B&B Electronics 232SS21600 User Manual

Smart Switch

Model 232SS2

Document No. 232SS21600

This product Designed and Manufactured

of domestic and imported parts by

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:

Technical Support e-mail:

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

-- Fax [phone]

-- Fax [phone]



1992 B&B Electronics -- Revised April 2000

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B&B Electronics RESERVED. No part of thi s publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by



any means, electronic or mechanical, including photography, recording, or any information storage and retrieval
system without written consent. Information in this manual is subject to change without notice, and does not
represent a commitment on the part o f B&B Electronics.

B&B Electroni cs shall not be liable for incidental or consequential damages resulting from the furnishing,
performance, or use of this manual.

All brand names used in this manual are the registered trademarks of their respective owners. The use of
trademarks or other designations in this publication is for reference purposes only and does not constitute an
endorsement by the trademark holder.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

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

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

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

Smart Switch Operation .........................................................6

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

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

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

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

Chapter 3: SOFTWARE....................................................12

Introduction ..........................................................................12

Windows SSwitch.................................................................12

DOS SSTSR ........................................................................13

Parameters...........................................................................15

Default Values......................................................................16

Help Screen .........................................................................16

Un-Install..............................................................................16

Selecting Ports.....................................................................16

Hot Key Method....................................................................17

Command Line Method........................................................17

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

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

232SS21600 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]

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION

The RS-232 Four Port Smart Switch/Port Combiner, Model
232SS2, 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 232SS2. 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 232SS2 supports
the following signals: TD, RD, RTS, CTS, DSR, DCD, and DTR.

The 232SS2 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 232SS2 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).

: The data format and rates mentioned are used to switch

NOTE

the 232SS2. The communication between the devices can use any
format or data rate.

There are four LED's on the 232SS2 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-25S female connectors. The
232SS2 requires 12Vdc at 100ma. 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 Smart Switch

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.

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232SS21600 Manual

Chapter 2: SETUP

The 232SS2 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
(2) from the bottom of the 232SS2. 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. Table 1 shows the
settings for dipswitch “SW1”.

Table 1. Communication & Port Setup

Dipswitch SW1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Setting

000XXXXX1200 Baud
100XXXXX2400 Baud
010XXXXX4800 Baud
110XXXXX9600 Baud *
001XXXXX19.2K Baud
101XXXXX38.4K Baud
011XXXXX57.6K Baud
111XXXXX115.2K Baud
XXX0XXXXEnhanced Disabled *
XXX1XXXXEnhanced Enable
XXXX0XXX8 Data Bits *
XXXX1XXX7 Data Bits
XXXXX0XXParity Disabled *
XXXXX1XXParity Enabled
XXXXXX0XSmart Switch Mode*
XXXXXX1XPort Combiner Mode
XXXXXXX0DCE master port *
XXXXXXX1DTE master port

0 = OFF 1 = ON X = DON'T CARE

* = FACTORY DEFAULT

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Port Configuration

In order to determine the proper port configuration of the
232SS2, 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
232SS2 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

smart switch when changing switch settings.

power down the

4

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232SS21600 Manual

Table 2. DCE MASTER PORT CHART

Master Port

(DCE) Signal

A,B,C & D Ports

(DTE)

Pin# Direction Description Pin# Direction

2 Input Transmit Data (TD) 2 Output
3 Output Receive Data (RD) 3 Input
4 Input Request to Send (RTS) 4 Output
5 Output Clear to Send (CTS) 5 Input
6 Input DCE Ready (DSR) 6 Output
7 GROUND Signal Ground (SG) 7 GROUND
8 Output Recv. Line Detect (DCD) 8 Input

20 Input DTE Ready (DTR) 20 Output

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) 2 Input
3 Input Receive Data (RD) 3 Output
4 Output Request to Send (RTS) 4 Input
5 Input Clear to Send (CTS) 5 Output
6 Output DCE Ready (DSR) 6 Input
7 GROUND Signal Ground (SG) 7 GROUND
8 Input Recv. Line Detect (DCD) 8 Output

20 Output DTE Ready (DTR) 20 Input

The 232SS2 supports the following RS-232 signals: TD, RD, SG,
RTS, CTS, DSR, DCD, and DTR.

The 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 Smart Switch must be set to
match the host's communication format. Dipswitch “SW1” is used to
select the communication format of the 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:

not allowed.

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A data format of 7 data bits, no parity and one stop is