Black Box ME190A, ME193A, ME191A, ME192A User Manual

APRIL 1995

ME190A
ME191A
ME192A
ME193A

Parallel Line Driver—T
Parallel Line Driver—R

CUSTOMER

SUPPORT

INFORMATION

Order toll-free in the U.S. 24 hours, 7 A.M. Monday to midnight Friday: 877-877-BBOX
FREE technical support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone]
Mail order: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [e-mail]

BSY

ACK

BSY

ACK

PARALLEL LINE

DRIVER-T

PARALLEL LINE

DRIVER-R

1

PARALLEL LINE DRIVER

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

AND

INDUSTRY CANADA

RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy
and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio communication.
It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of
Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection
against such interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause interference, in which case the user at his own expense will be required
to take whatever measures may be necessary to correct the interference.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.

Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le
brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.

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PARALLEL LINE DRIVER

NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM)

ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT

INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD

1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas
antes de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.

2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas
para referencia futura.

3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones
de operación deben ser respetadas.

4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.

5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo,
cerca de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca,
etc..

6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales
que sean recomendados por el fabricante.

7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como
sea recomendado por el fabricante.

8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más
allá a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio
deberá ser referido a personal de servicio calificado.

9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no
interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama,
sofá, alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se
debe colocar en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por
los orificios de ventilación.

10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de
calor como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos
(incluyendo amplificadores) que producen calor.

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PARALLEL LINE DRIVER

11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo
del tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en
el aparato.

12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la
polarización del equipo no sea eliminada.

13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que
no sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,
poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen
del aparato.

14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las
recomendaciones del fabricante.

15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de
las lineas de energia.

16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo
no sea usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.

17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no
sean derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.

18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:

A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u

B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del

aparato; o

C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o

D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio

en su desempeño; o

E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

4

PARALLEL LINE DRIVER

TRADEMARKS

Centronics®is a registered trademark of GENICOM Corporation.

AT&T®is a registered trademark of AT&T.

Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property
of the trademark owners.

5

PARALLEL LINE DRIVER

Contents

Chapter Page

1. Specifications ....................................................................................................6

2. Introduction......................................................................................................7

2.1 Description ...............................................................................................7

2.2 Features ....................................................................................................7

3. Configuration....................................................................................................8

4. Installation ......................................................................................................10

4.1 Connecting the Line Side......................................................................10

4.1.1 Terminal-Block Connection .......................................................10

4.1.2 RJ-11 Line Connection ................................................................16

4.2 Connecting to Parallel Hardware .........................................................17

4.3 Operating the Parallel Line Driver .......................................................17

Appendix A: Parallel Pin Configurations .........................................................18

Appendix B: Block Diagrams ............................................................................20

6

PARALLEL LINE DRIVER

1. Specifications

Data Rate — 5 Kilobytes per second

on parallel interface (40 Kbps
on serial line)

Interface Signals — Data bits 0-7,

ground, Busy or Acknowledge
(externally switch-selectable)

Power — Interface-powered, no

AC power or batteries needed

Size — 2.7"H x 2.1"W x 0.7"D

(6.8 x 5.3 x 1.8 cm)

Weight — 1 lb. (0.5 kg)

Parallel Interface —

ME190A: transmitter, DB25
male w/terminal block,
ME191A: receiver, Centronics
male w/terminal block,
ME192A: transmitter, DB25
male w/RJ-11,
ME193A: receiver, Centronics
male w/RJ-11

Range — 2000 feet (609.6 m)

Transmission — Half-duplex over

a single shielded or unshielded
twisted pair (19-26 AWG)

Line Interface — RJ-11, RJ-45, or

terminal block with strain relief

7

CHAPTER 2: Introduction

2. Introduction

2.2 Features

• Extends parallel communication
to 2000 feet (609.6 m)

• Requires no AC power or
batteries

• Operates over a single twisted
pair

• Allows devices to communicate
in “real time”

