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NanoStation2 RS232 Connection
This document will show you how to use the RS232 serial connector to access the device's console. This allows you to directly access Redboot, debug any boot issues with your kernel, and access the terminal of your firmware even if you don't have telnet or SSH access.
A small note to remember is that with some TTL level converters, having it plugged into the wireless unit before powering the unit on can cause the unit to not boot. For this reason, always power on the unit, then attach the cable immediately after.
What you will need
- NanoStation2 (obviously)
- 3.3v TTL RS232 level converter (we'll use one that is integrated into an USB cable - TTL-232R-3V3)
- Some sort of 0.1" to 2mm pin pitch adapter. There are instructions for building one below.
- Small phillips screwdriver
- *Very* small slot screwdriver
Open your NanoStation2
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 Peel up the label on the back side of the unit and remove both screws |
 Gently pull the board out of the unit |
Prepare the TTL Level converter
 Removing wires from a header connector  3.3v TTL Header on the NanoStation2  Correctly wired TTL-232R3V3 connector Your level converter needs to be pinned to match the pinout of the unit.
Lets first remove the cables pins from the connector. using your small flathead, lift the little plastic flap, and pull out the wire, for each wire. Set the connector aside.
Now, you'll see the board has a 10 pin header on it, with labels for each pin.
The ones you care about are HSIN,HSOUT,and GND.
- HSIN connects to your cable's TX
- HSOUT connects to your cable's RX
- GND connects to your cable's GND
Create the custom 0.1" to 2mm pitch adaptor
First off, we need to build a custom adaptor. My suggestion is find any 5 or 6 pin x1 or x2, 2mm pitch, header connector, and then solder 0.1" pins onto it's wires (see the picture below for the finished product). In this case, I found both the pins and the header connector on a discarded firewire PCI card I had. I couldn't find a decent source online for such an adaptor - please edit this page if you find one.
As an alternative, you can wrap some electrical tape or heat-shrink tubing over the individual pin sockets of the TTL level convertor, and plug them directly into the NanoStation2's header pins.
Connecting the custom adaptor and TTL level converter
In our case, using a TTL-232R3V3 and our custom adaptor, we'll put the wires back into the connector so it looks like the bottom picture on the right.
Now, plug the cable into your computer - but don't connect it to the wireless unit yet!
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Conclusion
Correctly connected TTL header
You're now ready to access the console using a terminal program of your choice.
Follow the directions for your terminal program at Connecting to the AirOS serial console
