The document describes a high-speed fiber optic modem that allows asynchronous serial devices to communicate over fiber optic cable. It supports RS-232, RS-422 and RS-485 interfaces at speeds up to 115.2 kbps and can operate in a point-to-point or multi-drop configuration with a range of up to 2.5 miles. The modem uses ST connectors for the fiber and a DB-25 connector for the serial interfaces. Dip switches on the modem are used to configure the RS-422/485 operation and timeouts.
The document describes a high-speed fiber optic modem that allows asynchronous serial devices to communicate over fiber optic cable. It supports RS-232, RS-422 and RS-485 interfaces at speeds up to 115.2 kbps and can operate in a point-to-point or multi-drop configuration with a range of up to 2.5 miles. The modem uses ST connectors for the fiber and a DB-25 connector for the serial interfaces. Dip switches on the modem are used to configure the RS-422/485 operation and timeouts.
Users Manual MODEL 277 1.0 Description: The MODEL 277 was designed to provide the most versatile connection possible between any asynchronous seria equipment using Fiber Optic cable. It allows any two pieces of asynchronous serial equipment to communicate full or half-duplex over two fibers at typical distances up to 2.5 miles. The converter can also be set up in "Repeater" mode to create a multi-drop master/slave configuration, allowing one serial device to talk to multiple slave devices around a fiber ring. RS-232 data signals at up to 115.2K bps and RS-422, or RS-485 data signals at up to 115.2K bps are supported. Different standards can be mixed and matched to allow RS-232 devices to connect to your RS-422 or RS-485 system. This means the MODEL 277 can replace converters and isolators when connecting remote devices, while providing the EMI/RFI and transient immunity of optical fiber. The MODEL 277 supports both the Transmit and Receive data lines, and provides full hardware control of the RS-422/485 driver with automatic Send Data Control circuit. Timeouts are dip-switch selectable between 0.10 and 2.2 ms. All serial connections are provided on the same DB-25 female connector, while the multimode fiber is connected via two ST connectors. The unit is powered by 9VDC at 140 mA max. 2.0 RS-232 Connections: Connection of the MODEL277 is simple and straight forward. The DB-25 female serial connector is used for connecting to either RS-232, RS-422 or RS-485. The RS-232 signals are pinned as a DCE device (input on Pin 2 and output on Pin 3). A straight through cable can be used from your DB-25 port on any DTE device such as a PC or terminal. A standard 9 to 25-pin adapter can be used in cases where the serial port on the DTE device is a DB-9. A null modem cable or adapter that swaps pins 2 and 3 is needed for connecting to modems or other DCE devices. See Figure 1 for connection diagrams to 9 pin and 25 pin DTE and DCE devices. Because RS-422 and RS-485 signals are also available on the same connector, take special care not to hook any external signals to these pins. This is not a problem for most serial devices, but a custom cable must be made that does not connect to the extra pins on the DB-25 connector if your device has power or special non-standard outputs. Figure 1: RS-232 Connection Diagrams 3.0 RS-422 & RS-485 Connections: The RS-422/485 driver and receiver are connected to 4 pins on the DB-25 connector. Signal ground is on Pin 7. When connecting to a four-wire RS-422/485 device or system, connect the output of your device to pins 16 (B or +) and 17 (A or +).Connect the input to your device to pins 14 (B or +) and 15 (A or -). For two-wire RS-485 systems, the driver and receiver of the MODEL277 must be connected together by tying pins 14 and 16 together and 15 and 17 together. This allows the MODEL277 to communicate half-duplex over the same pair. Refer to Figure 2 for connection diagrams to your RS-422 or RS-485 equipment. If termination is needed, a spot on the PCB of the MODEL277 labeled Rt allows you to solder in a termination resistor across the RD(A) and RD(B) lines. Figure 2: RS-422/485 Connection Diagrams 4.0 Fiber Optic Connections: The MODEL277 uses a separate LED emitter and photo-detector operating at 820 nm wavelength. Connections to the emitter and detector are on ST type connectors. Almost any multimode glass fiber size can be used including 50/125 m,62.5/125 m, 100/140 m, and 200 m. One fiber is