Modify the Linksys hardware

Work in progress...

Parts List

Quantity	Part Name	Details	Part / Model Number	Price
1	LinkSys WRT54GL Router	802.11b/g wireless broadband router	LinkSys WRT54GL	~$65.00
1	Ribbon cable	28 AWG, 10 conductor, 25'	Jameco 643508CM	$4.99
1	IDC socket connector	0.1”, 10 conductor	Jameco 32491CM	$0.25
1	IDC shrouded header	0.1”, 10 conductor	Jameco 67811CM	$0.33
1	RS232 Transmitter/Receiver	IC 2DVR/2RCVR RS232 5V 20-DIP	DigiKey MAX233CPP-ND	$7.45
2	Two (2) DB9 Female	22AWG,SOLDER CUP	Jameco 15771CM	$0.59

Tools List

• Soldering Iron
• Dremel tool (for cutting holes in plastic case)

Steps

Task Zero: Install OpenWRT [Recommended]

While the purpose of this HOWTO is a hardware modification, the fruits of our labor will be in software functionality. In order to place a light at the end of this tunnel, it would be a good idea to HOWTO:Install_OpenWRT using the instructions provided on this wiki. OpenWRT by default runs a console on UART0, and so once the connection is made properly you need only to send an <enter> into the input and you will be provided with a root console on the router. It's a very satisfying way of confirming that you've done everything correctly.

Task One: Opening the Router

It's really very easy... almost too easy.

As others have done, I will defer to Void Main, who provides nice illustrated opening instructions.

DO NOTE: This is where the warranty on the router is voided! (But really, you know there's no real fun to be had unless a warranty gets voided somewhere.)

Task Two: Attaching the Serial Header

An overhead view to get your bearings. The serial header is (D) here.

Now that your PCB is naked, locate the serial header holes provided by LinkSys. This would be a grid of 10 holes (5x2) located on the bottom-right corner of the board when the antennae stubs are on top (see the top-down photo for clarification). These ten holes hold all of the input and output for the two serial interfaces--UART0, and UART1--on the device. (OpenWRT by default runs a console on UART0, so we have something to look forward to here!)

A closer look at our attached serial header.

Now, we could just solder wires right onto these holes, but a by placing a nice 10-pin header on the board we can easily attach and detach a 10 connection cable. This is where you will use your soldering iron solder the IDC shrouded header onto the board.

This will be the only soldering that you have to do on the LinkSys PCB. The rest of the work will be done wiring the MAX233A transceiver correctly and it just has to be plugged it into this header.

Task Three: Install wiring for MAX233A RS232 Transmitter/Receiver

Using information on the Wiring page, make the connections from the IDC shrouded header to the MAX233A RS232 Transmitter/Receiver chip. As you can see from the Build Pictures page, we did this with the ribbon cable from our parts list. The IDC socket connector goes on one end of the cable, and the correct connections are made to the RS232 Transmitter/Receiver on the other. Because we will be mounting our DB9 connectors to the front of the case, this will allow for easy disconnection and opening of the case. In terms of cable length, try and decide where you are going to mount the MAX233A on the outer case so you can estimate correctly. Do not wire up the Two (2) DB9 Female Connectors just yet, as it would be a better idea to mount them first.