Black Box TL553A-R3 User manual

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]
JULY 2000
TL553A-R3
TL553AE-R3
TL554A-R3
TL554AE-R3
TL601A-R2
TL601AE-R2
RS-232 Data Sharers
PWR
MASTER PORT
CTS CD RXD
RTS DISABLED
RTS ENABLED
RTS STATUS
ABCD E F G H
RS-232 DATA SHARER-8
MASTERPORT
CTSCDRXDRTSDISABLED
RTSENABLED
PWR
RTS STATUS
AB
RS-232 DATA SHARER-2

1
FCC AND 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
RS-232 DATA SHARERS
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
NOM STATEMENT
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
RS-232 DATA SHARERS
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines
Corporation.
Molex is a registered trademark of Molex Incorporated.
Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property
of the trademark owners.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
5
5
Contents
Chapter Page
1. Specifications ............................................................................................. 6
2. Introduction ............................................................................................... 8
2.1 Typical Synchronous Application ...................................................... 9
2.2 Typical Asynchronous Application .................................................. 11
3. The Front Panel ....................................................................................... 11
3.1 The LEDs ........................................................................................... 11
3.2 The RTS Toggle Switches ................................................................. 11
4. Jumper-Selectable Options ...................................................................... 12
4.1 Jumper W1—Tying Signal Ground to Frame Ground ................... 13
4.2 Jumper W2—RTS Delay ................................................................... 14
4.3 Jumper W3—RXD Broadcast or Gated Mode ................................. 14
4.4 Jumper W4—Priority Selection (4- and 8-Port Models Only) ........ 15
4.5 Timeout Jumpers .............................................................................. 15
5. Installation ................................................................................................ 18
6. Operation (Port Selection) ..................................................................... 20
7. Troubleshooting ...................................................................................... 22
7.1 Calling Your Supplier ....................................................................... 22
7.2 Shipping and Packaging ................................................................... 22
Appendix: Pin Descriptions ........................................................................... 23

6
RS-232 DATA SHARERS
1. Specifications
Interface........................................Serial EIA RS-232C/CCITT V.24;
Master Port: DTE; Slave Ports: DCE
Protocol........................................Asynchronous or synchronous
Operation......................................Full- or half-duplex
Contention Type ..........................RTS/CTS
Clock Source................................External (provided by DCE)
Data Rates....................................Transparent to all data rates up to 115.2 Kbps
User Controls...............................Front-panel switches: RTS enabled/disabled;
Jumpers: RTS Delay (0 or 25 ms);
RXD Broadcast or Gated Mode;
RTS Timeout Period (10 or
30 seconds or none);
RTS Timeout Signal (RXD only or
RXD and TXD)
Indicators......................................RS-232 Data Sharer–2: (6) LEDs (Power, RTS A, RTS B,
Master Port CD, CTS, and RXD)
RS-232 Data Sharer–4: (8) LEDs (Power, RTS A through
RTS D, Master Port CD, CTS,
and RXD)
RS-232 Data Sharer–8: (12) LEDs (Power, RTS A through
RTS H, Master Port CD, CTS,
and RXD)
Connectors...................................RS-232 Data Sharer–2: (3) DB25 female data ports;
RS-232 Data Sharer–4: (5) DB25 female data ports;
RS-232 Data Sharer–8: (9) DB25 female data ports
Pins Supported............................DB25 pins 1 through 10, 15, 17, 20, 22
Power............................................Data Sharers TL553A-R3, TL554A-R3, and TL601A-R2:
From wallmount power supply PS154:
Input: 115 VAC, 60 Hz at 100 mA;
Output: 17 VAC CT at 700 mA;
Data Sharers TL553AE-R3, TL554AE-R3, and TL601AE-R2:
From in-line power supply PS154E:
Input: 230 VAC, 50 Hz at 50 mA;
Output: 17 VAC CT at 750 mA
Operating Temperature...............32 to 140° F (0 to 60° C)
Storage Temperature...................–4 to 158° F (–20 to 70° C)
Humidity .......................................0 to 95% relative humidity, noncondensing

