Disappearing Key Assignments

[Sylvain Cote]

Here is a small test program written in Python that will test your serial ports on the computer side.

Software needed:

• Python v3.7.5
• pyserial v3.4
• clupdate v1.1.0
• cl-protocol-test program
  

Hardware needed:

• USB-to-DB9M Serial Converter (main)
• USB-to-DB9M Serial Converter (test)
• DB9F-to-DB9F Null Modem Cable (test)
  

My hardware setup (see picture)

• MacBook Pro 15" (May 2019) running macOS Catalina (10.15.2)
• USB-to-DB9M Serial Converter (main) [/dev/tty.usbserial-1412430] (Future Technology Devices International, Ltd FT232 USB-Serial (UART) IC)
• USB-to-DB9M Serial Converter (test) [/dev/tty.usbserial-FTGTM9TN] (Prolific Technology, Inc. PL2303 Serial Port)
• DB9F-to-DB9M RS-232 Null Modem Dongle
• DB9F-to-DB9F Gender Changer Dongle
• DB9F-to-DB9M RS-232 LED Tester
  

Terminal #1 - clupdate program (need to be started first)

Code:

java -jar clupdate-1.1.0.jar --update rom_files_191203.zip /dev/tty.usbserial-1412430 4800

Terminal #1 - program output

Code:

14:29:20 --update   [fileName: rom_files_191203.zip] [portName: /dev/tty.usbserial-1412430] [baudRate: 4800]
14:29:20 File       rom_files_191203.zip loading ... done
14:29:22 Serial     /dev/tty.usbserial-1412430 opened at 4800 baud.
14:29:22 Waiting    for 41CL commands ...
14:29:56 Received   OPEN_CHANNEL_REQUEST(0x41)
14:29:56 Sent       OPEN_CHANNEL_RESPONSE(0x42)
14:30:01 Received   CLOSE_CHANNEL_REQUEST(0x57)
14:30:01 Sent       CLOSE_CHANNEL_RESPONSE(0x58)
14:30:05 Serial     /dev/tty.usbserial-1412430 closed.

Terminal #2 - 41CL protocol test program

Code:

python3 cl-protocol-test.py

Terminal #2 - program output

Code:

opening serial port
serial port opened:  /dev/tty.usbserial-FTGTM9TN
sending communication channel open request
waiting for reply (timeout set to 5 seconds)
received communication channel open reply
sleeping for 5 seconds
sending communication channel close request
waiting for reply (timeout set to 5 seconds)
received communication channel close reply
serial port closed

Python test program (cl-protocol-test.py)

Code:

#!/usr/bin/env python3
import time
import serial

print("opening serial port")
serial_port = '/dev/tty.usbserial-FTGTM9TN' # change this entry to your device name
ser = serial.Serial(serial_port, 4800, timeout=5)
if ser.is_open == True:
    print("serial port opened: ",ser.name)
    print("sending communication channel open request")
    ser.write(b'A')
    print("waiting for reply (timeout set to 5 seconds)")
    si = ser.read(1)
    if si == b'B':
        print("received communication channel open reply")
        print("sleeping for 5 seconds")
        time.sleep(5)
        print("sending communication channel close request")
        ser.write(b'W')
        print("waiting for reply (timeout set to 5 seconds)")
        si = ser.read(1)
        if si == b'X':
            print("received communication channel close reply")
        else:
            print("received unexpected reply")
    else:
        print("received unexpected reply")
    ser.close()
    print("serial port closed")
else:
    print("failed to open serial port")

Sylvain