serial cable for x51v

[jay941]

in my job many times we need to program cisco routers in remote and cramped locations.
a normal sized laptop is hard to balence in the limited space. if a pda could be used it would be a great thing. does anyone know how this could be done? it needs a serial connection, rs232, and a program like hyperterminal. if any has clue on this i would love to hear of it.

[Bill_Todd]

The Ax has a serial port (comm1) available on the bottom multiway connector. It requires a 3v to RS232 level converter (search for Affare's aximiser for a circuit). There are also several PD/shareware terminal app around as well.

[afarre]

You have the links to Aximizer right down in my signature. Schematic diagram at first post.

You can also buy a serial adapter for your Axim but you must know this:

RS232 at PDA bottom connector is only "partially implemented":
it gives TTL signal levels (5v) and must be pushed to standard RS232 levels (12v). It can only be done with an external circuit witch must be powered.

If you buy an adaptor make sure it has the circuit (it use to be built-in inside the connector) and also make sure you understand how it gets powered. They use to take power from some RS232 control line: it is tricky and not allways works because it is "software using serial port" dependant.

If you are going to build your own circuit you must know you can power it from PDA pin 7 (+3.5v), to turn on this power out you need to groung either pin 5 or 6. Then you need to use MAX3232 IC instead MAX232 (requires 5v) shown in Aximizer diagram.

And just an extra warning:
Always make sure you connect TX signal from one side to RX at the other side, and viceversa. Nothing happens if you connect RX to RX (of course it wont work) but you can become in trouble if you connect TX to TX. Same thing for the rest of RS232 control signals: they must be crossed.