Serial Terminal Software

TTL Serial is essential for advanced unbricking. Below are recommended software for each platform.

The most popular free SSH/Telnet/Serial client.

Download: https://www.putty.org/

Configuration Steps:

1. Select connection type “Serial”
2. Serial line: COM3 (check Device Manager for port number)
3. Speed: 115200
4. Data bits: 8
5. Stop bits: 1
6. Parity: None
7. Flow control: None

Save Session:

1. Return to “Session” page
2. Select “Serial”
3. Enter session name and click “Save”

Powerful commercial serial terminal.

Download: https://www.vandyke.com/products/securecrt/

Features:

1. Tabbed interface
2. Serial protocol analysis
3. Macro script support
4. Trial version is free to use

Serial Configuration:

1. Protocol: Serial
2. COM Port: Select corresponding port
3. Baud Rate: 115200
4. Data Bits: 8
5. Stop Bits: 1
6. Parity: None
7. Flow Control: None

Enhanced terminal with serial support.

Download: https://mobaxterm.mobatek.net/

Features:

1. Free version is sufficient
2. Built-in SFTP/SCP
3. Serial support
4. Beautiful interface

Free and easy-to-use serial terminal.

Download: https://freeware.the-meiers.org/

Configuration Steps:

1. Click “Options” → “Serial Port”
2. Port: Select corresponding USB serial
3. Baudrate: 115200
4. Data Bits: 8
5. Stop Bits: 1
6. Parity: None
7. Flow Control: None

Tips:

1. “Capture Text” can record logs
2. Supports hexadecimal display
3. Auto-detects serial port plugin/unplug

Serial debugging tool on App Store.

Download: App Store search “Serial”

Features:

1. Simple interface
2. Supports high baud rates
3. Auto-detects devices

Built-in on macOS.

Usage:

# View available serial ports
ls /dev/tty.*

# Connect to serial (115200 baud)
screen /dev/tty.usbserial-XXXX 115200

# Exit screen
# Press Ctrl+A, then K, then Y

Classic Linux serial tool, also works on macOS.

# Install
brew install minicom

# Configure
minicom -s

# Connect
minicom -D /dev/tty.usbserial-XXXX -115200

Most commonly used Linux serial tool.

Install:

sudo apt install minicom

Configure:

# Enter configuration menu
sudo minicom -s

# Serial settings:
# - Serial Device: /dev/ttyUSB0
# - Baud Rate: 115200
# - Data Bits: 8
# - Stop Bits: 1
# - Parity: None
# - Hardware Flow Control: No
# - Software Flow Control: No

# Save as default configuration

Usage:

# Connect to serial
sudo minicom

# Exit
# Press Ctrl+A, then Q

Built-in on Linux.

# Connect to serial
screen /dev/ttyUSB0 115200

# Exit
# Press Ctrl+A, then K

Lightweight serial tool.

# Install
sudo apt install picocom

# Connect
picocom -b 115200 /dev/ttyUSB0

# Exit
# Press Ctrl+A, then Ctrl+Q

GUI serial tool.

sudo apt install cutecom
sudo cutecom

Windows: https://www.wch.cn/downloads/CH341SER_ZIP.html

macOS: https://www.wch.cn/downloads/CH341SER_MAC_ZIP.html

Cannot find serial port

1. Check if USB is properly inserted
2. Install/update driver
3. Try a different USB port

Permission issues (Linux/macOS)

# Add user to dialout group
sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER

# Effective after re-login

Wrong baud rate

1. Common: 9600, 115200, 57600
2. Some devices need other values
3. Check router documentation

1. Open serial software first
2. Set parameters correctly
3. Then power on the router
4. Observe boot log

During router startup, pay attention to:

1. U-Boot version: Learn about bootloader
2. Kernel info: Confirm CPU model
3. Flash info: Confirm storage size
4. Error messages: Locate problems

Usually need to press specific key during startup:

1. Enter key: Most common
2. Space bar: Some devices
3. Ctrl+C: Some devices

Timing is important, usually press when seeing “Hit any key to stop autoboot”.

1. TTL Serial Unbrick
2. Hardware Basics
3. CH340 Driver