B&B Electronics 232MSS2 User Manual

Mini Smart Switch CE

Model 232MSS2

Documentation Number 232MSS2-0108

pn3662-rev006

This product designed and manufactured

of domestic and imported parts by

International Headquarters

B&B Electronics Mfg. Co. Inc.

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Sales e-mail:

Technical Support e-mail:

Westlink Commercial Park, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland

Technical Support e-mail:

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 1995 B&B Electronics --- Revised January 2008

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

Checklist ................................................................................ 2

Chapter 2: SETUP ................................................................ 3

Port Configuration ................................................................. 4

Serial Data Configuration ...................................................... 5

Smart Switch Operation ........................................................ 5

Programming the Second Character .................................... 7

Binary File Transfer ............................................................... 7

Smart Switch/Port Combiner Mode ....................................... 8

Specifications ...................................................................... 11

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

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

Windows SSwitch ................................................................ 13

DOS SSTSR ........................................................................ 14

Parameters .......................................................................... 16

Default Values ..................................................................... 17

Help Screen ......................................................................... 17

Un-Install ............................................................................. 17

Selecting Ports .................................................................... 17

Hot Key Method ................................................................... 18

Command Line Method ....................................................... 19

APPENDIX A: ASCII Character Codes .......................... A-1

APPENDIX B: Cable Charts ............................................ B-1

Chart 1. IBM PC DB25 Connector to Master Port .............. B-2

Chart 2. IBM PC DB9 Connector to Master Port ................ B-2

Chart 3. Modem DB25 Connector to Master Port .............. B-3

Chart 4. IBM PC DB25 Connector to Ports A - D (DTE) .... B-3

Chart 5. IBM PC DB25 Connector to Ports A - D (DCE).... B-4

Chart 6. IBM PC DB9 Connector to Ports A - D (DTE) ...... B-4

Chart 7. IBM PC DB9 Connector to Ports A - D (DCE) ...... B-5

Chart 8. IBM PC DB25 Connector to Ports A - D (DCE).... B-5

Chart 9. IBM PC DB9 Connector to Ports A - D (DCE) ...... B-6

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

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Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION

The RS-232 Four Port Mini Smart Switch/Port Combiner, Model
232MSS2, allows one RS-232 host device to connect to as many as
four RS-232 devices. The switch can be controlled in two different
ways. The first way is referred to as smart switch mode. In this
mode, the switch is controlled by sending a programmable preamble
code to the "Master" port of the 232MSS2. The other way the switch
can be controlled is referred to as port combiner mode. In port
combiner mode, a slave port can gain access to the master port by
asserting a handshake line. If none of the slave ports have their
handshake line asserted, the switch can be controlled using the
preamble code.
The master port can be configured as a DTE or DCE port by an
internal switch setting. If the master port is configured as a DTE port,
the four slave ports will become DCE ports. The 232MSS2 supports
the following signals: TD, RD, RTS, and CTS.
The 232MSS2 has an enhanced mode which offers special
timer features. The timer features can be used to prevent slave
devices from receiving preamble commands, inadvertently switching
from binary/graphic file transfers, and inactive slave devices from
holding control of the master port.
The 232MSS2 will work with baud rates from 1200 to 115,200
bps; 7 or 8 data bits; even, odd or no parity; and 1 or 2 stop bits
(7,N,1 is not allowed).

NOTE: The data format and rates mentioned are used to switch
the 232MSS2. The communication between the devices can use
any format or data rate.

There are four LED's on the 232MSS2 to indicate which port is
connected to the master port. The master port has a DB-25S female
connector and the slave ports have DB-9S female connectors. The
232MSS2 requires 12Vdc at 10ma. which is provided through a

2.5mm power jack.

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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 Mini Smart Switch

2. Instruction manual

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

the shipper immediately.

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Chapter 2: SETUP

The 232MSS2 is set up using an eight-position dipswitch. This
dipswitch is used to set the communication format, port config­uration, smart switch/port combiner mode and to enable/disable the
enhanced features. To change the settings on the switch, remove
the power from the unit, and remove the screws (4) from the bottom
of the 232MSS2. The dipswitch is located on the top of the PC board
(side with LEDs) and is labeled “SW1.” The other dipswitch, labeled
“SW2” is used to set the second character of the preamble. After the
switches have been set to match your requirements, you can put the
unit back together. NOTE: The end panel should be open end
towards the bottom of the PC board and the smooth side goes
toward the inside. Table 1 shows the settings for dipswitch “SW1”.

