# Atorch UD18 USB tester protocol and integration with node-red
**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/t/atorch-ud18-usb-tester-protocol-and-integration-with-node-red/22460
**Category:** Hardware
**Created:** [1 March 2020 20:40 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/atorch-ud18-usb-tester-protocol-and-integration-with-node-red/22460 "2020-03-01T20:40:13Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@msillano](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/msillano)
#### Post date: [1 March 2020 20:40 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/atorch-ud18-usb-tester-protocol-and-integration-with-node-red/22460/1 "2020-03-01T20:40:13Z")
This low price device (13.88 €) is more than just a digital USB tester (see ATORCH UD18: [https://it.aliexpress.com/item/4000001021645.html](https://it.aliexpress.com/item/4000001021645.html) or [https://www.banggood.com/UD18-USB3\_0DCType-C-18-in-1-USB-Tester-APP-DC-Digital-Voltmeter-Ammeter-HD-Color-Screen-6-Bit-High-Precision-Display-UD18-Bluetooth-Digital-Meter-p-1564949.html](https://www.banggood.com/UD18-USB3_0DCType-C-18-in-1-USB-Tester-APP-DC-Digital-Voltmeter-Ammeter-HD-Color-Screen-6-Bit-High-Precision-Display-UD18-Bluetooth-Digital-Meter-p-1564949.html) ).
To use the UD18 in **node-red** custom integrate projects we need:
- the _communication protocol_ used by the device (see **UD18\_protocool.txt** )
- **node-red** nodes to code+send commands and receive+decode data (see **UD18flow.json** ).
For the full story see **UD18\_01\_en.pdf** [https://github.com/msillano/UD18-protocol-and-node-red](https://github.com/msillano/UD18-protocol-and-node-red).
My last project.
Best regards.
m.s.
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### Author:  [@unixneo](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/unixneo)
#### Post date: [1 March 2020 20:52 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/atorch-ud18-usb-tester-protocol-and-integration-with-node-red/22460/2 "2020-03-01T20:52:49Z")
Thanks @msillano
May I ask you which computers you have tested this with?
The reason I ask is that I only use macOS on the desktop and I have "hit or miss" luck working with USB serial drivers on the mac.
Any chance you have tested this on the mac (already) running "bare mac" and not in a windows vm?
If so, I will buy one when our friends in China start (robustly) shipping again.
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### Author:  [@msillano](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/msillano)
#### Post date: [2 March 2020 08:49 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/atorch-ud18-usb-tester-protocol-and-integration-with-node-red/22460/3 "2020-03-02T08:49:21Z")
hi unixneo
I developed and tested this on my WIN10 development PC.
I don't know how Bluetooth is converted to virtual serial ports on macOS, and how the ports are protected.
Try to investigate using some working Bluetooth application with virtual serial ports: I did so using the original WIN software for UD18.
Maybe you can found some ideas looking at Linux implementations ([http://www.userk.co.uk/arduino-bluetooth-linux/](http://www.userk.co.uk/arduino-bluetooth-linux/) ).
Sorry, I don't have a solution. 🙁
Best regards
m.s.
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### Author:  [@unixneo](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/unixneo)
#### Post date: [2 March 2020 08:57 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/atorch-ud18-usb-tester-protocol-and-integration-with-node-red/22460/4 "2020-03-02T08:57:50Z")
No worries. Thanks for sharing. I am a big fan of AliExpress electronics.
Actually, things on `linux` related to BLE and also the USB serial don't always translate to the mac so easily because of how Apple controls things; and you answered my question enough, thanks. So, I'll pass for now and I have too much "looks great on AliExpress gear" which does not easily work with my mac.
Last year I think I placed nearly 300 orders with AliExpress (with great joy and good luck), and so I was tempted to buy the device you are recommending for my lab; but I'll hold off (anyway, shipping out of China is still very delayed, for the most part..)
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### Author:  [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [1 May 2020 08:57 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/atorch-ud18-usb-tester-protocol-and-integration-with-node-red/22460/5 "2020-05-01T08:57:50Z")
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