RS232 Rugged Tablet for Industrial Serial Communication & Multi‑Protocol Integration
Industrial Android tablet with hardware‑level dual RS232, RS485, and GPIO. Connect to PLCs, vehicle diagnostics, sensors, and legacy industrial equipment — purpose‑built for factory automation, fleet maintenance, and system integration.
MDT865 + CRD865 TYPE‑A | Dual RS232, RS485, GPIO
What Is RS232 Serial Communication in Industrial Applications?
RS232 is a legacy serial communication standard widely used in industrial machinery, vehicle diagnostics, medical devices, and industrial controllers. Despite its age, it remains the backbone of many mission‑critical systems due to its simplicity and reliability.
A RS232 rugged tablet integrates directly into these systems, acting as a modern Android interface for legacy equipment — replacing outdated terminals while preserving existing infrastructure. For OEM projects requiring custom serial I/O configuration →, the hardware platform can be tailored to specific pinout and protocol requirements.
RS232 Rugged Tablet: Key Capabilities
Dual RS232 Ports
Connect to two RS232 devices simultaneously — ideal for PLCs, diagnostic tools, and legacy sensors.
RS485 Support
Multi‑drop serial communication for industrial networks, modbus, and long‑distance data transmission.
GPIO / I/O Expansion
4× general‑purpose I/O pins for sensors, switches, relays, and custom control logic.
Vehicle / Industrial Power
9-36V wide voltage with ignition sensing — ready for mobile or fixed industrial installations.
Hardware Solution: CRD865 TYPE‑A + Serial Cable Kit
Engineered for multi‑protocol industrial communication
CRD865 TYPE‑B Cradle
2× RS232 (hardware ports)
1× RS485
4× GPIO (configurable)
9-36V DC with ignition sense
2× USB-A (OTG) + 1× USB-C
RJ45 Ethernet
Pogo‑pin docking for MDT865 / MDT880
Recommended Cables
CAB-865-2RS232 — dual RS232 breakout
CAB-EX-RS232 — extension for RS232
CAB-EX-BASIC — power + I/O extension
CAB-EX-HUB — for expansion
Complete industrial integration kit
Tablet + cradle + cables
ready for factory, vehicle, or field deployment
RS232 Tablet Applications
Deploy serial communication across industrial and fleet scenarios
Vehicle Diagnostics
Connect to OBD‑II, J1939, and legacy engine ECUs via RS232 for real‑time data and fault code reading.
→ CAN Bus tablet solutions
Industrial Automation
Program PLCs, monitor production lines, and collect sensor data via RS232/RS485.
→ 4-channel AHD video tablet
Legacy Equipment
Replace outdated serial terminals with modern Android interface — no infrastructure change required.
→ M12 Ethernet tablet
Fleet Maintenance
Connect to diagnostic tools, tire pressure monitors, and sensor networks via serial ports.
→ Barcode/RFID tabletConsumer Tablet vs RS232 Rugged Tablet
| Feature | Consumer Tablet | TOPICON RS232 Tablet |
|---|---|---|
| Serial Ports | ✕ USB‑to‑RS232 adapter (unreliable) | ✓ 2× hardware RS232 + 1× RS485 |
| GPIO / I/O | ✕ None | ✓ 4× GPIO |
| Vehicle Power | ✕ 5V USB only | ✓ 9-36V with ignition sense |
| Mounting | ✕ Suction cup | ✓ Vehicle/industrial dock + anti‑vibration |
For fleet applications requiring vehicle mount computers with serial connectivity, TOPICON offers fixed-mount alternatives with M9 aviation connectors.
Compatible Protocols & Devices
Our RS232 tablet integrates with a wide range of industrial equipment and communication standards
Frequently Asked Questions
How many RS232 ports are available?
The CRD865 TYPE‑B cradle provides 2 dedicated hardware RS232 ports, plus 1 RS485 port and 4 GPIO pins — all accessible via standard breakout cables.
What baud rates are supported?
Standard baud rates from 9600 to 115200 are supported. Custom baud rates can be implemented via software configuration.
Does it support RS422 or RS485?
Yes. The cradle includes a dedicated RS485 port for multi‑drop industrial networks. RS422 can be supported with external adapters.
Can this tablet be used as an in-vehicle terminal for fleet diagnostics?
Yes. The RS232 tablet serves as an in-vehicle computing platform that connects directly to OBD-II/J1939 interfaces for real-time vehicle diagnostics. For fixed installations, see our vehicle mount computer range.
Can I customize serial pinout or GPIO logic?
Yes. We offer hardware customization for serial pin assignments, GPIO voltage levels, and custom breakout boards. Start your OEM serial integration →
Related Technical Applications
Choose your I/O configuration — same tablet platform, different connectivity options
Ready to Add RS232 Serial Connectivity to Your System?
Get a quote, request a serial integration kit, or talk to our engineering team.
