MultiSerial Shield
From Hackstrich
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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), 10x GPIO |
| Required Pins: | A4 (I2C SDA), A5 (I2C SCL) |
| Optional Pins: | None |
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.
- The NXP SC16IS752 chip is used, which gives 2 channels for ~$7. It needs 3.3v I/O and talks 3.3v RS232, so level shifters are needed. The I2C level shifter is a PCA9306 ($0.95 qty. 1), and the RS232 level shifter is a second-sourced TI MAX3232 in a SOT16 package ($1.70 qty. 1).
