Mini USB > Serial cable? (for a Yakumo Delta X)

[owenand]

Hi there,

Not really sure where to post this enquiry so I thought I'd give it a go here!

Basically I've got a Yakumo Delta X which has a Mini USB port...and I want to use it to control my computerised telescope (a Meade ETX) which has a serial connector (just like a modem) on the handset.

I've got the PC Serial Cables and I thought if I got the appropriate adapter that I couls reuse it for the PDA with the appropriate software.

However, I can't find an adapter to start with, and besides this route leaves me with a clunky RS232 connector dangling dangerously off the bottom of the PDA!

Just wondering if you guys could feasibly produce a slimmer cable without the full size RS232 in the middle that would let me connect the Mini USB port to the serial port on the telescope handset?

Are there any technical obstacles I'd have to overcome to get this working via the Mini USB port?

Thanks for any info!!!

[Pc-Mobile]

test
_________________
Pc-Mobile
http://pc-mobile.net/gps.htm

[Pc-Mobile]

A search for Yakumo Delta X reveals that it seems that it is available only in non-English speaking community.
It looks like a Mio A201 but it might not.

Anyway, in general, A PDA with a mini-USB port DOES NOT have a serial port and that is it.

You telescope needs to connect to serial port. There is no such thing as USB to serial converter/adapter for a PDA (there is but it is rather complicated and beyond my understanding at present).

So this is my 2 words bold conclusion: no chance.

Earlier Yakuma (Mio) models have serial port so that can be done.

There is a small chance via bluetooth.
A201 has BT (I do not know about Yakumo Delta X), if you can find a bluetooth adapter that can work with your telescope, you can do that. I cannot go any further than that.
_________________
Pc-Mobile
http://pc-mobile.net/gps.htm

[mikealder]

This link will take you to Bluetooth to RS232 there are loads of other types of this device:
http://www.kanda.com/index.php3?cs=1&bc=direct&bw=%2Fproducts%2FKanda%2FPARANI10.html If you do this you will also need an SDI/O BT card as the spec I looked at doesn't list BT as built in.

If you want to try IrDA to serial you can build a circuit as follows:
http://home.tiscali.nl/~t_aalberts/GPS_PDA_SCHEMATICS_IR_RS232_EN.htm

Any of the above will mean a fair bit of messing around and you would probably have to do some additional programming to get it to work - Mike

[owenand]

Thanks for the responses folks.

Firstly you're right the unit doesn't have BT I'm afraid. It's available in the UK through "Monty's of Sheffied" - actually a car dealer but they import the units from Yakumo in Germany.

Apart from the lack of BT, hardware is exactly the same as the Mio A201 as far as I'm aware (312Mhz Xscale PXA270 CPU, 64Mb RAM and ROM, sirfstar III)...only the Delta X was available 7 months ago

Anyway, given that a BT serial converter + SD with BT would be hideously expensive, and I'm not too technical or competent with a soldering iron, it sounds like I'm hosed?

Anyone have any other ideas how I could get a working serial connection from this PDA? I can't believe it would be impossible but that sounds the case! Gutted

Thanks for your help anyway folks, and I'm all ears for other suggestions!

[Pc-Mobile]

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