Advantech B+B SmartWorx 232BSS4 User manual

Manual Documentation Number: 232BSS4-2916
Buffered Smart Switch
Model 232BSS4
Documentation Number: 232BSS4_2916
This product designed and manufactured in Ottawa, Illinois USA
of domestic and imported parts by
707 Dayton Road -- P.O. Box 1040 -- Ottawa, IL 61350 USA
Phone [phone] -- General Fax [phone]
Phone [phone] -- General Fax [phone]
Website: www.advantech-bb.com
Sales e-mail: [e-mail] -- Fax [phone]
Technical Support e-mail: [e-mail] -- Fax [phone]
European Headquarters
Advantech B+B SmartWorx
Westlink Commercial Park -- Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland
Phone [phone] -- Fax [phone]
Advantech B+B SmartWorx -- July 2007

This document contains information that is proprietary and confidential to Advantech
B+B SmartWorx. The methods described herein are for the exclusive use of
Advantech B+B SmartWorx authorized personnel. Any unauthorized use or
dissemination of the information contained in the document is strictly forbidden.

Manual Documentation Number: 232BSS4-2916 Table of Contents i
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION............................................................1
SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................................2
DEFAULT PARAMETERS ............................................................................2
CHECKLIST................................................................................................3
CHAPTER 2: OPERATION....................................................................5
SYMBOLS AND CONVENTIONS...................................................................5
LED INDICATORS......................................................................................5
PORT CONFIGURATIONS............................................................................6
SMART SWITCH ONLY MODE....................................................................7
AUTO SELECT/SMART SWITCH MODE.....................................................14
USING THE 232BSS4 AS A BUFFERED SPLITTER/COMBINER ...................16
BACK TO BACK OPERATION (MUX/DEMUX) ............................................17
CASCADING MULTIPLE SWITCHES ..........................................................18
CHAPTER 3: PORT CONNECTIONS ................................................21
DTE/DCE EXPLANATION .......................................................................21
CHAPTER 4: SETUP SOFTWARE ....................................................23
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................23
CONNECTION...........................................................................................23
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION......................................................................24
SOFTWARE UNINSTALL...........................................................................24
SETUP TUTORIAL ....................................................................................25
APPENDIX A: ASCII CHARACTER CODES.....................................1
APPENDIX B: CABLE CHARTS...........................................................1
CHART B.1. DTE (PC) DB25 CONNECTOR TO MASTER PORT..................1
CHART B.2. DTE (PC) DB9 CONNECTOR TO MASTER PORT....................1
CHART B.3. DCE (MODEM)DB25 CONNECTOR TO MASTER PORT .........3
CHART B.4. DCE (MODEM)DB9 CONNECTOR TO MASTER PORT ...........3
CHART B.5. PORTS A-D(DTE) TO DTE (PC) DB25 CONNECTOR..........4
CHART B.6. PORTS A-D(DTE) TO DTE (PC) DB9 CONNECTOR............4
CHART B.7. PORTS A-D(DTE) TO DCE (MODEM)DB25 CONNECTOR .4
CHART B.8. PORTS A-D(DTE) TO DCE (MODEM)DB9 CONNECTOR ...5
APPENDIX C: BLOCK DIAGRAM.......................................................1

ii Documentation Number 232BSS4-2916m

Documentation Number 232BSS4-2916m 1
Chapter 1 – Introduction
The 232BSS4 provides communications to four devices from one serial
port. Each port uses a dedicated UART and includes an 8K byte transmit
buffer and an 8K byte receive buffer (16K bytes total). Each port can be
independently configured for data rate, data format, and protocol. The
Master port can send and receive data from one of the Slave ports while the
other Slave ports continue to buffer data. The Master device can also
broadcast the same message to two or more Slave ports at once.
The 232BSS4 can be configured to send data automatically to the Master
port from each of the Slave ports when data is present with an optional
preamble identifying the port. It can also provide two-way communications
between the Master port and one Slave port at a time. Switching and control
is done through user-defined three or four character command strings. All
control sequences are removed from the data stream, making the switch
transparent to the Slave devices. The PC setup software provided walks the
user through all possible parameters.
Switches can be cascaded to expand the 232BSS4 to more than four ports.
Two units can also be used back-to-back to provide automatic connection
between devices over a single data channel. LEDs on the 232BSS4 indicate
when the unit is powered up and which port is selected to send data to the
Master port.

