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1. What I want to do:

I have a PCB with an AVR microcontroller (ATmega16U4) on it. I want the microcontroller to communicate with my computer through an RS-232 cable.

2. What I did:

I added an interface chip (Analog Devices ADM3202) between the microcontroller and the RS-232 9-pin connector. I know that the RS-232 works at a voltage level between -15V and 15V and I know that the most popular chip that people use is the MAX232. However, on my PCB, I only have +3.3V available to use. That is the reason that I chose ADM3202. In the datasheet of ADM3202, I see that this chip can fulfill my requirement:

enter image description here

We can see that given input from 0 to 3.3V, it is outputting a range from -5V to 5V. So I used it! I connected the chip in the circuit like the picture below. Just in case that there is a problem with my circuit connections.

enter image description here

3. What is the problem I'm facing:

The problem is that I got nothing in my Tera Term in my computer. Then I checked the voltage level of certain points in my circuit. The picture below shows the waveform when I am trying to send data (0x75) from the microcontroller to the computer. The baud rate is 9600.

enter image description here

Here, CH2 is connected to the TXD pin of the AVR microcontroller and CH1 is connected to the pin14(T1O) of the ADM3202 chip.

First, I think the TXD pin voltage behaves wired. I think it is supposed to give me a voltage level from 0 to 3.3V according to the digital values. But, it is giving me from -3.3V to 0.

Second, the output of the interface chip is problematic. For the computer to recognize '1' and '0', the voltage level should look like the picture below: it needs a wider range than (-3V, 3V). Apparently, my circuit is not working correctly.

enter image description here

However, I cannot find the reason why I am wrong. I think I built the circuit correctly based on the datasheet. Can you tell me where the problem exists? Thank you!

======================================================================== Reply to Peter Bennett:

You are correct, it was AC coupling. This is what it looks like after using DC.

enter image description here

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Reply to TimWescott:

After I disconnected the cable from the PC, I got the waveform below:

enter image description here

It looks much better! Then, what is the reason I cannot get any data from the Tera Term terminal?

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Did you connect a ground wire between your AVR and the ADM3202? \$\endgroup\$
    – brhans
    Commented Jan 9, 2019 at 21:40
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    \$\begingroup\$ It appears that Channel 2 is set for AC coupling - that would explain the signal appearing to go between -3 and 0. \$\endgroup\$
    – Peter Bennett
    Commented Jan 9, 2019 at 21:41
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    \$\begingroup\$ I doubt that they are causing your problems, but I'm suspicious of the inductors L10 and L12. What purpose do you believe they serve? \$\endgroup\$
    – TimWescott
    Commented Jan 9, 2019 at 21:49
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    \$\begingroup\$ Try disconnecting from the computer and see if the TX out looks better. \$\endgroup\$
    – TimWescott
    Commented Jan 9, 2019 at 21:50
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    \$\begingroup\$ Are you sure you have transmit from your circuit connected to receive on the PC and RX to TX? If you had them reversed it could look like that. \$\endgroup\$
    – Kevin White
    Commented Jan 9, 2019 at 23:04

1 Answer 1

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The outputs and inputs of your circuit are labelled as a DTE connection: a Data Terminal. Your PC is also wired that way.

But RS232 works on the basis of a DTE-style device connecting to a DCE-wired device: Data Communications Equipment, i.e a modem.

To fix this, swap pins 2&3 in the connection so that Tx on one side connects to Rx on the other, and vice-versa for the other wire. Leave ground as it is. (You can either swap RTS/CTS or leave disconnected) crossover cable (From https://www.decisivetactics.com/support/view?article=crossover-or-null-modem-vs-straight-through-serial-cable which also has additional discussion)

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    \$\begingroup\$ You probably should mention more clearly that this is called a "null modem" configuration in case they want to get a premade cable or adapter wired this way :) \$\endgroup\$
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Commented Jan 10, 2019 at 3:26

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