Howto: Build a Mini-DIN to 4-pin TTL Serial Cable

Parts List

Part Description	Digikey Part #	Cost	Image
Ribbon cable. Each cable is about 10" in length.	AE09G-X-ND (substitute 5,10,25, or 50 for X where X is in feet).	$4.43 for 25'
Mini DIN Plug. Each cable requires one of these.	275-1032-ND.	$1.18
Female terminal connectors. Each cable requires three of these	WM2511-ND	$0.99 for 10
Four position connector housing. Each cable requires one of these	WM2802-ND.	$0.82
Estimated Cost Per Cable:		$7.42

Required Tools

Wire stripper/Angle cutter
Soldering iron
Solder
Scissors

Construction Steps

Step	Description	Image (Click image to Enlarge)
1	Use the scissors to cut a section of ribbon cable to your desired length. About 10" should be fine.
2	Strip one end of the ribbon cable. We do not need the second wire, so do not strip it.
3	Disassemble the Mini-DIN plug.
4	Wet each of stripped wires with solder. To wet a wire, touch the bottom of the wire to the soldering iron and the solder to the top. The iron will heat up the wire enough to melt some solder onto the wire. Don't overdo this step.
5	Attach the first wire, right most, to pin four of the Mini-DIN plug.
6	Skip the second wire.
7	Attach the third wire to pin three of the Mini-DIN plug.
8	Attach the fourth wire to pins six and seven of the Mini-DIN plug.
9	Reassemble the housing for the Mini-DIN plug.
10	Strip the other end of the ribbon cable. We do not need the second wire, so do not strip it.
11	Attach one female terminal connector to each stripped wire.
12	Solder the wires to the terminal connectors. Only a little solder is needed.
13	Insert the terminal connectors into the housing. Make sure the order is correct.
14	And now you are done. One end of the cable plugs into the the Roomba/Create, and the other end plugs into the Robostix's UART

Retrieved from "http://roboticsprimer.sourceforge.net/workbook/Howto:_Build_a_Mini-DIN_to_4-pin_TTL_Serial_Cable"

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