Interfacing the TDC-100 Cueman Port
Cueman requires an RS-232 connection to your computer. Since many computers no longer directly support RS-232, a USB-to-Serial adapter is required. These are inexpensive and readily available, however a word of caution is in order. Many of the available adapters do not work properly with Macs, even if they work fine with a Windows computer. Some do not have Mac drivers at all, and others claim to have suitable drivers, but they have not operated properly in our testing.
One which has always worked reliably with both Macs and PCs is the Keyspan/Tripplite model USA-19H or USA-19HS. It is available from most computer equipment distributors, and many retail outlets.
This adapter is no more expensive than others that we have tried, and has been proven to work. The native Mac OS X driver installs easily and quickly. We strongly recommend this adapter.
Please note that many of the serial adapters, includeing the Keyspan/Tripplite model above, will NOT work with the newer Mac operating systems (beyond 10.15), such as 'Big Sur'. Apple has apparently made changes in this software with prevents the adapters from working. Currently, Cueman will not work with these operating systems. You must use either an older version of the Mac OS, a Windows machine, or a TDC-100 panel which includes the USB port. Unfortunately this is not something that we have any control over, and must be remeedied by Apple/Tripplite.
Be sure the com port assigned during the driver installation, or configured with the device manager (Windows) is the same as the one selected in Cueman. For Macs, be sure you've installed the driver for your version operating system, and that the USB adapter is selected in Cueman.
There is an RS-232 port on the back of the TDC-100 rack frame. These connections are contained in the D-15 female connector labeled 'RS-232/GPI'. These RS-232 connections should be connected to the 9-pin side of the adapter described above. The adapter's USB cable should be plugged into an available USB port on your computer.
Do not connect any pins on the DB-9 other than (2,3 and 5). The other pins are handshaking inputs and outputs and can cause problems if connected, especially when using Macs.
The required cable connections are shown in the table below. This information is also in the TDC-100 manual. You can use almost any type of cable; standard audio cable works fine (Belden 9451, for example). The signals are 9600-baud RS-232, and cable lengths up to about 150 feet should work without any problems. Ideally, this connection would be provided at the operator's or TD's position for convienence.
RS-232 INTERFACE CABLE
TDC-100 RS-232 Port(DB15 Male on Cable) |
Serial Adapter or Com Port(DB9 Female on Cable) |
|
| PIN 1 | Signal Ground (Cable Shield) | PIN 5 |
| PIN 2 | Data to TDC-100 | PIN 3 |
| PIN 3 | Data from TDC-100 | PIN 2 |