PIC18 explorer board 2nd rs232 port

js.l · Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 7

Hi, I just bought a PIC18 explorer board with a 18f8722, I was wondering if there was a way to use the second rs232 port from the MAX232.
It seems like Microchip has wired the second rx-tx from the Max232 to pin 1 and 2 on PORTB of the microcontroller. But PortB doesn't seem to be usable as a serial communication port.
Is there any way to use this second port? (I need 2 ports)
Thank you!

PCM programmer · Joined: 06 Sep 2003 Posts: 21708

The connections for B1 and B2 are for RS-232 handshaking signals,
RTS and CTS. They are not a 2nd serial port.

The 2nd hardware UART is on pins G1 and G2 on the 18F8722.
According to the board schematic, they only go to header J5.
There is no on-board Max232 for them.

You could buy a "RS232 to TTL Converter Cable" and connect it to the
pins on J5. Here's an example of this type of cable:
http://www.superdroidrobots.com/product_info/RS232_TTL_Cables_09_19_06.pdf
http://www.superdroidrobots.com/rs232.htm

Or, you could add a Max232-type circuit in the prototyping area on the
board.