MultiSerial Shield
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| Function: | Provide two RS232 ports with 3.3v or RS232 levels, accessible via I2C. |
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| Key Chips: | NXP SC16IS752 |
| External Ports: | 2x RS232 (3.3v or RS232 levels), 8x GPIO |
| Required Pins: | A4 (I2C SDA), A5 (I2C SCL) |
| Optional Pins: | None |
Project Status
PCB design complete, prototype PCBs ordered and received from BatchPCB. Full BOM ordered and received from Digikey (SC16IS762 substituted instead of SC16IS752 because the latter is out of stock for another 6 weeks and the former is pin-compatible). First prototype PCB assembled except for 3 of the 4 LEDs, electrically tests OK. Software testing in progress.
Revision 1 PCB Issues
- Fixed in revision 2:
Should connect GND pins on Arduino header together - Fixed in revision 2:
+5V and GND labels on RS232 port are swapped - Fixed in revision 2:
Pins 15-28 on controller IC are mirrored! Doh! - Fixed in revision 2:
Fix needlessly close spacing on traces running between pins for no reason. - Fixed in revision 2:
SCL33/SDA33 test points/jumper points are needlessly bigger than other pads. - Fixed in revision 2:
Addresses printed on board are 8 bit, not 7 bit like the Wire library uses. - Added in revision 2:
Functions for Arduino headers not printed on board, makes debugging harder. - Fixed in revision 2:
C7 and C12 are needlessly too close to the header, making it hard not to melt the header (if placed first) while adding the caps. - Fixed in revision 2:
RX level translators/jumpers not designed right. TX and RX both need to be switched between the output of the level translator and the input of the level translator. TX already is, RX is not. - Fixed in revision 2:
LEDs wired such that they are on for idle state. - Added in revision 2:
Power LED would be very useful as shield blocks visibility of Arduino's power LED. - Added in revision 2:
No interrupt capability because /IRQ line not connected. - Channels should be 0 and 1, not 1 and 2 (to match chip and reduce confusion)
- LEDs very dim.
Overview
The Arduino MultiSerial shield will let the Arduino access two RS232 serial ports via I2C. It will have switchable 3.3v or RS232 levels. This project exists mainly as a debugging tool for networks of BlinkieBits, as (at least during BlinkieNet design/prototyping) it would be extremely useful to be able to receive debugging information from a whole network of BlinkieBits, rather than just one at a time.
