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). | ||
== Baud Rates == | |||
'''Not all common baudrates work''', so the recommendations are: | '''Not all common baudrates work''', so the recommendations are: | ||
* '''up until 115200''', you can use the common baudrates: 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200 | * '''up until 115200''', you can use the common baudrates: 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200 | ||
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** '''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%)) | ||
== USB-Serial chips == | |||
Recommended: | |||
* FDTI's '''FT232R'''-like chips: | * FDTI's '''FT232R'''-like chips: | ||
** '''good until 781250''', does not support 1562500. | ** '''good until 781250''', does not support 1562500. | ||
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** eg [https://www.silabs.com/development-tools/interface/cp2102n-mini-development-kit?tab=overview Silicon Labs CP2102N-MINIEK] | ** 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 | |||
* Buy: | * Buy: | ||
** eg [https://www.retroonyx.com/product-page/dreamcast-usb-coders-cable retroonyx cable], FTDI-based cable. | ** eg [https://www.retroonyx.com/product-page/dreamcast-usb-coders-cable retroonyx cable], FTDI-based cable. | ||
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*** CTS <-> RTS | *** CTS <-> RTS | ||
Software to use | == Software to use == | ||
[[Dcload-serial]] | |||
{{DCWiki:Stub}} | {{DCWiki:Stub}} | ||
Revision as of 21:19, 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).
Baud Rates
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%))
USB-Serial chips
Recommended:
- 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)
Software to use
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