Sealey SeaLINK+232 User manual

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 2101 Manual | SL9089 8/2021
SeaLINK+232
User Manual | 2101

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 2101 Manual | SL9089 8/2021
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 3
BEFORE YOU GET STARTED 4
INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION 5
HARDWARE INSTALLATION 6
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION 7
SPECIFICATIONS 8
APPENDIX A - TROUBLESHOOTING 9
APPENDIX B - HOW TO GET ASSISTANCE 10
APPENDIX C - ELECTRICAL INTERFACE 11
APPENDIX D - ASYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATIONS 12
APPENDIX E - COMPLIANCE NOTES 13
WARRANTY 14

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 2101 Manual | SL9089 8/2021
INTRODUCTION
Overview
The Sealevel Systems SeaLINK+232 equips the PC with 1 USB to RS-232 Asynchronous serial port
providing a versatile interface for common RS-232 needs (i.e., modem, mouse, and plotter). The advantage
of this product over more traditional approaches is that it doesn’t require opening the computer case, nor
does it require resources such as I/O ports or IRQs. It does require a system that supports USB both in
terms of hardware and operating system.

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 2101 Manual | SL9089 8/2021
BEFORE YOU GET STARTED
What’s Included
The SeaLINK+232 is shipped with the following items. If any of these items is missing or damaged,
contact the supplier.
•SeaLINK+232 USB to RS-232 Serial I/O Adapter
•USB Cable Part Number CA179 for Connecting to Upstream Host/Hub
Advisory Conventions
Warning
The highest level of importance used to stress a condition where damage could result to the
product, or the user could suffer serious injury.
Important
The middle level of importance used to highlight information that might not seem obvious or a
situation that could cause the product to fail.
Note
The lowest level of importance used to provide background information, additional tips, or other
non-critical facts that will not affect the use of the product.

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 2101 Manual | SL9089 8/2021
INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION
Software Installation
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista™ Operating Systems
1. Begin by locating, selecting, and installing the correct software from the Sealevel software driver
database.
2. Select the Part Number (2101) for your device from the listing.
3. Click the ‘Install Drivers’ button.
4. The setup file will automatically detect the operating environment and install the proper
components. Follow the information presented on the installation screens that follow.
5. A screen may appear with the declaration: “The publisher cannot be determined due to the
problems below: Authenticode signature not found.” Please select the ‘Yes’ button and proceed
with the installation. This declaration simply means that the Operating System is not aware of the
driver being loaded. It will not cause any harm to your system.
6. During setup, you may specify installation directories and other preferred configurations. This
program also adds entries to the system registry that are necessary for specifying the operating
parameters for each driver. An uninstall option is included to remove the driver and all registry/INI
file entries from your system.
To confirm that the SeaCOM driver has been successfully installed, click on the ‘Start’ button, and then
select ‘All Programs’. You should see the ‘SeaCOM’ program folder listed.
You are now ready to proceed with connecting the 2101 to your system. Refer to the Hardware Installation
section for details.
Windows NT is not USB aware and thus cannot support this
device.

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 2101 Manual | SL9089 8/2021
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
The SeaLINK+232 can be connected to any Upstream Type “A” port either at the PC host or an Upstream
Hub, and since it is hot pluggable, there is no need to power down your computer prior to installation. The
SeaLINK+232 requires no user hardware configuration. Once you have installed the software simply plug
the SeaLINK+232 into an available USB port. The drivers that were installed during setup will automatically
be used to configure the adapter. You should see one or more “New Hardware Found”, indicating the actual
port being created. If you view your systems’ Device Manager at this point, you should have a new “COM”
port in the Ports (COM & LPT) Device Class. You can access your new COM: port by using the assigned
COM: identifier. This assignment will vary from system to system. At this point, the hardware is recognized.
To verify operation, use Sealevel Systems supplied WinSSD diagnostic utility. WinSSD can be found in the
Start, Programs group.

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 2101 Manual | SL9089 8/2021
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
The SeaLINK+232 utilizes a USB UART. This chip features programmable baud rate, data format, 128 byte
Dual Port TX Buffer, and 384 byte Dual Port RX Buffer. The RS-232 transceiver supports data rates up to
460.8K baud. Refer to Appendix C for cable length limitations.
Features
•Hot-Pluggable device that doesn’t require opening the case
•No system resources are required (i.e., I/O ports or IRQs)
•LED status indicators for “USB Enabled”, “TD”, and “RD”
Connector Pin Assignments
RS-232 Signals (DB-25 Female)
Signal Name Pin # Mode
TD Transmit Data 2 Output
RTS Request To Send 4 Output
DTR Data Term Ready 20 Output
GND Ground 7
RD Receive Data 3 Input
DCD Data Carrier Detect 8 Input
DSR Data Set Ready 6 Input
CTS Clear To Send 5 Input
RI Ring Indicator 22 Input
These assignments meet EIA/TIA/ANSI-232 DTE specifications for DB-25 type connectors.

