[SOLVED] serial port configuration

hda7 · 09-29-2009, 06:49 PM

I have a problem with two computers connected via a null modem serial cable.

Both are running Linux 2.6.21.7. I have tried to test the connection sending text directly to /dev/ttyS0 and running `cat /dev/ttyS0' on the other computer. When `echo 'A' >/dev/ttyS0' is run on the first computer, the second shows `A' as expected, but when `cat >/dev/ttyS0' is run and `A' is typed as input, the output consists of several `A's interspersed with a whole lot of newlines. I fooled with the stty configuration, and managed to get different output, but have not been able to produce correct output. Running getty and picocom seems to suffer from this same problem. My current stty config is as follows:

Code:

speed 38400 baud; rows 24; columns 80;
intr = ^C; quit = ^\; erase = ^?; kill = ^U; eof = ^D; eol = ^J;
eol2 = <undef>; start = ^Q; stop = ^S; susp = ^Z; rprnt = ^R; werase = ^W;
lnext = ^V; flush = ^O; min = 1; time = 0;
-parenb -parodd cs8 hupcl -cstopb cread -clocal -crtscts
-ignbrk -brkint -ignpar -parmrk -inpck -istrip -inlcr -igncr icrnl ixon ixoff
-iuclc -ixany -imaxbel
opost -olcuc -ocrnl onlcr -onocr -onlret -ofill -ofdel nl0 cr0 tab0 bs0 vt0 ff0
isig icanon -iexten echo echoe echok -echonl -noflsh -xcase -tostop -echoprt
-echoctl echoke

Anyone know a configuration that corrects this?

If it helps, I have attached the output associated with `cat >/dev/ttyS0' with `A<nl>' as input.

jiml8 · 09-29-2009, 07:12 PM

Is that a 3-wire null modem cable? Or are you carrying all signals across? I think that cat doesn't send just the character you type in; it sends an entire buffer...but don't hold me to that too closely. Your output looks like a duplexing issue or an overrun of a buffer in your UART. If you are using cts/rts in your configuration without controlling them, that might have something to do with it also.

I haven't done serial work in many years, though at this time I am having to dust those ancient skills off because I may need to do some in the near future...

Why don't you just use minicom instead of cat, anyway?

hda7 · 09-29-2009, 08:38 PM

The cable carries all signals except ring indicator. Using picocom on both ends suffers the same problem. I tried enabling rts/cts control, but it doesn't seem to help.

lutusp · 09-29-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hda7

I have a problem with two computers connected via a null modem serial cable.

Both are running Linux 2.6.21.7. I have tried to test the connection sending text directly to /dev/ttyS0 and running `cat /dev/ttyS0' on the other computer. When `echo 'A' >/dev/ttyS0' is run on the first computer, the second shows `A' as expected, but when `cat >/dev/ttyS0' is run and `A' is typed as input, the output consists of several `A's interspersed with a whole lot of newlines. I fooled with the stty configuration, and managed to get different output, but have not been able to produce correct output. Running getty and picocom seems to suffer from this same problem. My current stty config is as follows:

Code:

speed 38400 baud; rows 24; columns 80;
intr = ^C; quit = ^\; erase = ^?; kill = ^U; eof = ^D; eol = ^J;
eol2 = <undef>; start = ^Q; stop = ^S; susp = ^Z; rprnt = ^R; werase = ^W;
lnext = ^V; flush = ^O; min = 1; time = 0;
-parenb -parodd cs8 hupcl -cstopb cread -clocal -crtscts
-ignbrk -brkint -ignpar -parmrk -inpck -istrip -inlcr -igncr icrnl ixon ixoff
-iuclc -ixany -imaxbel
opost -olcuc -ocrnl onlcr -onocr -onlret -ofill -ofdel nl0 cr0 tab0 bs0 vt0 ff0
isig icanon -iexten echo echoe echok -echonl -noflsh -xcase -tostop -echoprt
-echoctl echoke

Anyone know a configuration that corrects this?

If it helps, I have attached the output associated with `cat >/dev/ttyS0' with `A<nl>' as input.

Try this:

# stty -F /dev/ttyS0 raw -echo

on both ends. Then write a small program to avoid using "cat" which may be buffering your data stream.

You would be better off using a terminal program, which will set the required options for you.

If you want to echo locally transmitted characters, leave off the "-echo" option. But this will cause problems once you start two-way communication.

hda7 · 10-01-2009, 09:39 AM

Thanks, `raw -echo' works. Now I just hace to get init to spawn a getty at boot....