Table 1. Communication & Port Setup

Dipswitch SW1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

0 0 0 X X X X X 1200 Baud
1 0 0 X X X X X 2400 Baud
0 1 0 X X X X X 4800 Baud
1 1 0 X X X X X 9600 Baud *
0 0 1 X X X X X 19.2K Baud
1 0 1 X X X X X 38.4K Baud
0 1 1 X X X X X 57.6K Baud
1 1 1 X X X X X 115.2K Baud
X X X 0 X X X X Enhanced Disabled *
X X X 1 X X X X Enhanced Enable
X X X X 0 X X X 8 Data Bits *
X X X X 1 X X X 7 Data Bits
X X X X X 0 X X Parity Disabled *
X X X X X 1 X X Parity Enabled
X X X X X X 0 X Smart Switch Mode*
X X X X X X 1 X Port Combiner Mode
X X X X X X X 0 DCE master port *
X X X X X X X 1 DTE master port

0 = OFF 1 = ON X = DON'T CARE
* = FACTORY DEFAULT

Setting

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Port Configuration

In order to determine the proper port configuration of the
232MSS2, it is necessary to have a basic understanding of the
terms DCE and DTE. RS-232 was designed, using DB-25
connectors, for connecting a DTE (Data Terminal Equipment) device
to a DCE (Data Communication Equipment) device. Each device will
have inputs on pins that correspond to outputs on the same pins of
the other device. For example, a DTE device will transmit data out
on pin 2 (on a DB-25) and a DCE device will receive data in on pin 2
(on a DB-25). IBM PCs and serial printers are DTE devices,
modems are DCE devices.
If an IBM PC (DTE device) is going to be connected to the
232MSS2 master port, the master port should be configured as a
DCE port. If a modem (DCE device) is going to be connected to the
master port, it should be configured as a DTE port.
The master port can be configured as a DCE port (data received on
pin 2) or a DTE port (data received on pin 3) by setting dipswitch
“SW1”, position 8. To configure the master port as a DCE port, move
dipswitch “SW1”, position 8, to the "OFF" position. When the master
port is configured as a DCE port, ports A, B, C, & D will become
DTE ports (Refer to Table 2). To configure the master port as a DTE
port move dipswitch “SW1”, position 8, to the "ON" position. When
the master port is configured as a DTE port, ports A, B, C, & D will
become DCE ports (Refer to Table 3). Always power down the
smart switch when changing switch settings.

Table 2. DCE MASTER PORT CHART

Master Port

(DCE)

Pin# Direction Description Pin# Direction

2 Input Transmit Data (TD) 3 Output
3 Output Receive Data (RD) 2 Input
4 Input Request to Send (RTS) 7 Output
5 Output Clear to Send (CTS) 8 Input
7 <-------> Signal Ground (SG) 5 <----->

Signal

A,B,C & D Ports

(DTE)

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Table 3. DTE MASTER PORT CHART

Master Port

(DTE)

Signal

A,B,C & D Ports

(DCE)

Pin# Direction Description Pin# Direction

2 Output Transmit Data (TD) 3 Input
3 Input Receive Data (RD) 2 Output
4 Output Request to Send (RTS) 7 Input
5 Input Clear to Send (CTS) 8 Output
7 <-------> Signal Ground (SG) 5 <----->

The 232MSS2 supports the following RS-232 signals: TD, RD,
SG, RTS & CTS.
NOTE: Handshake lines DSR and DTR are tied together on
each connector and are not passed through to the master port. All
other lines are not connected.
The Mini Smart Switch selects port A as the default port at power
up.

Serial Data Configuration

In order for the host device that is connected to the master port
to select any of the four ports, the Mini Smart Switch must be set to
match the host's communication format. Dipswitch “SW1” is used to
select the communication format of the Mini Smart Switch. Switch
positions 1 through 3 select the baud rate. Switch position 5 selects
7 or 8 data bits. Switch position 6 determines if parity is enabled or
disabled.
NOTE: A data format of 7 data bits, no parity and one stop is
not allowed.
Switch position 8 selects the port configuration, see section titled
"Port Configuration". Refer to Table 1. Always power down the smart
switch when changing switch settings.

Smart Switch Operation

Smart Switch mode is selected when dipswitch “SW1” position 7
is “Off.” In Smart Switch mode, the 232MSS2 is constantly looking
for the three character preamble code by monitoring the data that is
being received on the master port from the host device. The
232MSS2 requires a three character preamble code to turn on and
off a port. The first character must be the ASCII escape character
(decimal 27). The second character is user programmable by setting
dipswitch “SW2”. “SW2” comes from the factory programmed to the

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ASCII character STX (decimal 2). The third character should be the
ASCII upper case letters "A", "B", "C" or "D" (decimal 65, 66, 67, or
68 respectively) to select those ports. To turn off the selected port
the third character should be the ASCII EOT character (decimal 4).
For instance, to turn on port B you would send:

