Template:Level Shifter

The serial port signals from the processor are only 3.3V. For proper RS-232 12V signaling, an RS-232 level shifter needs to be added. These are very common in PDA serial cables also, but can be purchased

Build your own LVTTL/RS232 or LVTTL/USB interface

 * LVTTL/RS232 - Building a Custom Serial Interface
 * LVTTL/USB - Use a Nokia Serial Cable on an ARM9 Linkstation
 * LVTTL/USB - Use a cheap phone sync cable with the serial port

Buy your own TTL Level Shifter

 * LVTTL/RS232 - MAX232 based from Futurelec - MINIRS2323V
 * LVTTL/USB - FTDI chip based cable - TTL-232R-3V3

Usage considerations for the TTL-232R-3V3

 * Solder the 4-pin header to the board. Make sure you don't have shorts.
 * You will need to switch wires on the TTL-232R-3V3 cable. Use a sharp object to lift the plastic tabs and carefully pull the wires out.  Rearrange them according to the table above (black, empty, orange, yellow, empty, empty) and slide those wires back in.  Tape the other wires to make sure they don't short anything.
 * When plugging in the cable, make sure black aligns with GND, yellow with TXD, and orange with RXD.
 * Connect the USB cable to your computer, start a terminal program with the right settings.
 * Turn on the device, you should see output from the bootloader in couple seconds.