Hi all,
At my work, we use a Campbell Scientific datalogger to record data from various instruments. The data is downloaded from the logger via a standard RS232 cable connection using Campbell’s software. We are trying to find a solution which will allow us to connect to the logger remotely / wirelessly. We are currently trying to achieve this using a bluetooth serial adapter and connecting via a bluetooth enabled laptop (the idea is to ultimately use a PDA). However, we cannot get this to work.
Firstly, the when adding the bluetooth serial adapter as a paired device, the laptop assigns two COM ports to it, one incoming and one outgoing. The Campbell’s software will recognise these ports and when the connection is attempted (on either port), the adapter appears to respond (the blue light on the adapter turns solid) but the software fails to download the data.
My question is basically about Serial RS232 protocols; I would assume the connection needs to work in both directions, first the laptop polls the logger, the logger responds and then sends the data. This adapter appears to only support one direction of data flow though. There is a switch on the adapter which I believe may change the flow. Is this simply a limitation of the adapter or is it a limitation of the technology? If so, what is this spec defined as - I can’t see a difference in features between different adapters I’ve looked at which is obvious. I appreciate this question is quite specific to our equipment but the basic premise is simple enough: need to open a connection from RS232 to bluetooth through one (bi-directional) COM port.
Thanks in advance.