ESC STX B

If you were writing a program in BASIC to control the Mini Smart
Switch you would form a string like this:

SWB$ = CHR$(27) + CHR$(2) + "B"

You could then send SWB$ to select port B. Similar strings
could be used for turning on the other ports. To turn off the ports the
string might look like this:

TOFF$ = CHR$(27) + CHR$(2) + CHR$(4)

When you are done with a port you can either select a new one
directly or turn off the selected port and then turn on the next one.
We recommend that you turn off the selected port before selecting
the next one. The turn off command consists of three characters that
are nonprinting (ESC STX EOT). If port A is selected and you send
the command to select port B, all three characters (ESC STX B) will
pass through the A port since it is still selected and the letter B will
show up on your port A device. For information on preventing
command codes from being received by slave devices, refer to the
Enhance Mode section.
NOTE: There is no delay through the Mini Smart Switch and
the data is not buffered.

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Programming the Second Character

The second character comes programmed as the ASCII STX
character (decimal 2). You can change this to any 8-bit character
you wish by reprogramming dipswitch “SW2”. “SW2” is an eight­position switch with each position equal to a certain weight. Refer to
“Setup” for instructions on removing the cover to access “SW2”.
Table 4 shows the weight chart for “SW2”.

Table 4.

Programmable Character Setting

Dipswitch SW2* WEIGHT

1 1
2 2
3 4
4 8
5 16
6 32
7 64
8 128

*Factory Default -- ASCII “STX” character

(decimal 2), SW2 position 2 is only one ON.

If you wish to use the letter "U" as the second character, which
has a decimal value of 85, you would turn on switches 1, 3, 5, and 7
(1 + 4 + 16 + 64 = 85). Caution should be used when selecting the
second character, so that by itself, or with the ESC character in front
of it, it is not a valid command to any of the devices on the port. For
instance, on some printers ESC @ is the reset command. If you
tried to use the @ symbol (decimal 64) for the second character you
could reset your printer every time the preamble code was sent.
Also, if your communication configuration is set for 7 data bits you
cannot use the eighth bit of SW2. For a list of the ASCII character
codes and their decimal values, refer to Appendix A.

Binary File Transfer

A simple method of using the Mini Smart Switch to transfer
binary files without the concern of it accidentally disconnecting, is to
set the file transfer at a different baud rate from the rate of the Mini
Smart Switch. When transferring files at a different baud rate, the
Mini Smart Switch will stay connected from the last preamble code.

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Smart Switch/Port Combiner Mode

This mode allow Ports A-D to select the master port using a
handshake line. It also allows selection from the master port via the
preamble code described in the Smart Switch Only Mode section.
Position 7 of “SW1” must be ON to be in port combiner mode. When
a handshake line goes high on any of the four ports, it will establish
a connection from that port to the master port. This works on first­come-first-serve basis. If multiple ports have their handshake lines
high, the port that has been waiting the longest will be next to be
connected to the master port. For example: (Initial conditions -- no
slave ports with handshake lines asserted.) In chronological order,
Port C asserts its handshake line, Port A asserts its handshake line,
Port D asserts its handshake line and then Port C disasserts its
handshake line. When Port C asserts its handshake line, a
connection will be made between the master port and Port C. When
Port C disasserts its handshake line, Port C will disconnected and
Port A will be connected to the master port. When Port A disasserts
its handshake, Port A will be disconnected and Port D will be
connected to the master port.

The handshake line that is used to connect to the master port
depends on the configuration of the master port (which in turn
determines the configuration of the slave ports). If the master port is
configured as a DTE port, then the slave ports are configured as
DCE and RTS must be raised to connect to the master port. If the
master port is configured as a DCE port, then the slave ports are
configured as DTE and CTS must be raised to connect to the master
port.

For example, port A is configured as a DTE port. In order to
establish a connection to the master port, port A must set CTS high
(assert). The 232MSS2 would recognize this as a prompt for
connection to the master port. The connection would be dropped as
soon as CTS on port A is brought low. Ports B-D may raise CTS at
any time to request a connection. However, if port A is connected to
the master port, any data sent from the devices on ports B-D to the
232MSS2 will be lost. The 232MSS2 does not have any buffering.

NOTE: When a port is selected via the Master Port, the
handshake lines will be ignored until the Master Port sends
the turn off code. When the Master Port is selected by a
handshake line, all preamble codes will be ignored.

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A typical application would be to have RTS and CTS tied
together on the master port. When RTS (assuming DTE slave port)
on port A is asserted, CTS on port A will be asserted when a
connection is established. If a port is not connected to the master
port, then CTS on that port will remain low. Therefore, a port can
monitor the handshake line to determine if a connection has been
established.