2Documentation Number 232BSS4-2916m
Specifications
Model: 232BSS4
Interface: RS-232 asynchronous
Data Format: 7 or 8 data bits, even, odd, or no parity
(Master does not support 7 data bits with no
parity)
1 stop bit (fixed)
Data Rate: 1200 to 115.2 kbps
Flow Control: Hardware(RTS/CTS) or None
Power Requirements: +10 to +15 VDC @ 60 mA max.
Power Connector: 2.5 mm phone jack (+ tip)
Recommended Supply: B&B Model 232PS (Sold separately)
Operating Temperature:0º to 70º C
Data Connectors: Master DB25 female (DCE)
Slaves DB9 male x 4 (DTE)
Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.6 x 1.2 in. (19.0 x 11.7 x 3.0 cm)
Setup Software: PC compatible,
Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP/Vista
Supplied Accessories: CDROM with Setup Program
Instruction Manual
Default Parameters
When shipped, the 232BSS4 comes set up for the following
parameters:
Auto Select mode OFF
DTR NOT required to accept commands
THREE character command
Char1 = ESC (Decimal 27)
Char2 = STX (Decimal 2)
Char3 = “0” (Not Used)
Port Time = 1,000mS (not used)
Inactivity Time = 500mS (not used)
All ports 9600 Baud
All ports 8 Data Bits
All ports No Parity
All ports No Hardware Handshake required
Ports A-D No preamble
Port A selected to Transmit & Receive on Power-up
Refer to the following sections of the manual for what each of these
parameters means and how they can be changed.

Documentation Number 232BSS4-2916m 3
Checklist
Examine the shipping carton and contents for physical damage. If
damage is found, file a claim with the shipper immediately.
The following equipment should be in the shipping carton:
1. RS-232 Buffered Smart Switch model 232BSS4
2. Instruction Manual
3. (2) 3.5" floppy disks
If any of the items above are not in the shipping carton contact the
shipper immediately.

4Documentation Number 232BSS4-2916m

Documentation Number 232BSS4-2916m 5
Chapter 2: OPERATION
Symbols and Conventions
Throughout this chapter of the manual, the following symbols and
conventions will be used to clarify what type of data we are addressing.
•Items enclosed in {brackets} will denote one byte.
•A character in “quotes” will normally denote a printable ASCII
character. A byte described in ALL CAPS is the ASCII description
of a non-printable character. The abbreviation dec will denote a
decimal value. The lower case letter h will be used to show a Hex
value.
•Items in italics are optional items only used in certain
configurations. The instances when these items are required will be
explained in the text.
LED Indicators
The 232BSS4 has five LED indicators. The first, labeled “+12 VDC
POWER” indicates that power is applied to the switch. The other four,
labeled “PORT A” to “PORT D” indicate which Slave port is currently
selected to transmit to the Master.
In Smart Switch Only mode, the port LEDs indicate which port was
selected through the Select Port command. In Auto Select mode, the port
LEDs indicate which port is currently sending to the Master. No indication
is provided to display which Slave port is currently receiving from the
Master.

6Documentation Number 232BSS4-2916m
Port Configurations
The 232BSS4 provides a dedicated UART to all five ports. This allows
any port to be individually configured for baud rate, number of data bits,
parity, and hardware (RTS/CTS) handshaking. Configuration of all the
ports is done through the setup software.
Baud Rate:
Each port is configurable for the following baud rates:
1200
2400
4800
9600
19.2K
38.4K
57.6K
or 115.2 kbps
Data Bits:
Each port can be configured for Seven or Eight data bits.
Note: If the Master and Slaves are set up differently, the port set for
Seven data bits cannot transmit the eighth bit.
Parity:
Each port can be configured for Even, Odd, or No parity. Because
the Master port uses a slightly different UART, it is not capable of
receiving only seven bits, thus seven data bits with no parity is not
allowed on the Master port. All other configurations are possible.
Stop bits:
Each port uses 1 stop bit. This value is currently fixed and can not
be changed in the setup software.
Hardware(RTS/CTS) Handshaking:
Each port can be configured to hold data until its input handshake
line goes high. On the Master port, pin four (RTS) would have to be
held high by the host device in order for the 232BSS4 to send data. On
the Slaves, pin eight (CTS) needs to be held high by the Slave device
for the 232BSS4 to send data. The connected devices can prevent data
from being sent from the 232BSS4 by holding their corresponding
handshake lines low.