[evla-sw-discuss] TC11IB ASC Port

[Jim Jackson]

George,

I think converting this to RS-232 is fine. The most likely uses for this
port are for a computer/debug interface or for some piece of off-the-shelf
equipment - it is doubtful either would use LVDS.  However, we may want to
explore making it configurable for RS232 or differential RS 422/485. Some
computers and test equipment can talk via RS422/485.  In the antennas it
would be preferable to use differential signalling if we can. I don't want
to make it too complicated but I seem to remember some transceiver chips
that could do both.

One other comment -  I assume we will need some seperate connector for this
so we can use it for debugging while the MIB is installed in a module.  I
do not want a large DB type connector placed directly on the MIB. Since you
are doing the PCB layout, I suspect you don't either. Some sort of very
small connector or header to which we can connect an adapter cable should
work just fine. Some mechanism for grounding or terminating this port when
not in use may also be nice.  I can suggest a couple of very simple ways to
accomplish this. 

Cheers,
Jim
At 01:36 PM 3/6/2003 -0700, George Peck wrote:
>Wayne and I are trying to decide whether or not to
>bring the ASC port out of the MIB using RS-232 levels.
>It seems that there may be more interest in doing this
>than we originally thought.  In the prototype MIB board,
>we converted these signals to LVDS.  It looks like a 
>change to RS-232 levels could be made on the next iteration
>of the board, without too much difficulty.
>
>I would appreciate any comments and opinions that any of
>you may have about this.
>
>Thank you,
>
>George
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