CHAPTER 1: Specifications
7
Mean Time Between Failures
(ground-benign environment) ..RS-232 Data Sharer–2: 180,000 hours;
RS-232 Data Sharer–4: 95,000 hours;
RS-232 Data Sharer–8: 65,000 hours
Enclosure .....................................Steel
Size................................................RS-232 Data Sharer–2: 2.5"H x 8.1"W x 11.3"D
(6.4 x 20.6 x 28.7 cm);
RS-232 Data Sharer–4,
RS-232 Data Sharer–8: 2.9"H x 12.5"W x 11.1"D
(7.4 x 31.8 x 28.2 cm)
Weight...........................................RS-232 Data Sharer–2: 2.4 lb. (1.1 kg);
RS-232 Data Sharer–4: 5.0 lb. (2.3 kg);
RS-232 Data Sharer–8: 5.5 lb. (2.5 kg)

8
RS-232 DATA SHARERS
The RS-232 Data Sharer allows multiple devices, such as mainframe
controllers, terminals, etc., to share a single RS-232 line. You can use this
device to let multiple terminals or controllers share a single modem or
multiplexor port—so you spend less money on telephone-line lease charges
and modem costs.
The RS-232 Data Sharer is available in three models:
• TL601A-R2 and TL601AE-R2 (RS-232 Data Sharer 2-Port)
• TL553A-R3 and TL553AE-R3 (RS-232 Data Sharer 4-Port)
• TL554A-R3 and TL554AE-R3 (RS-232 Data Sharer 8-Port)
Each of the RS-232 Data Sharers supports the following features:
• Transparency to data.
• Transparency to data rates up to 115.2 Kbps.
• Synchronous and asynchronous data transmission.
• Either hardware priority or round-robin priority for selection of terminal
ports. In hardware priority, requests for access to the shared line are
prioritized according to ports’ letter designations: The port represented
by the letter closest to the start of the alphabet is given access. In round-
robin priority, access to the shared line is strictly sequential: Ports receive
access in alphabetical order.
• Front-panel switches for enabling and disabling the RTS (Request to
Send) signal on each input port. With this feature, you can isolate faulty
units or perform process-of-elimination diagnostics. This is because when
the RTS signal is disabled on a port, that port can’t contend for access.
• Jumper-selectable options: RTS delay (0 or 25 ms), RXD operation (gated
or broadcast mode), hardware-prioritized vs. round-robin port selection,
RTS-timeout period (32 seconds, 10 seconds, or disabled), and RTS-
timeout signal (RXD and TXD or TXD only)
In all applications, the Sharer shares a single RS-232 line among multiple
devices. Beyond that, applications will vary depending on the function of the
device connected to the Sharer’s master port. Typical synchronous and
asynchronous applications are described on the following pages.
2. Introduction

CHAPTER 2: Introduction
9
2.1 Typical Synchronous Application
In this kind of application, the devices sharing the line (the “slave devices”)
are usually controllers at a remote site. The shared line runs from the RS-232
Data Sharer to a modem (the “master device”) that is ultimately linked to a
host computer. The controllers must be configured for multipoint modems,
with the Request to Send (RTS) signal switched. RTS has to be switched
because if a controller keeps RTS high, the Sharer will think the controller is
streaming and deny it access to the line (see Section 4.5).
Suggested jumper settings for a Sharer in this type of application:
√Jumper W2 in A–B position (0 ms RTS delay)
√Jumper W3 in A–B position (RXD Broadcast Mode)
√Jumper W4 (4- and 8-Port Sharers only) in A–B position (sequential
polling)
√Timeout-period jumpers in C position (timeout disabled); settings of
timeout-signal jumpers irrelevant.
The RS-232 Data Sharer is transparent to communications protocol (SDLC,
BSC, etc.), data-encoding technique (NRZ, NRZI, etc.), and addressing.
IBM
Mainframe
Modem Modem
Leased
Line
IBM
Controllers
(5294, 3274, etc.)
Figure 2-1. Synchronous application—an RS-232 Data Sharer
in an IBM®multipoint environment.
RS-232 Data
Sharer-4

