RS 224-9847 Manual

1.Introduction
These notes describe connection procedures to be adopted for the RS Thermal Printer
Interface. Please read carefully before making any connection.
The interface board is recommended for use with RS printer mechanisms;224-9831 and
224-9881.
2.Power supplies and EMC
2.1 Power supply requirements
The interface board requires an external power supply of +5Vdc.The current drawn will
depend on the printing density, but will typically be between 1A and 3A: refer to section
6.1 for full specification.
2.2 Power supply warning
Momentary interruptions to, or reductions in the voltage of the power supply can result
in a fault condition from which the printer cannot recover until power is completely
removed and correctly restored.The user must ensure that the supply will not be teased
in this way. The power supply must not be taken above 6.0V, or reversed, even under
transient conditions. Particular attention should be paid to the power arrangements in
vehicle or battery-operated applications, where load dump transients or reversal of
replaceable batteries might occur. Refer to section 6.1 for more power connections.
2.3 EMC Advice
Please note that the interface board to which this application data refers is considered to
be a component and is not certified for Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMC). The
system integrator using this item must assume responsibility for EMC between the
interface and its environment, both for emissions and susceptibility.
3.Paper feeding,loading and demonstration mode
On power-up,the printer motor will run for a few seconds, while the controller identifies
the mechanism fitted and carries out internal calibration. It will feed out approximately
four lines of paper, in accordance with the manufacturers recommendation.
Pressing the paper feed button advances paper up to 4 lines per second. If the paper
feed button is pressed during power-up, a message including the firmwave version
number and some encoded calibration data, and the full character set will be printed,
this can be repeated by pressing the feed button again.Powering the interface board off
and on will revert to normal operation. The demonstration feature can be suppressed
under software control.
RS stock no. 224-9847
Issued November 1996 10550
Thermal Printer Interface
Board
Instruction Leaflet

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We recommend that the first few turns of each new paper roll be discarded in case they
have been damaged or have some glue on. Its end should be prepared by forming a
clean edge at right-angles,and threaded by introducing it into the rear of the mechanism
while the paper feed button is being pressed,the target point is just above a bright metal
strip. The paper should be straight and parallel to its flow, and pointing downwards into
the printer. Once the mechanism has gripped the paper, allow enough to feed through
to confirm good alignment.
4.Printer operation:Overview
The EPSON M-TS60 or M-TS63 printer mechanisms have a moving (serial) print head
with 20 vertically-arranged thermal elements, printing two normal-height character
rows,one double-height row, or a 20-dot high graphics pattern in each pass of head.Line
feeding is always in multiples of two normal-height lines (approx. 7.4mm).
A mechanical jam will be detected by the controller, and printing will be aborted. The
error condition can be indicated locally via the auxiliary LED output, and transmitted to
and cleared by the host.
4.1 Data buffer
The interface board has an 8k byte buffer to optimise throughput: this enables data to be
received into the buffer while previous lines are being printed. Owing to the design of
the mechanism, printing will only be initiated on receipt of at least two valid logical lines
of data (in double height mode,only one line of data is required) or a complete graphics
pattern.
The buffer is cleared by a data command or by a hardware reset.A partially full line will
be printed on receipt of an appropriate control code. Alternative printing modes,
including graphics, are invoked by ‘Escape’ sequence.
4.2 Serial interface
The serial interface baud rate is factory set to 9,600 Baud,and the data format should be
8 data bits, 1 or 2 stop bits, and no parity (see section 6.3 for connection details). Serial
data is expected in standard RS-232C format with -12V meaning ‘mark’ or‘1’ and +12V
a logical ‘0’, with reference to the common ground.
The serial data output line transmits XON/XOFF and status information to host at the
same Baud rate and in the same format as the serial data input.The hardware busy line
is true (nominal -12V) when busy.
4.3 Character printing
Characters are formed from a 7 x 5 matrix, except for some with descenders which use
8 x 5. A standard capital letter is 7 dots high, and there is one dot space between
columns. The full 224 IBM® character set includes graphics characters, which are
extended to 10 x 6 to link up in both axes where appropriate.
Character lines may be printed in single or double width, and single or double height,
underlined or not.The three attributes maybe combined at will,and remain in force until
amended or cancelled by an Escape sequence or a reset.

