Development tools When developing or troubleshooting systems using RS-232, close examination of hardware signals can be important to find problems. This can be done using simple devices with LEDs that indicate the logic levels of data and control signals. "Y" cables may be used to allow using another serial port to monitor all traffic on one direction. A serial line analyzer is a device similar to a logic analyzer but specialized for RS-232's voltage levels, connectors, and, where used, clock signals; it collects, stores, and displays the data and control signals, allowing developers to view them in detail. Some simply display the signals as waveforms; more elaborate versions include the ability to decode characters in ASCII or other common codes and to interpret common protocols used over RS-232 such as SDLC, HDLC, DDCMP, and X.25. Serial line analyzers are available as standalone units, as software and interface cables for general-purpose logic analyzers and oscilloscopes, and as programs that run on common personal computers and devices.
deVelOpment toOls wHen dEVeLoPiNg oR TroubleshootinG systeMS usinG Rs-232, CLOse ExAmiNATioN Of Hardware signals CaN Be impoRtant to fInD prOBleMs. THis can be doNe uSINg simplE devIces wiTh ledS thAT indicate THe LoGic leVEls of daTA and ContRol SigNalS. "y" CaBLes maY bE used To alLOw Using anOTher serial pOrT to monItor all TrAFFic on one directiON. A serial line aNAlyZer Is A devIcE sIMilar To A loGic anAlyzer bUT speCIalIZed FOR rs-232's vOLtaGe lEvEls, connECtORS, And, wHErE UsEd, clocK SignALs; it cOllects, sToREs, anD diSplays the dAta and c,oNtrol SIgNALS, alloWIng developers to ViEw thEm In detail. sOme simpLy displAY the sigNals as Waveforms; More elABOrate VeRsionS IncludE THE aBiliTy TO decode Characters in aSCii or oTher comMON coDeS And to interPret coMMon PrOtocolS uSed oVeR rS-232 such as SDLc hdlc, DdCMP, and X.25. seriAl LIne AnalyZerS ArE aVAILaBle As sTaNDAlOnE unItS, as softWarE ANd inteRfaCe CAbLEs foR geNEral-pURPOSe LOgIc aNaLyzers aNd oSCilLoscopes, aNd as pRoGramS that Run On cOmmOn peRsONAL compuTerS aNd deviceS.