Betatronics® This is our HOME page

Solving your RS232 Communication Problems with
 * Electrical Isolation, Fast Data Transfer, Long Cables *
* Software and Hardware *

Table of Contents
HOME I232 I232 Photos E232 E232 Photos
CAT-5E (waveforms) NOISE and GROUNDING TIMELOG-16
MISCELLANEOUS PHOTOS USEFUL INFORMATION Baud Rate Useage Poll

If you do not know why a search engine brought you here, then see Note 1 at the end of this web page.


BETATRONICS CAN HELP YOU

Solve data transmission error problems, low data transfer rates,
cable length problems, machine stuttering in drip feed, and equipment damage
from
ground current noise, electrical faults, and lightning
by use of

The Betatronics® I232 Isolator System for RS232 to RS232 Communication
or
The Betatronics® E232 System for Ethernet to RS232 Communication.

Also TIMELOG-16 for measuring time to 1/100 second.

Go to www.beta-aa.com for information on our
Electronic Gaging, Axle Assembly, and Miscellaneous Items.

A schematic diagram of an RS232 Communication System with Betatronics I232 Isolation.


Web Site Summary

An RS232 port directly connected to another RS232 port has several problems that are essentially eliminated by using our I232 or E232 products. These are:

  • Direct RS232 problem 1 -- Cable length is limited to very short distances at high baud rates.
    Useable cable length, and file transfer time are both inversely proportional to baud rate. Thus, as baud rate increases cable length must shorten, but you get faster file transfer with hi baud rates. If cable length limits your baud rate to less than your CNC's maximum baud rate capability, then in DNC (drip mode) you may have suttering of your CNC from data starvation.

  • Direct RS232 problem 2 -- High sensitivity to ground loop noise.
    Causes data transmission errors. In some cases total failure of communication. Noise voltages in the range of 3 volts may cause errors.

  • Direct RS232 problem 3 -- Potential equipment damage from electrical short circuits and lightning,
    Above 25 to 30 volts, sometimes less, is sufficient to destroy RS232 components. Isolation greatly reduces this problem, see NOISE and GROUNDING.


    • The Betatronics® I232 and E232 provide electrical isolation that virtually eliminates all in plant ground loop noise problems, and should protect equipment in most lightning storms.

    Each system provides for long cable lengths at hi baud rates
    (I232 --- RS232 to RS232 --- 4000 ft at 115.2 kbaud)
    (E232 --- Ethernet 328 feet --- more with amplifiers).
    A high baud rate may improve DNC performance (drip mode).

    The I232 works with virtually any software. The E232 includes software.

    Both products can help save you time and money. The I232 System is the lower cost of the two systems. The E232 helps in file management.


    I232 INFORMATION page
    A discussion on the Betatronics RS232 to RS232 Isolator System. This system provides electrical isolation of the two ends of an RS232 connection to approximately 2000 volts peak, long cable length up to 4000 ft at 115.2 kbaud and 8000 ft at 19.2 kbaud and lower. Lowest cost form requires software handshake. Use with any CNC or other RS232 device. Use with any software, there is no data modification. This is great for drip feed (DNC) on finish cuts on contour applications because you can operate at maximum CNC Machine baud rate.

    I232 PHOTO page
    An I232 Photo.

    E232 INFORMATION page
    A discussion on the Betatronics Ethernet to RS232 Hardware and Software System. This system includes electrical isolation, moderate cable length (up to 328 feet with a single segment of copper wire cable or more with amplifiers or fiber-optic cable), high baud rate at maximum cable length (up to 115.2 kbaud), and program communication software. The software provides fast and easy sending and receiving of CNC programs. Usually operated in hardware handshake mode.

    E232 PHOTO page
    An E232 Installation Photo and RS232 to E232 Wiring Drawing. Discussion on testing RS232.

    NOISE and GROUNDING INFORMATION page      
    Discussion on Ground Resistance and Ground Noise Problems. Why "Direct RS232 Connection" is risky.

    CAT-5E WAVEFORM PHOTOS page      
    Measurements on CAT-5E cable as applied to RS232 applications.

    TIMELOG-16 INFORMATION page      
    A discussion on the Betatronics TIMELOG-16 time measurement system. Sixteen binary inputs quantized to 1/100 second over any arbitrary time period.

    MISCELLANEOUS PHOTOS page      
    Various photos relating to CNC.

    USEFUL INFORMATION page      
    Some external WEB sites with useful information for CNC.

    Note 1:   If a search engine brings you to this site and you do not know why, then save this page to a file on your computer (under FILE you would use SaveAs) and after saving, then open the file with a word processor and search for the words individually that you used in your search.  For example if the words --- drag torque --- bring up this site and this page of this site, then you would first search for drag or torque and look around those locations.  You can also try --- axle assembly ginkgo ---.   Dial up loading of the axle photos will take 5 minutes or longer and the ginkgo tree pictures are at the end of these pictures. The actual details might be on another one of our pages.  Pick If_search to return to beginning.

    Copyright©   2003 - 2007   Gordon A. Roberts    All rights reserved.     070615-1642


    PO Box 1288, 2284 S. Industrial, Ann Arbor, MIchigan 48106-1288
    voice 734-930-6136
    This web site is http://www.beta-a2.com      Our e-mail address is info@beta-a2.com