Whoever thinks about reproducing an interface
for the Aladin, should first of all be aware of the fact that there are
two different versions of the interface. The first version, easier to
assemble, enables the user to transfer dive data from the Aladin to the
personal computer. The other version, a more complex construction than the
first one, enables the user both to transfer data from the Aladin to the
PC and to configure some Aladin features via the PC. For both versions the
original UWATEC software for the PC
is required. The program for receiving data from the Aladin and afterwards
analysing the monitored dive is called DATATrak. It displays a
depth-profile of the dive and several additional data the Aladin records
during the dive. It can thus be used as a virtual logbook since you can
enter your own informations and store as many diveprofiles as you like.
The configuration program for which the second version of the interface is
required, is called DATATalk. Dependant on the model different features
can be configured:
Divecomputer: |
Possible settings: |
#2 useful? |
Aladin - Sport/Plus |
m / ft |
No |
Aladin - Pro |
m / ft, Beep ON/OFF |
No |
Aladin - Pro Nitrox/Ultra |
m / ft, Beep ON/OFF, ppO2 |
Yes |
Aladin Air / Aladin Air X/Z |
m / ft, Beep ON/OFF, Reserve, Atemwarnung |
Yes |
Aladin Air X/Z Nitrox |
cp. Air X/Z und Pro Nitrox |
Yes |
Monitor 2+ |
cp. Aladin Pro |
No |
Monitor 3 Air |
cp. Aladin Air / Aladin Air X/Z |
Yes |
Mares Genius |
cp. Aladin Air X/Z |
Yes |
So you can change the measurement units from
imperial to metric units (psi/bar - feet/m) of all Aladin models. All
models except the Aladin Sport feature configurable Beeps for the
operating menus (no acoustic warnings can be disabled) The AIR-series
feature variable sensitivity for the "out-of-breath" warning and variable
limits for the airbackup of the bottle while the NITROX series have
programmeable breathing-gas relativities. Average Aladin Pro or Aladin
Sport users will normally not alter the default settings of the
divecomputer and will therefore only need to reproduce interface version
one, which can only receive data from the Aladin. Since the construction
of such a one-way-interface is easier than constructing a version two
inteface both types are referred to here. Important note: The
do-it-yourself-interfaces does not work with the MS-Windows versions of
the DATATrak and DATATalk software. The diveprofiles and the logbook data
can be edited and administered using the MS-Windows version of those
programs, just the transfer of the data doesn't work with the Windows
versions. You can also download your Aladin with the ADLT (Aladin
Download & Logbook Tool) or with Wlog if
you absolutely don't want use the DOS-Programs.
Version
1:
 This interface can ONLY be used to receive data
from the Aladin. It is NOT possible to configure the Aladin with this
version. This interface does not work with the MS-Windows version of the
program DATATrak from UWATEC. So you
can ONLY READ the diveprofile, temperature etc. data from the computer
using the MS-DOS Version, the ADLT (Aladin
Download & Logbook Tool) or Wlog.
The interface is plugged to the Aladin using two short cables (red and
black) which are connected to the red and black declared connections in
the schematic. The red cable is the ground cable for the transfer and is
plugged into the BASE contact of the divecomputer (see divecomputer
instructions). The black cable is the transfer cable, it is plugged into
the - -contact of the Aladin. A wrong plugging order does not evolve any
damage, but nothing will happen. The data coming from the Aladin has a
very low voltage and therefore the plugging cables have to be relatively
short. (red cable <10 inches; black cable <5 inches; my tip: both
cables 4 inches, so there's one problem out of question) In addition to
that a voltage amplifier within the interface is required for correctly
receiving the data. The transfer cable from the interface to the PC should
not be langer than 3 feet and it should be screened off. The four cores of
this cable should be equipped with a serial plug (9-terminal Sub-D or
25-terminal Sub-D). The layout of those plugs is displayed below. This
interface is really simple to reproduce. The resistor and the diode can be
soldered directly onto the IC and afterwards protected by a shrinking
tube. This way the interface is just a lengthening part of the 4-core
cable. The diode can be any silicium-based diode. In some cases it's
recommended to put another diode in row to increase the threshold of the
interface. The interface works with any resistor between 15k and 25k. Even
the IC choice allows many possibilities (e.g.: LM 741; LM 747; LM 318; LM
301; LM 358;......). To avoid damage during soldering you should use a
socket!!!!! The parts should be available at a price below 5 €. In
spite of the fact that all schematics presented here have been tested by
me I do NOT guarantee expected functionality and do NOT take responsibilty
for any damage. Before the first usage a detailed visual control of the
interface is strongly recommended!
