Home
JAQForum Ver 24.01
Log In or Join  
Active Topics
Local Time 00:28 18 Jul 2025 Privacy Policy
Jump to

Notice. New forum software under development. It's going to miss a few functions and look a bit ugly for a while, but I'm working on it full time now as the old forum was too unstable. Couple days, all good. If you notice any issues, please contact me.

Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : FTDI and Microsoft Are Still At It

     Page 5 of 5    
Author Message
Chris Roper
Senior Member

Joined: 19/05/2015
Location: South Africa
Posts: 280
Posted: 09:00pm 05 Feb 2016
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

  WhiteWizzard said   So what do we all think of this . . . .



If apple want to give me an iPhone (Not that I would accept it) then they own it and can do what they want to it. But if, as is the case now, I am expected to pay them a premium for their phone, then I own that hardware and should be able do whatever I want with it.

Thanks for the link though, one more string in my anti-Apple bow.

Cheers
Chris

http://caroper.blogspot.com/
 
JohnS
Guru

Joined: 18/11/2011
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 4038
Posted: 11:00pm 05 Feb 2016
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

I could see it being OK for Apple to refuse certain warranty claims for a product that's been tampered with. But only where the tampering is a cause of a fault relevant to any claim. Beyond that and English law would allow a claim (well, multiple claims as you can go for damages etc) against Apple, so I hope someone will sue them very publicly if that's what Apple are doing.

It's crazy anyhow that an owner can't revert to an earlier iOS at will.

(What I'd REALLY like would be that Apple don't dodge tax as they do, but that's another topic.)

How long before Mickeysoft start messing with Ford cars that have the MS version of SYNC? (You're driving along and POW! max acceleration, no brakes...)

John
 
srnet
Senior Member

Joined: 08/08/2014
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 164
Posted: 11:55pm 05 Feb 2016
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

  JohnS said   I could see it being OK for Apple to refuse certain warranty claims for a product that's been tampered with. But only where the tampering is a cause of a fault relevant to any claim. Beyond that and English law would allow a claim (well, multiple claims as you can go for damages etc) against Apple, so I hope someone will sue them very publicly if that's what Apple are doing.


Quite so.

Cars are a good example here.

The exhaust on your car goes, so rather than goto the dealer you have it replaced a lot cheaper elsewhere, maybe your miles from the nearest dealer anyway.

Next time you have your car serviced (at the dealer) they 'brick' the engine management unit, you have used 'unauthorized' parts after all.

Would that be seen as acceptable behavior too ?

$50SAT is Silent but probably still working.
For information on LoRa visit http://www.loratracker.uk/

 
Lou

Senior Member

Joined: 01/02/2014
Location: United States
Posts: 229
Posted: 09:00pm 07 Feb 2016
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Nice one MicroBlocks, please post when they are ready.

Are there LEDs for Rx/Tx console indicators?
Is this the same project/drivers as your other thread on the PIC16F1455?

Lou
Microcontrollers - the other white meat
 
MicroBlocks

Guru

Joined: 12/05/2012
Location: Thailand
Posts: 2209
Posted: 10:50pm 07 Feb 2016
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

No leds.
With the chosen chip it is either leds or RTS/CTS capabilities.
I never seem to need them as i always use a logic probe to see if a signal is present. Also by connecting the RX and TX together and check if it works in a terminal is one of the first steps i do.

Yes it is the same as the other thread, so it includes a programmer.


Microblocks. Build with logic.
 
WhiteWizzard
Guru

Joined: 05/04/2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2934
Posted: 11:59pm 07 Feb 2016
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Regarding the Tx/Rx LEDs, here is something I was pondering the other day.

Has anyone tried driving a Tx & Rx LED, each via its own MOSFET, with the gates attached directly to the Tx and Rx data lines? In theory this should work, but in practice it may reduce the quality of the signal to being unusable.

Thoughts anyone? . . .

