Aeon Labs controle module via RS32 possible

[Edwin2008]

As far as i understood the best solution for controling zwave is the "Aeon Labs Z-Stick", but this is USB
Is there a RS232 version of the "Aeon Labs Z-Stick"?

[mhn]

I have never heard about one, hence I don't think so.

http://www.aeon-labs.com/site/products/category/1/

[LostDreamer]

The usb stick is works as a virtual serial device,
you can communicate with it as you would with a serial device.

[Edwin2008]

i now but i would prefer a straight serial connection via an rs232 Ip server. So no USB->rs232 connection and driver problem's.

[TANE]

thats not possibile.
You can use any remote USB poort device like belkin or USBanywhere

[Edwin2008]

i was afraid that would be the answer

[Mdamen]

In theory it's possible, I haven't looked at it though. The z-stick just has an usb<>serial converter.
If you open one and make some pictures I could tell you where to wire it up (requires soldering some wires)

[Edwin2008]

Sorry, do nit own one (perhaps yet) but i'm sure you would make a lot of friends on the forum if that would be possible

[mhn]

I have pictures of a Z-Stick.

lille_zstick_f.jpg (76.22 KiB) Viewed 11441 times

lille_zstick_b.jpg (73.02 KiB) Viewed 11441 times

This is the quality the forum allowed me. If you need better quality, we must find a way to give you the originals.

Regards
Morten

[Mdamen]

Thanks for the pictures.
Here's is my analysis:

There's a UART to USB chip located here:

aeon_chip.jpg (105.63 KiB) Viewed 11436 times

And here is a piece of info out the datasheet:

aeon_chip2.png (58.99 KiB) Viewed 11436 times

As you can see these upper pins are serial data lines (RXD, TXD) and that would allow to hook the aeon labs stick up to a serial port.
This does require a steady hand though Please note that you also need some power supply (5v) to replace the USB power supply.
All and all a bit of hacking, but it is do-able.

The full datasheet of the UART to USB chip is located here:
silabs.com/Support%20Documents/Technica ... cp2102.pdf

[Edwin2008]

do the connections need a sort of buffering to ptotect them?
would a 7805 or something like that be stable enough in combination with a standaard 5 v adapter?

[Mdamen]

There's no 'buffering' as in capacitors required. Just make sure the logic levels (the voltage level the rxd/txd pins use) are the same.
A 7805 with a few capacitors will suffice for a stable voltage supply (see datasheet for optimal circuit)

[Bwired]

This would give the stick a boost, much better to handle.
Connected on a RS232-> TCPIP device you can directly talk TCPIP without the annoying drivers!
Also much more stable then USB->TCIP which requires even more drivers
I still don't understand why new devices like Zwave have USB?
USB is nice for connecting temporary things like Camera's and memorycards etc.
Sorry...... Its well known I dont like USB

[Rene]

These days it is hard to find a PC with an RS232 interface, that is why peripheral device manufacturers use USB.

[Edwin2008]

not totally agree on that. Most of the time you need a separate bezel for the serial port since the mb has often a connector on it. Beside that, when the stick is RS232 you could always use a standard usb->RS232 convertor without the hassle. Modding the stick from usb to RS232 takes more effort