Method and apparatus for reducing the number of RS232/RS485 transmission converters required for communicating between a PC and a plurality of instruments

摘要

A communication system and method that reduces the number of converters required for communication between a personal computer and a plurality of instruments includes a master data transmission converter coupled to the personal computer and adapted to communicate with the personal computer and a plurality of branch data transmission converters. Each of the branch data converters being coupled to the master data transmission converter through an RS485 interface and one of the instruments through an RS232 interface. Each of the branch data transmission converters having a unique individual identity address code such that only one communication path is built between the master data transmission converter and a branch data transmission converter that has been addressed by an information signal from the personal computer via the master data transmission converter. Each of the branch data transmission converters controls the direction of data flow between the RS485 interface and the RS232 interface responsive to an interrupt activated by a respective one of the RS485 or RS232 interfaces.