Enhanced Mode -- Timer Features
The 232MSS2 has an enhanced mode, which offers special
timer features. The timer features can be used to prevent slave
devices from receiving preamble commands, inadvertent switching
from binary/graphic file transfers, and inactive slave devices from
holding control of the master port. The timer has two different
modes: an inactivity mode and an inadvertent switch mode. When in
inactivity mode, the 232MSS2 will monitor the data lines. If there is
no activity for the specified time, the selected slave port will be
disconnected from the master port. When in inadvertent switch
mode, the 232MSS2 will ignore switching commands for the
specified period of time. After this time has expired, the selected
slave port will be disconnected from the master port.

The timer functions are enabled via a dipswitch setting and
through software commands. Dipswitch SW1 position 4 must be
ON for the 232MSS2 to be in enhanced mode. The software
commands follow the same format as preamble codes used for
switching. There are two commands used to set the timer functions:
Set Timer Mode and Set Timer Value. These commands require an
additional byte for data. The Set Timer Value command requires the
third byte to be an ASCII “T” character. The data byte (fourth byte)
must be a value between ASCII “0” and ASCII “9”. A value of “0” is
used to disable the timer. Refer to Table 3 for timer values. For
example, sending the following string to the 232MSS2 will set the
timer value to 5 seconds (assuming programmable character is the
factory default of 2).

SetTV$ = CHR$(27) + CHR$(2) +”T” + “6”

The “T” tells the 232MSS2 it is the set timer value command and the
“6” indicates which timer value to use.

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Table 3 - Timer Values

Data Byte Value

0 timer disabled
1 10ms
2 25ms
3 100ms
4 500ms
5 1 s
6 5 s
7 30 s
8 1 min.
9 5 min.

The Set Timer Mode command requires the third byte to be an
ASCII “M”. If the data byte (fourth byte) is an ASCII “0”, zero
(default), the timer will be setup as an inactivity timer. For example,
sending the following string to the 232MSS2 will set up the timer as
an inactivity timer (assuming programmable character is the factory
default of 2).

SetTM$ = CHR$(27) + CHR$(2) +”M” + “0”

The “M” tells the 232MSS2 it is the set timer mode command and
the “0” indicates to set up up the timer as an inactivity timer.
When configured as an inactivity timer, the 232MSS2 will monitor
the data lines (TD & RD) for data. If there is no activity for the
specified timer value, the slave port that is connected to the master
port will be disconnected. In smart switch mode, the inactivity timer
can be used to prevent the preamble codes from being received by
the slave devices. In port combiner mode, the inactivity timer can be
used to prevent devices from tying up the master port. For example
(port combiner mode), all the slave ports have their handshake lines
asserted. The device on Port C has its handshake line asserted and
is currently connected to the master port, but has not been
transmitting or receiving data. When the inactivity timer expires, Port
C will be disconnected and the next slave port will then be
connected to the master port (following the first-come-first-serve
rule). Port C will then be placed at the “end of the line”.
If the data byte of the Set Timer Mode command is an ASCII “1”,
the timer will be setup to ignore switching commands. Sending the
following string to the 232MSS2 will set up the timer to ignore
switching commands. (Assuming programmable character is the
factory default of 2).

SetTM$ = CHR$(27) + CHR$(2) +”M” + “1”

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The “M” tells the 232MSS2 it is the set timer mode command and
the “1” indicates to set up up the timer to ignore switching
commands. When the timer is configured in this mode, the
232MSS2 will not accept any switching commands (“A”, ”B”, ”C”,
”D”, or “EOT”) for the specified timer value. After the timer has
expired, the slave port that is connected to the master port will be
disconnected. This feature is useful to prevent inadvertent switching
during binary/graphic type file transfers. For example (smart switch
mode), the timer is configured to ignore switching commands for 5
seconds. The select Port D command is sent to the 232MSS2. Once
Port D is connected a file of unknown data type (so file may or may
not contain a switching command sequence) is to be transferred
through the 232MSS2. For a period of 5 seconds after Port D is
connected, no switching commands will be accepted. As long as the
file transfer takes less than 5 seconds, there is no chance the
232MSS2 will inadvertently switch ports.

