Generic Serial Help [Archive] - Do It Yourself Christmas Forums

justinj

11-04-2010, 04:47 AM

I'm using a USB to Serial Relay controller with 8 ports but can't get it to work with the Generic Serial (Or various other serial) plugins. Is it possible to get the source code for genericserial.dll so I can look at it myself, or if someone would be so kind as to make the appropriate changes (Preferred option as I haven't worked much with com devices) I'd really appreciate it.

The device specs:
8 Physical Ports
8 Data
1 Stop
No parity
9600 Baud

Device works with a 3 bit data string:
On: FF 0x 01
Off: FF 0x 00
Where x = Port number (1-8)

Edit: Link for product for those interested http://www.sigma-shop.com/product/8/-usb-eight-channel-relay-controller-rs232-serial-controlled-12v.html

A Marchini

11-04-2010, 10:11 AM

Should be able to help you out when I get home. The source module might be around here somewhere on the site. Is it in the wiki somewhere?
You device doesn't sound too hard to support, in a simple way. It will take more time to create a full interface which allows multiple boards.

Tony M.

justinj

11-04-2010, 06:37 PM

I had a search for the source code to the dll but couldn't find it (I figured it wouldn't be too much of a challenge for me to work out how to change it to work with my card). If you can do one or modify it for me that'd be great.
If your making it from scratch, maybe you should look at making it a generic-generic serial plugin by adding the serial settings (Baud, parity and the like) to the options, as well as having a string that people can people could just populate with variables?

Eg. for mine you could have it so the custom string would look something like:

On Sequence
FF %CN% 01

Off Sequence
FF %CN% 00

Where %CN% would be automatically populated with a x digit channel number (Also specified in the plugin options to allow for an all purpose serial plugin) when the DLL is executed.

mheuer

11-04-2010, 07:59 PM

Hi,

I don't remember the location for any source, but I have some serial plug-in code laying around though.

Nothing fancy like the Generic Serial plug-in, but it might be a start, and can configure serial settings.
I've made the changes for you, but I don't know if it will work for you.

Hope that helps,
Mike.

A Marchini

11-04-2010, 08:38 PM

Hi,

I don't remember the location for any source, but I have some serial plug-in code laying around though.

Hope that helps,
Mike.
Ok Cool...
There is source I think somewhere. There is also a couple of development projects tutorials I created that show you how to start to make a plug-in.

Tony M.

justinj

11-05-2010, 12:08 AM

Ok Cool...
There is source I think somewhere. There is also a couple of development projects tutorials I created that show you how to start to make a plug-in.

Tony M.

I think I could manage modifying a bit of code to change the data sent, but I don't know C and couldn't manage writing a plugin from scratch.

I'll try Mike's one and see how it goes when I get home from work.

mheuer

11-05-2010, 05:08 AM

Ok Cool...
There is source I think somewhere. There is also a couple of development projects tutorials I created that show you how to start to make a plug-in.

Tony M.

Oops, you're right, I thought there was some code, but I wasn't sure of the location.
I just found the wiki page here (http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Vixen_Plugin_Development) also.

Your tutorial and tips posted were very nice, they helped a lot when I was learning about making plug-ins.
They are very helpful if you're looking to try any Vixen development. :)

Mike.

justinj

11-05-2010, 05:41 AM

You rock Mike!!! (It works)

Next step I'll try and get my Arduino working too for extra outputs :)

mheuer

11-06-2010, 02:00 AM

Cool!

Glad to hear you got it working. :)

scott130377

12-18-2011, 03:35 AM

Hi, if mheuer reads this is there any chance of posting the .zip file again as the link above does not work.
Thanks

budude

12-18-2011, 03:51 AM

Hi, if mheuer reads this is there any chance of posting the .zip file again as the link above does not work.
Thanks

Here's the Wiki link: http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Vixen_Plugin_Development

(for most of these link breakages replace christmasinshirley with doityourselfchristmas...

MATel6

12-18-2011, 02:47 PM

hello
I would ask that someone showed me how to look like the data frame sent by the plugin "generic serial", I want to steer through the Vixen -> uC-> triac output.
Thank you;)

mheuer

12-24-2011, 10:22 PM

Hi, if mheuer reads this is there any chance of posting the .zip file again as the link above does not work.
Thanks

Hello,
Sorry I didn't respond sooner, here's the plug-in attached below. :)

tsargeant

05-02-2012, 07:26 PM

Sorry to bump an old thread - I was wondering... I found an issue with the Generic Serial output plugin... a limitation to the number of com ports... I saw in the forum here the plugin are open source... is there an issue with making changes to the original code to allow more than 4 ports? Would KC mind if I made a new dll from his generic serial code lifting the limit from 4 to 32 ports?

justinj

05-03-2012, 12:55 AM

tsargeant

05-03-2012, 01:12 AM

Well I have a shiny new dll... it's the generic serial output plugin... that now allows 32 com ports... tested with a teensy ++2 (USB) on Com18... it works without a prob.

justinj

05-04-2012, 12:20 AM

Well I have a shiny new dll... it's the generic serial output plugin... that now allows 32 com ports... tested with a teensy ++2 (USB) on Com18... it works without a prob.

Maybe you just need to post the DLL now for others :)

tsargeant

05-04-2012, 07:28 PM

I posted a quick "How to" for the Teensy ++2 board - I've included a zip file (Teensy.zip) in the post that contains the dll and a basic Arduino sketch that will get the teensy working...

http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?20457-Basic-How-to-Teensy-2

Hope the dll helps with anyone else using multiple serial ports :)