Black Box IC138A-R2 User manual

APRIL 2004
IC138A-R2
IC199A
USB Solo (USB→Serial)
CUSTOMER SUPPORT INFORMATION
Order toll-free in the U.S.: Call 877-877-BBOX outside U.S. call 724-74 -5500)
FREE technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-74 -5500 or fax [phone]
Mailing address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]

1
FCC AND IC RFI STATEMENTS
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
AND
INDUSTRY CANADA
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if
not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio communication. It
has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing
device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC rules,
which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference
when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. Operation of
this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference, in which case
the user at his own expense will be required to take whatever measures may be
necessary to correct the interference.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le
brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.

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USB SOLO (USB→SERIAL)
NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM)
ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT
INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD
1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes
de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.
2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para
referencia futura.
3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de
operación deben ser respetadas.
4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.
5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo,
cerca de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca,
etc.
6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales
que sean recomendados por el fabricante.
7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea
recomendado por el fabricante.
8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más
allá a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio
deberá ser referido a personal de servicio calificado.
9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no
interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama,
sofá, alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se
debe colocar en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los
orificios de ventilación.

3
NOM STATEMENT
10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de calor
como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos (incluyendo
amplificadores) que producen calor.
11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del
tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en el
aparato.
12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la
polarización del equipo no sea eliminada.
13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no
sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,
poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen
del aparato.
14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las
recomendaciones del fabricante.
15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las
lineas de energia.
16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no
sea usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.
17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean
derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.
18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:
A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u
B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del
aparato; o
C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o
D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio en
su desempeño; o
E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

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USB SOLO (USB→SERIAL)
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
Windows is either a registered trademark or trademark
of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or
other countries.
Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are
acknowledged to be the property of the trademark owners.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
Chapter Page
1. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2. Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.1 How Does USB Work?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2 System Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.3 What the Package Includes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.4 Other USB Devices You Might Need . . . . . . . . . . 9
3. Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4. Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.1 Assigning COM Ports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.2 Changing the COM-Port Number . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.3 Deleting a COM Port. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5. Using the USB Solo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5.1 Power Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5.2 Operating Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5.3 Mouse Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.4 Typical USB Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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USB SOLO (USB→SERIAL)
1. Specifications
Access Method: Differential and bidirectional per
USB specification 1.1, 1.5 Mbps low speed
Cable Requirements: USB port: 90 Ωshielded USB
cable (maximum 16.4 ft. [5 m]) or unshielded
USB cable (maximum 10 ft. [3 m]);
RS-232 port: Standard serial cable
Hardware Requirements: PC that supports USB
Software Requirements: Windows®98/2000/XP
Standards: USB 1.1 (for USB low-power device)
Connectors: IC138A-R2: (1) USB Type B,
(1) RS-232 DB25 male;
IC199A: (1) USB Type B, (1) RS-232 DB9 male
Indicators: None
Power: Self-powered: 0.5 W, 5 VDC,
100 mA maximum;
Bus: Powered from USB host controller or hub
Size: 2.8"H x 2.4"W x 1.3"D (7.1 x 6.1 x 3.3 cm)
Weight: 0.4 lb. (0.2 kg)

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CHAPTER 2: Introduction
2. Introduction
Connect old-style serial peripherals (modems, serial
printers, etc.) to the USB port on your Windows
computer. The USB Solo (USB→Serial) converts the
USB interface to a standard RS-232 serial interface with
an ordinary DB25 or DB9 connector.
2.1 How Does USB Work?
USB uses a unique cable and connector system. The
“upstream” side of the cable (“A” side) connects to
a USB hub or PC. The “downstream” side (“B” side)
connects to USB devices or to another hub’s “A” side.
The USB Solo has a “B” side connector on one side and
a legacy COM or RS-232 port connector (DB25 or DB9)
on the other side. It allows you to plug a legacy COM-
port device (such as a modem, digital assistant, or
printer) into the USB bus.
Two models are available: The IC138A-R2 has a DB25 on
the RS-232 side, and the IC199A has a DB9 connector
on the RS-232 side.

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USB SOLO (USB→SERIAL)
2.2 System Requirements
The USB Solo requires the following basic host PC
features to operate:
• A host PC that supports the Universal Serial Bus.
• 16 MB of RAM.
• Windows 98/2000/XP.
You also need to provide the following items:
• (1) standard USB cable
• The serial device to be attached
2.3 What the Package Includes
Check to make sure your package includes the following
items. If anything is missing or damaged, please contact
Black Box immediately at 724-746-5500.
• USB Solo (USB→Serial)
• (1) driver diskette
• This users’ manual

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CHAPTER 2: Introduction
2.4 Other USB Devices You Might Need
• Conventional devices without a USB interface
require a USB converter. For example, if your PC
does not have a USB interface, you’ll need the
USB Card (PCI)(part number IC136C).
• To attach more than one device, you will also need
a USB hub.

