Star Micronics TSP200 Series User manual

THERMAL PRINTER
TSP200 Series
TECHNICAL MANUAL
[SECOND EDITION]

NOTICE
•All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of this manual in any form whatsoever,
without STAR’s express permission, is strictly forbidden.
•The contents of this manual are subject to change without notice.
•Alleffortshavebeenmadetoensuretheaccuracyofthecontentsofthismanualatthetime
of printing. However, should any errors be found, STAR would greatly appreciate being
informed of them.
•The above notwithstanding, STAR can assume no responsibility for any errors in this
manual.
© Copyright 1997 Star Micronics Co., LTD.

INTRODUCTION
This manual describes the thermal printer TSP200 series.
It is designed for use as a reference for periodic inspections and maintenance procedures to be executed by
servicepersonnel.Itisnotintendedforthegeneraluser.Usersofthismanualshouldhaveabasicknowledge
and understanding of the English language.
•This manual is comprised of the following chapters.
Chapter 1 Specifications and Operation
Chapter 2 Theory of Operation
Chapter 3 Parts Replacement and Related Adjustments
Chapter 4 Maintenance and Lubrication
Chapter 5 Parts Lists
•First edition : Mar. 1997
Second edition : Aug. 1999
■Model Name
TSP 2 1 2 — 120
Voltage
24 : 24VDC
120 : 120VAC
230 : 230VAC
Mechanism type
2: 48 columns
Printer type
1: Standard
4: With auto-cutter
TSP200-series thermal printer
5
1
4
3
2

CHAPTER 1
SPECIFICATIONS AND OPERATION
1. General Specifications..........................................................................................3
2. External Appearance.............................................................................................4
3. DIP-Switch Settings ..............................................................................................5
4. Using the control panel to adjust the sensors, select the head rank, and set
the memory switches............................................................................................6
5. Running a test print ..............................................................................................8
6. HEX dump mode....................................................................................................8
1

– 2 –
SPECIFICATIONS AND OPERATION

– 3 –
SPECIFICATIONS AND OPERATION
158mm
193mm
234mm(TSP242-120/230)
239mm(TSP242-24)
158mm
193mm
234mm(TSP212-120/230)
239mm(TSP212-24)
(TSP212) (TSP242)
Fig. 1-1 External Dimensions
1. General Specifications
Printing method Line thermal direct
Resolution 8 dots/mm (H) ×8 dots/mm (V)
Printable width 72 mm
Printing speeds 50 mm/sec (max.)
Printable characters ANK, International
Bar codes JAN, EAN, UPC, Code 39, ITF, Code 128, Code 93, NW-7
Character matrix 12 ×24 dots
Interfaces RS-232C, Parallel
Dimensions TSP212-120/230 : 158(W) ×234(D) ×193(H) mm
TSP242-120/230 : 158(W) ×234(D) ×193(H) mm
TSP212-24 : 158(W) ×239(D) ×193(H) mm
TSP242-24 : 158(W) ×239(D) ×193(H) mm
Weight TSP212-120/230 : 2.8kg
TSP242-120-230 : 3.0kg
TSP212-24 : 1.8kg
TSP242-24 : 2.0kg
AC adapter : 350g
AC cable : 150g
Power AC120V, AC230V, DC24V
Power consumption Max. 43 W Avg. 19W (During continuous printing of ASCII characters)
Operating environment +5˚C ~ +40˚C
25% ~ 85% RH
Storage environment –20˚C ~ +60˚C
10% ~ 90% RH
Automatic paper cutter
Life 300, 000 cuts
Min. cut length 25.4mm (1 inch)

– 4 –
SPECIFICATIONS AND OPERATION
Features two control
switches and two
indicators to indicate
printer status.
Control panel
Plugs into an outlet of
the specified voltage.
Shape of AC power plug
will vary according to
destinations.
AC power cord
Connects the printer
with host computer.
Interface connector Connects to peripheral units such
as cash drawers, etc.
Do not connect this to a telephone.
Peripheral unit drive circuit connector
Protects the printer from
dust and reduces noise.
Do not open the cover
while printing.
Printer cover
[ TSP200-120/230 ]
2. External Appearance
Fig. 1-2 External Appearance
For connection of the AC adapter.
Never unplug the AC adapter
while the printer is on.
AC adapter cable connector [ TSP200-24 ]

