Scribd
Upload
46 views3 pages

RS232 Serial Port

RS232 is a widely used communications protocol for connecting devices like modems and data acquisition instruments to computers via serial ports. The standard defines electrical and mechanical characteristics, with common versions being RS232C and RS232E, and emphasizes that proper wiring is crucial for communication. Data transmission speed is measured in Baud, with modern equipment capable of exceeding the standard maximum of 20000 Baud, and factors like cable length can affect performance.

Uploaded by

Mohamed Hashem
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
46 views3 pages

RS232 Serial Port

RS232 is a widely used communications protocol for connecting devices like modems and data acquisition instruments to computers via serial ports. The standard defines electrical and mechanical characteristics, with common versions being RS232C and RS232E, and emphasizes that proper wiring is crucial for communication. Data transmission speed is measured in Baud, with modern equipment capable of exceeding the standard maximum of 20000 Baud, and factors like cable length can affect performance.

Uploaded by

Mohamed Hashem
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Technical Notes: RS232 Serial Port

What is RS232?
RS232 is a popular communications protocol for connecting modems and data
acquisition devices to computers. RS232 devices can be plugged straight into the
computer's serial port (also known as the COM or Comms port). Examples of data
acquisition devices include GPS receivers, electronic balances, data loggers,
temperature interfaces and other measurement instruments.

RS232 Software
To obtain data from your RS232 instruments and display it on your PC you need some
software. Version 4.3 of the Windmill RS232 software is now free from their web site.
They also offer free serial trouble-shooting software.

The RS232 Standard


RS stands for recommended standard. In the 60's a standards committee now known as
the Electronic Industries Association developed an interface to connect computer
terminals to modems. Over the years this has been updated: the most commonly used
version of the standard is RS232C (sometimes known as EIA232); the most recent is
RS232E. The standard defines the electrical and mechanical characteristics of the
connection - including the function of the signals and handshake pins, the voltage levels
and maximum bit rate.

If RS232 is a standard why can't I just use a standard lead to connect together two
RS232 ports and expect them to talk to one another? That's a good question. The
answer is that the RS232 standard was created for just one specific situation and the
difficulties come when it is used for something else. The standard was defined to
connect computers to modems. Any other use is outside of the standard. The authors of
the standard had in mind the situation below:

The standard defines how computers ( it calls them Data Terminal Equipment or DTEs)
connect to modems ( it calls them Data Communication Equipment or DCEs). The
standard says that computers should be fitted with a 25 way plug whilst modems should
have a 25 way D socket. The interconnecting lead between a computer and a modem
should be simply pin1—pin1, pin2—pin2, etc. The main signals and their direction of
flow are described below. It is important to note that a signal which is an output from a
computer is an input to a modem and vice versa. This means that you can never tell
from the signal name alone whether it is an input or an output from a particular piece of
equipment. Also, instead of being a DCE device, a data acquisition device might be
configured as DTE. In this case you need an adaptor or the RS232 cable wired
differently to normal. When the PC is connected to a DTE instrument, some of the cable
wires must cross over.
TXD Transmitted Data, Pin 2 of 25 way D
This is the serial encoded data sent from a computer to a modem to be transmitted over
the telephone line.

RXD Received Data, Pin 3 of 25 way D


This is the serial encoded data received by a computer from a modem which has in turn
received it over the telephone line.

DSR Data Set Ready, Pin 6 of 25 way D


This should be set true by a modem whenever it is powered on. It can be read by the
computer to determine that the modem is on line.

DTR Data Terminal Ready, Pin 20 of 25 way D


This should be set true by a computer whenever it is powered on. It can be read by the
modem to determine that the computer is on line.

RTS Request to Send, Pin 4 of 25 way D


This is set true by a computer when it wishes to transmit data.

CTS Clear To Send, Pin 5 of 25 Way D


This is set true by a modem to allow the computer to transmit data. The standard
envisaged that when a computer wished to transmit data it would set its RTS. The local
modem would then arbitrate with the distant modem for use of the telephone line. If it
succeeded it would set CTS and the computer would transmit data. The distant modem
would use its CTS to prevent any transmission by the distant computer.

DCD Data Carrier Detect, Pin 8 of 25 Way D


This is set true by a modem when it detects the data carrier signal on the telephone
line..

PC Serial Ports
A nine pin D plug has become the standard fitting for the serial ports of PCs, although
it's nothing to do with the RS232 standard. The pin connections used are:

Pin Direction Signal


1 Input DCD Data Carrier Detect
2 Input RXD Received Data
3 Output TXD Transmitted Data
4 Output DTR Data Terminal Ready
5 Signal Ground
6 Input DSR Data Set Ready
7 Output RTS Request To Send
8 Input CTS Clear To Send
9 Input RI Ring Indicator
How Fast Can Instruments send data over
RS232?
The speed of RS232 communications is expressed in Baud. The unit is named after
Jean Maurice-Emile Baudot (1845-1903), a French telegraph engineer and the inventor
of the first teleprinter. It was proposed at the International Telegraph Conference of
1927. The maximum speed, according to the standard, is 20000 Baud. However,
modern equipment can operate much faster than this. No matter how fast (or slow) your
connection - the maximum number of readings per second you can take from your
instrument depends on the software. For example, with Windmill software, speeds of up
to 35 readings per second are achievable whilst with Streamer software this rises to 700
readings per second.

The length of the cable also plays a part in maximum speed. The longer the cable, the
greater the cable's capacitance and the slower the speed at which you can obtain
accurate results. A large capacitance means voltage changes on one signal wire may be
transmitted to an adjacent signal wire. Fifty feet is commonly quoted as the maximum
distance, but this is not specified in the standard. We generally recommend a maximum
distance of 50 metres, but this depends on the type of hardware you are connecting and
characteristics of the cable.

You might also like