Black Box PI115A-C User manual

1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 • 724-746-5500 • Fax [phone]
© Copyright 1998. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.

JUNE 1998
PI115A-C
PI115A-R2
PI115AE-R2
Serial Parallel↔Converter III
CUSTOMER SUPPORT INFORMATION
Order toll-free in the U.S. 24 hours, 7 A.M. Monday to midnight Friday: 877-877-BBOX
FREE technical support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone]
Mail order: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]
SERIAL↔PARALLEL
CONVERTER III

1
FCC/IC 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 J 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.

2
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.

4
TRADEMARKS
The trademarks mentioned in this manual are the sole property
of their owners.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
1. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2. Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.1 Description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3. Configuration and Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.1 Configuration Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.1.1 Switches 1 and 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.1.2 Self-Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.1.3 Switches 3 through 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.1.4 Switches 6 through 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.1.5 Location of the Configuration
Switches on the Converter . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.2 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.3 Power Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4. Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Appendix A: Interface Connections . . . . . . . . . . 19
A.1 36-pin Centronics Male Parallel Port
Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
A.2 DB25 Female Serial Port Connections . . . 20
Appendix B: Block Diagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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1. Specifications
Interface — Asynchronous, RS-232C compatible
Connectors — Serial DB25 female; Parallel
Centronics 36-pin male
Data Rates — 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600,
19200, 38400
Power Supply — From interface or from
power-supply adapter: PI115A-C: 120 VAC;
PI115AE-R2: 230 VAC
Data Format — 7 or 8 bits; 1 or 2 stop bits; even,
odd, or no parity
Temperature — 32 to 140 °F (0 to 60 °C)
Altitude — 0-10,100 feet
Humidity — 5 to 95% noncondensing
Size — 4.4"H x 2.9"W x 0.8"D (11.1 x 7.4 x 2 cm)
Weight — 2.6 oz. (73.8 g)

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CHAPTER 2: Introduction
2. Introduction
2.1 Description
The Serial↔Parallel Converter III automatically con-
verts RS-232 serial data to parallel data format and
vice versa. Incorporating advanced microprocessor
technology, the Converter automatically senses and
selects parallel and serial modes, as well as DCE/DTE
modes. The Converter supports serial data rates to
38.4 Kbps.
For easy configuration, the Converter features
a convenient set of configuration switches. These
internally accessible configuration switches allow
the user to control baud rate, parity, word length,
and flow control.
Housed in a miniature ABS plastic case, the Converter
comes equipped with a DB25 female connector on the
serial side and a Centronics 36-pin male connector on
the parallel side. A female-to-female Centronics gender
changer is also included in the package for connecting
to a male Centronics parallel interface on the Converter.
Although the Converter is able to receive power from
the RS-232 interface, it also comes with a wallmount
power supply for low-power applications.

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2.2 Features
• Converts parallel data to serial data and vice versa
• Automatically selects parallel-to-serial
and serial-to-parallel operation
• Automatically selects DCE/DTE modes
• Serial data rates to 38,400 bps
• No AC power required
• Supports both software and hardware flow control
• AC adapter included for low-power interfaces
• Ultra-miniature size
• Made in the USA

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CHAPTER 3: Configuration and Installation
3. Configuration and Installation
The Converter is simple to install and extremely reliable.
The following instructions will help you set up and
install your converter properly. If you have any
questions, please call Black Box Technical Support
at 724-746-5500.
3.1 Configuration Switches
The Converter uses a set of eight internal DIP switches
(see Figure 3-1) that allow configuration to a wide range
of applications. You must open the case to gain access
to the internal switches. To open the case, insert a small
screwdriver into one of the slots on the side of the
plastic case. Then twist from side to side until the case
opens.
The configuration switches allow you to enable the
self-test and select data rates, parity, word length and
flow control selection. The following sections describe
all switch locations, positions, and functions.

