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Hey guys, I am trying to get data from a Symbol bar code reader using a S7-300. The first problem I found is that the S7-300 works with RS485 and the bar code reader works with RS232 so I got a RS485/RS232 converter from Phoenix Contact but I can not make it work. Does any of you have any suggestions or sample codes that I can use as a reference?

Dear Arturo,

My colleague had done this before but using S7 224 XP. I don't know how to make it with S7-300 but I'll try to state some basic info.
I don't know how your configuration is but you have to know that S7-300 ports are dedicated for MPI and PROFIBUS-DP protocols and as far as I know, ports can't be reconfigured. so, to communicate with a device that talks with different protocol like barcode reader (most barcode talks ASCII over RS232), you will be in need of one of 2 things,
Either to have a CPU that has PtP port like 313C-2PtP (RS485) + RS485/RS232 converter
OR to have a CP340 /CP341 ( works directly with RS232 ). and I think you'll need a software to parameterize any PtP port ( ask SIEMENS about the software ).
Once you parameterize your port, you can deal with barcode with some system functions.
I think these links might look useful to you as they have sample of configuration and code to deal with barcode.

http://www.automation.siemens.com/WW/forum/guests/PostShow.aspx?la nguage=en&PostID=13732

http://support.automation.siemens.com/WW/llisapi.dll?func=cslib.cs info&lang=en&objid=18274843&caller=view?