CoolTerm is a pretty handy serial port terminal application that allows professionals and hobbyists alike to transfer data between various hardware using the serial ports. The application easy to install but it requires a certain degree of setting-up and knowledge. You can configure anything serial-port related such as the baud rate, port. Use your A/B cable to connect your board to your computer. Open and CoolTerm. Connect to your serial port should look something like COM3 or USB 1121. Set the baudrate to 115200. Select the Terminal tab and make sure your the line Mode option is selected under Terminal mode. CoolTerm is a simple serial port terminal application (no terminal emulation) that is geared towards hobbyists and professionals with a need to exchange data with hardware connected to serial ports such as servo controllers, robotic kits, GPS receivers, microcontrollers, etc. CoolTerm: Exchange text and other data between connected serial ports. Free download provided for 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows.
CoolTerm is a compact application that allows you to communicate with various devices by sending messages from a terminal. The program can use the computer serial ports in order to send and receive data.
This application is designed to help both specialists and enthusiasts who use their computer to control various devices such as GPS receivers and servo controllers. If your device uses a serial port, CoolTerm should be able to send and receive data messages.
As you probably hinted, before you can use the app you need to configure the connection by specifying the port number, baud rate, parity and other flow control parameters. The terminal supports both raw and line mode which enables you to adjust it to various device types.
The interface is easy to use and displays the messages received from the device as ASCII characters. You can change it to hexadecimal view if you feel more comfortable with this reading mode.
You can send a string or a text file to the connected hardware in order to view the response. If you need to run multiple tests, the app allows you to record the responses to a text document in order to review them later.
While the program is clearly designed for users who know how to send messages through the COM ports, it includes a documentation that aims to familiarize the casual users. Additionally, placing the cursor over a parameter displays a tooltip with a detailed description.
If you need to communicate with other devices by using a COM port, the CoolTerm app can come in handy. Since it does not require an installation and can save the settings to any location, you can also use it from an USB stick.
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I typically have used iTerm and the screen command for USB-Serial console access. But CTRL-Break is a nightmare. SecureCRT is a great app, but they are up to $99 w/only 1-year of upgrades.
CoolTerm is a fantastic little free Windows and OSX Console program. With a little tweaking it is perfect for serial console into routers/switches.
Once loaded, make the following changes in Options:
Good to go. Control-Break is just Command-B on the Mac. Can’t beat that.