B&B Electronics 232BRC User Manual

RS-232 Baud Rate Converter

Model 232BRC

Documentation Number 232BRC-0812

pn5104-r006

This product designed and manufactured in Ottawa, Illinois USA

of domestic and imported parts by

707 Dayton Road -- P.O. Box 1040 -- Ottawa, IL 61350 USA

Phone [phone] -- General Fax [phone]

Phone [phone] -- General Fax [phone]

Website: www.bb-elec.com

Sales e-mail: [e-mail] -- Fax [phone]

Technical Support e-mail: [e-mail] -- Fax [phone]

European Headquarters

Westlink Commercial Park -- Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland

Phone [phone] -- Fax [phone]

Website: www.bb-europe.com

Sales e-mail: [e-mail]

Technical Support e-mail: [e-mail]

B&B Electronics

B&B Electronics – Revised November 2007

Manual Documentation Number 232BRC-0812 Cover Page

B&B Electronics Mfg Co Inc – 707 Dayton Rd - PO Box 1040 - Ottawa IL 61350 - Ph 815-433-5100 - Fax [phone] – www.bb-elec.com

B&B Electronics – Westlink Commercial Park – Oranmore, Galway, Ireland – Ph [phone] – Fax [phone] – www.bb-europe.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION .............................................. 3

Applications ........................................................................... 3

Specifications ........................................................................ 4

Default Parameters ............................................................... 4

Checklist ................................................................................ 5

Chapter 2: OPERATION ..................................................... 7

Port Configurations ................................................................ 7

Port Connections ................................................................... 9

LED Indicators ..................................................................... 11

Chapter 3: SETUP SOFTWARE ...................................... 13

Introduction .......................................................................... 13

Connection .......................................................................... 13

Software Installation ............................................................ 14

Software Uninstall ................................................................ 14

Setup Tutorial ...................................................................... 14

Main Screen ........................................................................ 15

Copying Parameters Between Units .................................... 16

Final System Installation ...................................................... 17

Default Parameters ............................................................. 17

Appendix A: Cable Charts ..............................................A-1

Port A Connections ............................................................. A-1

Chart A.1. DTE (PC) DB9 to Port A (DCE) ......................... A-1

Chart A.2. DTE (PC) DB25 to Port A (DCE) ....................... A-1

Chart A.3. DCE (Modem) DB9 to Port A (DCE) ................. A-2

Chart A.4. DCE (Modem) DB25 to Port A (DCE) ............... A-2

Port B Connections ............................................................. A-2

Chart A.5. DCE (Modem) DB9 to Port B (DTE) .................. A-2

Chart A.6. DCE (Modem) DB25 to Port B (DTE) ................ A-3

Chart A.7. DTE (PC) DB9 to Port B (DTE) ......................... A-3

Chart A.8. DTE (PC) DB25 to Port B (DTE) ....................... A-3

Appendix B: Block Diagram .......................................... B-1

Appendix C: Declaration of Conformity ....................... C-1

232BRC-0812 Manual Table of Contents i

B&B Electronics Mfg Co Inc – 707 Dayton Rd - PO Box 1040 - Ottawa IL 61350 - Ph 815-433-5100 - Fax [phone]

B&B Electronics – Westlink Commercial Park – Oranmore, Galway, Ireland – Ph [phone] – Fax [phone]

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION

The 232BRC acts as a translator between devices with
incompatible asynchronous serial communications. Each port uses a
dedicated UART and includes a 16 kbyte receive buffer. Each port
can be independently configured for data rate, data format, and
handshaking.

Each side of the 232BRC can be configured to match the
connected device. It supports any data rate up to 115.2 kbps and all
standard data formats. Each side can either supply or accept
hardware or software handshaking. Setup parameters are configured
through the PC setup software provided and saved in non-volatile
memory.

The 232BRC is supplied with two DB9 connectors. The female
connector is configured as a DCE for connecting to PCs, Terminals,
and other DTE devices. The male connector is configured as a DTE
for connecting to Modems and other DCE devices. Three LEDs
indicate power and the presence of data in either port’s buffer.

Applications

Connect devices with different data rates.
Convert from hardware to software handshaking.
Convert between data formats.
Add handshaking to a streaming device.
Use as a port buffer to increase throughput.

