Serial Port Login
Serial port login is a fundamental method in embedded development for interacting with the board through a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) interface. It allows you to view system output and perform debugging using serial communication tools.
Hardware Connection
When using a USB-to-serial cable with the Radxa Cubie A5E for serial port login, ensure correct pin connections. Incorrect connections may damage the board hardware.
It is not recommended to connect the VCC pin of the USB-to-serial cable to avoid potential damage to the board.
For serial communication between your PC and the board, you can use either a USB-to-TTL module or a USB-to-serial cable. Choose one of the following connection methods:
A -> USB-to-Serial Cable: Connect the Dupont wire end to the board and the USB end to your PC.
B -> USB-to-TTL Module: Use Dupont wires to connect the USB-to-TTL module to the board, then connect the USB end to your PC.
Note: The diagram illustrates common pin configurations for USB-to-serial cables or USB-to-TTL modules. Always refer to the actual module or manufacturer's manual for specific pin configurations.
| Cubie A5E Pin Function | Connection Method | USB-to-TTL Module / USB-to-Serial Cable Pins |
|---|---|---|
| GND (Pin6) | Dupont Wire | GND |
| UART0_TX (Pin8) | Dupont Wire | RXD |
| UART0_RX (Pin10) | Dupont Wire | TXD |
Serial Port Login
Baud Rate: 115200
Data Bits: 8
Stop Bits: 1
Parity: None
Flow Control: None
Using Tabby
We recommend using Tabby for serial port login. Tabby is a powerful and user-friendly serial debugging tool that supports multiple protocols including serial port and SSH, and is compatible with mainstream operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Download Tabby
Visit the Tabby official website to download and install the Tabby software.
Install Tabby
Select the appropriate installation package for your operating system and hardware architecture (Windows: tabby-<version>.exe, Linux: tabby-<version>.deb, macOS: tabby-<version>.dmg) to install the Tabby software.
Using Tabby
After installation, double-click the Tabby icon to launch the application.
Serial Port Configuration
① --> Settings : Click the settings option
② --> Profiles & connections : Click to configure connection options
③ --> New profile : Click to add a new configuration
Select Serial Port Template
Choose a base configuration as a template: Select any Serial template. You can modify parameters such as device name, serial port device number, and baud rate in the subsequent configuration interface.
Modify Serial Port Parameters
After selecting the Serial template, modify the following parameters:
① --> Name : Set the connection name (recommended to use the product name)
② --> Device : Set the serial port device number (default is /dev/ttyUSB0 if only one serial device is connected to a Linux system)
③ --> Baud rate : Set the baud rate to 115200
④ --> Save : Save the configuration
For different platforms or when multiple serial devices are connected, you can safely unplug the USB serial cable connected to the board and observe the device number changes to identify the correct device.
Login via Serial Port
Click the run button to log in to the serial port device.
After a successful connection, press Enter to display the login prompt. Then use the corresponding system username and password to log in (the password will not be displayed as you type; press Enter after entering the password).
Android system login does not require entering user account and password.
Using the Serial Port
After successfully logging in to the system via the serial port, you can view system logs and run commands to test system functionality.