• Can be configured for BUSY or
ACKNOWLEDGE flow-control
methods

• Compatible with most printer­sharing devices

• Transmits DC power over the
line to compensate for low­power parallel-printer interfaces

• DB25 or Centronics parallel
connections

• RJ-11 or terminal-block line
connections

2.1 Description

The Parallel Line Driver allows
a PC and a parallel output device
(printer, sharing switch, etc.) to
communicate at distances to
2000 feet (609.6 m) over a single
unconditioned twisted pair.
Supporting parallel data rates to
5 kilobytes per second (serial rates
to 40 kbps), the Parallel Line Driver
derives all necessary operating power
from the parallel interface—no AC
power or batteries are required.

The Parallel Line Driver always
works in pairs: A transmitter unit is
plugged into the PC’s parallel port,
and a receiver unit is plugged into
the output device’s parallel port.
The connection between them is
serial, and functions at speeds high
enough to allow real-time parallel
communication between the two
parallel devices.

The Parallel Line Driver has
two unique features that allow it to
operate in a wide variety of parallel
applications: First, the Line Driver
transmitter is able to send DC power
down the line to the receiver in
order to compensate for low power
parallel printer interfaces. Second,
the Parallel Line Driver can be
configured for either BUSY or
ACKNOWLEDGE flow-control
methods.

The Line Driver receiver is
available with Centronics®parallel
interface. The Line Driver trans­mitter is available with a DB25
parallel interface. Line-connection
options are RJ-11 or terminal block
with strain relief.

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PARALLEL LINE DRIVER

3. Configuration

Figure 3-1. Location of the BUSY/ACKNOWLEDGE Switch.

The Parallel Line Driver is designed
to be easy to use. There are no
internal jumpers or DIP switches
to set, so there is no need to open
the case to configure the unit (you
may need to open the case for wire
connection—refer to Chapter 4).

The only configuration necessary
for operation is proper setting of the
external BUSY/ACKNOWLEDGE
switch. Figure 3-1 shows the location
of the BUSY/ACKNOWLEDGE
switch on the PC board, as well as
the location of the terminal block.

Ack

BUSY/

Busy

GS

ACKNOWLEDGE

Switch

Terminal

Block

9

CHAPTER 3: Configuration

Setting the Busy/Acknowledge
Switch

There are three things to keep
in mind when you set the BUSY/
ACKNOWLEDGE switch
(see Figure 3-2):

Figure 3-2. BUSY/ACKNOWLEDGE Switch.

1. The switch must be set the same
way on both transmitter and
receiver.

2. Set the switch to Acknowledge
on both the transmitter and
receiver. This should achieve
good results in most
applications.

3. If you experience loss of infor­mation or other problems with
both switches set to Acknowledge,
set both switches to Busy.

Ack

Busy

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PARALLEL LINE DRIVER

4. Installation

4.1.1 T

ERMINAL-BLOCKCONNECTION

Terminal blocks are used to connect
a single pair of bare wires to the
Parallel Line Driver. The following
instructions will tell you how to open
the case, connect the bare wires, and
fasten the strain-relief collar in
place.

1. Open the unit by gently
inserting a screwdriver between
the DB25 connector and the lip
of the plastic case (see below).
You don’t have to worry about
breaking the plastic, but be
careful not to bend the D-sub
connector.

Once you have configured the
Parallel Line Driver transmitter

and receiver, you must connect
the system. This section will tell you
how to connect the transmitter and
receiver via twisted-pair wire and
how to connect the two devices to
your system hardware.

4.1 Connecting the Line Side

Depending upon the type of units
you have ordered, you can connect
twisted-pair wire to the Parallel Line
Driver using internal terminal blocks
(with strain relief) or modular jacks.
The following pages describe both
kinds of twisted-pair connection.

Figure 4-1. Opening the Parallel Line Driver.

11

CHAPTER 4: Installation

After you have opened the unit’s
case, you will find the terminal block
mounted at the rear of the PC board.
The terminals are labeled “S” for
signal and “G” for ground.

