Microgate SyncLink USB Instructions for use

SyncLink USB Serial Adapter
Hardware User’s Manual
MicroGate Systems, Ltd
http://www.microgate.com
MicroGate® and SyncLink® are registered trademarks of MicroGate Systems, Ltd.
Copyright © 2012-2017 MicroGate Systems, Ltd. All Rights Reserved

Contents
Overview .......................................................................................................................................................4
Features .................................................................................................................................................... 4
Specifications ............................................................................................................................................4
LED Indicators ............................................................................................................................................... 5
Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................................5
All LEDs Off............................................................................................................................................ 5
Red LED Only.........................................................................................................................................5
Yellow LED Only .................................................................................................................................... 5
Green LED On........................................................................................................................................6
Signal Specifications...................................................................................................................................... 6
Single Ended Signals (RS-232/V.28) .......................................................................................................... 6
Differential Signals (RS-422/RS-485/V.11)................................................................................................ 6
Clock Polarity ............................................................................................................................................ 6
Serial Interface Selection .............................................................................................................................. 7
Differential Input Termination......................................................................................................................7
Serial Connector Pin Assignments ................................................................................................................9
RS-232 .......................................................................................................................................................9
V.35 .........................................................................................................................................................10
RS-422/RS-449/RS-485/RS-530...............................................................................................................11
RS-530A...................................................................................................................................................13
X.21 .........................................................................................................................................................14
General Purpose I/O Signals .......................................................................................................................15
DC GPIO Specifications............................................................................................................................ 15

Frequency Synthesizer................................................................................................................................17

Overview
The SyncLink USB Serial Adapter is an external device that connects a host computer USB port to a
synchronous serial port. The adapter provides a single serial port for use by the system. Multiple
SyncLink USB adapters may be attached to the same computer or powered USB hub. A variety of serial
protocols and interface standards are supported. Refer to the software documentation included with
the adapter for details on using the card for a specific application.
Before connecting the SyncLink USB to your system, preinstall drivers as described in the README
provided on the software disc or the software package downloaded from the MicroGate website.
The SyncLink USB serial adapter should be plugged into a USB 2.0 or later Hi-speed (480Mbps) USB port.
Operating on a slower USB port will not allow you to take full advantage of the adapter’s capabilities.
Install directly into a host USB port for best results.
SyncLink USB requires 500mA of power from the USB port, which is standard and supported by most
USB ports. Some unpowered/passive hubs or small mobile devices may not provide a full 500mA.
Check the documentation provided with your external hub or mobile device if you are unsure of the
specifications or experiencing any difficulties.
Features
Maximum Speeds: 10Mbps synchronous, 8Mbps asynchronous
SDLC, HDLC, BISYNC, ISOCHRONOUS, MONOSYNC, ASYNC, raw bit-synchronous protocols
Selectable hardware CRC: CRC-16, CRC-32, None
DPLL Clock Recovery (x8 and x16 sampling)
Clock Generation
Configurable transmit preamble and idle patterns
Encoding: NRZ,NRZB,NRZ-L,NRZI,NRZ-M,NRZ-S,FM0,FM1,Manchester,differential biphase level
Selectable interface for RS-232, V.35, RS-422/485, RS-530, RS-530A, RS-449, X.21
Full set of control and status signals (DTR,DSR,RTS,CTS,DCD,RI,LL,RL)
Specifications
MicroGate FPGA serial controller (one port)
USB 2.0 hi-speed (480Mbps), compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports
Operating Temperature: 0C to 70C standard, -40C to +85C optional
Storage Temperature: -55C to +125C
Environmental: humidity 0 to 95% non-condensing; alt. - 200 to +20,000 ft
Mechanical: 3.6” length, 2.6” width, 1.9” height
Power usage: Bus Powered, 5V, 500mA max (300mA typ)
Regulatory: FCC Class A, CE, ANSI C63.4, EN55022 Class A, EN55024, RoHS
Connector: DB-25 (male)
Cable Options: DB-25 (female) to DB-25 (male); DB-25 (female) to 34-pin V.35 (male); DB-25
(female) to 37-pin RS-449 (male); DB-25 (female) to 15-pin X.21 (male)

