Black Box PI130A-R2 User manual

JULY 1998
PI130A-R2
Serial↔Parallel Converter VI
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
SERIAL↔PARALLEL
CONVERTER VI

1
FCC STATEMENT
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 la classe A prescrites dans le
Règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.

2
SERIAL↔PARALLEL CONVERTER VI
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.
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.

3
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.
NOM STATEMENT

4
SERIAL↔PARALLEL CONVERTER VI
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
IBM is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation.
Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property
of the trademark owners.

5
Contents
1. Specifications ..........................................................6
2. Introduction............................................................7
3. Installation ..............................................................8
3.1 General..............................................................8
3.2 DIP Switches......................................................9
4. Operation..............................................................12
4.1 LED Status Monitors ......................................12
5. Troubleshooting...................................................14
Appendix A: Interface Connections.........................15
Appendix B: Block Diagram .....................................17
CONTENTS

6
SERIAL↔PARALLEL CONVERTER VI
1. Specifications
Compliance — FCC Part 15 Class A, IC Class/ classe A
Interfaces — EIA RS-232 serial (auto-sensing
DTE/DCE) and IBM PC parallel
Protocol — Serial: Asynchronous
Data Format — Serial: 7 data bits with odd
or even parity or 8 data bits with no parity
Flow Control — Serial Software: X-ON/X-OFF,
Hardware: DTR/CTS; Parallel: Busy and
Acknowledge
Data Rate — Serial: 115,200, 57,600, 38,400, 19,200,
9600, 2400, or 1200 bps
Throughput — Parallel: Greater than 10,000 cps
Internal Memory — 32 bytes of buffer RAM
User Controls — (1) 8-position DIP switch
Connectors — (1) DB25 female (serial);
(1) DB25 male (parallel)
Power — 3 mA typical idle power required at 3 VDC
or higher voltage; derived from DTR and RTS leads
of serial interface, or from ACK (Pin 10) of DB25
parallel interface
Size — 0.6"H x 2.1"W x 3.5"D (1.5 x 5.3 x 8.9 cm)
Weight — 2 oz. (56.7 g)

7
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
2. Introduction
The Serial↔Parallel Converter VI converts RS-232
serial to IBM®PC parallel or vice versa. The unit
will automatically set itself for the direction of
conversion. The Converter supports both
X-ON/X-OFF and DTR/CTS serial hardware
handshaking, and Busy/Acknowledge parallel
handshaking.
Since the Converter is powered by the connected
devices, it needs no external power source.
The Converter is programmed with an 8-position
DIP switch for baud rate, parity, word length, and
flow control.
Because the Converter is so small and light, it’s
easy to connect it directly to a DB25 serial port or
a computer’s DB25 parallel port. For other
connections, all you need is common, low-cost
serial or PC parallel-printer cables.
NOTE
In the applications for which the Converter was designed
and tested, it is installed between PCs and printers. The
Converter should function normally in such environments.
However, the Converter will not work with certain serial
devices that do not comply with the RS-232 specifications
for voltage. To be sure, consult with devices’ manufacturers.

8
SERIAL↔PARALLEL CONVERTER VI
3. Installation
3.1 General
CAUTION
Make sure the computer and any other connected devices
are turned off before you make any connections to the
Converter.
The Converter has been designed to plug directly
into a computer’s DB25 male (DTE) serial port, or
into a computer’s DB25 female parallel-printer port.
If your serial port is a DB9 male port, use an ordinary
DB9-female-to-DB25-male adapter. If you’re out-
putting to a parallel printer, use a standard PC-to-
parallel-printer cable and a DB25 female-to-female
gender changer (ordered separately, part number
FA412).
Figure 3-1. Serial-to-Parallel Application.
Converter plugs
into PC’s serial
port
FA412 Gender
changer plugs
into Converter
DB25 end plugs
into gender
changer
Parallel Printer Adapter
Cable (EYN600) Parallel
printer
Centronics
end plugs
into printer
Figure 3-2. Parallel-to-Serial Application.
Converter plugs
into PC’s parallel
port
One end
plugs into
Converter
RS-232 cable
(ECN25C-MM) Serial printer
Serial↔Parallel Converter
VI (PI130A-R2)
Serial↔Parallel Converter
VI (PI130A-R2)
PC
PC
Other end
plugs into
printer

9
CHAPTER 3: Installation
3.2 DIP Switches
The Converter uses a set of eight external DIP
switches (see Figure 3-3). Because all eight switches
are in one externally accessible DIP-switch package,
you don’t have to open the case for configuration.
The configuration switches allow you to select data
rates, parity, word length, and flow control.
Figure 3-3. The location of the configuration switches.
Figure 3-4. The miniature configuration switch package.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
OFF
DHS-8
Configuration
Switches
Serial Side
Parallel Side

