Breadboard Serial Monitor

Breadboard Serial Monitor
This is a breadboard friendly serial (TTY-232) monitor. It connects to USART serial communication lines at rates from 300 to 115200 bps and displays a small amount of text (2 or 4 lines, up to 84 characters maximum). Data can be sent using a PS2 keyboard (PS2 keyboard not included).

Design Documents

Schematic Diagram	schematic_J913_breadboard_serial_monitor.pdf
Bill of Materials	bom_J913_breadboard_serial_monitor.pdf
PCB Gerbers	gerbers_J913_breadboard_serial_monitor.zip

Specifications

Operating voltage (Vdd)	3.3V* to 5V
Operating current	50mA
Screen size	128x32 pixels, 21x4 characters, 10x2 characters
Screen color	Monochrome (white)
Communication rates	300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 14400, 19200, 38400, 56700, 115200
Serial interface	Logic voltage (Vdd)
Keyboard interface	PS2

* PS2 keyboards are specified for 5V and may not work down to 3.3V

Serial Receive Operation

Power the Breadboard Serial Monitor at the 5V and GND pins.
The green LED indicates power is on.
Attach the serial communication line to the RxD pin.
Set the communication rate (see Settings Menu below).
Received data will appear on the screen.
The blue LED will flash when data is being received.

Serial Transmit Operation

Power the Breadboard Serial Monitor at the 5V and GND pins.
The green LED indicates power is on.
Attach the serial communication line to the TxD pin.
Install the PS2 keyboard adapter so it lines up with the Breadboard Serial Monitor as shown below.
Set the communication rate (see Settings Menu below).
Keyboard keys will be sent out the TxD line, and echoed on the screen if Echo is enabled.
The red LED will flash when data is being transmitted.

PS2 Keyboard Adapter Board

Settings Menu

Press the navigation joystick switch for the settings menu.
Use the navigation joystick up and down select the desired setting.
Use the navigation joystick right and left to change the setting value.
At the end of the menu the settings will be saved.

Settings

Setting	Description	Possible values
SPEED	Communication Rate	300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 14400, 19200, 38400, 56700, 115200
FORMAT	Character or Hex	ASCII, HEX
FONT	Display Font Size	SMALL, LARGE
ECHO	Keyboard Echo	OFF, ON

Additional Features
The second serial port of the ATMEGA328PB is brought out to the Rx2 and Tx2 pins. It is up to the user to provide the necessary software to use the second serial port.