LED Indicators
LEDs near the USB port provide information about SyncLink USB operation:
Red Only Device plugged in and powered.
Yellow Only Device software loaded, DB-25 interface is disabled.
Green On Device is ready for use. Red = Transmit Data, Yellow = Receive Data
Troubleshooting
Try these steps if the SyncLink USB is plugged into a USB port and not functioning as expected:
All LEDs Off
Verify host system or USB hub is turned on and powered.
Try a different USB cable, or reseat cable.
Plug SyncLink USB in a different USB port.
Plug SyncLink USB in a different host or hub.
If the above steps fail, the SyncLink USB may have a hardware failure.
Red LED Only
Verify device software (driver) is installed and loaded.
Verify device software is latest version.
Verify device is not disabled in software (such as in Windows Device Manager).
If the above steps fail, the SyncLink USB may have a hardware failure.
Yellow LED Only
Follow the steps appropriate for your operating system to enable the DB-25 serial interface. In
Windows, this is done from the Advanced tab of the Properties page of the device in the Device
Manager. You must select the serial interface standard required for your application (RS232, V.35,
RS530, etc).

Green LED On
Monitor the red LED (transmit) and yellow LED (receive) for indications of data transfer. These are only
valid when the green LED is on. If you see no data, verify cabling, serial interface selection (RS232, V.35,
RS530, etc), serial protocol settings and remote device status.
Signal Specifications
Each serial signal (control, status, data, or clock) is compatible with an electrical specification that is
selected through software settings. This section briefly describes the specifications supported by the
card.
Single Ended Signals (RS-232/V.28)
Single ended signals supported by the card are compatible with both RS-232 and ITU V.28 standards.
Each single ended signal uses one conductor in a cable, and all single ended signals share a common
ground conductor.
Maximum Voltage Range: +15 to -15V (between signal and ground)
+3V to +15V (+5V typical) = control/status signal on or data value of 0
-3V to -15V (-5V typical) = control/status signal off or data value of 1
Voltage between -3V to +3V = invalid (indeterminate) state
Max cable length 50 feet
Max data rate 20kbps
The maximum data rate of 20kbps is part of the RS-232/V.28 standards. The SyncLink card can operate
at speeds up to 120kbps depending on the cable length and loading. Longer cables and increased
loading reduces the maximum supported data rate.
Differential Signals (RS-422/RS-485/V.11)
Differential signals supported by the card are compatible with RS-422, RS-485 and ITU V.11 standards.
Each differential signal uses two conductors in a cable (signal pair). A common ground conductor is
recommended for use with differential signals to reduce common mode voltages between cable ends
which may result in incorrect or impaired operation.
Maximum Voltage Range: +6 to -6V (between conductors in a pair)
+200mV to +6V (+2V typical) = control/status signal on or data value of 0
-200mV to -6V (-2V typical) = control/status signal off or data value of 1
Voltage between -200mV to +200mV invalid (indeterminate) state
Max cable length 4000 feet
Max data rate 10Mbps
Longer cables and increased loading reduces the maximum supported data rate.
Clock Polarity
Synchronous serial communications (HDLC/Bisync/Monosync) may use separate clock signals to control
the timing of data signals. One clock cycle equals one bit. There are two clock edges (rising and falling)

for each clock cycle. On one edge, the transmit data output changes. On the other edge, the receive
data input is sampled. The assignment of clock edges to transmit data transition and receive data
sampling is referred to as clock polarity.
The SyncLink USB uses the clock polarity in the RS-232/RS-422/V.24/V.28/V.11 standards as described
below:
RS-232/V.28 Single Ended Signals
+3V to +15V (+5V typical) = clock on
-3V to -15V (-5V typical) = clock off
On to Off edge (falling edge) = receive data sample (bit center)
Off to On edge (rising edge) = transmit data transition (bit edge)
RS-422/RS-485/V.11 Differential Signals
+200mV to +6V (+2V typical) = clock on
-200mV to -6V (-2V typical) = clock off
On to Off edge (falling edge) = receive data sample (bit center)
Off to On edge (rising edge) = transmit data transition (bit edge)
Most serial communications equipment uses the above clock polarity, but some non-standard
equipment may use the opposite polarity. For differential signals, inverting the conductors of each clock
signal pair will alter the polarity.
Serial Interface Selection
The serial adapter supports different interface types, which are selected by software configuration. By
default on power up, the interface is disabled and does not drive any outputs. The method of changing
the interface type depends on the operating system and application. For example, Windows implements
this setting in the device properties of the device manager and Linux implements the setting with an
ioctl() call. Refer to the software documentation for details.
Some interface types require a conversion cable in addition to a software setting to provide the
necessary connector type. Refer to the Serial Pin Assignments section for more details.
Differential Input Termination
The port on the card has 120-ohm termination of RS-422 differential inputs. Termination is used to
increase signal reliability at high speeds (generally 1Mbps or more). At high speeds, receivers at each
end of a cable should be terminated.