Version 1 (ONLY Aladin -> PC): Parts list: -1 IC:
UA741CN or equal -1 Resistor 1/4 Watt, 22K Ohms (Kiloohms) -1
Diode 1N4148 or equal + Cables, plugs (see below), cases...
Radio Shack Part # 's: - UA741CN : 276-007 - price $0.79 each
- SOCKET for IC : 276-1995A - price $0.59 for 2 - Resistor 1/4
Watt, 22KOhms : 271-1339 - price $0.49 for 5 - Diode 1N4148 : 276-1620
- price $2.29 for 50 - 9-pin sub-d female conector : 276-1428A - price
$1.49 each - hood for sub-d : 276-1513 - price $1.49 each
The shematic of version 1 and the circuit included into a
SUB-D9:

Version 2:
 This interface is a bit more complex to
reproduce. It has the same functions as version 1 has, but you can ALSO
configure the Aladin divecomputer with it. This interface does not work
with the MS-Windows versions of the programs DATATrak and DataTALK from UWATEC. So you can only READ the
diveprofile, temperature etc. data from the computer using the MS-DOS
Version, the ADLT (Aladin
Download & Logbook Tool) or Wlog and
WRITE with the DOS-Version of Uwatec's DataTALK ONLY!! Principally
the schematic is not much different from version 1 but here the black
cable can be used for sending data to the Aladin, too. Due to this feature
a 5-core cable to the PC is required. It's the same here: the data coming
from the Aladin has a very low voltage and therefore the plugging cables
have to be relatively short. (red cable <10 inches; black cable <5
inches; my tip: both cables 4 inches, so there's one problem out of
question) In addition to that a voltage amplifier within the interface is
required for correctly receiving the data. If you have problems with this
interface try a LF 353 instead of the LM258!! To avoid damage during
soldering you should use a socket!!!!! The transfer cable from the
interface to the PC should not be langer than 3 feet and it should be
screened off. The five cores of this cable should be equipped with a
serial plug (9-terminal Sub-D or 25-terminal Sub-D). The layout of those
plugs is displayed below. The parts should be available at a price below
10 €. In spite of the fact that all schematics presented here have been
tested by me I do NOT guarantee expected functionality and do NOT take
responsibilty for any damage. Before the first usage a detailed visual
control of the interface is strongly recommended!

Version 2 (Aladin <-> PC) -Parts list: - 1 IC
LM258 or equal - 2 Diodes 1N4148 or equal - 2 Capacitors 4,7 uFarad
(Microfarads= 1* 10-6 F) - 1 Resistor 1/4Watt 100kOhm (Kiloohms) -
1 Resistor 1/4Watt 330kOhm - 1 Resistor 1/4Watt 22kOhm - 1
Resistor 1/4Watt 220kOhm - 1 Resistor 1/4Watt 2k7=2,7kOhm - 1
Resistor 1/4Watt 3k3=3,3kOhm - 1 Resistor 1/4Watt 47kOhm - 1
Resistor 1/4Watt 470kOhm + Cables, plugs (see below), cases...
To include the version 2 into a SUB-D9-plug, you should use
SMDs (surface mounted devices). The parts and the board are MUCH smaller,
so don't forget a magnification lens :-). Have a look at http://www.tele.ucl.ac.be/PEOPLE/DOUXCHAMPS/aladin.html
Frank Loozer made
a layout using stadard components that fits into a SUB-D9-Case. Here you
can find the layout
and a parts list
.