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4.4 Graphics printing
Owing to the design of the printhead, either 8-dot or 20-dot high graphics patterns can
be printed.The dot line capacities of the mechanisms are:
RS stock no. 224-9831 RS stock no. 244-9881
Mechanism: M-TS60 M-TS63
Characters per line: 24 42
Dot column per line: 144 252
5.Host programming and control codes
Many of the software commands are emulations of the EPSON TM-Series ESCPOS
codes. Since the implementation of ESCPOS varies from one EPSON printer to another,
the command set for the interface printer board is based on that of the EPSON TM-T
Series of thermal printers. Control codes are described in detail below. Please refer to
copyright notice and disclaimer.
Interface board control code tables
Note: All codes from 00->1F not listed below are ignored.
An ESC, GS etc. code followed by an unrecognised command is ignored, but any
following parameters are interpreted as normal characters.
Any ESC, GS etc. sequence which is described below but which has an illegal
parameter is abandoned at that point.The controller will attempt to interpret subsequent
characters as normal characters.
There is no need to follow ESC or GS control code strings with a line terminator. If one
is added it will be interpreted as such.
Most control codes are executed when they fall through the data buffer at printing time.
Some codes are interpreted immediately on receipt, so that the printer can respond
even if the buffer is full, or to clear an error condition.
The results of some commands are stored in on-board non-volatile memory [EEPROM].
The last setting will be preserved during power off, and the controller will use it when
power is next applied.
To assist programmers in converting existing host software, a symbolic key to the
compatibility of the codes interpreted by the printer interface board has been adopted:
1Fully supported as in EPSON ESCPOS
1+ Altered functionality compared with ESCPOS
@ Special codes, no ESCPOS equivalent exists
N Setting is retained in Non-volatile [EEPROM] memory

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Command descriptions
In the following command descriptions, commonly recognised labels have been used
(e.g. LF, CR, ESC); where the command has parameters these are given as equivalent
ASCII characters (e.g.‘X’), or as numbers (e.g.‘n’) which are single byte values.
(1) Codes received by the interface board
1HTAB 09 Horizontal tab
Default position: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40: 6 positions available;
Programmed using ESC,D command. Works internally with dot positions.
The first TAB does not move from a TAB position to the next:
e.g. 0123 T (1 Tab before “T”)
01234567T (1 Tab before “T”)
01234567 T (2 Tab before “T”)
012345678 T (1 Tab before “T”)
1LF 0A Line feed
Works in an either/or way with CR: CR/LF pairs are treated in a single line
terminator. Line terminators immediately following full lines are ignored.
@ VTAB 0B (Print and) Skip to top of 2 line print head
Terminates a current line,and forces the next printing to be on the upper line
of the printhead.
@CR 0D Line feed
Works in an either/or way with LF: CR/LF pairs are treated as a single line
terminator. Line terminators immediately following full lines are ignored.
1+ DLE,ENQ.. 10,05,n(Real time) clear error condition
(Ignored if no error condition exists)
If n=1: clear error and revert to previous operation
(so if buffer still contains data,print it)
If n=2: clear error and also clear data buffer.
@ CAN 18 (Real time) Abort printing and initialise.
Same result as ESC,‘@’ but executed immediately when received. A print
head pass in progress is allowed to finish, but printing then continues from
data received after the CAN code.
Ignored if embedded in an ESC, GS or graphics sequence.
1ESC,(SP)..1B,20,n Set right-of-character spacing
n is the number of additional (Note!) dot spaces placed to the right of each
character printed. Default: 0.

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1+GS,I.. 1D,49,n Request to transmit information
Transmit stored data according to the value of n:
See INTERNAL INFORMATION for format.
1+NGS,a.. 1D,61,n Enable/Disable selective automatic status reporting
This command allows the user to select when the STATUS report is
automatically to be sent. A bit set ‘n’ will cause the status report to be sent
whenever the corresponding bit in the STATUS byte (see STATUS for
format) changes state.
A value of n=00 disables automatic reporting, and is the default condition.
(2) Commands not implemented but reserved for future functions: In general,
commands which are not implemented and described above should not be sent to
the printer, as the outcome may be unexpected. However, a number of additional
EPSON ESCPOS commands are in fact recognised, and an attempt is made to
decode them, so that the following commands will remain in synchronism and
should be correctly interpreted.
Some of these are expected to be implemented in future versions of the printer, as
follows:
ESC,&.. 1B,26 Define user-defined character
GS,h.. 1D,68.. Select height of barcode
GS,k.. 1D,6B.. Print code
GS,w.. 1D,77.. Select width of barcode
(3) Codes transmitted by the printer
XON 11 Start transmission
The buffer is ready to receive data.
Transmitted after reset, or when the buffer empties to 1/4 full
X OFF 13 Stop Transmission
The buffer is not ready to recieve data.
Transmitted when the data buffer becomes 3/4 full
[STATUS] Status Report
The status byte(s) are transmitted in response to the commands ESC,u;
ESC,v; GS,ENQ; and automatically if the bits corresponding to the map set
up by the command GS,a are changed.
The first STATUS byte is encoded as follows:
bit 0 Paper low? [0=paper OK, 1=paper low]
bit 1 Printer mechanism running? [0=stopped, 1=running]
bit 2 Data buffer completely empty? [0=not empty, 1=empty]
bit 3 Mechanism type? [0=MTS60, 1=MTS631]
bit 4 Cash drawer open input signal high? [0=low, 1=high]
bit 5 Unassigned
bit 6 Error condition (*) [0=no error, 1=error]
bit 7 Always set (1)

