Liberty* MDrive MDrive/MForce Third Party

Hardware Installation

  1. USB to RS422/485 converter body, which plugs directly into your host computer USB port.
  2. 2 meter (6 ‘) interface cable which will interface to the DB9 (male) connector on the converter to either:
    • Liberty* MDrive P3: DB9 (male) connector (MD-CC404-000).
    • Liberty* MDrive P3: M12 circular (male) connector (MD-CC405-000).

Driver Installation

Driver Installation (Automatic)
  1. On an Internet-connected Windows PC or Notebook, plug the MD-CC404/5-000 into an open USB port on your PC.
  2. The device driver software should automatically install.
Driver Installation (Manual)
  1. Download the FTDI VCP Drivers from the FTDI web site will open in a new browser tab).
  2. Follow the instructions located at the FTDI Installation page appropriate to your operating system.
Verify installation (Windows 7/8.x)
  1. Record the COM port number for later use, either from the notification balloon on the lower right of your desktop or from the Windows device manager, accessible by right-clicking on “My Computer” and selecting manage (Windows 7) or by pressing the WIN X keys on your keyboard (Windows 8).

Hardware Installation

  1. Standard USB cable which plugs directly into your host computer USB port.
  2. USB to RS422/485 inline converter body.
  3. Interface cable which will interface to the P2 connector of the MDrive/MForce product.

Driver Installation

Driver Installation (Automatic)
  1. On an Internet-connected Windows PC or Notebook, plug the MD-CC40x-001 into an open USB port on your PC.
  2. The device driver software should automatically install.
Driver Installation (Manual)
  1. Download the Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge VCP Drivers from the Silicon Labs web site (will open in a new browser tab).
  2. Extract the driver *.zip file to a location on your PC.
  3. Double click the executable file appropriate to your operating system x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit).
  4. Follow the dialogs and prompts to install the drivers.
Verify installation (Windows 7/8.x)
  1. Record the COM port number for later use, either from the notification balloon on the lower right of your desktop or from the Windows device manager, accessible by right-clicking on “My Computer” and selecting manage (Windows 7) or by pressing the WIN X keys on your keyboard (Windows 8).

Installation failure Q & A

The Novanta IMS Liberty* MDrive product will function with any third party RS-422/485 converter or PC card. See the manufacturer documentation for driver installation. Reference the Hardware: wiring and cabling tab for connection information. Notes and checkpoints

  • Ensure that the adapter being used is set to 9600 kbps, the default BAUD rate for Liberty* MDrive products.
  • Ensure that full duplex (RS-422) is used to communicate with single units, half duplex (RS-485) will only function in multi-drop mode.

*Previously Lexium