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Wiki > Main > Rs232Converter
---+!!  RS232 converter

%TOC%

---++ What is this?

This is an RS232 converter for interfacing a PC with an Archos Jukebox (or any other device with a 3.3V serial port). It converts the PC serial port signals to 3.3V levels. The design is very straightforward, using a standard MAX3232 transceiver.

---++ How to power it the easy way

It takes its power from the DTR signal in the serial port, so the communication software in the PC must set the DTR signal ACTIVE for this to work. It might still not work on some laptops, that may have a weak driver for the DTR signal.

---++ How to power it the safe way

If your PC is a laptop or otherwise might risk having too little power in the serial port, it is also possible to take power from the USB port or another 5-10V source. Just remove the D1 diode and connect the power to the +5V and GND pads.

---++ How to make one
|<img src="%ATTACHURLPATH%/rs232_board_bottom.png" alt="rs232_board_bottom.png"  width="273" height="267"  />|<img src="%ATTACHURLPATH%/rs232_board_top.png" alt="rs232_board_top.png"  width="273" height="267"  />|<img src="%ATTACHURLPATH%/rs232_board_place.png" alt="rs232_board_place.png"  width="274" height="268"  />|
|Circuit board bottom layout ([[%ATTACHURL%/rs232_board_bottom.pdf][PDF]])|Circuit board top layout ([[%ATTACHURL%/rs232_board_top.pdf][PDF]])|Circuit board component placement ([[%ATTACHURL%/rs232_board_place.pdf][PDF]])|

<img src="%ATTACHURLPATH%/rs232_schematic.png" alt="rs232_schematic.png"  width="401" height="283"  />

Schematics ([[%ATTACHURL%/rs232_schematic_big.png][big PNG 33kb]]) ([[%ATTACHURL%/rs232_schematic.pdf][PDF]])

---++ Bill of materials
|*Part*|*Value*|*Device*|*Package*|*Description*|
|C1|0.1uF|C-EUC0805|C0805|Capacitor|
|C2|0.1uF|C-EUC0805|C0805|Capacitor|
|C3|0.1uF|C-EUC0805|C0805|Capacitor|
|C4|0.1uF|C-EUC0805|C0805|Capacitor|
|C5|1uF|CPOL-EUCT3216|CT3216|Polarized Capacitor|
|D1|BAS32|DIODE-SOD80C|SOD80C|Diode|
|IC1|LP2980IM5|LP2980IM5|SOT23-5|3.3V Voltage regulator|
|IC2|MAX3232CWE|MAX3232CWE|SO16|RS232 Transceiver|
|P1|DSUB9|DSUB9|DSUB9|9-pin board mounted D-SUB, 90 deg. angle|

To make your life complete, here are Linus' [[%ATTACHURL%/rs232.zip][complete schematics]] made in Eagle 4.08r2.

Contents:
<verbatim>
Archive:  Rs232.zip
  Length     Date   Time    Name
 --------    ----   ----    ----
    14175  03-26-02 11:13   eagle.epf
     7588  03-06-02 16:28   gerber.cam
    10271  03-06-02 15:32   linus.lbr
      848  03-26-02 13:50   README
      570  03-26-02 13:18   RS232 Converter.bom
    13443  03-26-02 10:57   RS232 Converter.brd
   187210  03-06-02 16:18   RS232 Converter.sch
 --------                   -------
   234105                   7 files
</verbatim>
r2 - 22 Sep 2005 - 05:53:33 - LinusNielsenFeltzing