RS232 Tutorial on Data Interface and cables
RS232 Tutorial on Data Interface and cables
RS-232 is simple, universal, well understood and supported but it has some serious shortcomings as a data
interface. The standards to 256kbps or less and line lengths of 15M (50 ft) or less but today we see high
speed ports on our home PC running very high speeds and with high quality cable maxim distance has
increased greatly. The rule of thumb for the length a data cable depends on speed of the data, quality of the
cable.
a Tutorial
Electronic data communications between elements will generally fall into two broad categories: single-ended and
differential. RS232 (single-ended) was introduced in 1962, and despite rumors for its early demise, has remained widely
used through the industry.
Independent channels are established for two-way (full-duplex) communications. The RS232 signals are represented by
voltage levels with respect to a system common (power / logic ground). The "idle" state (MARK) has the signal level
negative with respect to common, and the "active" state (SPACE) has the signal level positive with respect to common.
RS232 has numerous handshaking lines (primarily used with modems), and also specifies a communications protocol.
The RS-232 interface presupposes a common ground between the DTE and DCE. This is a reasonable assumption when a
short cable connects the DTE to the DCE, but with longer lines and connections between devices that may be on different
electrical busses with different grounds, this may not be true.
RS232 data is bi-polar.... +3 TO +12 volts indicates an "ON or 0-state (SPACE) condition" while A -3 to -12 volts indicates
an "OFF" 1-state (MARK) condition.... Modern computer equipment ignores the negative level and accepts a zero voltage
level as the "OFF" state. In fact, the "ON" state may be achieved with lesser positive potential. This means circuits powered
by 5 VDC are capable of driving RS232 circuits directly, however, the overall range that the RS232 signal may be
transmitted/received may be dramatically reduced.
The output signal level usually swings between +12V and -12V. The "dead area" between +3v and -3v is designed to
absorb line noise. In the various RS-232-like definitions this dead area may vary. For instance, the definition for V.10 has a
dead area from +0.3v to -0.3v. Many receivers designed for RS-232 are sensitive to differentials of 1v or less.
This can cause problems when using pin powered widgets - line drivers, converters, modems etc. These type of units need
enough voltage & current to power them self's up. Typical URART (the RS-232 I/O chip) allows up to 50ma per output pin -
so if the device needs 70ma to run we would need to use at least 2 pins for power. Some devices are very efficient and only
require one pin (some times the Transmit or DTR pin) to be high - in the "SPACE" state while idle.
An RS-232 port can supply only limited power to another device. The number of output lines, the type of interface driver IC,
and the state of the output lines are important considerations.
The types of driver ICs used in serial ports can be divided into three general categories:
Drivers which require plus (+) and minus (-) voltage power supplies such as the 1488 series of interface integrated
circuits. (Most desktop and tower PCs use this type of driver.)
Low power drivers which require one +5 volt power supply. This type of driver has an internal charge pump for voltage
conversion. (Many industrial microprocessor controls use this type of driver.)
Low voltage (3.3 v) and low power drivers which meet the EIA-562 Standard. (Used on notebooks and laptops.)
Data is transmitted and received on pins 2 and 3 respectively. Data Set Ready (DSR) is an indication from the Data Set
(i.e., the modem or DSU/CSU) that it is on. Similarly, DTR indicates to the Data Set that the DTE is on. Data Carrier Detect
(DCD) indicates that a good carrier is being received from the remote modem.
Pins 4 RTS (Request To Send - from the transmitting computer) and 5 CTS (Clear To Send - from the Data set) are used to
control. In most Asynchronous situations, RTS and CTS are constantly on throughout the communication session. However
where the DTE is connected to a multipoint line, RTS is used to turn carrier on the modem on and off. On a multipoint line,
it's imperative that only one station is transmitting at a time (because they share the return phone pair). When a station
wants to transmit, it raises RTS. The modem turns on carrier, typically waits a few milliseconds for carrier to stabilize, and
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then raises CTS. The DTE transmits when it sees CTS up. When the station has finished its transmission, it drops RTS and
the modem drops CTS and carrier together.
