Hobrasoft:4x232
Contents
Descriptions
The Hobrasoft 4x232 Cape provides four RS232 serial ports and real time clock with batery backup. Board is powered from 5V power supply, protected with transil and fuse. Board colides with built-in graphics card so it is impossible to use the 4x232 and HDMI output at the same time.
Specifications
Followings are some specifications of the 4x232 Cape:
Electrical specifications
Power | 5V via own connector |
Indicators | Power LED |
Switches | EEPROM write protect switch |
EEPROM address switch | |
Connectors | Two 46-position male headers |
One 5V power supply connector | |
Four RS232 9pin CANON connectors |
Serial ports specifications
BeagleBone | 4x232 | PCB | Signals |
/dev/ttyO1 | /dev/ttyA | RS232-A | RXD/TXD |
/dev/ttyO2 | /dev/ttyB | RS232-B | RXD/TXD |
/dev/ttyO4 | /dev/ttyC | RS232-C | RXD/TXD, RTS/CTS |
/dev/ttyO5 | /dev/ttyD | RS232-D | RXD/TXD, RTS/CTS |
Mechanical specifications
Size | 90 x 100 mm |
Software Support
- Firmware source can be downloaded from here: HOBRASOFT-4x232-00A0.dts
- Debian package can be downloaded from here: http://debian.hobrasoft.cz/pool/non-free/h/hobrasoft-4x232
Getting started
Required setup
- BeagleBone Black
- 4x232 board
- 5V power supply - use included connector, be carefull about the polarity
Following the instructions below to start using your 4x232 Cape:
- Mount the BeagleBone Black to the connectors of the 4x232 Cape. The network connector should be oriented to the right side of the 4x232 board (battery is mounted in lower left corner).
- Mount included connector to your 5V DC power supply, for proper polarity check label on the board.
- Plug in a 5V DC power supply to the DC connector on the 4x232 board
- Install software support
Software installation
Debian package can be installed to the Beaglebone's operating system (Debian Linux, armhf architecture) for simple use of the 4x232 board. The package contains:
- systemd script for real time clock
- firmware for 4x232 board (file dtbo)
- udev rules to create special devices /dev/ttyA to /dev/ttyD (corresponds with labels on the board)
For easy installation and upgrades add a line to the /etc/apt/sources.list file:
deb [arch=armhf] http://debian.hobrasoft.cz hobrasoft non-free
Then install the package from the command line:
apt-get update apt-get install hobrasoft-4x232
Signal usage
The 4x232 Cape uses 12 signals including:
- UART4_CTSN (P8.35)
- UART4_RTSN (P8.33)
- UART5_CTSN (P8.31)
- UART5_RTSN (P8.32)
- UART5_TXD (P8.37)
- UART5_RXD (P8.38)
- UART1_RXD (P9.26)
- UART1_TXD (P9.24)
- UART2_RXD (P9.22)
- UART2_TXD (P9.21)
- UART4_RXD (P9.11)
- UART4_TXD (P9.13)
- VDD_3V3EXP
- SYS_5V
- DGND
EEPROM
EEPROM Suport | Yes |
Board Name | BeagleBone LCD3 Cape |
Version | 00A2 |
Manufacturer | BeagleBoardToys |
Part Number | BB-BONE-LCD3-01 |
Pins Used | 45 |