Rose electronics Porter PO-4P User manual

Porter
WWW.ROSE.COM
Code Activated Switch
Four or eight ports
Serial or parallel
Configuration menu
Broadcast mode
64K buffer, expandable to 256K buffer
Features and Benefits
Versatile, code activated switch designed to send
serial or parallel data from a single computer or
terminal to one of several devices
Available in serial (RS232) or parallel (Centronics)
RS422 option is also available
LEDs on the front panel show buffer capacity, data
flow, and busy status
Advance to next port and port selection switches
provide easy switching to a selected port
Broadcast mode sends data simultaneously to all
ports
Can be used as a serial console switch
Data collection command shows buffer data
Null command disconnects from all ports
Format command allows a port's protocol to be
reconfigured, useful for modem communication
Wait/go command pauses/resumes data flow on a
selected port, also controls the port's DTR signal
Copy command sends multiple copies of the
buffer data to a selected port
Read DSR command reports the port's DSR line
status (high or low)
Made in USA
The Porter™ Advantage . . .
The Porter is a very versatile, code activated switch
that allows a computer or terminal to send serial or
parallel data to a selected device. Each port (4 or 8)
can be configured to match the connected
equipment's protocol.
The Porter is easy to install and uses commonly
available cables. It works with any device with serial
or parallel ports. The serial connectors are DB25F and
the parallel connectors are Centronics 36 pin female.
The receive buffers accept data on all ports
simultaneously. This data can then be read from the
master port one at a time. The Porter transmits from
buffers on all ports simultaneously. The “clear buffer”
command purges all data in a port’s buffer. The
broadcast feature allows you to send data
simultaneously on all ports. The Porter’s buffer is
expandable to 256K bytes.
These are a few of the features that make the Porter
one of the best code activated switches on the
market. Call us today about your code-activated
switch application.
Send data simultaneously
to all ports

Phone: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] 
10707 Stancliff Rd. Houston, TX 77099
Rose Electronics – Europe: [phone] Rose Electronics – Asia: [phone]
DS-PO 1.2 Copyright 2004 Rose Electronics. All rights reserved. WWW.ROSE.COM
Typical Applications
Multiple printer control UNIX console access
Machine control Data collection
Porter Models The Porter is available in a 4 / 8 serial port or 4 / 8 port
parallel port version.
Installation The Porter uses commonly available cables and works with
any device with serial or parallel ports. The Porter's serial ports are DB25
and its parallel ports are Centronics.
Basic Concepts Porter accepts data from a computer or terminal and
sends the data to a selected port. The port is selected by sending a code to
the switch. The code or command is not sent to the destination port. Porter
also accepts other commands to control the flow of data. The commands
consist of an attention code (prefix) and command characters.
Buffer Memory The buffer is divided into a receive and transmit buffer
for each port. The amount of buffer available for each port is the total buffer
divided by the number of ports. For example, a unit with 8 ports and a 256K
buffer would have a 16K receive buffer and a 16K transmit buffer for each
port.
Configuration The serial model has a configuration menu. The parallel
model accepts configuration commands. The definition for the prefix
(default of escape @) can be changed to be up to 6 characters long. Each
port on a serial Porter can be independently configured for any baud rate,
DTR or XON/XOFF flow control, DTR passed through, or as a buffer flow
control. The settings are saved in non-volatile memory and become the
power up settings.
Front Panel and Diagnostics The front panel displays selected
ports, busy and data signals, and errors. Porter has a full set of diagnostics
executed upon power up and other diagnostics that can be run such as port
loopbacks and memory pattern tests. Front switches can be programmed
to be disabled in environments where tampering is discouraged.
Part Numbers
PO-4S 4 to 1 serial code activated switch
PO-4P 4 to 1 parallel code activated switch
PO-8S 8 to 1 serial code activated switch
PO-8P 8 to 1 parallel code activated switch
Cables
Cab-PCRS Serial DB25M/F (PC to switch)
CAB-PTRS Serial DB25M/F (Printer to switch)
CAB-SMM Serial DB25M/M (Straight through)
CAB-SMF Serial DB25M/F (Straight through)
Specifications
Size 10.5” W x 5.0” D x 3.9” H
26.7 W x 12.7 D x 9.9 H (cm)
Weight 4-port: 6 lbs (2.7 kg);
8-port: 7 lbs (3.2 kg)
Power Auto Switching, 90 - 240 VAC,
external adapter
Connectors Power: DIN5
Serial: DB25 Female
Parallel: 36 pin Female Centronics
Memory Field upgradeable to 64K or 256K
Chassis Electro-galvanized steel, painted
Control Advance and Select switches
Mode, Data, Busy, Error, Port
1-8 LEDs
Serial protocol* EIA asynchronous RS232D
Parallel protocol TTL Centronics
Serial Flow DTR/DSR or XON/XOFF to buffer;
DSR/DTR sent through for modem
Parallel flow STB/ACK/BUSY
Serial baud rate 50 - 19,200 BAUD*
Serial word size 5, 6, 7, or 8
Serial parity None, odd, even, mark, space
Serial stop bits 1 or 2*
Environmental 0°- 55° C, 0%-80% non-condensing
relative humidity
Approvals CE
* Each port is individually programmable
Rear view models PO-9S and PO-9P