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 2101 Manual | SL9089 8/2021
SPECIFICATIONS
Environmental Specifications
Specification Operating Storage
Temperature Range 0º to 70º C (32º to 158º F) -50º to 105º C (-58º to 221º F)
Humidity Range 10 to 90% R.H. Non-Condensing 10 to 90% R.H. Non-Condensing
Manufacturing
All Sealevel Systems Printed Circuit boards are built to UL 94V0 rating and are 100% electrically tested.
These printed circuit boards are solder mask over bare copper or solder mask over tin nickel.
Power Requirements
Supply Line +5 VDC
Rating 50 mA
Physical Dimensions
Package Length 3.8 inches (9.66 cm)
Package Width 2.3 inches (5.84 cm)
Package Height 1.0 inches (2.54 cm)

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 2101 Manual | SL9089 8/2021
APPENDIX A - TROUBLESHOOTING
Serial Utility test software is supplied with the Sealevel Systems adapter and should be used in the
troubleshooting procedures. Using this software and following these simple steps, most common
problems can be eliminated without the need to call Technical Support.
If your adapter isn’t working, first check to make sure that USB support is enabled in the System
BIOS and it is functioning properly in the operating system. This can be done by using either the
Windows 98/ME or Windows 2000 Device Manager.
Ensure that the Sealevel Systems software has been installed on the machine so that the necessary
files are in place to complete the installation.
When the SeaLINK+232 is configured properly, the USB Enabled LED (EN) will be lit. This should
allow you to use Sealevel’s WinSSD utility and the supplied loopback plug to check
communications. The supplied loopback plug connects TD to RD. If you decide to test the Modem
Control Signals, a full pin loopback plug will be required. Details on loopback plugs are included
within WinSSD. Contact Sealevel Systems if you need further assistance
When testing the SeaLINK+232 in loopback mode, you should see both the TD and RD LED’s
flashing as well as seeing echoed data on the screen. The loopback test first transmits a HEX
pattern, 55AA, and then an ASCII string of data. If this test passes, then the SeaLINK+232 is ready
for use in your application.

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 2101 Manual | SL9089 8/2021
APPENDIX B - HOW TO GET ASSISTANCE
Please refer to: Appendix A -- Troubleshooting Guide prior to calling Technical Support.
Begin by reading through the Troubleshooting Guide in Appendix A. If assistance is still needed,
please see below.
When calling for technical assistance, please have your user manual and current adapter
settings. If possible, please have the adapter installed in a computer ready to run diagnostics.
Sealevel Systems provides an FAQ section on its web site. Please refer to this to answer many
common questions. This section can be found at http://www.sealevel.com/faq.asp.
Sealevel Systems maintains a web page on the Internet. Our home page address
is www.sealevel.com. The latest software updates, and newest manuals are available via our
web site.
Technical support is available Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
Technical support can be reached at [phone].
RETURN AUTHORIZATION MUST BE OBTAINED FROM SEALEVEL SYSTEMS BEFORE RETURNED
MERCHANDISE WILL BE ACCEPTED. AUTHORIZATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING SEALEVEL
SYSTEMS AND REQUESTING A RETURN MERCHANDISE AUTHORIZATION (RMA) NUMBER.

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 2101 Manual | SL9089 8/2021
APPENDIX C - ELECTRICAL INTERFACE
RS-232
Quite possibly the most widely used communication standard is RS-232. This implementation has been
defined and revised several times and is often referred to as RS-232 or EIA/TIA-232. The IBM PC computer
defined the RS-232 port on a 9 pin D sub connector and subsequently the EIA/TIA approved this
implementation as the EIA/TIA-574 standard. This standard is defined as the 9-Position Non-Synchronous
Interface between Data Terminal Equipment and Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment Employing Serial Binary
Data Interchange. Both implementations are in widespread use and will be referred to as RS-232 in this
document. RS-232 is capable of operating at data rates up to 20 Kbps at distances less than 50 ft. The
absolute maximum data rate may vary due to line conditions and cable lengths. RS-232 is a single ended
or unbalanced interface, meaning that a single electrical signal is compared to a common signal (ground)
to determine binary logic states. The RS-232 and the EIA/TIA-574 specification define two types of interface
circuits, Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) and Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment (DCE). The IC485+ is a
DCE device.