2. Strip the outer insulation from
the twisted pairs about one inch
from the end.

Figure 4-2. Stripping the Outer Insulation.

3. Strip back the insulation on
each of the 2 wires about

1

/4 inch.

Figure 4-3. Stripping the Insulation on the Wires.

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PARALLEL LINE DRIVER

4. Insert the two-wire data line to
the center (signal) and shield
(ground) terminal posts, then
tighten the screws.

Figure 4-4. Inserting the Two-Wire Data Line.

NOTE

Make sure the twisted pair
cable between the trans­mitter and receiver is wired
straight through as shown in
Figure 4-5.

SIGNAL (S) ——————————(S) SIGNAL

GROUND (G) —————————(G) GROUND

Figure 4-5. Straight-Through Wiring.

GS

13

CHAPTER 4: Installation

5. Place the two halves of the
strain-relief assembly on either
side of the telephone wire and
press together very lightly. Slide
the assembly so that it is about
two inches from the terminal
posts and press together firmly.

Figure 4-6. Putting the Strain-Relief Assembly Together.

GS

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PARALLEL LINE DRIVER

6. Insert the strain-relief assembly
and the wire into the slot in the
bottom half of the modem case.
Set it into the recess in the case.
If the telephone wire does not
fit into the strain-relief assembly,
call for technical support. We
can supply you with strain-relief
collars to fit a wide variety of
cable diameters.

Figure 4-7. Setting the Strain-Relief Assembly.

GS

15

CHAPTER 4: Installation

7. Bend the top half of the case
as necessary to place it over the
strain-relief assembly. Do not
snap the case together yet.

Figure 4-8. Placing the Case over the Strain-Relief Assembly.

8. Insert one captive screw through
a saddle washer and then insert
the entire piece through the
hole in the DB25 end of the
case. Snap that side of the case
closed. Repeat the process for
the other side. This completes
the installation.

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PARALLEL LINE DRIVER

4.1.2 RJ-11 L

INECONNECTION

When using the RJ-11 modular jacks,
install straight-through cabling
between the transmitter and
receiver, as shown below:

Table 4-1. RJ-11 Jacks.

Signal Pin # Color Color Pin # Signal

DATA 3 Green1——Green 3 DATA

GND 4 Red ————Red 4 GND

1

Standard AT&T®color codes—yours may be different.

Figure 4-9. Pinout for Straight-Through Cabling.

1 - Blue
2 - Yellow
3 - Green
4 - Red
5 - Black
6 - White

17

CHAPTER 4: Installation

4.2 Connecting to Parallel Hardware

After connecting the twisted-pair
line to the Parallel Line Driver
transmitter and receiver, you are
ready to connect the units to your
parallel hardware. The following
steps explain this process:

1. Plug the DB25 male connector
on the Parallel Line Driver
transmitter directly into the
parallel port of the sending
device (which is normally a PC,
terminal, host, or similar DTE).

NOTE

If you cannot plug the
transmitter directly into the
parallel port, use a straight­through DB25 parallel cable
of the shortest possible
length. We recommend 6 feet
(1.8 m) or less.

2. The Parallel Line Driver receiver
is available with a 36-pin
Centronics male connector,
designed for direct connection
to the Centronics port of a
parallel printer.

NOTE

If you cannot plug the
receiver directly into the port,
use a straight through cable
of the shortest possible
length. We recommend 6 feet
(1.8 m) or less.

4.3 Operating the Parallel Line
Driver

Once the transmitter and receiver
have been connected to each other
and to their corresponding parallel
input and output devices, you are
ready to operate the units. Make
sure that the BUSY/ACK switches
on both units are set the same way.
Otherwise, the units should function
transparently, just like a cable. There
is no ON/OFF switch.

If your Parallel Line Drivers are
not operating properly, double­check all of your connections and
try again. If you still experience
problems, change the Busy/
Acknowledge setting on both units
and try again. If you still do not
obtain satisfactory results, call
technical support.

