This project is still alive! 🙂

I know it’s been a while since posting an update on this project. I’ve picked it back up and been working on it on and off for the past few months.

The focus has still remained on the DN-2000F mk II model, and I believe I now have the hardware side of it finalised.

Hardware

After much research with various USB UART controllers, the SiLabs CP2102 seemed to be the best choice. You can pick them up for cheap from many eBay sellers and come on PCB boards that have a USB connector and breakout pins.

– SiLabs CP2102 USB to UART

There are 6 breakout pins:
– 3.3V
– RST
– TXD
– RXD
– GND
– 5V

The Denon DN2000F mk II remote, the RC-35B, runs on 5 volts so we can power it from the 5V pin. This will only work if the USB port is capable of delivering ~150mA, which standard USB ports on a computer will be able to provide. If using a hub, ensure it’s a powered USB hub.

Other required components:

– 1x mini DIN male to male cable
– 1x MC3487 IC (DIP)
– 1x 10nF capacitor
– 2x 1KΩ resistors
– Push-in terminal blocks
– Jump wires

You’ll also need a breadboard, I’m using a KandH AD-14.

Cut one end off the 8 pin male to male mini DIN cable and strip back the wires. You’ll then need to note which colour corresponds to which pin.

– Looking at the male mini DIN plug. Pins have been numbered.

In the case of my cable:

Pin	Colour	Notes
`1`	Brown	Ground
`2`	Red	5V
`3`	Black	Ground
`4`	Purple	RX
`5`	Orange	5V
`6`	Blue	TX
`7`	Green	TX
`8`	Yellow	RX

Powering the RC-35B

Pins 1 and 3 are interconnected inside the RC-35B, as are pins 2 and 5. Pair (or twist) the brown and black wires together. Do the same with the red and orange wires.

Connect the brown and black wires to GND and the red and orange wires to the 5V breakout pins.

MC3487

The MC3487 is used to convert between TTL and RS-422 signals.

The MC3487 operates on a 5V supply. Connect VCC (pin 16) to the 5V breakout pin. You should also add a capacitor (10nF) between VCC and GND (pin 8). Connect GND to the GND breakout pin.

Connect the inverting OUTPUTS C (pin 11) to the green wire and connect the non-inverting OUTPUTS C (pin 10) to the blue wire. Connect INPUT C (pin 9) to the TXD breakout pin.

Connect INPUT A (pin 1) to the the yellow wire via a 1KΩ resistor and connect INPUT B (pin 7) to the purple wire, again via a 1KΩ resistor. Connect OUTPUT A (pin 2) to the RXD breakout pin.