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Introduction

Ever since computers were invented, the ability to communicate with them was paramount. The RS 232 serial port became the standard way to do this. Modern computers now use USB ports to communicate together be it a camera, mobile phone or a hard disk drive.

There are programs on the internet that test Serial Ports. The object of this section is to use these programs to test the different USB Serial cables that are candidates to use with Eazylink2.

Method

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Software

The following windows software was downloaded. 

File NameRelease DateVersionFile Size
PL2303_CableTest_v2.2.1.1.zip2010/02/252.2.1.1753.78KB
COM PORT STRESS TESTMarch 11, 2014.1.4.3 build 907.  

Hardware

The following items were made 

bsod IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL

Com stress test

http://www.aggsoft.com/com-port-stress-test/download.htm

Keyspan where bought

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Keyspan-High-speed-Serial-Adapter-230kbps/dp/B0000VYJRY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402013714&sr=8-1&keywords=USA+19+USB+SERIAL

Prolific Cable Test Program

http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/supportDownload.aspx?FileType=56&FileID=133&pcid=&Page=0

Where bought

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plugable-Adapter-Prolific-PL2303HX-Chipset/dp/B00425S1H8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402047087&sr=8-1&keywords=serial+adapter+PL-2303HX
Name
NameItem Circuit 
Loopback
Connector Loopback Connector
   NUKK MODEM adapter

Test Results

 

NULL MODEM
adapter
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USB Serial Cables

4 cables are tested. These are:-

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PL2303HX
PLUGABLE

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FT232R
TRONIX 
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FT232R
CHIP-10X 
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TUSB3410

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Test & Results

Run as administrator

Image AddedIt was found that unless these programs were "Run as administrator," errors and a Blue Screen Of Death were encountered.

PL-2303 - Cable Test Program Ver 2.2.1.1

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This program tests two serial ports by sending data from one port to the other, changing parameter settings and reporting the results.

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The RTS Signal testing ... section failed. This was due to the NULL MODEM cable was a 3 wire type. This only connects the data pins together. At least it shows that this program reports errors correctly.

 

This test will be run again with a fully connected NULL MODEM adapter.