AXE027 Download Cable Test Circuit

The following is a simple test circuit to help verify correct operation of a PICAXE download cable.

Use a high-brightness LED with low current requirements ( most standard 3mm / 5mm LED's should be suitable ). Test with the download cable not connected, connect a 3xAA or 3xAAA battery pack with 0V to the LED cathode, +V connected to the top end of the 1K0 (TX/RX). If not bright enough try a different LED, if too bright you can increase the 1K0.

Plug the AXE027, AXE026 or USB010+AXE026 cable into the above circuit.

Run the View -> Options -> Port -> Serial Test. When the on-screen LED is clicked on and lit the physical LED should also light. When the on-screen LED is off the physical LED should also be off.

Open the Terminal display. Type some text in the lower Output Buffer and click the Send button; whatever was typed should appear in the upper Input Buffer. The LED should flicker on as data is sent.

Good stuff.
Add it to the Manual.

And people are bound to ask:
"Is this OK to use with a standard RS232 serial cable?"
So, you'd better tell them.

hippy said:

The following is a simple test circuit to help verify correct operation of a PICAXE download cable.

Use a high-brightness LED with low current requirements ( most standard 3mm / 5mm LED's should be suitable ). Test with the download cable not connected, connect a 3xAA or 3xAAA battery pack with 0V to the LED cathode, +V connected to the top end of the 1K0 (TX/RX). If not bright enough try a different LED, if too bright you can increase the 1K0.

Code:

 3.5mm Jack Socket       .-----------.          <---- TX/RX
                         |          _|_
  .--------------.       |         |   |
.-|  +  +      O |-------{         |   |  1K0
| |  .--.      O |-------{         |___|
| |  |  |   O    |-------'           |
| |  `--'      O |-------.         __|__
`-|  +  +      O |-------{         \   /  LED
  `--------------'       |        __\./__
                         |           |
 Viewed from above       `-----------'          <---- 0V

Plug the AXE027, AXE026 or USB010 cable into the above circuit.

Click to expand...

clarification:
If you have a 3.5mm stereo socket as per the diagram,
then you cannot directly plug a USB010 cable into the stereo socket.

But . . . .you can use the USB010 plus AXE026 combination from a PC USB port