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Serial Interface
The TriCoder can o perate as a serial interface reader on a PC. To use the serial interface, you must have software reading the serial
port dir ectly, or a keyboard emulation program like PortKey, (allows a serial interface TriCoder to look like it‟s working as a
keyboard wedge). The Utilities CD-ROM that is included with each TriCoder has a Hardware Utilities program that is extremely
useful. Use the following procedures and illustrations to connect the TriCoder to the PC serial port

Serial Installation on a PC

The RS-232 serial ports on a PC are commonly called COM ports and are referred to as COM1, COM2 , COM3, and COM4.
Typically you will be using COM1 or COM2.
If you ordered the TriCoder with the intent to use it as a serial inter face you should have also ordered the C24 9 pin serial cable with
your TriCoder. This cable has a 9 pin male RS-232 on one end and our 30pin I/O connector on the other end.
If the host port is female, it‟s not serial port. (Parallel ports are female)
If you have the wrong cable (9 pin cable and you have a 25 pin port) you can get a 9 to 25 serial adapter at your computer store.
The easy part is the co nnection – simply plug the C24 end of your cable into the open serial port in the back of your computer. Plug
the I/O end of the cable into the port on the bottom of the TriCoder. If your serial ports are labeled (COM1 or COM2), make a note of
which port you are plugged into – the software you use will need to know which COM port you are using.
Serial Installation on PC

Serial Interface Communications Software

If you serially connect the TriCoder to a PC, software is required to communicate with the serial port. Some applications read the serial port
directly; no additional software is required.
If you want to connect to the serial p ort yet emulate the keyboard, use our PortKey software. PortKey takes data coming from the
serial port and re-directs it through the keyboard buffer, allowing you to emulate most keys on your keyboard.
The TriCoder comes with the Integrated Hardware Utilities for Windows that allows you to configure your serial port, test your
communications, upload data, programs, voice prompts, firmware updates, and tables. The Integrated Hardware Util ities is also the
easiest way to test serial communications.
If you are using a program other than the Integrated Hardware Utilities, follow the installation and setup instructions for that
program.