They allow you to see data sent to and from your microcontroller, and that data can be used for a number of reasons including troubleshooting/debugging, communication testing, calibrating sensors, configuring modules, and data monitoring. In short, serial terminal programs make working with microcontrollers that much simpler. This tutorial is here to help you understand what these terms mean and how they form the larger picture that is serial communication over a terminal. For someone who isn't familiar with these terms and the context in which they are used, they can be confusing at times.

These are all words that get thrown around a lot when working with electronics, especially microcontrollers. Some of them are:Īll Loadstar Sensors' devices operate with the following settings: In addition several free and/or open source serial port terminal programs are available for download on the internet.

Hyperterminal is shipped with Windows XP (This can be found under ).

If however you need to install the drivers on your own (you are using the device on a Linux or Mac, or writing your own software), then download and install the latest drivers the link above.Ī serial port terminal program is needed and can be used to communicate with the Loadstar Sensors' devices. The various flavors of Loadstar Sensors' software, when installed, also install the above drivers needed for this communication. Download and install the latest drivers from (Scroll down to locate the appropriate drivers for your operating system.)Īll Loadstar Sensors' interface devices use an FTDI serial-port-to-USB device to communicate with the computer through a virtual serial port.

Windows 10 serial terminal