Table 4 - 232MSS2 Commands

Command Characters

Function 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Comments

Select Port A ESC X* “A” NU** Switching Command
Select Port B ESC X* “B” NU** Switching Command
Select Port C ESC X* “C” NU** Switching Command
Select Port D ESC X* “D” NU** Switching Command

Deselect Port ESC X* EOT NU** Switching Command
Set Timer Value ESC X* “T” “0”-”9” Enhanced Mode
Set Timer Mode ESC X* “M” “0”,”1” Enhanced Mode

*X represents the programmable character set by dipswitch SW2
**NU = Not Used

Specifications

Model: 232MSS2
Size: 2.8"w x 4.8"l x 1.3"h
Power: 12Vdc to 16Vdc @ 10ma

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Chapter 3: SOFTWARE
Introduction

The 232MSS2 comes with two application programs that can be
used to switch between ports. Either can be used independently as
the final application or for testing the functionality of the hardware.
The SSwitch program is a Windows program that allows you to
switch ports with buttons on a Windows interface, or from the DOS
command line. It will run on Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0 with
service pack 3 installed or Vista. When the software is installed, an
example file, SSWVb6.txt, is also placed in the same directory. This
is a text file with Visual Basic sample code. It gives examples on
how to open the port, assemble switching commands, and send
them out the port. It can be accessed by selecting
START/PROGRAMS/B&B Electronics/SSWITCH/Sample Code.
The Smart Switch, Terminate and Stay Resident (SSTSR)
Program (IBM PC or Compatible), is a DOS only application which
allows the user to change Smart Switch ports either through the
command line or by hitting a sequence of keys at the same time,
referred to as hot keys. SSTSR program requires 1K of memory.

Windows SSwitch

Installation

To install the SSwitch Program (Windows 95/98,NT & Vista)

 From START/ SETTINGS/ CONTROL PANEL
 Select Add/Remove Programs.
 Insert Smart Switch software media.
 Follow the Installation prompts to complete the installation.

Running SSwitch
The SSwitch program can be launched from the desktop
shortcut or from the Start/Programs/B&B Electronics/SSwitch
directory if the default directory was selected during installation.
The Smart Switch software configuration can be changed in
the SSwitch program by selecting Ports/Configuration from the
menu. You change port selection by clicking on the option box or by
using the up/down arrow keys. The port selection can also be
changed at the command line by typing SSwitch and the letter
representing that port. For example, to change to port B you would
enter SSwitch B at the command line. The letter N (none) is used to
close all the ports.

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To Uninstall SSwitch.exe

 From START/ SETTINGS/ CONTROL PANEL
 Select Add/ Remove Programs
 Select SSwitch from the list of programs
 Click on the Add/Remove button

DOS SSTSR

Installation

To Install the SSTSR Program (DOS)

 Insert the Smart Switch software media.

 At the DOS prompt

 Type a:\INSTALL.exe and press the ENTER key.

The following files will be located on your hard drive:

1) SSTSR.EXE - The executable file for the Smart Switch.

2) SETUP.EXE - Configuration program for the SSTSR.

There are two methods to begin the SSTSR program. The first

and preferred way is to use the SETUP.EXE program and the

second is through the SSTSR.COM file.

1) SETUP.EXE Method (preferred)
If the software was installed on your hard drive follow these
steps:

 Type C: and press the ENTER key.

 Type CD\SS and press the ENTER key.

To begin the SSTSR program follow these steps:

 Type SETUP and press the ENTER key. You will be prompted

for parameters (for a description refer to the Parameters
section) that are necessary for the SSTSR to communicate with
the Smart Switch. The value in [ ] are the default values. If this
value is desired, just press the ENTER key.

14 Documentation Number 232MSS2-0108 Manual

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Enter Port Address [02F8]:

Enter Baud Rate ( 1 = 150 2 = 300 3 = 600

4 = 1200 5 = 2400 6 = 4800

7 = 9600 8 = 19200) [7]:

Enter Parity (0 = No 1 = Odd 2 = Even) [0]:

Enter Number of Data Bits ( 7 = Seven Data Bits

8 = Eight Data Bits) [8]:

Enter Smart Switch Second Char (Decimal Value) [2]:

Enter Hot Key Sequence (1 = <LftShift><Alt><A|B|C|D|N>

2 = <Rht Shift><Alt><A|B|C|D|N>

3 = <Lft Shift><Alt><1|2|3|4|N>

4 = <Rht Shift><Alt><1|2|3|4|N>

5 = <CTRL><ALT><A|B|C|D|N>

6 =<CTRL><ALT><1|2|3|4|N>)[1]:

At this point a file called GO.BAT will be created.

 Type GO and press the ENTER key.

Once the GO.BAT file is created, every time you wish to begin
the SSTSR all that you need to do is type GO and press the ENTER
key. If you need to change any of the settings of the SSTSR simply
run the SETUP.EXE program again to create a new GO.BAT file.

2) SSTSR.EXE Method

The SSTSR.EXE method requires the same parameters (for a
description refer to the Parameters section) as the SETUP.EXE
method, except that they are all specified through the command line.
Each of these parameters begins with a command symbol followed
by an option as defined in the following table.