– 5 –
SPECIFICATIONS AND OPERATION
8141
ON
OFF DIP switch 1
DIP switch
DIP switch 2
Power off
3. DIP-Switch Settings
Be sure to turn the power to both the printer and host computer off before changing the setting of the DIP
switches.
Fig.1-3 DIP switch array
DIP switch #1
The factory settings of DIP switch 1 are all on.
Switch Contents ON OFF
1-1 Baud Rate
1-2
1-3 Data Length 8 bit 7 bit
1-4 Parity Check Disabled Enabled
1-5 Parity Selection Odd Even
1-6 Handshake DTR/DSR XON/XOFF
1-7 Operating Mode Star ESC/POS
1-8 Interface RS232C Parallel
Baud Rate 1-1 1-2
2400BPS OFF OFF
4800BPS ON OFF
9600BPS ON ON
19200BPS OFF ON
DIP Switch #2
Factory settings: 2-1 and 2-2 are on; 2-3 and 2-4 are off.
Switch Contents ON OFF
2-1 Print Density
2-2
2-3 Serial I/F No. 6 Pin Reset Signal Enabled Disabled
2-4 Serial I/F No. 9 Pin Reset Signal Enabled Disabled
Print Density 2-1 2-2
Light OFF OFF
Standard ON ON
Somewhat Heavy ON OFF
Heavy OFF ON

– 6 –
SPECIFICATIONS AND OPERATION
Buzzer beeps 1 time.
Press both
switches.
Start
Buzzer beeps twice.
Buzzer beeps 3 times.
Buzzer beeps 4 times.
Buzzer beeps 5 times.
Release within 2 seconds.
Enters "Adjust Paper-Out Sensor" mode.
Release within 2 seconds.
Enters "Adjust Paper-Near-End Sensor"
mode.
Continue to
hold down.
Both switches Release within 2 seconds.
Enters "Set Head Rank" mode.
Continue to
hold down.
Both switches Release within 2 seconds.
Resets, then executes test print.
Continue to
hold down.
Both switches. Release within 2 seconds.
Enters "Set Memory Switches" mode.
Continue to
hold down.
Both switches
Continue to
hold down.
4. Using the control panel to adjust the sensors, select the head rank, and set the
memory switches.
HolddowntheFEEDandONLINEswitcheswhilesetting poweron,thencontinuetoholdtheswitchesdownforthetime
necessary to enter the required mode, as indicated below.

– 7 –
SPECIFICATIONS AND OPERATION
(1) “Adjust Paper-Out Sensor” mode.
Adjustment is not necessary if the ONLINE lamp is ON when you enter this mode. If the lamp is OFF, the turn VR1
clockwise until it the lamp comes ON.
To exit this mode, press ONLINE. To move back to the start of the sequence, press both ONLINE and FEED at the same
time.
Please be sure that paper is inserted before entering this mode.
(2) “Adjust Paper-Near-End Sensor” mode
When you enter this mode, the POWER lamp will be lit if the near-end sensor is detecting paper. The lamp will be off
if no paper is detected.
To exit the mode, press ONLINE. To move back to the start of the sequence, press both ONLINE and FEED at the same
time.
(3) “Set Head Rank” mode
When you enter the mode, the ONLINE and POWER lamps will both be OFF. Press the FEED switch as necessary to
select the desired rank. The rank is indicated by the ONLINE and POWER lamp pattern, which changes each time you
press the switch. The change sequence is indicated below. (Note that you can move back to the start of the sequence by
pressing the ONLINE and FEED switches at the same time.)
ONLINE lamp FEED lamp Head Rank
OFF OFF A
OFF ON B
ON OFF C
ON ON C
(4) “Set Memory Switches” mode
1When you first enter this mode, memory switch 0 is selected. You can change the selection by pressing FEED
asmanytimes asnecessary.Specifically, theselectioncycleis0 ->1 -> 2-> 3 ->4 ->0 -> 1->... In other words,
press 0 times to select Switch 0, 1 time to select Switch 1, and so on.
2Press ONLINE once to confirm your selection. The buzzer beeps one time in response.
3Set a value for each bit in turn, starting from Bit F and proceeding sequentially to Bit 0. Note that the lamps
indicate each bit’s current value: ONLINE lamp ON means that the current value is “1”, while POWER lamp
ON means that the current value is “1”.
To set to 0: Press FEED. (The buzzer will beep once.)
To set to 1: Press ONLINE. (The buzzer will beep once.)
When you complete setting of Bit 0, the buzzer will beep again.
4When you have set all bit values and are ready to enter the new value, press the ONLINE switch. The buzzer
beeps once and the value is written to memory.
If you wish to cancel your changes, press the FEED switch instead. The buzzer will beep twice and the process
will return to the beginning of Step (3) above.
5Press the ONLINE and FEED switches at the same time to move back to the start of the sequence.

