Console port debug adapter for Tek TDS500 TDS600 and TDS700 series scopes - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Jwalling
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 15, 2020, 10:28:17 am
content: https://www.ebay.com/itm/324202332145?No affiliation.EDIT: some more pics as it looks like he sold some and the listing will eventually disappear. He offered to send me one for testing.

author: maurit
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2020, 11:14:15 am
content: Thank you all !!!I attach images:

author: siggi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2020, 12:49:44 pm
content: That looks pretty handy, ordered one. I have a TDS684A that's probably a goner, but would be nice to see what the self tests have to say about it.

author: Jwalling
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 07, 2020, 11:01:07 am
content: Up until now, I've been using this home-made adapter which has, at times, been a little flakey.Maurit was kind enough to send me his adapter free of charge! It works great, and now I can run the scopes at temperature with the cover on!I don't know if he's planning on selling more of these; hopefully he will be, as it's a very useful tool.Many thanks, Maurit!EDIT: He is.https://www.ebay.com/324316946766?

author: Tantratron
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2021, 06:23:02 am
content: Quote from: Jwalling on October 07, 2020, 11:01:07 amI did order one unit to Maurit on eBayhttps://www.ebay.fr/usr/maurit00but it never worked for some reason on both TDS540C's in my lab.The symptom was clear and drastic, each oscilloscope would stay blocked on booting (same effect as when you toggle the memory protect switch).Un-plugging the Console port adapter, each TDS540C's would work fine.Has anybody tried this console port on TDSxxx serie C or serie D ?Albert

author: keystone
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2021, 08:58:25 am
content: I have used one on my TDS 620A, 640A and 644A scopes. Works great.I have been working lately with my scopes and was trying to get the console port readout but it wouldn't work. After some thinking, I remembered I needed to add a null modem cable to hook it up or use a null modem adapter. After I did that, it worked great. Null modem adapter.

author: tkamiya
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2021, 06:38:21 pm
content: I have one and it works well.I think you are supposed to plug it in component side DOWN. Did you do that?

author: Tantratron
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2021, 07:16:32 pm
content: Quote from: tkamiya on January 17, 2021, 06:38:21 pmWhat TDS model did you try ?

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2021, 07:37:51 pm
content: Looks like it's just a passive adapter for the serial connector? Or is there additional hardware between the ribbon connector and the DB9 on the panel? It's been a while since I've opened mine up.

author: Jwalling
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2021, 08:06:06 pm
content: Quote from: Tantratron on January 17, 2021, 06:23:02 amYes. I've used it on 744A, 754D, and 784D scopes with no problem. Can you take a picture?

author: Tantratron
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2021, 01:45:05 pm
content: Quote from: Jwalling on January 17, 2021, 08:06:06 pmPlease find attached some pictures of my test last end of june.As you can see, attaching the kit end-up freezing (boot-fail) my TDS540C. Last picture shows my Oscope works fine once removing the Console kit and re-connecting the RS232 Centronics PCB. I did try on 2nd TDS540C but only had one RS232-Centronics (option 13) board, again the 2nd TDS540C would fail booting so this is why I was curious to know how it worked for others and find a solution because it would be very practical.The italian eBay seller was pro and fair, he refunded the kit which I've shipped back from France to Italy.

author: korlatos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2021, 04:33:40 pm
content: I had the same problem when I added this adapter to my TDS784A - the scope would not boot anymore. It turns out that the serial debug port uses RTS-CTS handshaking, and so a scope with an installed adapter refuses to boot if the handshaking line is not asserted on power-up. I created a DB9 plug with a short between RTS and CTS (pins 7 and, and the scope now boots fine with the adapter in place.

author: Tantratron
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2021, 04:37:24 pm
content: Quote from: korlatos on January 18, 2021, 04:33:40 pmThanks so I was not the only one after all

author: Jwalling
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 09:46:44 am
content: Looks OK... was your terminal program set to 9600,n,8,1?Did you get the same result whether it was connected to your computer or not?

author: korlatos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 04:47:59 pm
content: Yes, the terminal was set to 9600, 8N1, and RTS/CTS HW handshaking. That's how I realized what the problem was - the scope would only boot with the PC connected and terminal program active. But you don't need the PC at all. As I said, take a DB9F connector, solder a wire between pins 7 and 8, and just plug it into the scope serial port - no other connections are required. Now it will boot fine every time even without the PC.

author: maurit
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 05:59:04 pm
content: Hello everybody,I’m the designer of the hardware interface offered in the mentioned auction.First of all I’d like to thank all the Forum users who allow me to learn new things every day.Let me take the occasion to share with you some thoughts.I didn’t invent anything, if not the implementation of the board on the PCB, in order to make it more easily usablewithout the need of disassembling the oscilloscope.IMPORTANT:1) This board accesses a “Control Port” which has not been implemented for the final users,but for the debug of the oscilloscopes in Tektronix and in distributors.2) For various reasons, it’s much better to NOT leave it plugged into the oscilloscope (you can plug it of just with 2 screws).3) “RTS-CTS Handshaking” guarantees security of transferred data, so it’s better using it with the following steps.PROCEDURE (step by step in this order):Plug the interface, connect it internally to Opt.013, connect RS232 cable to the PC, power on the PC, power on the oscilloscope,use it and then you can restore Opt.013 interface.POSSIBLE ERROR:If you don’t connect serial cable or you don’t power on the PC, the oscilloscope will stay, AS EXPECTED,locked, waiting for the communication on the “Console Port”!This is exactly what happened to "Tantratron" and the reason for his complaint.Thanks to everybody and to the dozens of people who appreciated my little work.Maurizio

author: maurit
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 06:03:35 pm
content: P.S.:Search in auction:"Tektronix CONSOLE PORT TDS 5/6/7xx Oscilloscope Debug Card RS-232 for Opt 013" .Or for Agilent Keysight Infiniivision owners:"Agilent Keysight DSOXLAN Card MSOX DSOX 2000 3000 InfiniiVision Oscilloscope"Thanks.

author: Tantratron
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 02:58:46 pm
content: Quote from: korlatos on January 19, 2021, 04:47:59 pmWhat would be the explanation that some TDSxxx owners did not have a problem (boot OK even if no computer connected to the RS232 port) but others like yourself and myself end up with boot KO ?Does the option 13 module (PCB) comes with a different firmware depending the TDSxxx or do you set up so the TDS would always boot in stand-alone while the console pore debug adapter attached to the J40 connector ?

author: dxl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 04:01:22 pm
content: The option 13 module doesn't have a firmware. It all depends whether some scope firmware versions implement a timeout waiting for the serial console port.I remember that my TDS784D was also 'hanging' when no computer was connected when i 'reversed engineered' that console port long time ago.

author: Tantratron
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2021, 06:28:16 am
content: For those without Option 13 board or prefer a direct solution with USBhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/tektronix-tds500-700-debug-konscole-interface/msg3519226/#msg3519226Works like a charm with MacBook Air so I guess same with Linux or Windows