rs232 communication to multiple AX3500 slaves

Hi,

I need to connect about 10 AX3500 controllers to a microcontoller (such as a PIC). What is the suggested way to do this, assuming the pic has fewer UART ports than slaves.
Can I program the controller to check for an \"address\" in the data being sent to it? (to check whether or not the data is being sent to him or not).

Thanks,
Adi

There is unfortunately no way to share RS232 connections. You will need one for each controller. We soon will introduce CAN support for some of our newer controllers and this will allow you to efficiently make them work together on a single network.

What if I use dual a 1-to-xx (analog) multiplexer?
Or using rs485 converters to make a multi-drop network?

Thanks

Analog mux wont work.

The controllers have RS232 interfaces. RS485 wont help in this case.

YOu may be able to find RS232 concentrators that take 10 links at 9600bps and concentrate into one at 115kpbs.

There are protocol converters from rs232 to rs485, from maxim for example...

why won\'t an analog mux work?

Thanks

anyone?

THe issue is not just sharing the same wire among 10 controller. It is about ensuring data traffic takes place without collision. That is, you want your microcomputer to talk to any controller at any time and get its data back.

So there is no getting around having one serial port for one controller.

Notice that the AX3500 has 8 RC pulse outputs. You could therefore connect 8 AX3500\'s to a ninth AX3500 using the RC inputs. See the manual for suggested wiring.