Book Review

Serial Port Complete
author - Jan Axelson
Lakeview Research - ©2000

Reader Level

Amazon Rating

Synopsis Virtually every microprocessor with the exception of the most simple, supports a serial input/output (SIO) port for serial communication and debugging. However, the electrical output of a typical microprocessor is TTL and is very limited in robustness, and tranmission cabilities For real world world interfacing, two of the most popular serial interface protocols are RS232, and RS485. This book is one of the most complete on the subject of RS232 and RS485 interfacing available. This is a very practical book with lots of design and programming examples. The RS232 protocol and its electrical variant RS485 are covered extensively. Data formats, timing and control are described in detail. In addition, hardware connections - standard connector pin outs and typical interface circuits are covered. The book comes with a disk of program examples. Specific PC link programming examples in Microsoft Visual are given, as well as examples in generic Basic as a program specification language. This is a "must have" book for the book shelf of anyone working with serial interface design and programming.

Area of Interest
Digital hardware design, and microprocessor serial port interface programming.

Audience
This book is intended for hardware designers working with serial interface designs, as well as software designers who need to program simple dedicated SIO links between a PC for example and embedded controller, to RS485 networking of multiple devices. To use the PC program examples, Microsoft Visual Basic is required

Topics
This book covers all aspects of the standard serial port interface protocol, and the RS232 and R485 standards.

If you are new to serial port design and programming, there is a lot of useful design and application information which can save you a lot of design time

Organization
This book is organized three sections, PC serial port programming (using Visual Basic) and common Microprocessor family programming, the RS232 interface, and the RS485 interface. The RS232 and RS485 interface chapters can be read independent of the first section

Chapters 1 and 2 are an introduction to the formats and protocols of serial programming, covering data representation, protocols and transmission timing

Chapters 3 and 4 covers the PC serial port in detail, and programming the PC serial port using Visual Basic.

Chapter 5 is a brief introduction to the Microprocessor serial port and interfacing issue.

Chapters 6, 7 and 8 cover the RS232 standard in detail. Connector pin outs, connections and hardware interfacing are covered.

Chapters 9 and 10 expand into the RS485 standard for multiple drop interface programming. The RS485 standard is covered, as well as several methods of hardware "networking" multiple devices on a RS485 bus are discussed.

Chapter 11 and 12 get into the issues of network programming a multi-device RS485 network. Chapter 12 covers specific RS485 network programs, one PC based, the other Stamp based.

Where to buy
You can purchase this book online from amazon.com

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