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PARALLEL LINE DRIVER

Appendix A: Parallel Pin Configurations

Figure A-1. Parallel Pin Configuration (DB25 Transmitter).

TRANSMITTER (DB25)

SOURCE TRANSMITTER / RECEIVER (DB-25)

Common
Common
Common
Common
Common
Common
Common
Common

Printer

Return / Ground - 25
Return / Ground - 24
Return / Ground - 23
Return / Ground - 22
Return / Ground - 21
Return / Ground - 20
Return / Ground - 19
Return / Ground - 18

Error (Fault - Active LOW)

13 - Select (Active HIGH)

12 - Paper End (Active HIGH)

11 - Busy (Active HIGH)

10 - Acknowledge (Active LOW)

9 - Data Bit 8 (MSB)

8 - Data Bit 7

7 - Data Bit 6

6 - Data Bit 5

5 - Data Bit 4

4 - Data Bit 3

3 - Data Bit 2

2 - Data Bit 1 (LSB)

1 - Data Strobe (Active LOW)

SOURCE

Printer
Printer
Printer

Printer
Computer
Computer
Computer
Computer
Computer
Computer
Computer
Computer
Computer

19

APPENDIX A: Parallel Pin Configuration

Figure A-2. Parallel Pin Configuration: Centronics.

DIRECTIONRECEIVER (CENTRONICS)DIRECTION

18 - (+) 5 Volts
17 - Chassis Ground
16 - Logic Ground
15 ­14 ­13 - Select (Active HIGH)
12 - Paper End (Active HIGH)
11 - Busy (Active HIGH)
10 - Acknowledge (Active HIGH)
9 - Data Bit 8 (MSB)
8 - Data Bit 7
7 - Data Bit 6
6 - Data Bit 5
5 - Data Bit 4
4 - Data Bit 3
3 - Data Bit 2
2 - Data Bit 1 (LSB)
1 - Data Strobe (Active LOW)

Printer

- 36

- 35

- 34

- 33

Fault (Active LOW) - 32

- 31

- 30

- 29

- 28

- 27

- 26

- 25

- 24

- 23

- 22

- 21

- 20

- 19

Printer
Common
Common

Printer

Printer

Printer

Printer

Computer
Computer
Computer
Computer
Computer
Computer
Computer
Computer
Computer

20

PARALLEL LINE DRIVER

Appendix B: Block Diagrams

Figure B-1. Block Diagram (Transmitter).

D
B
2
5

P
A
R
A
L
L
E
L

N

2

DB1

3

DB2

4

DB3

DB4

DB5

DB6

DB7

DB8

ACK

BUSY

GND

GND

GND

GND

GND

GND

GND

I

GND

PARALLEL

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

TO

SERIAL

CONVERSION

1

STROBE

GATED

OSCILLATOR

PULSE
WIDTH

MODULATOR

CONTROL

CIRCUITRY

TRANSFORMER

RJ11

CONNECTOR

3

4

(TO RECEIVER)

T
E
R
F
A
C
E

STROBE

SELECT

SEL

L FEED

INI PRN

DATA

1

17

13

14

16

POWER

SUPPLY

+V

21

APPENDIX B: Block Diagrams

Figure B-2. Block Diagram (Centronics Receiver).

CONTROL

1

STROBE

C
E
N

T
R
O
N

C
S

2

DB1

3

DB2

4

DB3

5

DB4

6

DB5

7

DB6

8

DB7

9

DB8

I

ACK

BUSY

I

N

T

ACK

E

BUSY

P OUT

R

SEL

F

+6V

A

FAULT

GND

C

GND

E

CIRCUITS

RJ11

SERIAL

TO

PARALLEL

CONVERSION

10

11

10

11

12

13

18

32

16

17

POWER

SUPPLY

SWITCH

+V

DIFFERENTIAL

RECEIVER

CONTROL

CIRCUITRY

TRANSFORMER

CONNECTOR

3

4

(TO TRANSMITTER)

1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 • 724-746-5500 • Fax [phone]

© Copyright 1995. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.