required for each connection between a transmitter and receiver. In apoint-to-point configuration, two fibers are required between the two modems, one for data in each direction. A multi-drop ring configuration requires one fiber between TX and RX around the loop. See Figure 3 for typical point-to-point and multi-drop configurations. The most important consideration in planning the fiber optic link is the !power budget" of the fiber modem. This value represents the amount of loss in dB that can be present in the link between the two modems before the units fail to perform properly. This value includes line attenuation as well as connector loss. For the MODEL277 the typical connector-to-connector power budget is 12.1 dB. Because 62.5/125 m cable typically has a line attenuation of 3 dB per Km at 820 nm, the 12.1 dB power budget translates into 2.5 miles. This assumes no extra connectors or splices in the link. Each extra connection would typically add 0.5 dB of loss, reducing the possible distance by 166 m (547 ft.). The actual loss should be measured before assuming distances. Figure 3: Typical USE
5.0 DIP-Switch Setup: The Dip-Switch (SW1) on the MODEL277 defines the mode of operation when being used for RS-422 or RS-485.Positions 1 through 6 on the switch determine the timeout of the RS-485 driver. Because the driver is controlled by hardware, a specific time must be set to tell the hardware how long to wait for data on the fiber side before turning off,the RS-422/485 driver. If this time is set too short, the driver could be disabled before transmission is complete,resulting in data corruption. If the time is set too long, the RS-485 device may respond before the RS-422/485 driver in the MODEL277 is disabled, corrupting this response. We recommend that the timeout be set for approximately one character time or longer. The character times for several different baud rates are selectable on switch positions 1 through 6. If you need a different timeout than what isprovided, R1 can be removed and replaced with a different value R0. Table 1 shows the different timeoutvalues for the switch positions as well as some typical R0 replacement values. Positions 7 and 8 of SW1 determine when the RS-422/485 driver and receiver are enabled. Position 7 controls the driverand Position 8 controls the receiver. For RS-422 operation, set both switches to the !Off" position. For multi-drop RS-485 four-wire systems, position 7 should be !On" and position 8 should be !Off." This allows the receiver to be enabled all of the time and eliminates some possible timing problems. For RS-485 two-wire systems, both switches should be in the !On" position. This disables the RS-422/485 receiver whenever the driver is enabled, preventing data from being echoed back to the fiber side of the MODEL277. Table 2 illustrates the switch settings for typical setups. 6.0 Multi-Drop Operation: A multi-drop configuration is created by forming a ring of MODEL277. Each transmitter is tied to the following converter#s receiver, starting at a master node and continuing around to each slave and back to the master. By setting JP1(on PCB Mainbroad) to the!1-2" position on the slaves, !2-3" position on the Master, all data sent from the master or preceding slaves is echoed back out the fiber transmitter to therest of the slaves and eventually back to the master node.Because all data is echoed back, there are special considerations when constructing a multi-drop system. The master will see it#s own transmitted data. This means that the master device must be full-duplex (RS-232, RS-422, or four-wire RS-485) and that it must be capable of ignoring or otherwise accepting it#s own echoed transmission. Slaves must also be able to accept data from previous slaves in the loop. Table 1: RS-485 Timeout Selection
Table 2: 422/485 Switch Settings
7.0 Specifications: Transmission Line: Dual multimode optical cable Point to Point Transmission: Asynchronous, half or full-duplex Multi-Drop Transmission: Asynchronous, half duplex, master/slave, ring Interfaces: RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 Data Rates: 0 to 115.2K bps RS-232; 0 to 115.2K bps RS-422/485 Typical Range: Up to 2.5 miles on multimode glass fiber Coupled Power Budget: 12.1 dB Optic Wavelength: 820 nm Connectors: DB-25 female for serial connection, ST connectors for fiber Power Supply: Requires 9 $ 14 VDC @ 140 mA max. Dimensions: 6.3"L x 4.3"W x 1.25"H