Summary of Now Use Your 802.11 WiFi To Connect To RS232 Serial Ports
This article introduces the LS100W, an 802.11 wireless Serial Device Server by Kanda. It enables existing RS232 equipment like bar code scanners and scales to connect to networks wirelessly, reducing cabling while maintaining security via 128-bit WEP. The device supports Ad-hoc and infrastructure modes, offers Virtual Serial Port functionality, and is compatible with standard WiFi cards for cost-effective integration.
Parts used in the LS100W Project:
- RS232 serial port equipment
- 802.11 wireless Serial Device Server (LS100W)
- 128-bit WEP encryption module
- Standard wireless access point
- WiFi cards
- Network cables (optional alternative)
(PRWEB) September 7, 2005
Much equipment still has a RS232 serial port as the main data transfer method. Even new equipment can have serial ports because they are easy and cheap to implement, most microcontrollers support them efficiently and designers know how to use them. Also, data can be transferred reasonably fast at 115Kbps, which is sufficient for most purposes.
The type of equipment involved includes shop tills, bar code scanners, weighing scales, sensors, medical instruments, industrial machines and other systems that need control information or collect data. These all need to communicate with PCs and PC networks and the standard serial connection has commonly been replaced by Serial to Ethernet converters, also known as Serial Device Servers, for a long time.
Now though, an 802.11 wireless Serial Device Server is available as well. This new product allows existing serial port equipment to be connected to a network using wireless rather than network cables. This obviously has benefits in reduced cabling needs, more freedom for equipment location and speed of installation but could give problems of expense and security vulnerability. However, these new wireless servers are low cost while incorporating the latest 128-bit WEP (Wireless Equivalent Privacy) to ensure that communications remain safe.
Additionally, they can be configured to work in different modes to suit the application. If a single point to point communication is all that is needed, then the units can be set in Ad-hoc mode and function as a wireless serial lead. But, if multiple connections are required or a wireless network already exists, then they can be configured in infrastructure mode so that they can link through any standard wireless access point.
From the designers point of view, these units could not be simpler to use as they include support for many different protocols. This means that it is easy to select the exact type of communication needed, either as a network by IP address or as a Virtual Serial Port to reuse existing software.
As they use the standard 802.11 WiFi protocol, these units can communicate with existing wireless networks or to low cost WiFi cards, which also keeps the money-men happy.
For more information, visit http://www.kanda.com/go/LS100W
For picture: http://www.kanda.com/images/ls100.jpg
For datasheet: http://www.kanda.com/datasheet/ls100.pdf
About Kanda:
Kanda manufacture and supply a wide range of embedded system tools. We are specialists in In System Programming, low cost emulators and training systems for a wide range of microcontrollers, PLDs and memory devices, including PIC, AVR, ST7 and COP8. We also supply interfaces for USB, CAN Bus and serial to Ethernet conversion.
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- What is the primary function of the LS100W?
The LS100W allows existing serial port equipment to connect to a network using wireless technology instead of network cables. - How does the device ensure communication safety?
It incorporates the latest 128-bit WEP (Wireless Equivalent Privacy) to keep communications safe. - Can the units be configured for single point-to-point communication?
Yes, units can be set in Ad-hoc mode to function as a wireless serial lead for single point-to-point needs. - What mode should be used if multiple connections are required?
Units can be configured in infrastructure mode to link through any standard wireless access point for multiple connections. - Does the device support reuse of existing software?
Yes, it supports Virtual Serial Port functionality to allow users to reuse existing software. - What data transfer speed is mentioned as sufficient for most purposes?
Data can be transferred at 115Kbps, which is considered sufficient for most purposes. - Is this product compatible with existing wireless networks?
Yes, because it uses the standard 802.11 WiFi protocol, it can communicate with existing wireless networks. - What types of equipment typically use this serial connection method?
Equipment includes shop tills, bar code scanners, weighing scales, sensors, medical instruments, and industrial machines.
