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RS232 Interface

RS232 Interface is now widely used for connecting instruments to computers. Coloquially "RS232" is used to imply specific connector patterns and communication protocols. There are differing conventions between instrument manufacturers in the way their RS232 ports are configured.

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194 views3 pages

RS232 Interface

RS232 Interface is now widely used for connecting instruments to computers. Coloquially "RS232" is used to imply specific connector patterns and communication protocols. There are differing conventions between instrument manufacturers in the way their RS232 ports are configured.

Uploaded by

vairam81
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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RS232 Interface

The RS232 Interface


Background
Strictly the RS232 standard specifies the names and functions of signals between Data Terminating Equipment (DTE) and Data Communication Equipment (DCE), and the gender of the connectors used. It does not specify the connector type or the communication protocol employed. The interface is now widely used for connecting instruments to computers and coloquially "RS232" is used to imply specific connector patterns and communication protocols. It is in this context we describe it here.

Equipment Conventions
Computers Computers are almost always configured as DTE. This is universally true of the "IBM compatible PC" (just abbreviated to "PC" in the rest of this document). A DTE is always fitted with a male connector. Traditionally this was a 25 way D-plug. On the PC, the RS232 ports are named COM1, COM2 etc. and in many cases the connector has been changed to a 9 way Dplug, to minimise panel space. Both these types of connectors are in common use and convertor leads between the two are readily available. (These are oftened refered to as "AT serial leads", because the IBM AT was the first model to introduce the 9 pin connector). Instruments Because the original standard was intended for DTE and DCE, not for connecting instruments, there are differing conventions between instrument manufacturers in the way their RS232 ports are configured. At Oxford Instruments, we treat all instruments as DCE and equip them with a 25 pin socket, using the correct DCE pinouts specified in RS232. However some manufacturers configure their instruments as DTE. Usually these will be correctly fitted with a plug but there are many cases where a socket has been fitted but the DTE pinouts have been used. In all cases you should consult the manufacturers literature.

Interconnection
Where a computer is configured as DTE and an instrument as DCE (with the correct connector), interconnection is very easy. If both units have 25 way connectors, connecting matching pins together will always work (pin1 to pin1, pin2 to pin2 etc.). However not all pins need to be connected. In practice never more than 9 wires are needed and this may in some
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RS232 Interface

cases be reduced to as few as 3 wires. If the computer uses a 9 pin connector, a standard "AT serial lead" is all that is required. With none standard instruments, refer to their manufacturers literature.

Pinouts
The table below shows the signal names and their corresponding pins to the maximum of 9 wires used for instrumentation applications. Not all wires are required in all applications. In the case of Oxford Instruments products only the TD, RD and SG lines are required for correct operation. Some computers will expect signals on other lines and the instruments provide these. Thus it is prudent to connect all 9 wires for trouble free first-time operation. All signals are named from the viewpoint of the DTE. Thus the TD line is used by the DTE to transmit data to the DCE, whilst it uses the RD line to receive data from the DCE. (Hence the DCE is transmitting on the RD line and receiving on the TD line). The signals are: Signal Name Pin # (25pin D) Pin # (9pin D) Direction FG TD RD RTS CTS DSR SG DCD DTR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 20 Shell 3 2 7 8 6 5 1 4 Function

Common Frame Ground To DCE To DTE To DCE To DTE To DTE Transmitted Data Received Data Request to Send Clear to Send Data Set (i.e. the DCE) Ready

Common Signal Ground To DTE To DCE Data Carrier Detect Data Terminal Ready

Voltage Levels
A logic 0 on the TD and RD lines, or a control signal "on" on the RTS, CTS, DSR, DCD and DTR lines is represented by a voltage in the range +5V to +15V at the source end, and must be > +3V at the receiving end of the cable. The converse signal msut be in the range -5V to 15V at the source and must be <-3V at the receiving end.

Data Protocol
Data carried on the two signal lines TD and RD is asynchronously at a predefined baud rate. A
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RS232 Interface

number of standard rates are in common use (though not strictly part of the RS232 standard). All Oxford Instruments products operate at a baud rate of 9600. The asynchronous format specifies a single START bit, at logic 0, followed by a sequence of data bits, sent LSB first, followed by one or more STOP bits, at logic 1. The data line remains at this STOP level until the next data is to be sent. It is normal to provide an option for sending either 1 or 2 stop bits. At Oxford Instruments we would recommend always setting this option for 2 stop bits. The slight reduction in data transmission rate is a small price to pay for the much greater tolerance of timing errors in the computer. The most common formats for the actual data bits are 8 bits, sent with no parity bit, or 7 bits with either an odd or even parity bit. For Oxford Instruments Products the format used is always 8 data bits and no parity. So the protocol options to set on your computer are: Baud Rate 9600 Data Bits Parity Stop Bits 8 None 2

Copyright 1999 Oxford Instruments (UK) Limited, all rights reserved URL: http://www.oiri.com/rs232.html

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