[Voyage-linux] Alix 3D3 and using RTS/DTR signals on RS-232

[Rajarajan Rajamani]

Instead of a USB-RS232 interface, I think I'll try using a CM19A
device which is a native USB device for X10 automation and costs more
or less the same price as a serial-usb converter.

On Sun, Jul 1, 2012 at 12:30 PM, Jon Meek <meekjt at gmail.com> wrote:
> A USB - RS-232 interface should work for almost anything (not for NTP
> with GPS PPS due to USB latency).
>
> You might want to choose the USB serial port adapter that has support
> built into Voyage Linux. The FTDI chip family is one choice.
>
> Jon
>
> On Sun, Jul 1, 2012 at 12:20 PM, Rajarajan Rajamani
> <r.rajamani at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I am trying to use an X10 home automation dongle (C17a, also known as
>> firecracker) on the serial port. This device is driven via the RTS/DTR
>> pins on the RS232. I have been using this dongle for many years on a
>> FreeBSD box and wanted to use it on the 3D3 but could not make it work
>> using both Voyage Linux and NanoBSD. There no errors reported and the
>> sequence of ioctl system calls (using strace/truss) are the same
>> between the working system I have (on a desktop running FreeBSD) and
>> the Alix 3D3 (with both Linux/FreeBSD)
>>
>> Later on going over all the details of the serial protocol/pins, I
>> noticed that in the data sheet for the 3D3 it says that due to
>> limitations of the AMD CS5536 companion chip, only RXD / TXD are
>> available for software and handshake signals cannot be observed or
>> controlled.
>>
>> Further it shows the RTS/DTS pins to be always active.
>>
>> Does this mean (for sure) that I cannot use the pins to talk to the
>> CM17A device ?? Is there any workaround for this - which I doubt.
>>
>> Any hints would be appreciated.
>>
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