10
RS-232 DATA SHARERS
2.2 Typical Asynchronous Application
In this kind of application, the devices sharing the line (the “slave devices”)
are usually local intelligent terminals or PCs. The shared line runs from the
RS-232 Data Sharer directly to a controller, processor, or host (the “master”
device). The slave devices must be able to switch the Request to Send (RTS)
signal and wait for the Clear to Send (CTS) signal before sending data. This is
because if a slave keeps RTS high, the Sharer will think the slave is streaming
and deny it access to the line. If you want any PCs or terminals that can’t
toggle RTS to share an RS-232 line, call your supplier. See Section 4.5 and
step 3 in Chapter 6.
Suggested jumper settings for a Sharer in this type of application:
√Jumper W2 in B–C position (25 ms RTS delay)
√Jumper W3 in B–C position (RXD Gated Mode)
√Jumper W4 (4- and 8-Port Sharers only) in B–C position (hardware
prioritization)
√Timeout-period jumpers in B position (10 seconds)
√Timeout-signal jumpers in A-B position (TXD only)
Figure 2-2. Asynchronous application—an RS-232 Data Sharer
providing four PCs with access to an async host.
Async
Mainframe
RS-232 Data Sharer-4
PCs with
Communication
Software
RS-232 Lines
RS-232 Line

CHAPTER 3: The Front Panel
11
All models of the RS-232 Data Sharer have similar front panels. The only
difference is the number of RTS LEDs and toggle switches (depending on
the model, there are two, four, or eight RTS indicators and a matching
number of switches). This chapter describes each of the front-panel indi-
cators and switches.
3.1 The LEDs
PWR
If this LED is lit, the Sharer is ON. If not, either the Sharer is OFF or it’s not
getting any power.
RTS
These LEDs indicate the status of the RTS signal for each port. There is one
RTS LED for each terminal (“slave”) port. When the Request to Send signal
is raised on any of the terminal ports, the corresponding LED will light up.
Master Port CD, CTS, and RXD
These LEDs indicate when a device attached to the Master Port has asserted
CD (Carrier Detect), CTS (Clear to Send), or RXD (Received Data) signals.
3.2 The RTS Toggle Switches
You can use these switches to enable or disable the Sharer’s detecting an RTS
signal on any of the slave ports. Disabling a port’s RTS detection will prevent
that port’s device from accessing the modem or CPU. This feature is useful if
you want to isolate a slave device, especially if the device is malfunctioning.
•RTS Enabled — A slave port’s RTS detection is enabled when the port’s
switch is in the down position (the factory-default setting). The port’s RTS
LED will light when the port’s device raises RTS.
•RTS Disabled — A slave port’s RTS detection is disabled when the port’s
switch is in the up position. The port’s RTS LED will always be off whether
the port’s device raises RTS or not.
3. The Front Panel

12
RS-232 DATA SHARERS
Refer to Figure 4-1, below, for an overhead view of the internal circuit board
of the RS-232 Data Sharer-2 model. Refer to Figure 4-2 on the next page
if you have a RS-232 Data Sharer-4 or RS-232 Data Sharer-8.
4. Jumper-Selectable Options
R1
A B C
A—B
B—C
RTS DELAY
A B C
RXD MODE
0 msec
25 msec
W2 W1
A—B
B—C Broadcast Gated
W3 PORT
A
PORT
B
MASTER
PORT
A
B
C
A-B=TXD Only
B-C=RXD & TXD
TIMEOUT MODE
W7
A
B
C
W6
A
B
C
W4 32 sec
10 sec
Timeout Disabled
A
B
C
W5 32 sec
10 sec
Timeout Disabled
Figure 4-1. Jumper locations on the PC board of the
RS-232 Data Sharer–2.

