serial to wireless ethernet adapter
- Thread starter Chrisrush
- Start date
Carlos
Premium Member
The router has to be a WRT54g rev4 or WRT54gl. If you have any doubt on the WRT54g rev go for the WRT54gl (do not get the rev5 as it cannot be upgraded).
The instructions to add a serial port are at http://www.frontiernet.net/~beakmyn/WRT54GS/OpenWRT Kimset Server.htm (note: there's no need to get the AD233BK, the AD233AK will work just as well since we will not be using RTS/CTS).
I will compile a new firmware for it with RFC 2217 support. On the PC side, install HW Virtual Serial Port (http://www.hw-group.com/products/hw_vsp/index_en.html) and link it to the WRT ip port 7000 (I'll write some detailed instructions once I have the firmware done).
Total cost of the serial-wireless bridge for the aquacontroller should be around $85 + serial cable.
-L
I got it mostly working now but I still need to debug a couple of connection problems. I'm using msredird on the WRT54g and HW group's virtual serial port on WinXP. I also added a 512MB sD card for storage.
I can post pictures of the mods if you need help with the hardware.
-L
Here are some pictures:
Make sure you get a WRT54GL (it's displayed in the lower left corner of the box). The WRT54GL can be upgraded with 3rd party firmware but the latest (rev5) WRT54G/GS can't.
Here's a shot of the RS232 transceiver on top of the SD-MMC breakout board.
Wiring of the SD-MMC pins on the GPIO pins (see this link for details)
Close-up of the break-out boards (I used strong double sided tape)
This is what it looks like on the outside
I'm working on the firmware right now. First, I just want to enable the RFC 2217 protocol for the Virtual Serial Port. Next, I'll add a telnet server to emulate the AC and store the data on the SD card. I'll also add a web/wap server to display and change the AC parameter.
-L
Make sure you get a WRT54GL (it's displayed in the lower left corner of the box). The WRT54GL can be upgraded with 3rd party firmware but the latest (rev5) WRT54G/GS can't.
Here's a shot of the RS232 transceiver on top of the SD-MMC breakout board.
Wiring of the SD-MMC pins on the GPIO pins (see this link for details)
Close-up of the break-out boards (I used strong double sided tape)
This is what it looks like on the outside
I'm working on the firmware right now. First, I just want to enable the RFC 2217 protocol for the Virtual Serial Port. Next, I'll add a telnet server to emulate the AC and store the data on the SD card. I'll also add a web/wap server to display and change the AC parameter.
-L
Firmware's done. It works beautifully!
List of parts:
Here is the list of parts I used for the serial modification. You can get them anywhere you want but I provided a link to illustrate what I used.
Hardware:
Open the WRT54GL. Here a link to a howto.
Turn the board so that the antenna connectors are facing you and the LEDs are away from you (the board looks like a "J"). The serial connector is labeled JP2 and is the second from the top on the left. Pin 1 of the connector is the top left pin on the board (the square one).
Solder the 10pin male header and assemble the 10 IDC socket and cable. Make sure that the red wire is assigned to pin 1 (top most).
At the other end of the cable, join wires 1&2 and also join 9&10 (wire 1 is the red wire assigned to pin 1, 2 is next to 1, 3 next to 2 and so on). Discard wires 4,6,7&8. Solder wires 1&2 to the "+" pin on the RS232 break-out card and 9&10 to "-". Solder wire 3 to TTL TX and wire 5 to TTL RX on the PCB.
On the DB9, connect 4&6 together and also connect 7&8 together (we are not dealing with DTR/DSR and CTS/RTS). If you got the board wired for a DB9 female, we need to swap 2&3, so connect the DB9 male pin 2 to the location for pin 3 on the board, and connect DB9M pin 3 to the location for pin 2 (hope this is not too confusing). Connect pin 5 to pin 5, this one's easy.
You can also follow the instructions here.
You're done!
Software:
Download the modified WRT54GL firmware with RFC2217 support. Can anyone host the file, it's 3MB? This firmware adds support for the RFC 2217 Telnet Com Port Control Option (basically tunnels a RS232 connection over telnet). I used the HyperWRT base with Tofu's extras and added ser2net.
Upgrade the stock firmware with the modified one. After it's done, press and hold the reset button (in the back) for about 10s or more so that the NVRAM is cleared. Now, we're going to configure the router as a Wireless ethernet bridge. Other configurations would also work such as WDS or access point if it is your main router. Visit the linksysinfo.org forums for the HyperWRT details.
Connect the router with a cable (not wireless) to a computer with a static IP of 192.168.1.2 (I'm assuming your LAN is 192.168.1.0 and the gateway is 192.168.1.1)
In the Setup Tab:
{Basic Setup}
- Internet Connection Type: Disabled
- Router Name: AQUABRIDGE
- Local IP Address: 192.168.1.30
- LAN Gateway: 192.168.1.1
- LAN DNS: 192.168.1.1
-DHCP Server: Disable
(Save Settings)
{Advanced Routing}
- Operating Mode: Router
(Save Settings)
In the Wireless Tab:
{Basic Wireless Mode}
- Wireless Mode: Wireless Ethernet Bridge
- (fill to match your wireless network)
(Save Settings)
{Wireless Security}:
- (fill to match your wireless network)
(Save Settings)
{Advanced Wireless Settings}:
- SecureEasySetup: Disable
(Save Settings)
In the Security Tab:
{Firewall}
- Firewall: Disable
(Save Settings)
In the Administration Tab:
{Management}:
- RFC 2217: Enable
(Save Settings)
Now disconnect the network cable from the router and try to ping it over the wireless network at 192.168.1.30. Let's say it works! Connect the DB9M on the router to the serial MINIDIN8 on the AC (buy a cable from Neptune Systems or build one). On your computer 'telnet 192.168.1.30 7000'. You should get the AC controller prompt.
