Coder's cable: Difference between revisions
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The '''coder's cable''' is the name given to the serial-based cable some developers use to test and debug code during development. Originally, cables were connected to host devices via serial, but modern cable designs incorporate a USB controller instead. Coder's cables can also be used for other purpose's besides development, such as transferring VMU data back to a PC or dumping GD-ROMs (although quite slowly). | The '''coder's cable''' is the name given to the serial-based cable some developers use to test and debug code during development. Originally, cables were connected to host devices via serial, but modern cable designs incorporate a USB controller instead. Coder's cables can also be used for other purpose's besides development, such as transferring VMU data back to a PC or dumping GD-ROMs (although quite slowly). | ||
'''Not all common baudrates work''', so the recommendations are: | '''Not all common baudrates work''', so the recommendations are: | ||
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** '''230400''': use the -e speedhack option if you absolutely need 230400 at pc-side, but the DC will use 223214 or 260416 anyways. | ** '''230400''': use the -e speedhack option if you absolutely need 230400 at pc-side, but the DC will use 223214 or 260416 anyways. | ||
** '''500000 and 1500000''': you can try, but that will not work on all pc (the mismatch with the baudrate of the Dreamcast is sometimes too big (4%)) | ** '''500000 and 1500000''': you can try, but that will not work on all pc (the mismatch with the baudrate of the Dreamcast is sometimes too big (4%)) | ||
Recommended USB-Serial chips: | Recommended USB-Serial chips: | ||
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** '''good until 781250''', does not support 1562500. | ** '''good until 781250''', does not support 1562500. | ||
** 500000 and 1500000 will not work with all chips/on all pc. | ** 500000 and 1500000 will not work with all chips/on all pc. | ||
* Silicon Labs '''CP2102N''': | * [https://www.silabs.com/interface/usb-bridges/usbxpress Silicon Labs '''CP2102N''']: | ||
** under review, should support 1562500. | ** under review, should support 1562500. | ||
** eg [https://www.adafruit.com/product/5335 Adafruit CP2102N Friend] | |||
** eg [https://www.silabs.com/development-tools/interface/cp2102n-mini-development-kit?tab=overview Silicon Labs CP2102N-MINIEK] | |||
How to build/buy a cable: | How to build/buy a cable: | ||
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* Build: | * Build: | ||
** DC serial connector: | ** DC serial connector: | ||
*** best connector today is the one used by the [https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=DC+SD+Adapter+V2 DC SD Adapter V2] | *** best connector today is the one used by the [https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=DC+SD+Adapter+V2 DC SD Adapter V2] (+- 16 USD) | ||
{| | {| | ||
| [[File:DC SD Adapter V2.jpg|thumb|alt=DC SD Adapter V2|DC SD Adapter V2]] | | [[File:DC SD Adapter V2.jpg|thumb|alt=DC SD Adapter V2|DC SD Adapter V2]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
** select a usb-to-serial chip/cable | ** select a usb-to-serial chip/cable (+- 10 USD) | ||
*** cfr recommended chips above | *** cfr recommended chips above | ||
** connect the following pins: | ** connect the following pins: | ||
Revision as of 20:55, 3 July 2023
The coder's cable is the name given to the serial-based cable some developers use to test and debug code during development. Originally, cables were connected to host devices via serial, but modern cable designs incorporate a USB controller instead. Coder's cables can also be used for other purpose's besides development, such as transferring VMU data back to a PC or dumping GD-ROMs (although quite slowly).
Not all common baudrates work, so the recommendations are:
- up until 115200, you can use the common baudrates: 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200
- if 115200 does not work, you can add the "-e" speedhack option
- higher baudrates:
- try first with the dreamcast-specific baudrates (223214, 260416, 312500, 390625, 520833, 781250, 1562500)
- 230400: use the -e speedhack option if you absolutely need 230400 at pc-side, but the DC will use 223214 or 260416 anyways.
- 500000 and 1500000: you can try, but that will not work on all pc (the mismatch with the baudrate of the Dreamcast is sometimes too big (4%))
Recommended USB-Serial chips:
- FDTI's FT232R-like chips:
- good until 781250, does not support 1562500.
- 500000 and 1500000 will not work with all chips/on all pc.
- Silicon Labs CP2102N:
- under review, should support 1562500.
- eg Adafruit CP2102N Friend
- eg Silicon Labs CP2102N-MINIEK
How to build/buy a cable:
- Buy:
- eg retroonyx cable, FTDI-based cable.
- Build:
- DC serial connector:
- best connector today is the one used by the DC SD Adapter V2 (+- 16 USD)
- DC serial connector:
- select a usb-to-serial chip/cable (+- 10 USD)
- cfr recommended chips above
- connect the following pins:
- GND <-> GND
- TXD <-> RXD
- RXD <-> TXD
- RTS <-> CTS
- CTS <-> RTS
- select a usb-to-serial chip/cable (+- 10 USD)
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