analog outputs?

[Grit]

Hello

I shall write a Program that shall communicate with an external device which has analog input values. It has a connector with 5 pins and depending on which pin is active it is doing something. I was thinking about using the RS232 connection and connection each RS232 PIN with the Pin from the device and then just activate each pin as I need it. Is this possible? If not which other way can I choose?

[VictorN]

I have no idea how to connect an "analog input" device with the digital IO one (RS232).

However, if you have some problems/questions in Visual C++ programming, I (and other guys here) will try to help you!

[2kaud]

What input values does the external device use? You say it has a 5-pin connector and 'does something' depending upon which pin is active. This doesn't sound like analogue input but digital input? With RS232, there are 4 pins which can be used to signal an external device - DCR, DSR, RI and CTS - which together with ground make a 5 pin connection. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_port#Pinouts for info regarding RS232 pins for the different connectors. You also don't say what voltage range the external device needs. RS232 standard states that the voltage levels can be up to +/- 15v (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RS-232). So if your external device isn't rated for these voltage levels then you will need an intervening driver circuit to convert the (upto) +/- 15v to the required voltage level (0 - 5v??). Assuming you can sort out the hardware interfacing correctly, then you'll either need a 3rd party RS232 library or use the WIN32() functions direct. See https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/lib...(v=vs.85).aspx

[wolle]

communicate with an external device

The best approach must be to contact the manufacturer of the device for information about how it is supposed to be connected and used with a computer.

Just connecting the ports electrically with wires and pray for good luck almost certainly will blow one of the ports or both.

[Igor Vartanov]

RS232 is a serial interface. And LPT interface fits much better with the task. PCI-to-LPT periferal card will help in case your motherboard does not have LPT port.