If you want to use AquaNotes, download HW's Virtual serial port and configure it to 192.168.1.30 port 7000. Now configure AquaNotes to use the Virtual Com Port (for example COM5). Check the status and download the logs, you should now have a wireless RS232 connection.
Enjoy!
List of parts:
Here is the list of parts I used for the serial modification. You can get them anywhere you want but I provided a link to illustrate what I used.
- A Maxim MAX232 Level converter. I used the A232DBCT3V kit (with CTS/RTS lines) because I wanted to keep the second set of transceivers (cts/rts) for future use. Any of those kit will do for this single serial modification: AD233AK, AD233BK, A232DBH3v or A232DBCT3v
- A 10pin shrouded male header
- A 10pin IDC socket connector
- A 10pin flat ribbon cable
- A DB9 male connector
Hardware:
Open the WRT54GL. Here a link to a howto.
Turn the board so that the antenna connectors are facing you and the LEDs are away from you (the board looks like a "J"). The serial connector is labeled JP2 and is the second from the top on the left. Pin 1 of the connector is the top left pin on the board (the square one).
Solder the 10pin male header and assemble the 10 IDC socket and cable. Make sure that the red wire is assigned to pin 1 (top most).
At the other end of the cable, join wires 1&2 and also join 9&10 (wire 1 is the red wire assigned to pin 1, 2 is next to 1, 3 next to 2 and so on). Discard wires 4,6,7&8. Solder wires 1&2 to the "+" pin on the RS232 break-out card and 9&10 to "-". Solder wire 3 to TTL TX and wire 5 to TTL RX on the PCB.
On the DB9, connect 4&6 together and also connect 7&8 together (we are not dealing with DTR/DSR and CTS/RTS). If you got the board wired for a DB9 female, we need to swap 2&3, so connect the DB9 male pin 2 to the location for pin 3 on the board, and connect DB9M pin 3 to the location for pin 2 (hope this is not too confusing). Connect pin 5 to pin 5, this one's easy.
You can also follow the instructions here.
You're done!
Software:
Download the modified WRT54GL firmware with RFC2217 support. Can anyone host the file, it's 3MB? This firmware adds support for the RFC 2217 Telnet Com Port Control Option (basically tunnels a RS232 connection over telnet). I used the HyperWRT base with Tofu's extras and added ser2net.
Upgrade the stock firmware with the modified one. After it's done, press and hold the reset button (in the back) for about 10s or more so that the NVRAM is cleared. Now, we're going to configure the router as a Wireless ethernet bridge. Other configurations would also work such as WDS or access point if it is your main router. Visit the linksysinfo.org forums for the HyperWRT details.
Connect the router with a cable (not wireless) to a computer with a static IP of 192.168.1.2 (I'm assuming your LAN is 192.168.1.0 and the gateway is 192.168.1.1)
In the Setup Tab:
{Basic Setup}
- Internet Connection Type: Disabled
- Router Name: AQUABRIDGE
- Local IP Address: 192.168.1.30
- LAN Gateway: 192.168.1.1
- LAN DNS: 192.168.1.1
-DHCP Server: Disable
(Save Settings)
{Advanced Routing}
- Operating Mode: Router
(Save Settings)
In the Wireless Tab:
{Basic Wireless Mode}
- Wireless Mode: Wireless Ethernet Bridge
- (fill to match your wireless network)
(Save Settings)
{Wireless Security}:
- (fill to match your wireless network)
(Save Settings)
{Advanced Wireless Settings}:
- SecureEasySetup: Disable
(Save Settings)
In the Security Tab:
{Firewall}
- Firewall: Disable
(Save Settings)
In the Administration Tab:
{Management}:
- RFC 2217: Enable
(Save Settings)
Now disconnect the network cable from the router and try to ping it over the wireless network at 192.168.1.30. Let's say it works! Connect the DB9M on the router to the serial MINIDIN8 on the AC (buy a cable from Neptune Systems or build one). On your computer 'telnet 192.168.1.30 7000'. You should get the AC controller prompt.
If you want to use AquaNotes, download HW's Virtual serial port and configure it to 192.168.1.30 port 7000. Now configure AquaNotes to use the Virtual Com Port (for example COM5). Check the status and download the logs, you should now have a wireless RS232 connection.
Enjoy!
xinumaster
reef addict
wow. this is cool. Got to go now to FRY's electronics and buy those hardware.
xinumaster
reef addict
Hi laurentm, I notice you're from SJ, are all those components you listed available at R&D Electronics in Milpitas?
perry
perry
Giovanni
AKA Flippa
laurentm,
You seem to be very good at the network thing. My question is this. I just got a ACIII. I want it wireless but do not want to buy a bridge. I have an old Microsoft wireless router and a motorola router. I have one for the internet and am using the other for the ACIII. Is there a way to bridge them so I do not have to flip back and forth between wireless networks? Without buying any more Equipment, I mean.
You seem to be very good at the network thing. My question is this. I just got a ACIII. I want it wireless but do not want to buy a bridge. I have an old Microsoft wireless router and a motorola router. I have one for the internet and am using the other for the ACIII. Is there a way to bridge them so I do not have to flip back and forth between wireless networks? Without buying any more Equipment, I mean.