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1+ ESC,!.. 1B,21,n Set print mode
n is interpreted as follows:
bit 0 Select (1)/Cancel (0) 36-character mode
M-TS63 only: equivalent to ESC,(SP),1]
bit 4 Select (1)/Cancel (0) Double height
bit 5 Select (1)/Cancel (0) Double width
bit 7 Select (1)/Cancel (0) Underlined
bits 1->3, and bit 6, are ignored
Each of these attributes remains in force until actively cancelled.
1+ ESC,$.. 1B,24,n1,n2 Set absolute position
Position = (n1 + 256*n2) dots from start of line.
If printing is currently to the left of this position,blank space is inserted up to
it. Can be single or double height. Any overflow is cut off at end of line.
1+ ESC,*.. 1B,2A,m,n1,n2..Dot-Addressable (Bit) Graphics
m=0 : Select 8 dot high graphics (single line)
m=32 Select 20 dot high graphics (full head height)
Number of dot columns= n1 + 256*n2
Dot patterns are coded as 1= dot, 0= space.
The MSBit of each byte is printed at the top.
When m=0, each8-dot vertical column is encoded as a
single byte.The 8-dot graphics cannot be printed contiguously in the
vertical direction.
When m=32, each 20-dot vertical column is encoded as three successive
bytes.The first, fourth, seventh and so on bytes are at the top of the 20-
dot vertical columns.The four LSBits of the third, sixth, ninth and so on
bytes are discarded.
1+ ESC,-.. 1B,2D,n Turn underline on/off
If n=0: Underlining is turned off
otherwise: Underlining is turned on
1ESC,@ 1B,40 Initialise printer
Clears all parameters to power-on default i.e. normal width and height, no
underline, not 36-characters-mode,not inverted, no extra space, and default
tabs
Not real-time, executed in sequence (see CAN).
1+ESC,D.. 1B,44,d1..dk,0 Set horizontal tab positions
Up to 6 positions are internally recorded, and replace the default settings. If
more are given, the first 6 are accepted and normal processing resumes
from that point.
Note that the tab settings are absolute, and take variable spacing and
position into account.

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1+NESC,c,5..1B,63,35,n Enable/Disable feed switch
n is encoded so:
bit 0 cleared (0) Disable feed switch
bit 0 set (1) Enable the feed switch to feed
(default condition)
bit 1 cleared (0) Disable feed+power-on demo mode
bit 1 set (1) Enable the feed+power-on demo mode
(default condition)
Other bits are ignored; settings operate independently.
1ESC,d.. 1B,64,n Print and feed n lines
Terminates the line and feed n single lines.
1ESC,p.. 1B,70,m,n1,n2 Generate auxiliary output pulse
(e.g. Cash Drawer Kick)
m is discarded as there is only one hardware output.
n1 and n2 are ON & OFF times in units of 2ms.
The printer motor is never running at the same time as the output pulse is
active. This command is executed when decoded, so the pulse is output
before any text in the same line is printed.
1+ ESC,u.. 1B,75,n Transmit peripheral device status
Transmit STATUS byte when decoded
n is discarded as there is only one device; the effect of this command is
exactly the same as ESC,v.This command is in the buffer when the response
is sent, so the buffer will not be shown as empty. See STATUS for format.
1+ ESC,v 1B,76 Transmit printer status
Transmit STATUS byte when decoded
This command is in the buffer when the response is sent, so the buffer will
not be shown as empty.
See STATUS for format.
1ESC,{.. 1B,7B,n Set/Cancel inverted character printing
n is encoded so;
bit 0 cleared (0) Normal (upright) text
bit 0 set (1) Inverted text
Normal and inverted text cannot be mixed in a single head pass.This setting
is temporary (the default setting can be redefined by ESC,X command and
is stored in EEPROM).
1+GS,ENQ 1D,05 (real time) request for printer status
This command is executed and the result is transmitted immediately on
receipt, even if the printer is busy, or is in a fault condition.
See STATUS for format.

