Daniel P. Siu (dps@west.net) wrote:
: I need to derive some power (fairly low, a few mA at 5V) from a RS-232
: serial connection.  I remember there are ways to do this (in fact,
: some techniques are used in serial mice).  Any help is appreciated.

Here's a circuit I have used (it doesn't guzzle as much current as
a 78L05 which is obviously a much simpler solution):

                                                           +----> DSR
                                             2 X 1N4148    |
                                             +-------------+----< DTR
       +-----------------+-------------+     |      +------+----< RTS 
       |                 |C            |    _|_    _|_     |
       |    _____      |/              |    \ /    \ /     +----> CTS
       +---[_____]--+--|   BC550       |    ---    ---     |
       |     10k    |  |\              |     |      |      +----> DCD
       |            |    |E            +-----+------+-----------> V++
    +__|__          |    +----+---------------------+-----------> VDD
     _____    +-----+         |    _____            |             +5V
  220u |      |     |         +---[_____]---+       |
       |      |    C|               22k     |    +__|__
       |    __|__    \|  BC547              |     _____
      ///   _____     |---------------------+   47u |
         100n |      /|                     |       |
              |    E|              _____    |       |
              |    _|_        +---[_____]---+      ///
             ///   \ /^       |     18k
                   ---        |
       LO-I RED LED |         |
                    |         |
                   ///       ///


Strapping DTR/DSR and CTS/RTS/DCD is just to implement a "null-modem"
connection, the power comes from DTR and RTS.  On a typical PC about
5mA can be drawn from the regulator.  

David
--
david.tait@man.ac.uk


Date: 30 Apr 1996 11:18:41 GMT

Original Subject: Re: Power from RS-232


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