Ultimax RS-232 Upload Problem

[jbmozer]

Help!

I have a KM3P, S/N SDA-8004047C with Ultimax Controls (master v8.60 Turbo). I am having serial port troubles.

Downloading to a PC (Win XP running Hyperterm through a USB-Serial adapter) seems to work just fine using 9600 Baud, Xon/Xoff, 8 Bits, 1 Stop, No parity (8-1-N). In converstational mode, I can "print" the program or the directory, and "download/send" the program. What is received on the PC looks normal with no dropouts or odd characters.

The problem is with upload. Using the same settings, I get "character framing errors." I've tried using baud rates down to 300 baud and CTS/RTS handshaking, but aways get the same error.

In NC mode, I have similar (bad) luck. I can download OK, but no uploads. I get a combination of "Parity Errors," and "Framing Errors." I did switch to 9600 Baud 7-E-1 protocol as suggested by the Hurco Support FAQ, and have tried baud rates down to 300 but it doesn't make a difference.

Occasionally, I will get a few lines (up to 4 NC blocks) uploaded before the error occurs.

A significant piece of information may be that my machine came without an internal cable between the DB-15 mail connector (that goes to the two round 8-pin bulkhead connectors) and the 40-Pin PCB connector on the serial board. I built one using the pinout information in the RS-232 FAQ on the Hurco website. All of the lines coming from the round bulkhead connector (TX,RX,SGnd,RTS,CTS) are connected. DTR is not connected to anything. The cable is shielded and grounded.

I get the same behavior for either Port 1 or Port 2.

I have also used ConnectCNC from www.connectcnc-dnc.com in place of HyperTerm with essentially the same results.

Any help would be much appreciated.
-joel

[bloke]

So, what connections have you made between the PC and the mill? It sounds like a miswire to me. I'll dig some stuff out...

[bloke]

Your cable for the 40 way ribbon to the sockets should look like this:
Port 1
40way Signal name Amphenol

28 Sig. Ground F
32 CTS D
34 RTS E
36 RX B
38 TX C
40 Frame Ground A


Port 2
40way Signal name Amphenol

8 Sig. Ground F
12 CTS D
14 RTS E
16 RX B
18 TX C
20 Frame Ground A

Your cable between the PC and the mill should be shielded with the shield connected AT ONE END ONLY to the frame ground.

Connect TX on the mill to RX on the PC.
Connect RX on the mill to TX on the PC.
Connect CTS on the mill to RTS on the PC.
Connect RTS on the mill to CTS on the PC.
Connect Sig. ground on the mill to Sig. ground on the PC.

For NC files, set the port up in conversational and then switch to NC. 19200,7,1,even should work fine
For conversational, 19200,8,1,none should be ok.

[jbmozer]

Thanks, Bloke. Your information confirms my wiring.

I spent the afternoon playing with it and have decided that the problem is the USB to RS-232 adapter that I'm using. I dragged out an old PC with a "real" serial port and, so far, things seem to be working fine.

So, now my question is: does anyone know of a USB Serial adapter that is known to work?

Thanks again,
-joel

[bloke]

Ah, I didn't realise you were using one of those. They can be a bit troublesome...

[Brock_r]

We have had good success with this device:

KeySpan USA-19HS USB to Serial Adaptor

"http://www.amazon.com/Keyspan-Speed-Serial-Adapter-USA-19HS/dp/B0000VYJRY"]

[bloke]

Ah, Brock, you old hound! how are you?

Cliff.