Get yourself an Hex to decimal converter, read a paperback or two

- RS-232: Telecommunication, Data terminal Equipment, Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment, Serial Port, ITU-T, Electronic Industries Alliance, Asynchronous Serial Communication

and download a few protocol manuals and play around. Use a computer with a serial port and hyperterminal to experiment.

Remember, Serial is not a standard language - there are many manufacters that explain their protocol in a way that will leave you more confused than before. Start with the easy ones and see if you can start recognizing the 4 or 5 different main ways RS-232 translation is converted.


I don't think your an installer, but URC offers a decent web trainng class on RS-232 in the control room.

Good luck, and ask questions!

Vincent