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3.1.1 S WITCHES 1 AND 2
The setting for Switch 1 determines whether the unit
uses hardware or software (XON/XOFF) flow control.
Switch 1 is alternatively used to determine the direction
of the self-test output message whenever the self-test is
activated via Switch 2. See the table on page 14.
3.1.2 S ELF -T EST
Use Switch 2 to activate the self-test in the direction of
the serial or parallel interface. You can use this test to
determine whether the unit is working properly. When
self-test is activated, the unit outputs the following
“barber pole” pattern, which represents every ASCII
character on a standard US keyboard:
0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVW
XYZ[\]^_’abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz{|}~
NOTE
When you activate the self-test, the unit “memorizes”
the setting of Switches S1, S3, S4, S5, S7, and S8 to
perform the test. If you modify any of these switches,
you must de-activate Switch 2 for the changes to take
effect.
For switch settings, see the table on page 14.

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CHAPTER 3: Configuration and Installation
3.1.3 S WITCHES 3 THROUGH 5: D ATA P ARITY AND S TOP B IT
Switches 3 through 5 are used to specify the data, parity,
and stop bits. For settings, see the table on page 14.
3.1.4 S WITCHES 6 THROUGH 8: F REQUENCY AND D ATA RATE
Switches 6 through 8 determine the frequency and data
rate. For settings, see the table on page 14.

12
3.1.5 L OCATION OF THE C ONFIGURATION S WITCHES ON THE
C ONVERTER
Figure 3-1. Location of the configuration switches on the Converter.
To configure your unit, use a small screwdriver and
gently push each switch to its proper setting. The ON
and OFF positions are shown in Figure 3-2.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 OFF
DHS-8
Configuration Switches

13
CHAPTER 3: Configuration and Installation
Figure 3-2. The miniature configuration switch package.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
OFF
DHS-8

14
Position
DIP Switch Settings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Flow Control
Hardware OFF
Software ON
Self-Test
Parallel OFF
Serial ON
Bit Error Rate
Self-Test ON ON
Self-Test OFF OFF
Parity/D. Bits/
S. Bit
None/8/1 OFF OFF OFF
Odd/8/1 ON OFF OFF
Even/8/1 OFF ON OFF
None/7/2 ON OFF ON
Odd/7/2 ON ON OFF
Even/7/2 OFF OFF ON
Odd/7/1 OFF ON ON
Even/7/1 ON ON ON
D. Rate (bps)
300 OFF OFF ON
600 ON OFF ON
1200 ON ON OFF
2400 OFF ON ON
4800 ON ON ON
9600 OFF OFF OFF
19200 ON OFF OFF
38400 OFF ON OFF

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CHAPTER 3: Configuration and Installation
3.2 Installation
The Converter is very simple to install. Once you have
configured the DIP switches, just plug your converter
into a standard cable and you’re ready to go. Figure 3-3
illustrates the proper connections for the Converter. If
you have a non-standard connector, your connections
may be different.
Figure 3-3. Typical installation.
3.3 Power Connection
In many cases, the Converter will run without being
connected to external power. However, additional
power may be necessary in certain applications that
use low-power RS-232 devices.
PC Printer
PI115A-R2

16
The 120VAC U.S. wall transformer version supplies
+9V regulated DC up to 500mA. Connect this wall
transformer to the Converter via a cannon jack on the
side panel. The Converter is powered up as soon as it
is plugged into an AC outlet—there is no power switch.

17
CHAPTER 4: Operation
4. Operation
Once your interface converter is properly configured
and installed, it should operate transparently—as if it
were a standard cable connection. Operating power is
derived from the RS-232 data and control signals; there
is no “ON/OFF” switch.

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5. Troubleshooting
If your Serial↔Parallel Converter VI seems to be
malfunctioning, do not attempt to alter or repair the unit.
Contact Black Box Technical Support at 724-746-5500.
Before you do so, make a record of the history of the
problem. We will be able to provide more efficient and
accurate assistance if you have a complete description,
including:
• The nature and duration of the problem.
• When the problem occurs.
• The components involved in the problem.
• Any particular application that, when used,
appears to create the problem or make it worse.
If you need to transport or ship your Converter:
• Carefully package it. We recommend that you
use the original container.
• If you’re returning the Converter to Black Box,
call Technical Support to get a Return Materials
Authorization (RMA) number.