Re: Updated MaxSonar-EZ1 Data*** and Updated Website

Randy,
I am sorry that you are disappointed. What is not clear? If it
is not clear, I would like to make it so. (Anyone else, please feel
free to jump in.)

Please help me as it is the user's/customer's best interest
and my best interest to resolve this. I am doing this in the open so I
am not trying to hide anything : ).

The TX output is being discussed. The section below has been
pulled directly from the data***.

"TX - Delivers asynchronous serial with an RS232 format, except
voltages are 0-5V. The output is an ASCII capital "R", followed by
three ASCII character digits representing the range in inches up to a
maximum of 255, followed by a carriage return (ASCII 13). The baud
rate is 9600, 8 bits, no parity, not inverted, with one stop bit.
Although the voltage of 0-5 V is outside the RS232 standard, most RS232
devices have sufficient margin to read 0-5V serial data. If standard
voltage level RS232 is desired, invert, and connect an RS232 converter
such as a MAX232."

Now lets break this apart. We can discuss one sentence at a time.
"TX - Delivers asynchronous serial with an RS232 format, except
voltages are 0-5V. "
So the format is RS232 format except for the voltages. Is this
clear here?

"The output is an ASCII capital "R", followed by three ASCII
character digits representing the range in inches up to a maximum of
255, followed by a carriage return (ASCII 13). "
So the output is ASCII such as R255 followed by an (ASCII 13).

"The baud rate is 9600, 8 bits, no parity, not inverted, with one
stop bit."
So, is this is described ok? But the next statement states
that except for the voltage, levels it is compatible with the standard
RS232 standard. In addition, above the voltages are stated as 0-5V.
So I am not sure what is missing?

"Although the voltage of 0-5 V is outside the RS232 standard, most
RS232 devices have sufficient margin to read 0-5V serial data."
I am not sure that the above sentence could be more clear? The
0 to 5V outputs to the receiver on the users application. At no time
is high voltage level RS232 being applied to the MaxSonar-EZ1, and the
MaxSonar-EZ1 does not output high voltage levels so burnout is not
possible at either end. (It appears that you might be mixing the RX
function with the TX function.)

"If standard voltage level RS232 is desired, invert, and connect an
RS232 converter such as a MAX232."
The above statement appears very clear as states that must first
invert the output and then connect to a MAX232.

As for the rest of the product, being suspect, any and all
comments from customers have been evaluated. When anything is found,
the data *** or FAQ is changed. You will find that this data ***
is as good as it can be and will change as needed to more perfectly
represent this product.

And the RS232 issue never came up with any users, (only on this
group, yet I can see that it could be a problem so I am working it) and
many have connected to a PC and it has worked very well. I do not
guarantee this operation, but I have personally used PIC is this way
(makes it easy to debug the operation while programming : ) for years
and I have found it works very well. I made a decision to keep the
sensor cost very low and very small and I did not want to increase the
cost or the size just to add full level RS232 voltage levels. Maybe in
an another product...

I have even received phone calls from technical users evaluating
the sensor connected to a PC in this manner (yes, using the "non
standard RS232), and they really could not believe that the stability
and the narrow beam were possible except they were seeing it with there
own eyes? To me this is the best complement I could possibly receive.
There are always things to improve and the real issue is whether these
are bushed under the rug or laid on the table and worked on. I really
am the kind of person who will correct these things and if not possible
to correct then disclose the area.

I personally really believe in this product! I really believe
it is the best available, and it is low cost. It works very well, is
very small (I believe smaller that the "worlds smallest" esp. when
mounting is considered), requires very low power (currently the
industry's lowest), exceptional beam quality, and a very easy to use
user interface (just choose the one you desire)...

Bob Gross





Randy M. Dumse wrote:
> "Bob (Robot Wars Thumper 1997)" <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:1137830643.580268.84920@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > The main changes were in the serial description,
>
> Bob, I'm disappointed the serial issue is still not resolved. No one can
> tell if your serial out is compatible with normal TTL UARTS, or is
> compatible with an inverted TTL accidentally compatible (by inversion
> but not voltage levels) with RS232 (which if done will cause the micros
> to eventually burn out from application from negative voltage from the
> RS232.)When such simple concepts are so confused, it makes all claims
> highly suspect.
>
> --
> Randy M. Dumse
>
> Caution: Objects in mirror are more confused than they appear.

.