Clock signals (pins 15, 17, & 24) are only used for synchronous communications. The modem or DSU extracts the clock
from the data stream and provides a steady clock signal to the DTE. Note that the transmit and receive clock signals do not
have to be the same, or even at the same baud rate.
Note: Transmit and receive leads (2 or 3) can be reversed depending on the use of the equipment - DCE Data
Communications Equipment or a DTE Data Terminal Equipment.
One of the stickiest areas of confusion in datacom is over the terms "transmit" and "receive" as they pertain to DTE (data terminal
equipment) and DCE (data communication equipment). In synchronous communication, this confusion is particularly acute, because
more signals are involved. So why is it that you sometimes send data on TD, and other times you send data on RD? Is this just a
cruel form of mental torture? Not really. The secret lies in adopting the proper perspective. In data-com, the proper perspective is
always from the point of view of the DTE. When you sit at a PC, terminal or workstation (DTE) and transmit data to somewhere far
away, you naturally do so on the TD (transmit data) line. When your modem or CSU/DSU (DCE) receives this incoming data, it
receives the data on the TD line as well. Why? Because the only perspective that counts in data-com is the perspective of the DTE. It
does not matter that the DCE thinks it is receiving data; the line is still called "TD". Conversely, when the modem or CSU/DSU
receives data from the outside world and sends it to the DTE, it sends it on the RD line. Why? Because from the perspective of the
DTE, the data is being received! So when wondering, "Is this line TD or RD? Is it TC or RC?" Ask yourself, "What would the DTE
say?"
Find out by following these steps: The point of reference for all signals is the terminal (or PC).
1 ) Measure the DC voltages between (DB25) pins 2 & 7 and between pins 3 & 7. Be sure the black lead is
connected to pin 7 (Signal Ground) and the red lead to whichever pin you are measuring.
2) If the voltage on pin 2 is more negative than -3 Volts, then it is a DTE, otherwise it should be near zero volts.
4) If both pins 2 & 3 have a voltage of at least 3 volts, then either you are measuring incorrectly, or your device
is not a standard EIA-232 device. Call technical support.
5) In general, a DTE provides a voltage on TD, RTS, & DTR, whereas a DCE provides voltage on RD, CTS,
DSR, & CD.
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X.21
General
The X.21 interface was recommended by the CCITT in 1976. It is defined as a digital signaling interface between
customers (DTE) equipment and carrier's equipment (DCE). And thus primarily used for telecom equipment.
All signals are balanced. Meaning there is always a pair (+/-) for each signal, like used in RS422. The X.21 signals are the
same as RS422, so please refer to RS422 for the exact details.
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Functional Description
As can be seen from the pinning specifications, the Signal Element Timing (clock) is provided by the DCE. This means that
your provider (local telco office) is responsible for the correct clocking and that X.21 is a synchronous interface. Hardware
handshaking is done by the Control and Indication lines. The Control is used by the DTE and the Indication is the DCE one.
Cross-cable pinning
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This is a standard 9 to 25 pin cable layout for async data on a PC AT serial cable
9-pin 25-pin
Description Signal Source DTE or DCE
DTE DCE
Carrier Detect CD 1 8 from Modem
Receive Data RD 2 3 from Modem
Transmit Data TD 3 2 from Terminal/Computer
Data Terminal
DTR 4 20 from Terminal/Computer
Ready
Signal Ground SG 5 7 from Modem
Data Set Ready DSR 6 6 from Modem
Request to Send RTS 7 4 from Terminal/Computer
Clear to Send CTS 8 5 from Modem
Ring Indicator RI 9 22 from Modem
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RS-232 Specs.
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Cabling considerations - you should use cabling made for RS-232 data but I have seen low speed data go over 250' on 2
pair phone cable. Level 5 cable can also be used but for best distance use a low capacitance data grade cable.
The standard maxim length is 50' but if data is async you can increase that distance to as much as 500' with a good grade
of cable.