CHAPTER 4: Jumper-Selectable Options
13
4.1 Jumper W1—Tying Signal Ground to Frame Ground
Using jumper W1, you can tie signal ground to frame ground. The position is
left open at the factory. If signal ground is to be connected to frame ground,
we recommend that you solder a 100-ohm, 0.5-watt resistor in location W1.
You can use a wire jumper instead of a resistor, but make sure that ground-
circulating currents are limited to acceptable levels.
MASTER
PORT
R1
W1
PORT
D
PORT
C
PORT
B
PORT
A
PORT
H
PORT
G
PORT
F
PORT
E
8-PORT
MODEL
ONLY
C
B
A
W3
A
B
C
W2
A—B POLLED
B—C PRIORITIZED
PRIORITY
SELECTION
(4-PORT AND
8-PORT MODELS
ONLY)
A
B
C
W4
A
B
CW14
A
B
C
W13
A
B
CW15
A
B
C
W16
A
B
CW18
A
B
C
W17
A
B
CW19
A
B
C
W20
C B A
W10
C B A
W9
C B A
W6
C B A
W5
C B A
W12
C B A
W11
C B A
W8
C B A
W7
A—B
B—C
RTS
DELAY
0 msec
25 msec
RXD MODE
A—B
B—C Broadcast Gated
Figure 4-2. Jumper locations on the PC board of the
RS-232 Data Sharer–4 and –8 models (8-port unit shown).

14
RS-232 DATA SHARERS
4.2 Jumper W2—RTS Delay
You can set jumper W2 for the amount of time you want the RTS signal to
delay as it passes through the RS-232 Data Sharer from a slave port to the
master port.
Settings
W2 in A–B position = 0-ms delay (no delay, factory-default setting).
W2 in B–C position = 25-ms delay as RTS goes from OFF to ON, and no
delay as RTS goes from ON to OFF.
4.3 Jumper W3—RXD Broadcast or Gated Mode
Depending on which way jumper W3 is set, the Sharer will broadcast data out
of all slave ports or out of only the active port.
Settings
W3 in A–B position = RXD Broadcast Mode (factory-default setting). Any
data received on the RXD pin of the master port is broadcast out of the
RXD pin of each slave port.
W3 in B–C position = RXD Gated Mode. Only the slave port that is currently
enabled (the port that has RTS asserted) will output data on its RXD pin.
All other slave ports will be forced to a marking state.
NOTE
You must be operating in full duplex to use Gated Mode. In half-
duplex operation, a slave must drop its RTS signal before the master
device can respond. In Gated Mode, a slave must have RTS asserted
or data from the master port won’t be gated through to the slave
port. Since a slave port can’t assert RTS and simultaneously receive
data in half-duplex operation, Gated Mode is possible only in full-
duplex applications.

CHAPTER 4: Jumper-Selectable Options
15
4.4 Jumper W4—Priority Selection (4- and 8-Port Models Only)
Jumper W4 determines whether the slave ports will (a) be polled for RTS
sequentially or (b) prioritized with Port A given the highest priority and Port
D or H given the lowest priority.
Settings
W4 in A–B position = Sequential (round-robin) polling (factory-default
setting). When the currently gated slave port drops RTS, the Sharer will
begin polling each port for RTS starting with the next port in sequence (if C
drops, polling begins with D; if F drops, polling begins at G; etc.). The Sharer will
gate through to the master port the first slave port that it detects having
RTS asserted “true.”
W4 in B–C position = Hardware priority. When the currently gated slave
port drops RTS, the Sharer will begin looking for RTS starting with the
highest-priority port (Port A) and continuing sequentially from there (Ports B, C,
etc.) down to the lowest-priority port (Port D on 4-port models or Port H on 8-port
models). The Sharer will gate through to the master port the highest-
priority slave port that it detects having RTS asserted “true.”
4.5 Timeout Jumpers
Sometimes an RS-232 device or component malfunctions and begins to
continuously assert the RTS (Request to Send) signal. This condition, called
“streaming,” can cause problems in a shared-line system, because a streaming
slave can monopolize the shared line and prevent the slave(s) that are still
working from accessing the master.
The RS-232 Data Sharer has a mechanism to prevent this: You can set two
groups of jumpers to define conditions under which the Sharer will cut off
the active slave if it asserts RTS for too long in the absence of data activity.
One group of jumpers are the “timeout-period jumpers,” and can be set
independently for each port:
• 2-port units: W4 (Port A) and W5 (Port B)
• 4-port units: W5 (Port A), W6 (Port B), W7 (Port C), and W8 (Port D)
• 8-port units: W5 (Port A), W6 (Port B), etc., through W12 (Port H)

