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Connecting Nexmosphere Devices to a Windows/Linux PC

  • Nexmosphere devices are connected to PCs via USB.

    • The newer XN/XC series use a direct USB to USB-mini cable.
    • The older XM range use RS232, needing a serial-to-USB adapter.

  • For the purposes of Broox Sensor the devices will present as Serial Ports.

    • The device name on Windows is COM#: (COM2:, COM3:...).
    • The device name on Linux is /dev/ttyUSB# (e.g. /dev/ttyUSB3).

Checking the COM#: port in Windows.

  1. Unplug the Nexmosphere module from the PC.
  2. Open Device Manager (Win+R, excute devmgmt.msc).

  3. Locate the Ports (COM/LPT) section.

  4. Note the existing ports.

  5. Plug back the Nexmosphere device.

  6. In due time, a new port will appear.

    • If you are using a serial-to-USB adapter (XM range) be sure to install the cable drivers before.

Checking the /dev/ttyUSB# port in Linux.

  1. Unplug the Nexmosphere module from the PC.
  2. Open a Terminal shell.

  3. Execute ls /dev/ttyUSB*

  4. Note the existing ports.

  5. Plug back the Nexmosphere device.

  6. Execute again ls /dev/ttyUSB* and check for a new serial port device.

Checking the RS232 port is connected in Windows

  1. Ensure Broox Sensor Node is Off.
  2. Download Termite: a simple RS232 terminal

  3. Install and execute (if you don't want to leave it in the PC, there is a portable zip version).

  4. Click on Settings.

    • Select the discovered Nexmosphere Port (e.g. COM6:).

    • Set the Baud Rate to 115200 and Append CR+LF to Transmitted Text.

    • Accept with Ok.

  5. Try to interact with the devices, for example passing an RFID tag nearby, activating a sensor, etc.

    • If the communication works you will see the X-Talk messages on console:

    • The messages are of the form X001A[1] or similar. See the X-Talk API Manual for more info.

  6. If nothing shows, you can try sending a status request to a connected device (e.g. an RFID device on port 1: D001B[TYPE]).

  7. If data appears "garbled", check the Baud Rate settings and that you are connecting to the right port.

    • Info for experienced users: Nexmosphere serial ports work at 115200/8N1.
  8. If no response is received, check the connection.
  9. Check no other program (Sensor Node, for example) is blocking the port.

Checking the RS232 port is connected in Linux

  1. Ensure Broox Sensor Node is Off.
  2. Install miniterm with sudo apt install python3-serial

  3. Start miniterm with miniterm -e --eol CRLF - 115200

  4. Select the discovered port (3 in our case).

  5. Try to interact with the devices, for example passing an RFID tag nearby, activating a sensor, etc.

    • If the communication works you will see the X-Talk messages on console:

    • The messages are of the form X001A[1] or similar. See the X-Talk API Manual for more info.

  6. If nothing shows, you can try sending a status request to a connected device (e.g. an RFID device on port 1: D001B[TYPE]).