B&B Electronics 232BSS4 Datasheet

232BSS4-0812ds-1/2

www.bb-elec.com [e-mail] [e-mail]

International Office: 707 Dayton Road PO Box 1040 Ottawa, IL 61350 USA 815-433-5100 Fax [phone]

European Office: Westlink Commercial Park Oranmore Co. Galway Ireland [phone] Fax [phone]

PRODUCT INFORMATION B&B ELECTRONICS

Model Number

Description

232BSS4

Four Port Buffered Smart Switch

Accessory Items

232PS

12 VDC power supply, wall transformer

232DTE

DB25 M/F DCE to DTE port reverser (null-modem adapter)

232NM9MF6

DB9 null-modem cable, male / female, 6 foot

232AMF5

DB25 cable, male / female, 6 foot

9PAMF6

DB9 cable, male / female, 6 foot

© 2008 by B&B Electronics. All rights reserved.

Model: 232BSS4

Four Port Buffered Smart Switch

Features

 Communicate with four devices from one serial port
 8 KB transmit and receive buffer
 Each port can be independently configured
 RS-232 Data Rates up to 115.2 kbps
 Setup Software for Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, and Vista

Functional Description

Our most intelligent and versatile switch, the 232BSS4 provides communication to four devices from one
serial port. Each port contains a dedicated UART and an 8K byte transmit and receive buffer, allowing each
ports data rate, data format, and protocol to be configured independently. The Master port can send and
receive data from one Slave port while the other Slave ports continue to buffer data. The Master can also
broadcast the same message to two or more Slave ports at once. The switch can also be configured to
send data automatically to the Master port from each of the Slave ports when data is present with an
optional preamble identifying the port. It can also provide two-way communications between the Master port
and one Slave port at a time. Switching and control is accomplished through user defined three or four
character command strings. These control sequences are stripped from the data stream, making the switch
transparent to the Slave devices. Switches can be cascaded to expand the 232BSS4 to more than four
ports. Two units can also be used back-to-back to provide automatic connection between devices over a
single data channel. LEDs indicate when the unit is powered up and which port is selected to send data to
the Master port. Setup software is provided on CD and is compatible with Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, and
Vista. A 12VDC power supply with a 2.5mm (positive tip) phone jack is required (sold separately).

Ordering Information

232BSS4-0812ds-2/2

www.bb-elec.com [e-mail] [e-mail]

International Office: 707 Dayton Road PO Box 1040 Ottawa, IL 61350 USA 815-433-5100 Fax [phone]

European Office: Westlink Commercial Park Oranmore Co. Galway Ireland [phone] Fax [phone]

PRODUCT INFORMATION B&B ELECTRONICS

General Specifications

Power

Positive 10 to 15 VDC / 60 mA

Op Temp

32 to 158 °F (0 to 70°C)

Op Humidity

0 to 95% Non-condensing

Power Conn

2.5 mm phone jack (positive tip)

Master Port Conn

DB25 Female (DCE)

Slave Port Conn

DB9 Male (DTE)

Interface

RS-232 asynchronous

Data Rate

1200 to 115.2 kbps

Flow Control

Hardware (RTS/CTS) or None

Dimensions

7.5 x 4.6 x 1.2 in (19.0 x 11.7 x 3.0 cm)

MTBF

330865 hours

Approvals

CE, FCC

Software
Compatibility

Windows 98, ME, 2K, XP, Vista

CE Declaration of Conformity

Manufacturer’s Name:

B&B Electronics Manufacturing Company

Manufacturer’s Address:

PO Box 1040

707 Dayton Road

Ottawa, IL 61350 USA

Model Number:

232BSS4

Description:

Four Port Buffered Smart Switch

Type:

Light Industrial ITE Equipment

Application of Council Directive:

89/336/EEC

Standards:

EN55022

EN 61000-6-1

EN 61000 (-4-2, -4-3, -4-4, -4-5, -4-6, -4-8, -4-11)

Michael J. Fahrion, Director of Engineering

© 2008 by B&B Electronics. All rights reserved.

Operation

Refer to the product manual for detailed operating instructions.
The Master port is a DB25 female connector configured as DCE. This provides a direct connection

to an IBM PC compatible or other DTE device. When connecting the Master port to a MODEM, the
Master Port of another 232BSS4, or other device configured as DCE, a null MODEM adapter is
needed.

The Slave Ports are DB9 Male connectors configured as DTE for direct connection to a MODEM or

other DCE device. When connecting the Slave ports to a PC compatible or other DTE device, a null

modem adapter is needed.
The illustration below gives full pin-outs. Only pins 2 and 3 are required for basic operation.
Data Format: 7 or 8 data bits, even, odd, or no parity (Master does not support 7 data bits with no

parity), 1 Stop Bit (fixed).
For more information regarding DTE and DCE connections and the RS-232 standard in general,

visit http://www.bb-elec.com/technical_library.asp