ANALOGUE SIGNAL TO PC VIA USB

Project for connecting analogue signal to PC without a need for microcontroller. Included Visual Basic VB6 software and app, VS2010 code and circuit diagram. The MCP3201 is a micro-power 12 bit analogue to digital converter. The conversion selector reads eigther 10 or 12 bits. With less resolution the reading is more stable. The 5V supply to the circuit is from the USB.
The communication to the PC is bit banging the Hardware Controls, the DTR is used for clocking the ADC, RTS as CS and the CTS is used for data input.
Datasheet for the MCP3201 can be downloaded from here
The USB to Serial I used is: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CP2102-USB-2-0-to-TTL-UART-Module-6Pin-Serial-Converter-STC-Replace-FT232-Module/381374541932?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
There are other similar modules, make sure they have all the connections needed. RTS and CTS need to be soldered, they come with only holes in the module's PCB.

SELF POWERED ADC INTERFACE TO COM PORT

Project for connecting analogue signal to serial port. Included Visual Basic VB6 software and a circuit diagram. The MCP3201 is a micro-power 12 bit analogue to digital converter. The conversion selector reads all the 12 bits, the 10 or 8 MSB and ignores the LSB. With less resolution the reading is more stable. The supply to the circuit is via the 12V at pin 7 that are switched to logic high by the software.
The communication to the PC is bit banging the Hardware Controls, the DTR is used for clocking the ADC and the CTS is used for data input.
You can read more about serial interface in http://www.beyondlogic.org/spp/serial.htm
Datasheet for the MCP3201 can be downloaded from here
You are free to use the circuit diagram and VB code with no limitations.

Circuit Description
See also Technical Tips

MCP3201
Input at pin 2 of the ADC is 0 to 5 volts full range positive voltage only. The chip over voltage protection is 5V max.
Pin 8 is the 5 V supply to the IC.
Pin 1 is reference voltage for the ADC , it's connected to the 5V and can be connected to an external reference voltage. The reference voltage determents the input voltage span.
Pin 6 is the serial data out of the ADC, BC237 and BC327 are a level shift from 0-5V to -8 to +8V which is the voltage required for the serial connector.
Pin 7 is the clock for reading the data and pin 5 is the Chip Select. The 22K resistors are for lowering the 12V out of the serial port to 5V level of the ADC.