– 8 –
SPECIFICATIONS AND OPERATION
5. Running a test print
To generate a test print, hold down the FEED switch while setting the power on.
6. HEX dump mode
To enter HEX dump mode, hold down the ONLINE switch while setting the power on, and then release the switch after
the buzzer beeps once.
When this mode is active, all data sent from the host will be printed in HEX form.

CHAPTER 2
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
This chapter describes the operating principles of the circuitry and printer mechanism.
1. Block Diagram ..................................................................................................... 11
2. Interface ...............................................................................................................13
2-1. Interface Types ..................................................................................................... 13
2-1-1. RS232 interface ................................................................................................ 13
2-1-2. Parallel interface............................................................................................... 14
2-2. Data Arrangement and Printing........................................................................... 15
2-2-1. Arrangement ..................................................................................................... 15
2-2-2. Thermal printhead ............................................................................................ 15
2-2-3. Head current control ........................................................................................ 16
2-2-4. Head current control ........................................................................................ 18
2-2-5. Head burnout protection ................................................................................. 18
2-3. Feed-Motor Drive Circuit...................................................................................... 19
2-4. Power-On Reset Circuit ....................................................................................... 21
2-5. +5V Line Voltage Detector Circuit....................................................................... 22
3. Printer Mechanism .............................................................................................. 23
3-1. Thermal Printhead ................................................................................................ 23
3-2. Paper-Feed Mechanism ....................................................................................... 23
3-3. Detectors ............................................................................................................... 24
3-4. Auto-Cutter Drive circuit (on TSP242-24/120/230 only) .................................... 25
2

– 10 –
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

– 11 –
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
1. Block Diagram
The following diagram illustrates the relation between the main logic board and its peripherals.
Fig. 2-1 Block Diagram
Host computer
Host computer
Parallel I/F
Main Logic Board
RS232C I/F
Gate array
CPU
EEPROM
Head driver
Lamp
Dipswitch
Motor driver
Cutter driver
Sensor circuit
EPROM
256K ×8 bits
PSRAM
128K ×8 bits
Kanji ROM
512K ×8 bits
Peripheral unit
driver
Switch
Thermal
head
Printer mechanism
Paper-feed
motor
Auto-cutter
Sensor
Peripheral unit
5V 24V
Power supply unit

– 12 –
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
(1) Main Logic Board
The main logic board’s CPU passes data transmitted from the host computer into the local RAM. It then reads the data
fromtheRAM,arrangesitinaccordancewiththeROMprogram,andprintstheresultsbyissuingappropriatedrivesignals
to the printer mechanism.
[Block Descriptions]
a. CPU: HD6413002F16
CMOS single-chip computer.
Controls overall printer operation.
b. EPROM: 256K ×8 bits
Stores the CPU control program.
c. PSRAM: 128K ×8 bits
Work area and data buffer.
d. EEPROM: 1024 bits
Stores printer settings. Settings can be changed by software. (Used in place of dip switches.)
e. Interface
Interfaces the main board with the host computer.
Two versions available: RS232C and Centronics.
f. Gate array
Handles signal input, output, and conversions.
g. Drivers
Thevarious drivers convert signals received from the CPUand gate array into drive signals that directlycontrol
the printer mechanism.
(2) Printer Mechanism
Comprised of thermal head, platen, paper-feed motor, auto-cutter, and sensor mechanism.
(3) Power Supply Unit
Converts primary power to DC5V, DC24V.
(4) Peripheral Unit
External device (such as cash drawer) driven by signals issued from the main logic board.

