UsbTerminal

The description of UsbTerminal

Site Editorial Commentary：Terminal emulator for serial devices connected with USB

UsbTerminal is a versatile terminal emulator (also known as a "monitor") designed for establishing a physical connection to devices via your Android phone or tablet's USB port.

To utilize this application, your device must support USB Host mode, also referred to as USB On-The-Go (USB-OTG), and a USB-OTG cable is necessary.

Typical use cases for UsbTerminal include:

● ConTrolling IoT (Internet of Things) devices such as Arduino and ESP32 microcontrollers.
● Managing communication devices like routers that feature a serial console connector (which may require a USB to RS232 converter cable).

UsbTerminal stands out with its open-source nature. You can explore the source code and contribute at https://github.com/liorhass/UsbTerminal.

Key Features:

● Broad Device Support: Compatible with devices using various USB to Serial protocols/chips, including CDC-ACM (e.g., Arduino Uno R3), FTDI (FT232R, FT232H, FT2232H, FT4232H, FT230X, FT231X, FT234XD), Prolific PL2303, CH34x, and Silabs CP210x (e.g., ESP32 development boards from Espressif).
● Dual keyboard Input Modes:
1. Auto Mode: Emulates a traditional terminal where characters are sent immediately to the serial device as you type, without a dedicated input field. This is the default setting.
2. Dedicated Input Field Mode: Input is entered into a specific field and transmitted only when the "Send" button is pressed.
● ANSI/VT100 Escape Sequence Support: Offers partial support for ANSI/VT100 escape sequences, including text coloring, enhancing readability and debugging.
● Display Modes: Choose between Text and Hex display modes for optimal data representation.
● Background Communication: Maintains connection and continues receiving data even when the app is running in the background, ensuring continuous monitoring.
● Session Logging: Logs sessions to files, enabling you to review, share, and analyze data using external tools.
● Control Character Transmission: Send control characters (e.g., Ctrl-C) to manage connected devices.
● DTR and CTS Control: Allows manual control of DTR (Data Terminal Ready) and CTS (Clear To Send) signals.
● Large Scroll-back Buffer: Provides a substantial scroll-back buffer for reviewing previous communication.
● Blinking Cursor: A visual aid for identifying the current input position.
● Status Line: Displays connection status, error messages, screen size, cursor location, and display mode for real-time feedback.
● Built-in Help: Access help documentation directly within the app.
● Arduino & ESP32 Shortcuts: Includes shortcuts to easily reset Arduino and ESP32 development boards.
● Root Access Not Required: Operates without requiring root privileges.
● No Special Permissions: Doesn't require any special permissions, ensuring user privacy and security.

note for Arduino Users:

UsbTerminal offers a unique advantage in DTR handling. Unlike typical terminal emulators that cause an Arduino to reboot upon connection due to the DTR signal being dropped low, UsbTerminal does not automatically manipulate the DTR signal. This means that when you connect your Android device to an Arduino and open UsbTerminal, the Arduino continues its current operation without interruption. If a reboot is desired, you can easily control the DTR signal via a dedicated button within UsbTerminal.