Serial devices

Most devices in a factory, if they can communicate with a computer at all, communicate via a serial protocol. This includes specialized manufacturing equipment, as well as PLCs. Although there are many different variations of electrical specifications for the data transmission (RS-232, 422, 485, etc.) all of the values are passed essentially the same way - out of the PC's serial port.

While it is not very difficult to send and receive data via a serial port, it is very difficult to do it correctly and efficiently, so as not to interfere with operation of the host computer. Additionally, there are often timing requirements that have to be met, and this is fairly difficult to do correctly under any Microsoft Windows operating system.

Another aspect of developing and debugging serial communications that can be extremely frustrating is finding out where a communications problem is occurring. Usually, unless every single detail of the connection (null modems, jumpers, baud rates, parities, . . .) for both the send and receive side of the conversation is perfect, the communication will not happen at all. Without experience and the proper tools, you can spend hours trying to track down the smallest problem.

ASI has already met and overcome all of the obstacles facing a developer starting out to develop that unique serial driver. Most serial drivers or communications utilities that we develop can be finished in just a few weeks, at a cost that will end up saving you a great deal of money in the long run.

At ASI we can honestly say that we have people who are experts in serial communication of any type. We have not only written drivers and utilities for countless different devices, but we have even developed and implemented communications protocols from scratch.

Don't give up on adding a particular piece of equipment to your automated factory just because nobody sells an "off the shelf" driver. Check with us, and you may be pleasantly surprised how affordable a custom serial communication solution will be.

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