The RS-232 signal on a single cable is impossible to screen effectively for noise. By screening the entire cable we can
reduce the influence of outside noise, but internally generated noise remains a problem. As the baud rate and line length
increase, the effect of capacitance between the different lines introduces serious crosstalk (this especially true on
synchronous data - because of the clock lines) until a point is reached where the data itself is unreadable. Signal Crosstalk
can be reduced by using low capacitance cable and shielding each pair
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Using a high grade cable (individually shield low capacitance pairs) the distance can be extended to 4000'
At higher frequencies a new problem comes to light. The high frequency component of the data signal is lost as the cable
gets longer resulting in a rounded, rather than square wave signal.
The maxim distance will depend on the speed and noise level around the cable run.
On longer runs a line driver is needed. This is a simple modem used to increase the maxim distance you can run RS-232
data.
Selecting data cable isn't difficult, but often gets lost in the shuffle of larger system issues. Care should be taken. however,
because intermittent problems caused by marginal cable can be very difficult to troubleshoot.
Beyond the obvious traits such as number of conductors and wire gauge, cable specifications include a handful of less
intuitive terms.
Characteristic Impedance (Ohms): A value based on the inherent conductance, resistance, capacitance and inductance of
a cable that represents the impedance of an infinitely long cable. When the cable is out to any length and terminated with
this Characteristic Impedance, measurements of the cable will be identical to values obtained from the infinite length cable.
That is to say that the termination of the cable with this impedance gives the cable the appearance of being infinite length,
allowing no reflections of the transmitted signal. If termination is required in a system, the termination impedance value
should match the Characteristic Impedance of the cable.
Shunt Capacitance (pF/ft): The amount of equivalent capacitive load of the cable, typically listed in a per foot basis One of
the factors limiting total cable length is the capacitive load. Systems with long lengths benefits from using low capacitance
cable.
Propagation velocity (% of c): The speed at which an electrical signal travels in the cable. The value given typically must be
multiplied by the speed of light (c) to obtain units of meters per second. For example, a cable that lists a propagation
velocity of 78% gives a velocity of 0.78 X 300 X 106 - 234 X 106 meters per second.
Plenum cable
Plenum rated cable is fire resistant and less toxic when burning than non-plenum rated cable. Check building and fire
codes for requirements. Plenum cable is generally more expensive due to the sheathing material used.
The specification recommends 24AWG twisted pair cable with a shunt capacitance of 16 pF per foot and 100 ohm
characteristic impedance.
It can be difficult to qualify whether shielding is required in a particular system or not, until problems arise. We recommend
erring on the safe side and using shielded cable. Shielded cable is only slightly more expensive than unshielded.
There are many cables available meeting the recommendations of RS-422 and RS-485, made specifically for that
application. Another choice is the same cable commonly used in the Twisted pair Ethernet cabling. This cable, commonly
referred to as Category 5 cable, is defined by the ElA/TIA/ANSI 568 specification The extremely high volume of Category 5
cable used makes it widely available and very inexpensive, often less than half the price of specialty RS422/485 cabling.
The cable has a maximum capacitance of 17 pF/ft (14.5 pF typical) and characteristic impedance of 100 ohms.
Category 5 cable is available as shielded twisted pair (STP) as well as unshielded twisted pair (UTP) and generally
exceeds the recommendations making it an excellent choice for RS232 systems.
In this document the term RS232 will be used when refered to this serial interface. The description of RS232 is an EIA/TIA
norm and is identical to CCITT V.24/V.28, X.20bis/X.21bis and ISO IS2110. The only difference is that CCITT has split the
interface into its electrical description (V.28) and a mechanical part (V.24) or Asynchronous (X.20 bis) and Synchronous
(X.21 bis) where the EIA/TIA describes everything under RS232.
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As said before RS232 is a serial interface. It can be found in many different applications where the most common ones are
modems and Personal Computers. All pinning specifications are writen for the DTE side.
All DTE-DCE cables are straight through meaning the pins are connected one on one. DTE-DTE and DCE-DCE cables are
cross cables. To make a destiction between all different types of cables we have to use a naming convention.