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1+ ESC,J.. 1B,4A,n Print and feed
n is count of notional half-dot-lines to be fed.
This command terminates the current line; n is divided by 20 (remainder
discarded) and the quotient used as a count of additional blank single-height
character rows.
@N ESC,X.. 1B,58,n extended commands
Miscellaneous remote control/set-up functions
The value of n is defined so:
n= 00->03, 05, 06, 08 and 0A->FF: Reserved
(Some values are used for diagnostics)
n= 04 Select Baud, parity, etc...
Valid Baud rates are: 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200.
Command parameters must have format “19200,E,7,2”,so:
3,4 or 5 number characters, a comma [“,”]; [Baud]
1 “N/E/O” letter character, a comma [“,”]; [Parity]
1 “7/8” number character, a comma [“,”]; [Data bits]
1 “1/2” number character [Stop bits]
The setting is stored in EEPROM, but does not come into effect until
after the next RESET.
n= 07 Clear the Paper Roll Line Count.
n= 09 Set some of the EEPROM default values:
next character is to be encoded so:
bit 0 Set (1) Default to inverted print mode
bit 1 Set (1) Default to 36-character mode (M-TS63)
bit 2 Set (1) Suppress “?” printing on RX error
bit 3 Set (1) Disable printhead thermal history
compensation (*)
(*) The controller compensates for long-term heating of the printhead, by
modelling its temperature and limiting the print density. This may not be
appropriate in all circumstances, and can be switched off by the host.
1ESC,\.. 1B,5C,n1,n2 Set relative position
Position = (n1 + 256*n2) dots from current position
Blank space is inserted up to the selected dot position.
Can be single or double height. Any overflow is cut off at end of line.
1N ESC,c,4..1B,63,34,n Set/Cancel paper low stops printing
n is encoded so:
bit 0 cleared (0) Permit printing even when paper is low (default
condition)
bit 0 set (1) Suspend printing when paper is low
Manual feeding is still allowed.

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(*) If bit 6 is set (1), then a second, diagnostic byte is sent (expressed in HEX):
00: Stack overflow (ASL diagnostics only)
01:Tacho count > 220 or 370 (Reset A/B Fault)
02:TAcho not seen (20 or 20ms) (Motor stalled)
03->0F: Not defined...
10->19: Calibration errors (ASL diagnostics only)
[INTERNAL INFORMATION] (Strings)
This information is transmitted in response to the GS,I command selects the
enquiry, with the response as follows:
n= 00->02 or 0A->FF: Ignored
n= 03 Software version number (Packed-BCD byte)
e.g.:- 32 (HEX) meansVersion 3.2; 00 means that the
version is a customer-special
n= 04 Baud rate, parity etc. settings (ASCII)
e.g.:- “19200,E,7,2”,CR
n= 05 Calibration values (ASCII HEX)
e.g.:- “03B3,02F6,02F6,0258,02F6,02F6”,CR
n= 06 Unit serial number (ASCII)
e.g.:- “ABCDEFGHIJ”,CR (or “NOT SET UP”)
n= 07 Roll line count (32-bit value)
e.g.:- “000009AB”,CR (ASCII HEX)
n= 08 Cumulative line count (32-bit value)
e.g.:- “00089ABC”,CR (ASCII HEX)
n= 09 Non-volatile settings: reports EEPROM
default values as set by ESC,X,9:
bit 0 Set (1) Default to inverted print mode
bit 1 Set (1) Default to 36-char mode (M-TS 63 only)
bit 2 Set (1) Suppress “?” printing on RX error
bit 3 Set (1) Disable printhead thermal history
compensation
bit 4 to 15 ASL diagnostics only.
n= 0A Printhead thermal history compensation values
e.g.“0080,00A5,0A8C,1275”,CR (ASCII HEX)
6. Connections
Refer to layout diagram for connector location and pinouts
6.1 Power connector J1
PCB side: straight Molex 3 x 0.156” pitch header with polarising/locking ramp
User side: Molex 3 x 0.156” pitch housing with suitable inserts
Pin Function
1 0V (Ground) Common return
2 +5Vdc Power supply for Controller
3 +5Vdc Power supply for Mechanism
The two +5V power rails may normally be connected together. Separate power supply
inputs for controller and mechanism are provided in case the user cannot economically
provide a well-enough regulated high-current supply. The interface board will work
satisfactorily with a mechanism supply down to approx. 4.5V.

