Hi-
I am using a Siemens S7-200 PLC which has an RS485 port in its CPU. I use a Siemens PPI converter (485-->232) to communicate with my laptop (dedicated serial port) when I want to download new software into the PLC.
I use this PLC CPU port also to communicate with an RS232 printer, which works fine with the converter cable.
I would like to use a USB printer with this PLC and would like some advice of how to proceed. I use successfully a Belkin
RS232-->USB converter on another (only USB port) laptop, but this converter came with a driver.
From reading the boards here, I gather that the driver "names" or addresses the USB port on my laptop as a serial port.
Does a RS232-->USB converter driver do anything else?
Is it possible to make or purchase a hardware only 232-->USB converter?
What exactly does a RS232-->USB converter do...is it voltage level shifting or complete protocol changeover?
Will it be possible for me to just put a 485-->USB cable in the PLC and it will talk to a USB printer?
Thanks in advance for replies,
Nora
I am using a Siemens S7-200 PLC which has an RS485 port in its CPU. I use a Siemens PPI converter (485-->232) to communicate with my laptop (dedicated serial port) when I want to download new software into the PLC.
I use this PLC CPU port also to communicate with an RS232 printer, which works fine with the converter cable.
I would like to use a USB printer with this PLC and would like some advice of how to proceed. I use successfully a Belkin
RS232-->USB converter on another (only USB port) laptop, but this converter came with a driver.
From reading the boards here, I gather that the driver "names" or addresses the USB port on my laptop as a serial port.
Does a RS232-->USB converter driver do anything else?
Is it possible to make or purchase a hardware only 232-->USB converter?
What exactly does a RS232-->USB converter do...is it voltage level shifting or complete protocol changeover?
Will it be possible for me to just put a 485-->USB cable in the PLC and it will talk to a USB printer?
Thanks in advance for replies,
Nora