TNG-3B Serial Interface

We are in the midst of a production run of 500 TNG-3B's, each assembled by hand. Already, over 200 of these have been committed. For TNG-3B pricing, contact Edward Lipson.

Changes in TNG-3B (compared to original TNG-3)

• TNG-3B is enclosed in a black (vs. bone for TNG-3) plastic case with a turquoise-and-white, rugged, professional-quality Lexan® label on front. The case dimensions are 2.75" x 4.60" x 0.90", slightly narrower and thicker than a PalmPilot™.
• The eight analog inputs remain on the left and right sides. The eight digital inputs (previously optional; now standard) are now located on the bottom and side edges of the box. Inputs 1 and 8 are on the sides near the lower corner. Inputs 2 through 7 are along the bottom edge. All input jacks are clearly designated on the front label.
• The most important change is that TNG-3B has reverted to the TNG-2 stereo-plug wiring convention for the eight analog input channels. As described  in the center of the front label of TNG-3B, the tip is now 5 volts (provided from TNG-3B; not to be provided on the stereo cable from an external power supply by user), and the ring is the signal. The sleeve remains ground.
• TNG-3B now has a DB-9 female jack at the top end panel. A 6-foot DB-9 extension cable is provided with TNG-3B. Make sure to keep them together.
• The serial-port test LED is now on the front and protrudes through the label. To test the activity of your serial port, press and hold the yellow pushbutton at at top end to the right of the DB-9 jack on the top end panel, while observed the red LED. Note that the LED is now driven directly by code in the microcontroller chip that is the heart of TNG-3B. If the serial port is not active, then the power derived from the handshaking lines will be absent; thus the microcontroller will not operate and the LED will not illuminate when the test button is pressed. In NeatTools, the COM module must be enabled (for the correct serial port) in order for the LED to illuminate.
• There is now a rear label on TNG-3B to show that it has been tested to comply with FCC standards, and that it satisfies Canadian emission regulations as well. TNG-3B also is complaint with European emission standards but has not been tested for immunity; therefore, TNG-3B is not available as yet for retail sale in Europe. The rear label also includes a serial number. Note that the rear label, which has a mirror finish is not rugged like the front label; it is possible to scratch this label. If you care about that, try to keep TNG-3B on smooth table surfaces, and in a protective bag during travel.
• Note that the baud rate for the serial data streaming remains at 19.2 kbps, providing about 200 samples per second (10 bytes per cycle: 8 analog, 1 digital, and 1 separator).