DTE - DCE: Straight Cable
DTE - DTE: Null-Modem Cable
DCE - DCE: Tail Circuit Cable
Interface Mechanical
RS232 can be found on different connectors. There are special specifications for this. The CCITT only defines a Sub-D 25
pins version where the EIA/TIA has two versions RS232C and RS232D which are resp. on a Sub-D25 and a RJ45. Next to
this IBM has added a Sub-D 9 version which is found an almost all Personal Computers and is described in TIA 457.
Male Female
Pinnings
Circuit Circuit
RS232-C Description RJ45 TIA 457
EIA CCITT
1 Shield Ground AA
7 Signal Ground AB 102 4 5
2 Transmitted Data BA 103 6 3
3 Received Data BB 104 5 2
4 Request To Send CA 105 8 7
5 Clear To Send CB 106 7 8
6 DCE Ready CC 107 1 6
20 DTE Ready CD 108.2 3 4
22 Ring Indicator CE 125 1 9
8 Received Line Signal Detector CF 109 2 1
Data Signal Rate Select
23 CH/CI 111/112
(DTE/DCE Source>
Transmit Signal Element Timing
24 DA 113
(DTE Source)
Transmitter Signal Element Timing
15 DB 114
(DCE Source)
Receiver Signal Element Timing
17 DD 115
(DCE Source)
18 Local Loopback / Quality Detector LL 141
21 Remote Loopback RL/CG 140/110
14 Secondary Transmitted Data SBA 118
16 Secondary Received Data SBB 119
19 Secondary Request To Send SCA 120
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Interface Electrical
All signals are measured in reference to a common ground, which is called the signal ground (AB). A positive voltage
between 3 and 15 Vdc represents a logical 0 and a negative voltage between 3 and 15 Vdc represents a logical 1.
This switching between positive and negative is called bipolar. The zero state is not defined in RS232 and is considered a
fault condition (this happens when a device is turned off).
According to the above a maximum distance of 50 ft or 15 m. can be reached at a maximum speed of 20k bps. This is
according to the official specifications, the distance can be exceeded with the use of Line Drivers.
Functional description
The secondary signals are used on some DCE's. Those units have the possibility to transmit and/or receive on a secondary
channel. Those secondary channels are mostly of a lower speed than the normal ones and are mainly used for
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administrative functions.
Cable pinning
Here are some cable pinning that might be useful. Not all applications are covered, it is just a help:
Straight DB25 Cable DB25 Null- modem DB25 Tail- circuit DB25 to DB9 DTE - DCE cable
or cross over cable (Async) or cross over cable cable (Sync)
Pin Pin Pin Pin Pin Pin Pin Pin
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 3 2 3 3 2
3 3 3 2 3 2 2 3
4 4 4 5 4 8 7 4
5 5 5 4 6 20 8 5
6 6 6, 8 20 7 7 6 6
7 7 7 7 8 4 5 7
8 8 20 6, 8 17 24 1 8
</ 4 20
9 9 20 6
DB9 Null- modem or 9 22
10 10 24 17
cross over cable
11 11
12 12 1,6 4
13 13 2 3
14 14 3 2
15 15 4 1,6
16 16 5 5
17 17 7 8
18 18 8 7
19 19
20 20
21 21
22 22
23 23
24 24
25 25
This cable should be used for DTE to DCE (for instance computer to modem) connections with hardware handshaking.
(To Computer).
(To Modem).
Female Male
Shield 1
Transmit Data 3 2
Receive Data 2 3
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Request to Send 7 4
Clear to Send 8 5
Data Set Ready 6 6
System Ground 5 7
Carrier Detect 1 8
Data Terminal Ready 4 20
Ring Indicator 9 22
D-Sub 1 D-Sub 2
Recieve Data 3 2 Transmit Data
Transmit Data 2 3 Receive Data
Data Terminal Ready 20 6+8 Data Set Ready + Carrier Detect
System Ground 7 7 System Ground
Data Set Ready + Carrier Detect 6+8 20 Data Terminal Ready
Request to Send 4 5 Clear to Send
Clear to Send 5 4 Request to Send
Note: DSR & CD are jumpered to fool the programs to think that their online.
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Loopback plugs:
Serial Port Loopback (9p)
jump to http://www.hardwarebook.info/
jump to http://electrosofts.com/serial
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