232BRC-0812 Manual 3

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B&B Electronics – Westlink Commercial Park – Oranmore, Galway, Ireland – Ph [phone] – Fax [phone]

4

Specifications

Model: 232BRC

Interface: RS-232 Asynchronous
Data Bits: 5, 6, 7, or 8
Parity: Even, Odd, or None
Data Rate: 300 to 115.2 kbps
Stop Bits: 1 or 2
Flow Control: Hardware(RTS/CTS),

Software(XON/XOFF), or None
Buffer Memory: 16 Kbytes SRAM per port
LEDs: Buffer A, Buffer B, Power
Power Requirements: +12 to +17 VDC @ 60mA max.
Power Connector: 2.5mm Phono Jack (+ Tip)
Recommended Supply: B&B Model 232PS
Data Connectors: Port A DB9 Female

Port B DB9 Male
Dimensions: 5.8 x 3.6 x 1.2 in. (14.6 x 9.1 x 3.0 cm)
Setup Software: PC compatible,
Windows 95/98/NT/2000/Vista
Supplied Accessories: Software
Instruction Manual

Default Parameters

When shipped, the 232BRC comes set up for the following

parameters for ports A and B:

Data Rate = 9600 bps
Data Bits = 8
Stop Bits = 1
Parity = None
Handshaking = None

Refer to the following sections of the manual for what each of

these parameters means and how they can be changed.

232BRC-0812 Manual

B&B Electronics Mfg Co Inc – 707 Dayton Rd - PO Box 1040 - Ottawa IL 61350 - Ph 815-433-5100 - Fax [phone]

B&B Electronics – Westlink Commercial Park – Oranmore, Galway, Ireland – Ph [phone] – Fax [phone]

Checklist

Examine the shipping carton and contents for physical damage.
If damage is found, file a claim with the shipper immediately.

The following equipment should be in the shipping carton:

1. RS-232 Baud Rate Converter model 232BRC

2. Instruction Manual

3. Software
If any of the items above are not in the shipping carton contact

the shipper immediately.

232BRC-0812 Manual 5

B&B Electronics Mfg Co Inc – 707 Dayton Rd - PO Box 1040 - Ottawa IL 61350 - Ph 815-433-5100 - Fax [phone]

B&B Electronics – Westlink Commercial Park – Oranmore, Galway, Ireland – Ph [phone] – Fax [phone]

6

232BRC-0812 Manual

B&B Electronics Mfg Co Inc – 707 Dayton Rd - PO Box 1040 - Ottawa IL 61350 - Ph 815-433-5100 - Fax [phone]

B&B Electronics – Westlink Commercial Park – Oranmore, Galway, Ireland – Ph [phone] – Fax [phone]

Chapter 2: OPERATION

Each port receives data from its connected device, buffers the

data, and sends it out the opposite port when that port’s handshaking

indicates it is ready to receive data. Each port is set to match the
requirements of its connected device through the setup software.

Unused output handshake lines are held high by the 232BRC. Pin
6 (DSR) on Port A and Pin 4 (DTR) on Port B are held in a constant
true state. This provides a constant enabled signal to connected
devices that need it, or provides a positive voltage to devices that
derive their power from these lines.

Port Configurations

The 232BRC provides a dedicated UART to ports A and B. This
allows each port to be individually configured for baud rate, number
of data bits, parity, and hardware (RTS/CTS) or software
(XON/XOFF) handshaking. Configuration parameters are set
through the setup software.

Baud rate:

Each port supports the following standard baud rates:

300

600

1200

2400

4800

9600

19.2k

38.4k

57.6k

or 115.2 kbps
In addition, non-standard baud rates between 300 and 115.2

kbps can also be set. The 232BRC uses a 1.152 MHz clock for its
base data rate, so any rate that can be evenly divided into 1.152 MHz
can be set exactly.

For example:

28.8 kbps = 1.152 MHz / 40

232BRC-0812 Manual 7

B&B Electronics Mfg Co Inc – 707 Dayton Rd - PO Box 1040 - Ottawa IL 61350 - Ph 815-433-5100 - Fax [phone]

B&B Electronics – Westlink Commercial Park – Oranmore, Galway, Ireland – Ph [phone] – Fax [phone]