RS-232 Connection Options for Digital Gage Interfaces

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RS-232 Connection Options

When using a digital gage interface, it is not uncommon to require one or more serial inputs in addition to the digital gage inputs. Due to the voltage levels and data format of RS-232 signals, special hardware is required in order to accept and process RS-232 data.

All of the MicroRidge interfaces support multiple methods of connecting RS-232 devices. In fact, MicroRidge offers more RS-232 connection options than any other interface manufacturer.

	Interface							Cost	RS-232 Logic Built into Interface	Auto Baud Detection	Converts Data to Mitutoyo Format
	GW3	GW4	GW5	GW6	Mx4	Mx8	Other Mfg Interface¹	Cost	RS-232 Logic Built into Interface	Auto Baud Detection	Converts Data to Mitutoyo Format
Direct Connect to Front Panel		x		x				None²	x
Direct Connect to Expansion Port			x	x	x	x		None²	x
LC Cable	x		x			x		$45	x
ProCable	x		x		x	x	x	$135		x	x
¹ Requires Mitutoyo-compatible interface with 5 volts DC power on pin 9. ² RS-232 connection included as part of the interface.

Direct Connect to Front Panel

The GageWay4 and GageWay6 interfaces are designed for direct connection of RS-232 devices. The front panel contains 2 (GageWay4) or 4 (GageWay6) DB9 male connectors that are configured like the standard PC serial port.

Direct Connect to Expansion Port on Back Panel

The GageWay5, GageWay6, Mx4 and Mx8 interfaces contain a DB9 male connector on the back panel that can be used for chaining or for connecting an RS-232 serial device.

LC Cable

The LC Cable converts RS-232 voltage levels to acceptable levels that can be used by the GageWay3, GageWay5 and Mx8 interfaces. The intelligence for receiving and processing RS-232 data is already built into these interfaces.

ProCable

The ProCable converts an RS-232 input into a Mitutoyo-compatible output. It can be used with any Mitutoyo compatible interface from any manufacturer providing the interface supplies 5 volts DC power on pin 9 of the interface connector. The ProCable is an advanced device that can automatically determine the baud rate and communication parameters of the data being sent from your serial device.

Interface Selection
If you are only connecting RS-232 devices, you should use the GageWay4 or GageWay6 interfaces. If you are connecting a combination of digital gages (caliper, micrometer, digital indicator, etc. with non-RS-232 outputs), and RS-232 devices, you should use the GageWay3, GageWay5, and Mx8 interfaces.

When to Choose the LC Cable Solution:

Your setup tends to be fixed for an extended period of time, and you are not constantly unplugging one RS-232 device and plugging in a different RS-232 device.
You know the baud rate and communication parameters and are willing to use the setup program to configure the interface for your serial device.
You are looking for the least costly solution.

When to Choose the ProCable Solution

You do not know what the baud rate and communication parameters are, and you want the ProCable to determine them for you.
You know what the baud rate and communication parameters are but you want the ProCable to set them for you.
You want to plug and unplug serial devices on the fly. Each of your serial devices has different baud and/or communication parameters and you do not want to go through any configuration steps when you plug in your serial devices. You can achieve this by using the separate ProCable on each of your serial devices.

Revised August 20, 2008