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USB SOLO (USB→SERIAL)
3. Installation
CAUTION
he USB Solo includes an updated version of the
drivers. If you have previously installed USB Solo
drivers, then you need to uninstall the older drivers
before continuing. Please view the README. X file on
the driver diskette before continuing.
Follow these steps to install the drivers:
1. Make sure that your system has no other programs
running.
2. Install the driver. Insert the USB Solo driver
diskette into your A: drive. Plug the USB
connection into the serial converter using a
standard USB cable (not supplied). You will see
the Add New Hardware Wizard dialog box. Press
Next. Select Search for the best driver and click
Next. Select Specify a location, type A:and press
Next. Verify the correct driver (Go_uzser.inf for
Windows 98 and Ghserbus.inf for Windows 2000
and XP) and press Next. Click Finish. Two dialog
boxes will appear and install a USB Serial port.
When they disappear, the installation is complete.
Remove the diskette from your A: drive.

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CHAPTER 3: Installation
NOTE
If the Wizard does not appear when you plug in the
serial converter, view the section “Is USB correctly
installed?” in the README. X file on the USB Solo
driver diskette.
3. A COM-port number will then be automatically
assigned as described in Section 4.1. If you need to
make any changes to the assigned COM port, refer
to Section 4.2.
4. Configure your application program to use the
new COM port specified.
5. Plug your legacy serial device into the serial
converter.
NOTE
Although USB devices are “hot plug” capable, RS-232C
devices are not. Always power off the serial device
before either plugging the USB Solo into a USB port or
hub or unplugging it.

12
USB SOLO (USB→SERIAL)
4. Configuration
4.1 Assigning COM Ports
When you first plug a USB Solo into your USB port, it
will use the next available COM-port number. You can
then modify the Options or Properties of your
applications to use the COM port. Standard COM ports
and USB Solo ports share the same COM numbering.
4.2 Changing the COM-Port Number
If you need to change the COM-port number assigned
by the system, use the Windows Device manager.
Double-click on My Computer, Control Panel, System,
then select the Device Manager tab. Go to the entry for
this device and double-click on the entry for the device
you wish to change. Use this dialog box to select a new
COM port, then click OK. You will then have to re-
configure any applications that used the old COM-port
number.

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CHAPTER 4: Configuration
4.3 Deleting a COM Port
To permanently delete a USB Solo from your system’s
configuration, go to My Computer, Control Panel,
System, and Device Manager. Highlight the appropriate
device, then press Remove.
If you plug the serial converter in again after deleting it,
the system will respond as if it were a new device. The
COM-port number may change in this situation.

14
USB SOLO (USB→SERIAL)
5. Using the USB Solo
USB devices support hot-plugging and plug-and-play.
This means that you can re-cable and insert a new device
into your USB network without rebooting or turning
power off. (But you must turn the power off on the
RS-232 device, since RS-232 devices cannot be hot-
plugged.) When you insert a new USB device, the system
will recognize and configure it automatically. You will
see a pop-up window verifying that this has occurred.
The USB Solo will appear to the system as a COM port.
The COM number will vary, depending on how many
other COM ports or serial converters you have in your
system. For information on changing the COM-port
assignment, see Chapter 4.
Once you have plugged in the USB Solo, power off any
legacy serial or COM-port device you want to attach to
the system, then plug it into the DB25 or DB9
connector. After you have made all the USB
connections, power on the legacy serial or COM-port
devices.

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CHAPTER 5: Using the USB Solo
5.1 Power Requirements
USB devices can be either self-powered or bus-powered.
A device that has no power connector is bus-powered
and derives its operating power from the USB
connection directly. The USB Solo is bus-powered—all
you need to do is plug it into a PC or USB hub.
5.2 Operating Guidelines
After you have installed the driver software and plugged
the USB Solo into the USB port or hub, your new COM
port will be assigned a number. Go to your application’s
setup or options screen and when instructed to pick
from a list of available ports, choose the entry for the
USB Solo (USB→Serial). You can use USB Solos to
attach as many devices as you wish (within system or
USB limits).
NOTE
We have extensively tested the USB Solo with a wide
variety of devices. However, it is impossible to test all
of the legacy serial devices in use today. If you have
compatibility problems, call Black Box echnical
Support at 724-746-5500.

16
USB SOLO (USB→SERIAL)
5.3 Mouse Support
To use a serial mouse with the USB Solo, just plug in the
mouse and reboot the computer.
5.4 Typical USB Application
Figure 5-1 shows a typical USB application.

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CHAPTER 5: Using the USB Solo
Figure 5-1. Typical application.
USB 4-Port Hub
USB 4-Port Hub
USB Modem
USB Solo
(IC138A-R2)
Hand-Held
Computer
RS-232 Cable
(ECM25C) RS-232 Cable
(ECM25C)
Digital
Camera
USB Solo
(IC138A-R2)
Host PC
Printer
Scanner

NOTES

1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 • 724-746-5500 • Fax [phone]
© Copyright 2004. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.