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The acceptable ranges of the two power supply voltages (inclusive of any peaks or
trough) are:
Controller: +5Vdc, -5% [4.75Vdc] to + 5% [5.25Vdc].
Mechanism: +5Vdc, -5% [4.75Vdc] to + 5% [5.25Vdc].
Warning:
(a) the controller supply must always be present whenever the mechanism
supply is applied;
(b) the mechanism supply must never exceed the controller supply voltage by
more than 0.25V (take this into account when considering the tolerances!).
For the best results, ensure that the mechanism power supply is well regulated and can
sustain current of 3Amps at 5.0V; lower current supplies may be adequate if only light
duty text printing is required.
6.2 Mechanism head connector J2
Pinouts follow the same order as the printhead. The metallisation of the flexible PC
should be towards the edge of the interface board.
The interface board recognises whether an M-TS60 or an M-TS63 is connected, and
measures its head resistance (rank/category) during power-on initialisation, so no user
selection is required. The mechanism type is reported through the status enquiry
command.
6.3 Serial data connector J3
Interface board side: 4 x 0.1” pitch right-angle Molex header with
polarising/locking ramp;
User side: 4 x 0.1” pitch Molex housing and suitable inserts
Pin Function
1Serial data input (RXD) atV.24/RS-232 levels
2Serial data output (TXD) atV.24/RS-232 levels
3Busy output (DTR) atV.24/RS-232 levels
4Ground (Signal common 0V)
This interface is suitable for connection to a standard PC serial port with an appropriate
cable.
6.4 Mechanism body connector J4
No connector is normally fitted as the user will wish to arrange the cable to suit the
installation. Pin 1 is towards the corner of the interface board and the fixing point of the
mechanism:
Pin FunctionPin Function
1Sensor ground 5 Tacho
2SensorVcc (+5V) 6 Motor -ve
3Reset RA 7 Motor +ve
4Reset RB
An earth connection may be made to the mechanism chassis using the M2 threaded
hole at its left hand side. EPSON recommend a series resistor of 1M½to reduce stress
on the motor insulation.

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6.5 ‘Panel’connection J5
An unpopulated site J5 is provided for the following connections; it would suit a straight
or right-angled Molex 6 x 0.1” pitch header.
Note: These function are not 100% tested.
Pin Function
1 Paper Takeup device driver (+5V approx when mechanism motor is
running)
2 Paper Takeup device return (Ground, 0V common)
3 LED +ve connection (approx 15mA current source)
4LED -ve connection (Ground, 0V common)
5 Paper Feed Switch Input (with pullup resistor)
6 Paper Feed Switch Return (Ground, 0V common)
6.6 Accessory connections (P1,P2,P4 to P7)
Additional connection points are provided for test purposes, and to enable users to
access additional functions on the interface board.
Warning:
(a) These are all TTL level signals and in most cases connect directly to the micro-
controller chip without any form of protection or amplification.The user must ensure
there are no illegal signals applied to these points, and in particular that no voltage
is applied when the interface board is not powered up.
(b) The points, functions are identified for information only, and no warranty liability will
be accepted for the failure arising from connections to these points.
(c) These functions are not tested during manufacture.
Pinhole P1:Auxiliary RS-232 input (not supported atpresent)
Pinhole P2:TTL output for flashing LED driver
Pinhole P4:TTL accessory driver output (eg cash drawer kick)
Pinhole P5:TTL input for paper low sensor
Pinhole P6:Unassigned (make no connection to this point)
Pinhole P7:TTL accessory signal input (eg cash drawer open switch)
Pinholes G1 and G2 to G4 are ground (common return) connections.
Pinholes P3,P8, P9 and P10 are used only during factory calibration of the interface
board and no connection must be made to these points.
Note: A fully dimensioned diagram for the printer mechanism mounting requirements
is available from the RS Technical Helpline.
Note that the copyright subsists in all Able Systems intellectual property, including
single chip controller firmware (embedded software) and circuit diagrams. Pin
connection lists and application data. Purchase of these components implise a licence
to use the circuits and other data given in the literature. No warranty in respect of patent
rights of Able Systems Limited or of third parties is given. Unathourised reproduction
or amendment of controller firmware may result in prosecution.
Note: ESCPOS, TM-T and TM-Series are registered marks of their own Seiko Epson
Corporation. References to these or other owners marks in this document are for
illustrative purposes only.
Able Systems do not assume responsibility for interchangable functionalitiy of other
parties’ command sets.

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The information provided in RS instruction leaflet is believed to be accurate and reliable; however, RS Components
assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions, or for the use of this information, and all use of such
information shall be entirely at the user’s own risk.
No responsibility is assumed by RS Components for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties
which may result from its use.
Specifications shown in RS Components instruction leaflets are subject to change without notice.
RS Components, PO Box 99, Corby, Northants, NN17 9RS Telephone: [phone]
An Electrocomponents Company © RS Components 1996
0
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