[urq] Somewhat NAC, but relevant - where to get a wireless serial cable - huh?

[Brett Dikeman]

On Sep 10, 2007, at 2:43 PM, Taka Mizutani wrote:

> Like Jason said, having a wireless transceiver like you describe is  
> a pretty
> small niche application, especially considering that RS-232 serial  
> protocol
> isn't really used in mainstream PC applications any longer.

  Apple Computer, despite having ~5% of the desktop computer market  
and the only company of any size using PowerPC chips in desktop  
systems, was one of the smallest customers of PowerPC chips (one of  
the reasons Apple could not drive development of the chip and  
switched over to Intel.)

The embedded, automation, and military industry is quite large.  And  
tends to run well behind whatever the desktop industry is doing.

Also, electronics hobbyists like RS232.  It is:
-easy to implement using very simple hardware
-does not require USB drivers
-does not require pricey USB cables or have problems with running  
long distances
-happily interfaces to old "good for my workbench" systems running  
DOS or FreeDOS
-is what lots of older stuff like HAM radios and whatnot use.

Lot of GPS units also still only do RS232, though USB is increasingly  
common, in addition to proprietary systems for linking up stuff on  
boats.

Bluetooth RS232 modules are available for under $100.  Lot of them  
are even designed with battery connections, such as a 9V battery;  
trivial to connect a voltage regulator from that to the 12v ignition- 
switched line.  Finding a module that does proper pairing (with a  
code) for security might be a little tough, but I haven't looked too  
hard beyond, oh, say, punching in "bluetooth rs232" to google...

Also, this would be an hour-ish project for a first-year EE student  
or electronics hobbyist using any of a half-dozen to DOZEN different  
short-range wireless RF modules.  A number of 'em are in the $20-a- 
module range from places like Sparkfun and even if you know nothing  
about electronics, there are loads of RS232<->logic interface modules.

Brett