Command Description Options

A or a
B or b

D or d
P or p
U or u
H or h

Port Address Hexadecimal Address (0 - FFFFh)
Baud Rate 1 = 150 2 = 300 3 = 600

4 = 1200 5 = 2400 6 = 4800

7 = 9600 8 = 19200
Number of Data Bits 7 = 7 Data Bits 8 = 8 Data Bits
Parity 0 = No 1 = Odd 2 = Even
User Defined Char. Decimal (0 - 255)
Hot Key 1 = <Left Shift><ALT><A|B|C|D|N>

2 = <Right Shift><ALT><A|B|C|D|N>

3 = <Left Shift><ALT><1|2|3|4|N>

4 = <Right Shift><ALT><1|2|3|4|N>

5 = <CTRL><ALT><A|B|C|D|N>

6 = <CTRL><ALT><1|2|3|4|N>

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

If the software was installed in the default directory:

 At the DOS prompt Type C: and press the ENTER key.
 Type CD\232MSS2 and press the ENTER key.

To begin the SSTSR program (the following will be used as an
example):

Port Address = 03F8 Parity = Odd

Baud = 9600 User Defined Char. = 8
Data Bits = 8 Hot Key Sequence = 4

 Type SSTSR A03F8 B7 D8 P1 U8 H6 and press the ENTER

key.

Using this method, every time you want to install the SSTSR
with different parameter settings than the default (refer to the Default
Values section), the missing parameter must be specified.

Parameters

The Port Address is the address where the serial
communications port is located.

Some of the typical port addresses are as follows:

Port Address

COM 1 03F8h
COM 2 02F8h
COM 3 03E8h
COM 4 02E8h

The Baud Rate
place between the SSTSR and the Smart Switch. It must be
specified so that it is equal to SW1 on the Smart Switch.

The Number of Data Bits
gets sent from the SSTSR to the Smart Switch. This value must be
specified so that it is equal to SW2 on the Smart Switch.

The Parity
the transmission of data between the SSTSR and the Smart Switch.
This value must be specified so that it is equal to SW2 on the Smart
Switch.

The User Defined Character
SW3 on the Smart Switch.

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is the speed at which communication takes

is the length of each character that

is a method of error detection that takes place during

must be set so that it is equal to

The Hot Key

is a sequence of three keys that must be pressed
simultaneously to switch from one Smart Switch Port to another. For
example, the hot key sequence, <Left Shift> <ALT> <A|B|C|D|N>
states that the left shift, Alt, and either A, B, C, D, or N must be
pressed at the same time to select the corresponding Smart Switch
Port. N turns off all Smart Switch ports.

Default Values

If you type SSTSR on the command line with no parameters, or
omit any parameters, the default value of the missing parameter will
be used. The default values are:

Description Default Value
Port Address
Baud Rate
Parity
Data Bits
Second Character
Hot Key Sequence

02F8h (COM 2)
7 = 9600
0 = No Parity
8 = 8 Data Bits
2 = STX (CTRL B)
1 = <Left Shift><ALT><A|B|C|D|N>

Help Screen

If you are installing the SSTSR using the SSTSR.COM method,
you can type SSTSR ? and press the ENTER key to obtain a list of
the commands and their options.

Un-Install

The SSTSR may be un-installed easily by typing SSTSR - and
pressing the ENTER key. In some cases the SSTSR will not un­install. This may be caused by another terminate and stay resident
(TSR) being installed after it. To un-install the SSTSR when this
occurs, the other TSR must first be un-installed, then the SSTSR
can be un-installed normally.

Selecting Ports

There are two different ways in which a Smart Switch port is
selected, either through the command line or by pressing the
predefined hot key sequence after the SSTSR was installed. When
a request to change ports is made, using either method, first the
current port is turned off, then the port selected is turned on. The two
methods are described as follows:

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Hot Key Method

This method enables the user to select any Smart Switch port by
pressing a predefined sequence of keys at the same time after the
SSTSR is installed (refer to Program Installation).

Example:
If Hot Key sequence <Lft Shift><Alt><A|B|C|D|N> was selected,
to change ports you would press at the same time:

Left Shift - Alt - A ..... to select port A

Left Shift - Alt - B ..... to select port B

Left Shift - Alt - C ..... to select port C

Left Shift - Alt - D ..... to select port D

Left Shift - Alt - N ..... to turn off all ports

18 Documentation Number 232MSS2-0108 Manual

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

Command Line Method

This method enables the user to select any Smart Switch port
through the command line. To specify a Smart Switch port through
the command line, you would type SSTSR followed by the X
command symbol and the letter of the port.

Example:

To change to Smart Switch port '"C" you would type SSTSR XC
at the Dos prompt and press the ENTER key.

Before a Smart Switch port is changed, a check is made to
determine if the port is busy transmitting. If the port is busy the
STSR will generate a tone to notify you that the port is busy and that
a port change cannot be made.

