Level Converter based on a MAX232 including Eagle PCB and schematic files -  This converter comes as an aid to STK500 board. It uses the famous MAX232 for the signal level translation. It requires a 1 to 1 rs232 cable for the connection with the PC. . . .  [AVR Projects by Dim]

Sound Card with PCM2702 -  Make a sound card is no more a complex issue. If you use great IC PCM2702 from BURR BROWN / Texas Instruments you can create a fully functional USB sound card. This sound card can be powered from USB port and has one stereo output. You don’t need to install any driver for Windows XP and Vista, because they are already inside. This is really plug and play. . . . 

ST-bus channel locator eases debugging -  11/06/97 EDN Design Idea   A simple circuit (Figure 1) can locate one of 32 channels in the serial stream of an ST-bus, which is helpful for both debugging and monitoring. The ST-bus comprises a framing signal for frame alignment, a clock signal. . . .  [by YS Tam, Canadian Marconi Co, Ottawa, ON, Canada]

Supply derives 5 and 3.3V from USB port -  12/20/01  EDN Design Idea   The circuit in Figure 1 derives its power from a USB port and produces 5 and 3. 3V supply rails for portable devices, such as digital cameras, MP3 players, and PDAs. The circuit allows the port to maintain communications while, for . . .  [by Chad Olson, Maxim Integrated Products, Sunnyvale, CA]

TB054: An Introduction to USB Descriptors: With a Gameport to USB Gamepad Translator Example -  Application Note Published 4-May-04. . .  [Microchip]

TB055: PS/2® to USB Mouse Translator -  Application Note Published 4-May-04. . .  [Microchip]

TB056: Demonstrating the *set_report* Request: With PS/2® to USB Keyboard Translator Example -  Application Note Published 4-May-04. . .  [Microchip]

TB057: USB Combination Devices: Demonstarted by a Combination Mouse & Gamepad Device -  Application Note Published 18-Feb-02. . .  [Microchip]

TB095: Modifying the Picdem USB Board for PIC18 Full-Speed USB MicroControllers -  Application Note Published 4-Nov-05. . .  [Microchip]

Test Cable Continuity -  Have you ever wondered if a particular cable is delivering mains power supply to your device or not? Here is a solution that helps you test cable continuity without requiring any physical contact with the bare cable. The circuit practically detects AC signal frequencies and gives an LED indication if the cable is conducting. . . .  [© EFY Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved.]

Test Twisted-Pair Cables -  01/19/12 EDN Design Idea  Quickly test a cable containing twisted-wire pairs and detect open or reversed pairs, shorted pairs, and shorts between unrelated pairs. Using the system shown in Fig 1, you can quickly test a cable containing twisted-wire pairs and detect open or reversed pairs, shorted pairs, and shorts between unrelated pairs. The tester consists of an active test set that plugs into one end of the cable, and a passive terminator that plugs into the other end. (An RS-449 cable is used as an example. ). . .  [by Mark D Braunstein, Contel Information Systems, Fairfax, VA]

Thermocouple Interfaces to Serial Port -  11/09/95 EDN Design Idea   The circuit in Figure 1 acquires temperature data via an IBM PC serial port using a thermocouple-based sensor. The sensor is a type-K (chromel-alumel]thermocouple. When in contact, the dissimilar metals produce a potential differe. . .  [by Daniel Segarra, Sipex Corp Billerica, MA]