Serial Connector Pin Assignments
The assignment of signals to the connector pins is controlled by the software interface selection. For
interface types that use a connector different than DB-25 an adapter cable purchased from MicroGate is
required. The following sections describe the software settings and cables for each supported standard.
RS-232
The RS-232 standard uses single ended signals on a DB-25 connector. The adapter DB-25 connector
follows this standard when the software selects RS-232. Use any straight through 25 conductor DB-25M
to DB-25F cable (such as MicroGate Part # CMF000) to connect the adapter connector to the
communications equipment.
The maximum data rate supported by the adapter when using RS-232 is 128Kbps. Cable length and
signal loading may reduce the maximum usable data rate from this value.
RS-232 DB-25 Male DTE
Signal Name
Electrical Desc
Pin #
Direction
Earth/Shield Ground
1
TxD, Transmit Data
RS-232/V.28
2
Output
RxD, Receive Data
RS-232/V.28
3
Input
RTS, Request to Send
RS-232/V.28
4
Output
CTS, Clear to Send
RS-232/V.28
5
Input
DSR, Data Set Ready
RS-232/V.28
6
Input
Signal Ground
7
DCD, Data Carrier Detect
RS-232/V.28
8
Input
TxC, Transmit Clock
RS-232/V.28
15
Input
RxC, Receive Clock
RS-232/V.28
17
Input
LL, Local Loopback Control
RS-232/V.28
18
Output
DTR, Data Terminal Ready
RS-232/V.28
20
Output
RL, Remote Loopback Control
RS-232/V.28
21
Output
RI, Ring Indicator
RS-232/V.28
22
Input
AuxClk, DTE Clock Output
RS-232/V.28
24
Output
Figure 1 RS-232 Cable (Part# CMF000)

V.35
The V.35 standard uses a mix of single ended and differential signals on a 34-pin block connector. To use
this standard, select V.35 in software and use the MicroGate V.35 cable (Part # 2534GT, picture shown
below).
Note that the LL, RL, and RI signals are available on the adapter’s DB-25 connector when the V.35
interface is selected, but are not available (NC = no connect) on the 34-pin block connector when using
the V.35 cable.
The maximum data rate supported by the adapter when using V.35 is 10Mbps. Cable length and signal
loading may reduce the maximum usable data rate from this value.
V.35 Male DTE
Signal Name
Electrical Desc
DB25
Pin #
V.35 Block
Pin #
Direction
Earth/Shield Ground
1
A
TxD (-/A), Transmit Data
RS-422/V.11
2
P
Output
RxD (-/A), Receive Data
RS-422/V.11
3
R
Input
RTS, Request to Send
RS-232/V.28
4
C
Output
CTS, Clear to Send
RS-232/V.28
5
D
Input
DSR, Data Set Ready
RS-232/V.28
6
E
Input
Signal Ground
7
B
DCD, Data Carrier Detect
RS-232/V.28
8
F
Input
RxC (+/B), Receive Clock
RS-422/V.11
9
X
Input
AuxClk (+/B), DTE Clock Output
RS-422/V.11
11
W
Output
TxC (+/B), Transmit Clock
RS-422/V.11
12
AA
Input
TxD (+/B), Transmit Data
RS-422/V.11
14
S
Output
TxC (-/A), Transmit Clock
RS-422/V.11
15
Y
Input
RxD (+/B), Receive Data
RS-422/V.11
16
T
Input
RxC (-/A), Receive Clock
RS-422/V.11
17
V
Input
LL, Local Loopback Control
RS-232/V.28
18
NC
Output
DTR, Data Terminal Ready
RS-232/V.28
20
H
Output
RL, Remote Loopback Control
RS-232/V.28
21
NC
Output
RI, Ring Indicator
RS-232/V.28
22
NC
Input
AuxClk (-/A), DTE Clock Output
RS-422/V.11
24
24
Output
Figure 2 V.35 Cable (Part# 2534GT)