16
RS-232 DATA SHARERS
Each of these jumpers determines how long the RS-232 Data Sharer will
wait before cutting off access to the slave on the corresponding port if
that slave keeps asserting RTS after data activity stops:
Settings
Timeout-period jumper in A position = 32 seconds.
Timeout-period jumper in B position = 10 seconds.
Timeout-period jumper in C position = No timeout (timeout disabled)
for corresponding port (factory-default setting).
The second group, the “timeout-signal jumpers,” can also be set
independently for each port:
• 2-port units: W6 (Port A) and W7 (Port B)
• 4-port units: W13 (Port A), W14 (Port B), W15 (Port C), and W16 (Port D)
• 8-port units: W13 (Port A), W14 (Port B), etc., through W20 (Port H)

CHAPTER 4: Jumper-Selectable Options
1717
These jumpers determine whether the Sharer monitors only the TXD
(Transmit Data) signal or both the TXD and RXD (Receive Data) signals
to decide when to start or reset the timeout timer:
Settings
Timeout-signal jumper in A-B position = TXD only. The Sharer will start
the timeout timer when the slave on the corresponding port either a)
is granted access and does not transmit anything but continues to assert
RTS, or b) keeps asserting RTS after it stops transmitting data. The Sharer
will reset the timer if the slave drops RTS or resumes transmitting before
the timeout expires.
Timeout-signal jumper in B-C position = TXD and RXD (factory-default
setting). The Sharer will start the timeout timer when the slave on the
corresponding port either a) is granted access and does not transmit or
receive anything but continues to assert RTS, or b) keeps asserting RTS
after it stops transmitting or receiving data. The Sharer will reset the timer
if the slave drops RTS or resumes transmitting or receiving before the
timeout expires.
The setting of a timeout-signal jumper is irrelevant when the corresponding
timeout-period jumper is set to position C (no timeout for corresponding
port).

18
RS-232 DATA SHARERS
1. Set all of the RS-232 Data Sharer’s jumpers to suit your application:
Jumper W2 in A–B position = 0 ms RTS delay*
Jumper W2 in B–C position = 25 ms RTS delay
Jumper W3 in A–B position = RXD Broadcast Mode*
Jumper W3 in B–C position = RXD Gated Mode
Timeout-period jumpers:
2-port units: W4 and W5;
4-port units: W5 through W8;
8-port units: W5 through W12.
A position = 32-second timeout period
B position = 10-second timeout period
C position = Timeout disabled*
Timeout-signal jumpers:
2-port units: W6 and W7;
4-port units: W13 through W16;
8-port units: W13 through W20.
A-B position = TXD only
B-C position = RXD and TXD*
4- and 8-port models only:
Jumper W4 in A–B position = sequential polling
Jumper W4 in B–C position = hardware prioritized*
*Factory-default setting.
5. Installation

CHAPTER 5: Installation
19
2. Connect the devices that you want to share the line to the slave ports
(“Port A,” “Port B,” etc.) on the rear of the RS-232 Data Sharer. The slave
ports are configured as DCE, normally requiring straight-through cabling
to your DTE devices.
NOTE
When matching terminals to slave ports, keep the priority of the
ports in mind. On the 2-port model, higher priority is given to Port A
than Port B. On the 4- and 8-port models, when jumper W4 is set to
the B–C position, highest priority is given to Port A, then Port B, then
Port C, and so on, in that order.
3. Connect the modem, CPU, or other shared RS-232 device to the Sharer’s
“Master Port.” The master port is configured as DTE, normally requiring
straight-through cabling to your DCE device.
4. Plug in the Sharer’s power supply.
5. If you need to set the RTS Enabled/Disabled switches on the unit’s front
panel differently from the default settings, do so now.
Your RS-232 Data Sharer system is now ready for continuous operation.