All current RBR instruments support USB as standard. In the Compact Logger family (RBRsolo, RBRduet) the micro USB connector is used internally, whereas for the Standard Logger family (RBRvirtuoso, RBRduo, RBRconcerto, RBRmaestro) the 30 pin Apple connector is used. Cables for both these connectors are available globally from any consumer electronics source, in case you need to replace the cable supplied with the instrument.

In addition, RS-232 and RS-485 serial connections are available on the Standard Logger family. In fact, the 30 pin connector contains pins for not only USB but also the serial connection simultaneously. The most convenient way of accessing the serial lines is to change the battery end cap (BEC) as there are variants wired for external USB, RS-232, and RS-485 (full duplex) all available.

Our legacy instruments (1060/1050/2050/XR families) all have RS-232 connections, using either an RJ-11 telephone jack connector or a mini-USB connector and a proprietary cable as the pins are actually serial, not USB. For many computers, a serial-to-USB converter is required. RBR recommends EasySYNC ES-U-1001-A or any other adapter based on an FTDI chipset.

RS-232 details
Only TX,RX, and GND lines are used for RBR instruments – no hardware handshaking lines are required.

RS-485 details
RBR instruments support full duplex RS-485, requiring A+,A-,B+,B-, and a GND line. We recommend the use of twisted shielded pair cable for any significant distance, and drawings are available if you wish to assemble your own cable. Cables are also available from RBR directly.

Serial in general
Modern RBR instruments default to 115200 baud when shipped from the factory, unless custom requests have been made. This setting can be changed using our Ruskin software, both over a serial connection or a USB connection.