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 2101 Manual | SL9089 8/2021
APPENDIX D - ASYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATIONS
Serial data communications implies that individual bits of a character are transmitted consecutively to a
receiver that assembles the bits back into a character. Data rate, error checking, handshaking, and
character framing (start/stop bits) are pre-defined and must correspond at both the transmitting and
receiving ends.
Asynchronous communications is the standard means of serial data communication for PC compatibles
and PS/2 computers. The original PC was equipped with a communication or COM: port that was designed
around an 8250 Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART). This device allows asynchronous
serial data to be transferred through a simple and straightforward programming interface. A start bit,
followed by a pre-defined number of data bits (5, 6, 7, or 8) defines character boundaries for asynchronous
communications. The end of the character is defined by the transmission of a pre-defined number of stop
bits (usually 1, 1.5 or 2). An extra bit used for error detection is often appended before the stop bits.
Figure 9 - Asynchronous Communications Bit Diagram
This special bit is called the parity bit. Parity is a simple method of determining if a data bit has been lost
or corrupted during transmission. There are several methods for implementing a parity check to guard
against data corruption. Common methods are called (E)ven Parity or (O)dd Parity. Sometimes parity is not
used to detect errors on the data stream. This is referred to as (N)o parity. Because each bit in
asynchronous communications is sent consecutively, it is easy to generalize asynchronous
communications by stating that each character is wrapped (framed) by pre-defined bits to mark the
beginning and end of the serial transmission of the character. The data rate and communication
parameters for asynchronous communications must be the same at both the transmitting and receiving
ends. The communication parameters are baud rate, parity, number of data bits per character, and stop bits
(i.e., 9600, N, 8, 1).

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 2101 Manual | SL9089 8/2021
APPENDIX E - COMPLIANCE NOTICES
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class A digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and,
if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is
likely to cause harmful interference in such case the user will be required to correct the
interference at the user’s expense.
EMC Directive Statement
Products bearing the CE Label fulfill the requirements of the EMC directive (89/336/EEC)
and of the low-voltage directive (73/23/EEC) issued by the European Commission. To obey
these directives, the following European standards must be met:
•EN55022 Class A - “Limits and methods of measurement of radio interference
characteristics of information technology equipment”
•EN55024 – “Information technology equipment Immunity characteristics Limits
and methods of measurement”.
This is a Class A Product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference in
which case the user may be required to take adequate measures to prevent or correct the
interference.
Always use cabling provided with this product if possible. If no cable is provided or if an alternate
cable is required, use high quality shielded cabling to maintain compliance with FCC/EMC
directives.

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 2101 Manual | SL9089 8/2021
WARRANTY
Sealevel's commitment to providing the best I/O solutions is reflected in the Lifetime Warranty that is
standard on all Sealevel manufactured I/O products. We are able to offer this warranty due to our control
of manufacturing quality and the historically high reliability of our products in the field. Sealevel products
are designed and manufactured at its Liberty, South Carolina facility, allowing direct control over product
development, production, burn-in and testing. Sealevel achieved ISO-9001:2015 certification in 2018.
Warranty Policy
Sealevel Systems, Inc. (hereafter "Sealevel") warrants that the Product shall conform to and perform in
accordance with published technical specifications and shall be free of defects in materials and
workmanship for the warranty period. In the event of failure, Sealevel will repair or replace the product at
Sealevel's sole discretion. Failures resulting from misapplication or misuse of the Product, failure to adhere
to any specifications or instructions, or failure resulting from neglect, abuse, accidents, or acts of nature
are not covered under this warranty.
Warranty service may be obtained by delivering the Product to Sealevel and providing proof of purchase.
Customer agrees to ensure the Product or assume the risk of loss or damage in transit, to prepay shipping
charges to Sealevel, and to use the original shipping container or equivalent. Warranty is valid only for
original purchaser and is not transferable.
This warranty applies to Sealevel manufactured Product. Product purchased through Sealevel but
manufactured by a third party will retain the original manufacturer's warranty.
Non-Warranty Repair/Retest
Products returned due to damage or misuse and Products retested with no problem found are subject to
repair/retest charges. A purchase order or credit card number and authorization must be provided in order
to obtain an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) number prior to returning Product.
How to obtain an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization)
If you need to return a product for warranty or non-warranty repair, you must first obtain an RMA number.
Please contact Sealevel Systems, Inc. Technical Support for assistance:
Available Monday – Friday, 8:00AM to 5:00PM EST
Phone [phone]
Email [e-mail]
Trademarks
Sealevel Systems, Incorporated acknowledges that all trademarks referenced in this manual are the service
mark, trademark, or registered trademark of the respective company.