– 13 –
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
RXD
TXD
DSR
DTR
RTS
FAULT
INIT
CN6 IC10
ADM232LJR
Dipswitch 2-4
IC1 CPU
Dipswitch 2-3
RXD 0
TXD 0
P93
P91
P94
Comparator
TTL
232C
TTL
232C
Comparator
2. Interface
2-1. Interface Types
2-1-1. RS232 interface
Fig. 2-2 Serial Interface
Data flow from host to printer: IC10 receives serial data from the host through RXD, converts the voltage level from
RS232C to TTL, and passes the result to the CPU. The CPU converts the serial data to
parallel form and stores the result into buffer memory.
Data flow from printer to host: The CPU generates the data, converts it into serial form, then passes it to IC10. IC10
converts the level from TTL to RS232C and outputs the result over the TXD line.

– 14 –
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
2-1-2. Parallel interface
Fig. 2-3 Parallel interface
When the printer is ready (BUSY is LOW), the host computer transmits eight bits of parallel data (DATA1,...,DATA8)
to CN4. The data passes through the gate array and moves into the CPU.
Printer signals from the CPU (ACK, ERROR, SELECT, PAPER OUT, etc.) pass through the gate array and are output
over the appropriate connector pins.
DATA 1
DATA 2
DARA 3
DATA 4
DATA 5
DARA 6
DATA 7
DATA 8
STROBE
BUSY
ACK
ERROR
SELECT
PAPER OUT
CN4
CPU
IC1
Gate array
IC4
LS05
CD0
CD1
CD2
CD3
CD4
CD5
CD6
CD7
CSTB
BUSY
ACK
ERROR
SELECT
POUT
IC5

– 15 –
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
2-2. Data Arrangement and Printing
2-2-1. Arrangement
The CPU reads data sequentially from RAM and arranges this data in accordance with program instructions stored in
EPROM. The arranged data is then converted from parallel to serial form. The gate array then outputs the resulting serial
data to the drive controller in the thermal printhead.
2-2-2. Thermal printhead
The thermal printhead has 576 heat elements. Printing is executed by switching these elements ON and OFF as required.
The printhead contains a built-in dedicated drive controller. The controller consists of shift register, latch circuit, and
drivercircuit, asillustratedbelow.Thecontrollerreceivesserialdata(SI) fromthegatearrayinsyncwiththeCLKsignal.
It latches this incoming data (by LATCH signal), then outputs the data to the elements in sync with the falling edge of
the STROBE signal. A data value of LOW corresponds to an element value of ON (generating print).
Fig. 2-4 Drive Circuitry of Thermal Printhead
B. E. O
LATCH
CLOCK
STROBE4
STROBE3
STROBE2
STROBE1
V
H
DATE IN
(SI) SO
R576 R1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

– 16 –
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
Fig. 2-5 Block Diagram of Drive IC
2-2-3. Head current control
AlthoughthethermalprintheadhasfourdifferentSTROBElines,infact it uses only threestrobesignalstocontrolits576
elements. Specifically, each signal drives 192 of these elements. The signal/element arrangement is shown below.
Thermal Printhead Elements Strobe Signal
STROBE1 1 – 192 STB1
STROBE2 193 – 256 STB2
STROBE3 257 – 384
STROBE4 385 – 576 STB3
DO1
GND
H
V DD
SO
DO2
V DD
GND L
STB
BEO
D
Q
L
C
Q
D
D
Q
L
C
Q
D
DO3
D
Q
L
C
Q
D
V DD
CHECKER
LAT
SI
CLK
CTL
DO62 DO63
D
Q
L
C
Q
D
D
Q
L
C
Q
D
DO64
D
Q
L
C
Q
D
BUFFER
LATCH
SHIFT
REGISTER