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SERIAL↔PARALLEL CONVERTER VI
Position
1234567 8
Flow Control
Hardware OFF
Software ON
LED
Enabled ON
Disabled 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)
1200 OFF OFF ON
2400 ON OFF ON
4800 ON ON OFF
9600 OFF ON ON
19,200 ON ON ON
38,400 OFF OFF OFF
57,600 ON OFF OFF
115,200 OFF ON OFF
After connecting the hardware, set up the
Converter by selecting the appropriate DIP-switch
settings for your application:

11
CHAPTER 3: Installation
NOTE:The Converter reads DIP-switch settings during power-up. All other
positions (1 through 5, 7, and 8) are not checked after power-up,
and changing any of these positions will not affect the operation of
the Converter until the connected equipment is powered off and
back on again.
The installation is finished now. If your connection is
working, you don’t have to do anything else. If you
have problems, read Chapters 4 and 5.

12
SERIAL↔PARALLEL CONVERTER VI
4. Operation
Once your 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 signalsl;
there is no “ON/OFF” switch.
4.1 LED Status Monitors
The Converter indicates data activity by blinking.
When the Converter has another message to report,
the LED blinks according to the codes in Table 4-1
on the next page.

13
CHAPTER 4: Operation
Table 4-1. LED Codes.
••-•—••-•— Computer is sending data
•—•—•— Serial device is connected;
computer is not sending data
••—••— Both serial and parallel devices are
connected; computer is not sending data
•-•—•-•— Printer not ready, data held in buffer
••••—•••• Computer ignoring flow control, data lost
Key:
• Blink
- Short pause
— Long pause

14
SERIAL↔PARALLEL CONVERTER VI
5. Troubleshooting
If your Serial↔Parallel Converter VI seems to be
malfunctioning, do not attempt to alter or repair the unit;
contact Black Box 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 are returning the Converter to Black Box,
call Technical Support to get a Return Materials
Authorization (RMA) number.

15
APPENDIX A: Interface Connections
Appendix A: Interface
Connections
A.1 DB25 Male Parallel Port Connections
Pin Description Direction
1 Strobe Output
2 Data bit 0 I/O
3 Data bit 1 I/O
4 Data bit 2 I/O
5 Data bit 3 I/O
6 Data bit 4 I/O
7 Data bit 5 I/O
8 Data bit 6 I/O
9 Data bit 7 I/O
10 Acknowledge Input (active low)
11 Busy Input (active high)
12 Paper end
13 Select
14 Auto Line Feed (active low)
15 Error (Fault—active low)
16 Initialize Printer (Prime—active low)
17 Select Input (active low)
18-25 Ground
NOTE
All other pins are unconnected.

16
SERIAL↔PARALLEL CONVERTER VI
A.2 DB25 Female Serial Port Connections
Pin Name Description
1 FG Connected to pin 7
2 TXD Serial Transmit Data; also used as a power
source
3 RXD Serial Receive Data (sends XON/XOFF only)
4 RTS Used as a power source
5 CTS Clear to Send; connected to +V
7 SG Signal Ground
8 DCD Carrier Detect; connected to +V
9 +V in Used as a power source
11 Secondary Flow Control; accepts flow control
signal (connected to DTR line) (pin 20)
19 SRTS Secondary Flow Control; accepts flow control
signal (connected to DTR line) (pin 20)
20 DTR Data Terminal Ready
NOTE
All other pins are unconnected.

17
APPENDIX B: Block Diagram
Appendix B: Block Diagram
PAPER END
SELECT
AUTO LINE FEED
ERROR
INITIALIZE PRINTER
SELECT INPUT
GROUND
6
4
8
20
5
3
2
7
SERIAL
INTERFACE
DB-25
CONNECTOR
DCE/DTE
DETECTOR
CONTROL
STATUS
LED
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
PARALLEL
INTERFACE
DB-25
CONNECTOR
1
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18—25
DATA BIT 1
DATA BIT 2
DATA BIT 3
DATA BIT 4
DATA BIT 5
DATA BIT 6
DATA BIT 7
DATA BIT 8
STROBE
ACKNOWLEDGE
BUSY
DSR
RTS
DCD
DTR
CTS
RD
TD
GND
100K
PULL UP
NETWORK
PARALLEL
AND
SERIAL
PROCESSOR
REGULATOR
WITH
RESET
MONITOR
RESET
DIP SWITCH
SETTINGS FOR
RATE/LENGTH/PARITY
POWER
SUPPLY
8
3
2
20
6
4
5
DCD
RD
TD
DTR
DSR
RTS
CTS
9
+VIN
+V
-V
+5V

1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 • 724-746-5500 • Fax [phone]
© Copyright 2002. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.