Serial Communication Cables
A little background...
Historically, Optec's products and instruments have used a serial communication protocol to communicate with an external computer. Optec's RS-232 protocol implementation is a 3-wire subset of the official RS-232 specification. However, over the years, it has proven to be quite robust. Our latest cable product is a unique 3-wire RJ-12 to USB direct connect Serial/USB Cable designed especially for the TCF-S, IFW, and Pyxis rotator.
"Null Modem" Serial Cables
The SSP photometer line and Perseus 4-port Instrument Selector each use a standard DB9 connector with standard RX, TX, and GND ports connected. A "Null Modem" serial cable is required to make the connection to a PC's 9-pin DB9 serial port.
Serial Cables - DB-9(F) to DB-9(F)
#17154 List Price: $24.00 |
#17155 List Price: $30.00 |
#17156 List Price: $40.00 |
#17157 List Price: $52.00 |
Each cable above has a female DB9 connector on each end and is wired straight through. In other words, pin 1 on one side is wired to pin 1 on the other. Contact Optec for custom lengths.
For computers without native serial ports available, Optec recommends the FTDI chipset converters - see our 4-port and single port USB-to-Serial converters sold separately.
Serial / USB Cables for TCF-S, IFW, & Pyxis
The TCF-S focuser, IFW filter wheels, and Pyxis camera field rotators each use a modular RJ12 connector directly on the instrument or on a separate control box. These female RJ12 sockets all use the same pin configuration with RX, TX, and GND ports connected through a separate "Reverse" cable and Serial Port Converter. The simple flat "Reverse" cable was engineered such that any observatory user with a standard telephone cable crimper could easily fabricate cables after fishing the flat 6-wire cable through mount, pier and floor conduits. This scheme has worked very well for a number of customers, but far more customers tend to buy the cables "ready-to-go" because of the convenience. Hence, our standard cable lengths of 6, 12, 25, and 50-ft. are very popular. In addition, a USB-to-Serial converter can be used when no native serial ports are available on the control PC. Unfortunately, this configuration leads to a 3-piece communication cable as shown at right.
New Serial Cables with Integrated USB Converters
Complete Serial / USB Cables
Recent advancements in USB-to-Serial converter technologies has allowed Optec to offer a single Serial / USB cable in place of the 3-piece configuration. These cables are available in standard lengths of 6, 12, 25, and 50-ft. Because the cable is standard RS-232 level on the long side of the cable, the 10-ft restriction for USB does not apply.
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#19671 List Price: $45.00 |
#19672 List Price: $50.00 |
#19673 List Price: $55.00 |
#19674 List Price: $60.00 |
Original Style "Reverse" Cable and Converter
Serial Port Converter - RJ12 (female) to DB-9 (male)
The #17695 Serial Port Converter
can be used with any of the flat "reverse" cable listed below.
This simple adapter remains the simplest way to convert from
the flat Reverse cables below to a DB-9 connector for an RS-232
serial port on any PC.  |
#17695 List Price: $15.00 |
For computers without native serial ports available, Optec recommends the FTDI chipset converters - see our 4-port and single port USB-to-Serial converters sold separately.
Optec PC Serial "Reverse" Cables
RJ12 "Reverse" Serial Cables.
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#17671 List Price: $15.00 |
#17672 List Price: $20.00 |
#17673 List Price: $25.00 |
#17674 List Price: $30.00 |
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