FSK to USB interfaceA new interface with USB connectorFrom 2010 to 2018, the RS232 interface has been available. Using this interface, the PC's serial or USB port can be used to monitor POCSAG, FLEX and Mobitex networks in combination with PDW. Since its introduction, several hundreds of interfaces have found their way to satisfied users worldwide. For some time, I had the desire to develop a USB version of this interface. The availability of a ready-made USB module through ebay made this a lot easier. There was a snag however: these modules appeared to have cloned FTDI chips that are not supported by the latest drivers. Therefore, a new version of the USB interface has been developed. ![]() On all FSK to USB interfaces sold through this site, genuine FTDI chips are used from Farnell/Mouser. It ensures that the latest FTDI drivers will work with this interface. Benefits of this interfaceThe USB interface is based on the RS232 interface. The USB interface has the following benefits:
How does the interface work?The new serial interface converts the synchronous (continuous) datastream into an asynchronous data signal with a start bit, 8 data bits and one stop bit. The interface works according to the next priciples:
![]() Apart from the bit synchronization, the interface doesn't contain any intelligence. The only thing the interface does is chopping
a synchronous data signal into slices of 8 bits and sending these 8 bits asynchronously, i.e. packing them with start- and stopbits, according to the RS-232 protocol.
Interface hardwareThe USB interface [schematic] is based on a PIC16F628 microprocessor. It runs on a frequency of 18.432 MHz. This microprocessor has a built-in comparator ('2 level interface') and a hardware UART. The FT230 IC communicates with a PC's USB port through the mini USB connector. A double sided circuit board has been designed. One SMD component is mounted at the bottom of the circuit board. Using two DIP switches, the following bit rates can be selected:
![]() ![]() Component side
Solder side
PDWTo use this interface, you should download the latest version of PDW (version 3.x). In the 'Interface' settings in PDW from version 3.0, the user can now choose between 'Slicer' (the 2 or 4 level interface) or 'RS232' (this interface). It takes some getting used to this: changing between different data standards requires the user to change the settings on both the interface and in PDW. StatusThe new version of the USB interface is available since March 2015. You can order a built and tested interface with or without matching enclosure. Prices and 'Buy Now' buttons for instant ordering can be found on the Order page. The manual can be found here. ![]()
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