CAUTION: If the software package you are using for

transmission is running at a fast baud rate (57600), the

SSTSR may not detect the Smart Switch port as busy and the

transmission could be interrupted.

The SSTSR does not detect when the Smart Switch port is
receiving data. Therefore, if data is being received, the Smart Switch
port may still be changed.

Documentation Number 232MSS2-0108 Manual 19

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20 Documentation Number 232MSS2-0108 Manual

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APPENDIX A

ASCII Character Codes

Documentation Number 232MSS2-0108 Manual Appendix A A-1

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DECIMAL to HEX to ASCII CONVERSION TABLE

DEC HEX ASCII KEY DEC HEX ASCII DEC HEX ASCII DEC HEX ASCII

0 0 NUL ctrl @ 32 20 SP 64 40 @ 96 60 `
1 1 SOH ctrl A 33 21 ! 65 41 A 97 61 a
2 2 STX ctrl B 34 22
3 3 ETX ctrl C 35 23 # 67 43 C 99 63 c
4 4 EOT ctrl D 36 24 $ 68 44 D 100 64 d
5 5 ENQ ctrl E 37 25 % 69 45 E 101 65 e
6 6 ACK ctrl F 38 26 & 70 46 F 102 66 f
7 7 BEL ctrl G 39 27 ' 71 47 G 103 67 g
8 8 BS ctrl H 40 28 ( 72 48 H 104 68 h

9 9 HT ctrl I 41 29 ) 73 49 I 105 69 i
10 A LF ctrl J 42 2A * 74 4A J 106 6A j
11 B VT ctrl K 43 2B + 75 4B K 107 6B k
12 C FF ctrl L 44 2C , 76 4C L 108 6C l
13 D CR ctrl M 45 2D - 77 4D M 109 6D m
14 E SO ctrl N 46 2E . 78 4E N 110 6E n
15 F SI ctrl O 47 2F / 79 4F O 111 6F o
16 10 DLE ctrl P 48 30 0 80 50 P 112 70 p
17 11 DC1 ctrl Q 49 31 1 81 51 Q 113 71 q
18 12 DC2 ctrl R 50 32 2 82 52 R 114 72 r
19 13 DC3 ctrl S 51 33 3 83 53 S 115 73 s
20 14 DC4 ctrl T 52 34 4 84 54 T 116 74 t
21 15 NAK ctrl U 53 35 5 85 55 U 117 75 u
22 16 SYN ctrl V 54 36 6 86 56 V 118 76 v
23 17 ETB ctrl W 55 37 7 87 57 W 119 77 w
24 18 CAN ctrl X 56 38 8 88 58 X 120 78 x
25 19 EM ctrl Y 57 39 9 89 59 Y 121 79 y
26 1A SUB ctrl Z 58 3A : 90 5A Z 122 7A z
27 1B ESC ctrl [ 59 3B ; 91 5B [ 123 7B {
28 1C FS ctrl \ 60 3C < 92 5C \ 124 7C |
29 1D GS ctrl ] 61 3D = 93 5D ] 125 7D }
30 1E RS ctrl ^ 62 3E > 94 5E ^ 126 7E ~
31 1F US ctrl _ 63 3F ? 95 5F _ 127 7F DEL

“

66 42 B 98 62 b

A-2 Appendix A Documentation Number 232MSS2-0108 Manual

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APPENDIX B

Cable Charts

Documentation Number 232MSS2-0108 Manual Appendix B B-1

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All charts will indicate if the Master Port of the 232MSS2 should
be configured as a DCE port or a DTE port. Refer to the Port
Configuration section of the manual for information on Master Port
configurations.

Chart 1. IBM PC DB25 Connector to Master Port

IBM PC

Serial Port

DB25 Connector

2 -----------> 2
3 <----------- 3
4 -----------> 4
5 <----------- 5
6 <----------- 6*
7 <---------> 7
8 <----------- 8

20 -----------> 20*

* Pins are tied together inside the 232MSS2, they are not
connected to ports A, B, C, or D.

Signal

Direction

232MSS2

Master Port (DCE)

DB25 Connector

Chart 2. IBM PC DB9 Connector to Master Port

IBM PC

Serial Port

DB9 Connector

1 <----------- 8
2 <----------- 3
3 -----------> 2
4 -----------> 20*
5 <---------> 7
6 <----------- 6*
7 -----------> 4
8 <----------- 5

* Pins are tied together inside the 232MSS2, they are not

connected to ports A, B, C, or D.

