[WORKED!!!] Connecting TDS210 to computer via RS323 serial to USB - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: gkmaia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2019, 08:32:22 am
content: I am trying to connect my TDS do my MAC via a RS323.So far my MAC can find something is connected via USB serial.TDS has been configured to hardcopy via RS323. But when I press HARDCOPY no data comes through. Has anyone successfully achieved that?I tried to scope the pins on my RS323 to see if I could find any trace of TX or RX flowing but found just low amplitude noise or ground. And then maybe see if my cable was set wrong. Did try that on my TDS210 and TDS220 both with their on expansion cards.Video bellow shows my usb/serial cable getting data from my signal generator and sending data to my scope. So far the cable is working fine.

author: gkmaia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2019, 08:38:51 pm
content: I finally managed to get data out of my old TDS210!!!!If anyone needs to do the same here is my setup. Costed $5.You will need to tweak the serial cable and connect pin 3 of the scope RS232 to pin 2 of the usb/serial cable if you get a male DB9. I have ordered a female one and will check if pins lineup when it arrives.You should get a file on terminal like the calibration.txt bellow. Just add the .eps to the text file and convert it to an image onhttps://www.epsconverter.com/SCOPE RS232 pin out5-GND3-Data outUSD/SERIAL pin out5-GND2-Data inTDS RS232 configurationBaud 9600, Flow control NONE, EOL CR/LF, Parity EVEN,TDS Hardcopy configurationFormat EPSIMAGE, port RS232Serial software CoolTermConfiguration on images attached

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2019, 08:59:10 pm
content: Headline: Mac user discovers serial communications 40 years after PC users.Heheh congrats.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2019, 09:06:01 pm
content: Recommend the OP uses the Move Topic feature to place this thread in Test Equipment where it better belongs so others can benefit from this achievement.Move Topic is lower left on the OP's page.

author: gkmaia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2019, 09:41:08 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on August 12, 2019, 09:06:01 pmJust moved it.Maybe not a great achievement but it is cool anyway to get my old TDS talking to my computer.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2019, 09:47:22 pm
content: Quote from: gkmaia on August 12, 2019, 09:41:08 pmAgreed, with the one I had years back the lack of connectivity was a reason to move it on.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2019, 10:06:53 pm
content: Definitely a nice achievement which may give the TDS a new lease of life for some people. Thanks for sharing!

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2019, 11:07:41 pm
content: Quote from: gkmaia on August 12, 2019, 09:41:08 pmIt is an achievement the first time you set it up. A "null modem serial cable" has the RX and TX wires crossed over, standard serial cables have those wires straight through, google the pin outs, though you can get by with 3 wires.If you have the communications module/option you should be able to set up or try out the GPIB port as well.

author: gkmaia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2019, 08:41:58 pm
content: This may be useful for people who do not know how the protocol works (like myself) and how to select the right TDS configuration for the right wire setup.Also has been a bit hard to find a cheap usb/serial connector that is wired for null-modem, three wire or computer. Most of what I found cheap on china were modem configurations.Bellow is a diagram with all the different options for the TDS.

author: bicycleguy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2019, 05:09:43 am
content: Last time I checked approx. 8 years ago the rs232 card for the TDS210 was ~200 USD.I have thought about converting it to lithium battery power for portable or isolated use.

author: thomasx
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2024, 11:03:51 pm
content: I downloaded the OpenChoice software for windows that is supposed to support the TDS200-series.But connection with my TDS210 is shaky at best. Sometimes it recognizes the scope, and one time I managed to read the settings from the scope. But I have not been able to get a screen-copy or read the waveforms, if I get a connection and try this, it says something went wrong. Most of the time I cannot get any connection with the scope at all. But it clearly can talk to the scope and recognize. Why it is so shaky and only works sporadically, I have no idea.I've tried both the 3-wire and full connection and all variants of settings.

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2024, 01:00:56 am
content: I used to use OpenChoice software too, with a straight-through serial cable to the 'real' serial port on the dock for my laptop.I found it to be a bit flaky too.. From memory, if you cancelled a data transfer halfway and tried to restart it, it would seem to try to make a second connection over the first or something.Only closing everything related to OpenChoice in the Task Manager and restarting OpenChoice would fix it.But once you said the correct incantations, wore your lucky socks and Saturn is rising in Aquarius, I found it does work relatively consistently as long as you don't poke things too hard.

author: edmaul69
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 17, 2025, 09:47:54 pm
content: Quote from: gkmaia on August 12, 2019, 08:38:51 pmany chance you can show images ofyour com port settings in device manger and in the tektronix "instrument manager? i have a female to female adapter with pins 2 and 3 crossed over and cant seem to get this runningedit: i just noticed ypu said mac. any settings you can provide would still be helpful