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. Over the years, our implementation 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.
"Reverse" Cables and USB/Serial Cables
The
TCF-S and TCF-Si focuser family,
FocusLynx controller, 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 GROUND ports (see inset at lower left) which has
historically been connected through a separate "Reverse" cable
and Serial Port Converter. The simple flat "Reverse" cable was engineered
such that any observatory user or installer with a standard telephone cable crimper could
easily fabricate cables after fishing the flat 6-wire cable through mount,
pier and floor conduits. A pre-wired "serial port converter" could
be supplied for such installations making for an easy job of wiring up
the observatory. Unfortunately, with the disappearance
of dedicated DB-9 serial ports on today's computers, a third item, the
USB-to-Serial Converter became necessary.
This configuration has lead to a 3-piece communication wiring scheme
that was less than optimal.
The Optec solution is the USB/Serial cable with an integrated USB converter. Currently all new Optec products include a 6-ft. USB/Serial cable as standard. Our other, longer cable lengths of 12, 25, and 50-ft. continute to be very popular and are available from stock. When requested, we can fabricate a custom length USB/Serial cable for any installation.
Complete USB/Serial Cables:
New Serial Cables with Integrated USB Converters
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 5-meter (16-ft.) length restriction for USB does not apply.
Contact
Optec Sales for custom lengths.
How to Order:
Contact any Optec dealer, call Toll-Free 1-888-488-0381, email, or visit our ecommerce site: optecinc.us.
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.
Original Style "Reverse" Cable:
Optec RJ-12 to RJ-12 "Reverse" Serial Cables.
Our original "Reverse" cables are still available in standard and custom lengths. Most are in stock for immediate shipment. Contact Optec Sales for custom length "Reverse" cables.
How to Order:
Contact any Optec dealer, call Toll-Free 1-888-488-0381, email, or visit our ecommerce site: optecinc.us.
USB to Serial Converters:
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.
Other Cables and Converters:
"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. Available in lengths from 6-ft (2m) to
25-ft (8m) these serial cables feature a female DB9 connector on both
end with locking thumbscrews.
Control Cables for the TCF-S and IFW
The
TCF-S and IFW hand control boxes each require an 8-wire Control Cable.
This RJ45 connector to DB-9 is not a serial cable but carries the
stepper control signals to the motor and returns either temperature
information (TCF-S) or position information (IFW and older MAXfilter
filter selectors).
FTDI Website