WW
 
robert.rozee
Guru

Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2437
Posted: 02:56am 08 Feb 2016
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

a modern LED should light up quite brightly on 1mA or less of current, which is a minimal load from a pin that should be capable of 10-20mA output. while (as i recall) FTDI devices have seperate outputs for the Tx and Rx LEDs, the CH340G relies upon the LED and series resistor being connected directly to the data pins.

just did a quick check on an arduino nano: LEDs are connected to Tx and Rx via 1k series resistors, with a further 1k series resistor in series with the pins to/from the CH340G. strictly speaking this is not good practice on the Tx output from the CH340G as the 1k:1k+LED forms a divider on the output level.

i'd suggest that with Vcc=3v3 use 1k8 series resistors for 1mA of LED current.

cheers,
rob :-)
 
WhiteWizzard
Guru

Joined: 05/04/2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2934
Posted: 03:26am 08 Feb 2016
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Hi Rob,

I agree aout a low current LED. However, my approach is to use a MOSFET which will draw near zero current (and just switches on with a voltage). Then into a LED of any variety/colour. The cost of something like a 2N7002 is insignificant; yet would (in theory) operate as desired.

The point you make about the nano/LED is useful to know - thanks.

WW
 
Lou

Senior Member

Joined: 01/02/2014
Location: United States
Posts: 229
Posted: 07:54am 08 Feb 2016
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Thanks guys,

I always have a scope running next to a project so the LEDs are not critical, just a nice and easy way to tell at a glance if the data is flowing in one or both directions to/from the console. Mainly useful when hooking up a new piece of hardware, testing boards, etc.

Wizz, a MOSFET gate or any logic level input on the Tx/Rx lines shouldn't affect data flow unless it is running close to the edge, but even the minimal 3 parts x2 (MOSFET, resistor, LED) is a lot of hardware on a small board for that purpose.

Lou
Microcontrollers - the other white meat
 
WhiteWizzard
Guru

Joined: 05/04/2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2934
Posted: 09:05am 08 Feb 2016
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

  Lou said  . . . but even the minimal 3 parts x2 (MOSFET, resistor, LED) is a lot of hardware on a small board for that purpose.


I agree. However, I was just wondering if anyone had driven LEDs like this as I have a desire to have indicators to show data is 'flowing' on a new project board here.

I see no reasonf for it not to work as long as not too close to max baud rate (and even then it will probably be ok). Will get the breadboard out and give it a go.

WW
 
Lou

Senior Member

Joined: 01/02/2014
Location: United States
Posts: 229
Posted: 09:39am 08 Feb 2016
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Wiz,

It should work, let me know how it goes and which MOSFETs you use.

Lou
Microcontrollers - the other white meat
 
isochronic
Guru

Joined: 21/01/2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 689
Posted: 03:15pm 08 Feb 2016
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

I don't use signal leds etc (or had to configure to any extent), I just use the chip
as it arrives, but if interested - MCP2200 with leds :

http://www.microchip.com/Developmenttools/ProductDetails.aspx?PartNO=MCP2200EV-VCP
 
MicroBlocks

Guru

Joined: 12/05/2012
Location: Thailand
Posts: 2209
Posted: 08:14pm 08 Feb 2016
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Most (maybe all) USB-Serial that have RX/TX leds are not connected to the RX/TX lines but to other pins that are controlled in the software. It is not a REAL monitoring of the TX/RX line. In the software when receiving and sending the appropriate LED is switch on for a short time, also allowing for more visibility as little bursts of data at high speed will not light a LED very well.
My 'ideal' TX/RX monitoring solution would be triggered by activity but keep activated for at least 50ms to get some good visibility, especially at daytime when the led can easily drown out by daylight.


Microblocks. Build with logic.
 
     Page 5 of 5    
Print this page


To reply to this topic, you need to log in.

The Back Shed's forum code is written, and hosted, in Australia.
© JAQ Software 2025