B&B Electronics 232BRC User Manual

RS-232 Baud Rate Converter

Model 232BRC

Documentation Number 232BRC-3903 (pn5104-r003)

International Headquarters

B&B Electronics Mfg. Co. Inc.

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

Phone [phone] -- General Fax [phone]

Home Page: www.bb-elec.com

Sales e-mail: [e-mail]

Technical Support e-mail: [e-mail]

European Headquarters

B&B Electronics Ltd.

Westlink Commercial Park, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland

Phone [phone] -- Fax [phone]

Home Page: www.bb-europe.com

Sales e-mail: [e-mail]

Technical Support e-mail: [e-mail]

CE

-- Fax [phone]

-- Fax [phone]

 B&B Electronics – Revised October 2003

232BRC-3903 Manual Cover Page

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

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

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 ...................................................................... 15

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-3903 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]

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ii Table of Contents 232BRC-3903 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 Ltd – 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.

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
Supplied Accessories: (2) 3.5” Floppy Diskettes
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.

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232BRC-3903 Manual

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

B&B Electronics Ltd – 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. (2) 3.5" floppy disks
If any of the items above are not in the shipping carton contact

the shipper immediately.

232BRC-3903 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 Ltd – Westlink Commercial Park – Oranmore, Galway, Ireland – Ph [phone] – Fax [phone]

232BRC-3903 Manual

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

B&B Electronics Ltd – 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

Baud rates that are not evenly divisible into 1.152 MHz can
also be used, but the actual baud rate will vary slightly from the
requested rate. This may or may not cause data errors, depending
on the attached equipment. Most standard UARTs can accept a 5%
to 10% difference in baud rate before errors occur.

For example:
Desired Baud Rate = 20 kbps

1.152 MHz / 20 kbps = 57.6
Actual Rate = 1.152 MHz / 58 = 19.862 kbps
%error = (20 kbps – 19.862 kbps) / 20 kbps * 100

%error = 0.7%
Data bits:

Each port can be configured for Five, Six, Seven or Eight data
bits. NOTE: If the ports are set up differently, the port set for fewer
data bits cannot transmit the upper most significant bits.

Parity:
Each port can be configured for Even, Odd, or No parity. The
parity should be selected to match the connected device.

Stop Bits:
Each port can be configured for one or two stop bits. The stop
bits should be selected to match the connected device.

Flow Control:
Hardware(RTS/CTS) Handshaking:

Each port can be independently configured to hold data until
its input handshake line goes high. On Port A, pin seven (RTS)
would have to be held high by the connected device in order for the
232BRC to send data. On Port B, pin eight (CTS) needs to be held
high by the connected device for the 232BRC to send data.
Connected devices can prevent data from being sent from the
232BRC by holding their corresponding handshake lines low. This
corresponds to pin seven on Port A and pin eight on Port B. See
Appendix A for a complete table of signal directions.

232BRC-3903 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 Ltd – Westlink Commercial Park – Oranmore, Galway, Ireland – Ph [phone] – Fax [phone]

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

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