Some of the alternative shown ICs have a DIL 14 case. To use
this kind of IC you have to use the following pin-layout: (LM258)
<-> (LM324) Pin 1 <-> Pin 1 Pin 2 <-> Pin 2
Pin 3 <-> Pin 3 Pin 4 <-> Pin 4 Pin 5 <->
Pin 5 Pin 6 <-> Pin 6 Pin 7 <-> Pin 7 Pin 8
<-> Pin 11
The Layout of a single IC:
8 7 6 5 -------
)8-Pin| ------- 1 2 3 4 |
16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9
---------------------- ) 16-Pin
|
---------------------- 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 |
Pin-Layout of Sub-D-Plugs (soldering side!)
TxD (3) GND
(5) RxD (2) DTR
(4) ____|_|_|_|____ \ 1 2 3
4 5 / \ "Sub-D 9" / \ 6 7 8 9 / ¯¯¯|¯¯¯¯¯
RTS
(7) |
RxD
(3) TxD (2) RTS (4)
GND (7) ______|__|__|________|_____________________
\ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
/ \
"Sub-D 25"
/
\ 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25
/ ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯|¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ DTR (20) |
PDA-Interface: to use your DOS-Interface with a PDA (like
Palm Pilot) you have to build the following adapter (both plugs are seen
from the soldering side!):
+-------------------------------------------+ I +---|-------------------------+ | N |
| +-----------------------|---+ | T |
+-|-|-----------------------|---|-|-------+ E __|_|_|_|______
__|___|_|______ | P R \
5 4 3 2 1 /
\ 5 4 3 2 1 / | D F \
S1 (Male) /
\ S2 (Male)
/ | A A \
9 8 7 6 /
\ 9 8 7 6 / | C ¯¯¯¯¯|¯¯¯
¯¯¯|¯¯¯|¯ | E |
|
+-----+
+---------------------------+
Interface 2 -> PDA 3 Interface 3 -> PDA
2 Interface 4 -> PDA 6 Interface 5 -> PDA 5 Interface 7
-> PDA 8
A great Idea from Rein von Koten:
He uses the same
interface for his PDA and PC. Both Plug-layouts are used in a single
housing!
Aladin using the the
Macintosh? Here you can see the pinlayout of a RS422-Plug and
an Apple Desktop-Plug.
Apple Desktop Bus, male RS422-Stecker,
male
If you run the Software VirtualPC and use the DOS-Version of
Uwatec's DataTRAK, it's possible to read out your Aladin but it's not
possible to configure your Aladin-settings using DataTALK.
Signal: |
Pin-Nr.: (ADB-Plug) |
Pin-Nr.: (RS422-Plug) |
GND |
4 |
- |
RTS |
- |
1 |
TxD |
- |
3 |
RxD |
- |
5 |
DTR |
3 |
- |
Aladin-Plugs: Due to the many
requests about the best plugs for the Aladin interface I decided to
publish some possibilities. There are surely more possibilities, but these
have been tested by me and are reliable. When buying plugs, just take
along your Aladin and check out the diameter of different plugs. Apart
from the fact that all plugs that are 'compatible' have to fit in the
little sockets on the Aladin the divecomputer should be useable with the
moisted fingers even when the cables are plugged. That means that the
plugs must not be fully isolated. Soldering pins are my personal
favourites. They are pewtered for better
contact and fit without any problems (1,30mm diameter). A package with 100
pieces should be available at 1,5 € at the local Radio Shack.
This is a simple
brass drawing pin. This idea came from Richard Dunstone. It is easy to
solder onto the under side and you have a big flat smooth surface to
operate the computer when the pins are in place.
Another (expensive) alternative is the middle pins of
BNC plugs. Since they are only available per piece, one pin is as
expensive as the 100pieces package of soldering pins. But they are easier
to find in electronically-oriented shops. The BNC plugs are not assembled,
so you have direct access to the middle pin which fits perfectly into the
Aladin due to the conical shape.
You can also use a single paper clip as a contact to the Aladin.
The open end of the red cable can be used for inputs
|