using serial port RS-232 in android?

Question

I want to send signals via serial port using the JavaComm API classes on an Android device, and here is how I imagine it:

1- the Android device would be: Archos 3.2

Answer 1

Unlike the regular PCs, most of the stock kernels for the android devices come with minimum compiled modules. You need to recompile the kernel with enabled drivers for USB to serial converters. You luck depends on the specific device that you using. A lot of manufactures violate GPL, by not providing the kernel source code. Some manufactures like Motorola with the Droid 2 require signed kernel. Which makes it impossible to load custom kernel on the device.

Also, although many devices have USB host mode you have to jump through the hoops to switch the device mode. For example Motrola droid requires a special dongle to be plugged in into the USB port before powering on to switch into the host mode.

Here are some links for you that explain what you need to do:

1. “More on Droid host mode,” http://www.tombom.co.uk/blog/?p=134.

2. “USB Host mode on Motorola Droid,” http://www.tombom.co.uk/blog/?p=124.