Signal

Direction

232MSS2

Master Port (DCE)

DB25 Connector

B-2 Appendix B Documentation Number 232MSS2-0108 Manual

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Chart 3. Modem DB25 Connector to Master Port

Async Modem

Serial Port

DB25 Connector

Signal

Direction

232MSS2

Master Port (DTE)

DB25 Connector

2 <----------- 2
3 -----------> 3
4 <----------- 6*
5 -----------> 20*
7 <---------> 7
8 -----------> 5

20 <----------- 4

* Pins are tied together inside the 232MSS2, they are not
connected to ports A, B, C, or D.

NOTE: When connecting a DTE device to ports A, B, C, or D of

the smart switch, refer to Charts 8 and 9.

Chart 4. IBM PC DB25 Connector to Ports A - D (DTE)

Master port configured as a DCE port.

IBM PC

Serial Port

DB25 Connector

Signal

Direction

232MSS2

Ports A - D (DTE)

DB9 Connector

2 -----------> 2
3 <----------- 3
4 -----------> 8
5 <---------- 7
6 <---------- 6*
7 <---------> 5
8 <----------- 4*

20 -----------> 4*

* Pins are tied together inside the 232MSS2, they are not

connected to the master port.

Documentation Number 232MSS2-0108 Manual Appendix B B-3

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Chart 5. IBM PC DB25 Connector to Ports A - D (DCE)

Master port configured as a DTE port.

IBM PC

Serial Port

DB25 Connector

Signal

Direction

232MSS2

Ports A - D (DCE)

DB9 Connector

2 -----------> 3
3 <----------- 2
4 -----------> 7
5 <----------- 8
6 <----------- 6*
7 <---------> 5
8 <----------- 4*

20 -----------> 4*

* Pins are tied together inside the 232MSS2, they are not

connected to the master port.

Chart 6. IBM PC DB9 Connector to Ports A - D (DTE)

Master port configured as a DCE port.

IBM PC

Serial Port

DB9 Connector

Signal

Direction

232MSS2

Ports A - D (DTE)

DB9 Connector

1 <----------- 4*
2 <----------- 3
3 -----------> 2
4 -----------> 6*
5 <---------> 5
6 <----------- 4*
7 -----------> 8
8 <----------- 7

* Pins are tied together inside the 232MSS2, they are not

connected to the master port.

B-4 Appendix B Documentation Number 232MSS2-0108 Manual

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

Chart 7. IBM PC DB9 Connector to Ports A - D (DCE)

Master port configured as a DTE port.

IBM PC

Serial Port

DB9 Connector

1 <----------- 4*
2 <----------- 2
3 -----------> 3
4 -----------> 4*
5 <---------> 5
6 <----------- 6*
7 -----------> 7
8 <----------- 8

* Pins are tied together inside the 232MSS2, they are not connected
to the master port.

Signal

Direction

232MSS2

Ports A - D (DCE)

DB9 Connector

Chart 8. IBM PC DB25 Connector to Ports A - D (DCE)

Master port configured as a DTE port with a modem connected

(see Chart 3).

IBM PC

Serial Port

DB25 Connector

2 -----------> 3
3 <----------- 2
4 -----------> 6*
5 <----------- 4*
6 <----------- 4*
7 <---------> 5
8 <----------- 8

20 -----------> 7

* Pins are tied together inside the 232MSS2, they are not

connected to the master port.

Signal

Direction

232MSS2

Ports A - D (DCE)

DB9 Connector

Documentation Number 232MSS2-0108 Manual Appendix B B-5

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

Chart 9. IBM PC DB9 Connector to Ports A - D (DCE)

Master port configured as a DTE port with a modem
connected (see Chart 3).

IBM PC

Serial Port

DB9 Connector

Signal

Direction

232MSS2

Ports A - D (DCE)

DB9 Connector

3 -----------> 3
2 <----------- 2
7 -----------> 6*
8 <----------- 4*
6 <----------- 4*
5 <---------> 5
1 <----------- 8
4 -----------> 7

* Pins are tied together inside the 232MSS2, they are not
connected to the master port.

B-6 Appendix B Documentation Number 232MSS2-0108 Manual

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

APPENDIX C: Declaration of Conformity

Manufacturer’s Name: B&B Electronics Manufacturing Company

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Manufacturer’s Address: P.O. Box 1040
707 Dayton Road

Model Numbers: 232MSS2
Description: Four-Port Mini Smart Switch/Port Combiner
Type: Light industrial ITE equipment
Application of Council Directive: 89/336/EEC
Standards: EN 55022

EN 61000-6-1
EN 61000 (-4-2, -4-3, -4-4, -4-5, -4-6, -4-8, -4-11)

William H. Franklin III, Director of Engineering

Ottawa, IL 61350 USA

Documentation Number 232MSS2-0108 Manual Appendix C C-1

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C-2 Appendix C Documentation Number 232MSS2-0108 Manual

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