Serial Monitor Without A PC

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A serial monitor is an easy way to debug your projects. As we step through code, it’s nice to see a “Hey! I’m working, moving to next thing!” across the monitor, and not so nice to see nothing – the result of a bug that needs debugging. This has always meant needing a PC loaded with your favorite serial terminal program close at hand.

Most of the time this is not an issue, because the PC is used to compile the code and program the project at hand. But what if you’re in the field, with a mission of fixing a headless system, and in need a serial monitor? Why lug around your PC when you can make your own External Serial Monitor!

[ARPix] built this fully functional serial monitor based on an Atmega328 and a 102 x 64 LCD display. While it doesn’t have a keyboard port like this microcontroller based serial terminal, tact switches allow access to the user interface to start and stop the reading and set the baud rate. The Atmega328 has 2K of SRAM, which is needed for the project. Apparently, 1K was not enough to handle all the data. All code, schematics and a very well done parts layout are available, making this sure to be your next weekend project!

 

 

 

18 thoughts on “Serial Monitor Without A PC

      1. The benefit of this over a serial to bluetooth module is that you can easily change the baud rate. With a bluetooth module you need to send AT commands through another serial connection (you can’t do it over bluetooth), so if you have access to something that can update the module you may as well use it to debug instead.

  1. I generally use one of these: http://databoy.netfirms.com (DataBoy).
    It is a cartridge for a gameboy that gives it rs-232 comms logger/analyzer capabilities. istr that it only has a 24kB buffer, but it is very handy for debugging relatively simple problems. The limited buffer is only a problem every so often.

    Questions got raised when we bought a few GameBoys for the R&D department :)

    1. I say LCD display all the time, never really thought about it before. Still can’t seem to stop myself from saying pin number and ATM machine. Cool project though, I need to start making stuff again. I miss the serial terminal and the satisfaction of getting your code debugged and everything working the way its suppose to.

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