Send your async data up to several miles
from your computer equipment—without
the expense of a modem.
Send your async data up to several miles
from your computer equipment—without
the expense of a modem.
Microdriver 9, Short-Haul Modem-B, and Multipoint Line Driver
© 2007. All rights reserved. Black Box Corporation.
FREE 24-hour Tech Support: 724-746-5500
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FEATURES
• Send async data across shortand medium-range distances.
• Use existing in-house twisted-pair
wiring to transmit data.
• Choose from a variety of data rates—
as high as 115.2 kbps with the highspeed SHM-B.
• Most offered as cards for rackmounting.
• Models for multipoint applications
available.
• Microdriver 9 can be ordered with
surge protection.
• Choose nonpowered models for
simple installation.
OVERVIEW
If you want to transmit data from your computing equipment further than the 50-foot (15.2-m) RS-232 limit but don’t
need a modem (which can transmit data worldwide), then
order a Microdriver 9, Short-Haul Modem-B, or RS-232/RS-485
Multipoint Line Driver.
These compact, easy-to-install datacommunication devices
can exchange data within a building or across town. Higher
data rates yield shorter distances. For details and distance/speed
specifications for specific models, see the following pages.
What should you consider when choosing the model that’s
right for your application? First, determine whether you need
a nonpowered or powered device.
The nonpowered models plug into the connector at the
communications port of your DTE and derive their power
from the port’s interface (RS-232/ITU V.24) via one or more
of the connector’s pins. All Microdriver 9 models are powered
this way.
Before choosing a specific nonpowered device, you’ll need
to confirm that your computing equipment has the pins needed
to run the device. Then determine the gender of your computer’s comm port connector and select a model with the proper
connector gender.
Choose a powered device if your computer can’t support
nonpowered units and/or you prefer to rackmount equipment. Our Short-Haul Modem-B, High-Speed Short-Haul
Modem-B, and RS-232/RS-485 Multipoint Line Drivers are all
powered, requiring standard AC current to operate. They’re
available in standalone and rackmount card models. When
choosing your model, consider your available installation
space, the total units needed, and your existing equipment.
Next, determine if your system or software support is
sending data in a point-to-point or multipoint installation.
Except for the RS-232/RS-485 Multipoint Line Driver, all models
featured here are designed to work point-to-point.
If you have a point-to-point network, you’ll need a device
that matches the type of wiring in your installation, whether
it’s in-house wiring for on-site applications or a 4-wire twistedpair Local Area Data Circuit (LADC) leased from your phone
company to send data off-site. In-house wiring will be either
2-or 4-wire twisted-pair cable that exists in your building or
that you will install.
Lastly, determine the speed you want your data to travel,
reviewing your computer’s limitations to see if it supports
high speeds, and the distance it must travel. You’ll also need
to consider how much room for error you can tolerate in data
exchanges, what wire gauge(s) will be used, and how many
splices will exist in the wire.
Microdriver 9
• Nonpowered, point-to-point, 4-wire or 5-screw
terminal block.
• Saves space—plugs into your PC’s DB9 serial port.
• Sends data up to 17 miles (27.4 km) at 1200 bps using
24 AWG gauge wire.
• Models are available with RJ-11, RJ-45, or 5-screw terminal
block connectors.
This compact short-range, asynchronous, point-to-point,
full-duplex line driver plugs directly into your computer or
terminal port, and all power is drawn from the RS-232
interface.
It‘s perfect for installations where there‘s no room to
spare. Surface-mount technology makes the Microdriver 9’s
small size possible.
Used in pairs, the Microdriver 9 enables two asynchronous
RS-232 devices with DB9 connectors to communicate at
distances up to 17 miles (27.4 km) at 1200 bps over 24 AWG
wiring.
Models available include:
• The Microdriver 9 RJ-11 (ME790A-M, ME790A-F,
ME792A-MSP, ME792A-FSP) has a female RJ-11 connector
to connect to the twisted-pair lines and a male or female
DB9 connector to connect to your computer port. Surgeprotected (SP) versions feature 600-watt power dissipation at 1 ms and a response time of 1.0 picoseconds.
• The Microdriver 9 RJ-45 (ME794A-M, ME1794A-F) has
a female RJ-45 to connect to the twisted-pair lines and
a male or female DB9 connector to connect to your
computer port.
• The Microdriver 9 5-Screw Terminal Block (ME1791A-F)
has a 5-screw terminal block to connect to the twistedpair lines and a female DB9 connector to connect to your
computer port.
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Short-Haul Modem-B 2W-A (SHM-B 2W-A)
• Powered, point-to-point, 2-wire.
• A pair of these line drivers enables two RS-232 devices
to communicate at distances up to 2.3 miles (3.7 km)
at 2400 bps over 24 or 26 AWG.
• Fully supports hardware handshaking, so you get reliable
performance during every data exchange.
• Two status LEDs monitor transmit and receive lines.
• Loopback circuitry helps you detect line faults via a
front-panel button.
The SHM-B 2W-A is an asynchronous, full-duplex line driver
and receiver that requires only two wires to transmit data.
A pair of of these SHMs enables two RS-232 devices
to communicate at distances of up to 2.3 miles (3.7 km)
and at bit rates of up to 19.2 kbps, while fully supporting
hardware handshaking.
The SHM-B 2W-A operates over a two-wire metallic circuit.
Optimum performance is obtained with 22 to 26 AWG
twisted-pair telephone cable, but you can use nearly any
twisted-pair cable, with little or no performance degradation.
In addition to the transmitter and receiver circuits, the
modem includes RS-232 control-line interfaces, status monitor
LEDs, and a loopback switch.
A powered device, the SHM-B 2W-A is available in standalone 115-VAC (ME755A) or 230-VAC (ME755AE) versions and
as a card version (ME755-C) for mounting in our 8- or 16-Card
Short-Haul Modem-B Rack.
Short-Haul Modem-B (SHM-B) Async
• Ideal for most any point-to-point, 4-wire, full-duplex
application.
• Equipped with a balanced loop interface and optical
isolation circuitry, providing protection from differences
in ground potential between areas.
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• Local analog loopback circuitry lets you check the
operation of both your local and remote units.
• Distances up to 4 miles (6.4 km) at 2400 bps over
24 AWG wire.
• Speeds up to 19.2 kbps.
• Standalone and card versions.
The SHM-B Async is an asynchronous, full-duplex, 4-wire
line driver/receiver that, when paired with another SHM-B
Async, enables two EIA-232 devices to communicate at
distances of up to 4 miles (at 2400 bps) over 24 AWG wire
and at data speeds of up to 19.2 kbps.
In addition to the transmitter and receiver circuits, the
SHM-B Async includes EIA-232 control line interfaces, status
monitor LEDs, and a loopback switch.
The SHM-B Async is available in five versions:
• As a standalone 115-VAC model (ME800A).
• As a standalone 115-VAC model with cables included
(ME800A-R3).
• As a standalone 230-VAC model with cables included
(ME800AE-CABPAK).
• As a rackmount card version (ME805-C).
• As a rackmount card version with cables included
(ME805C-R3).
The SHM-B is designed to operate over a 4-wire metallic
circuit, and it works best when used with twisted-pair cable.
However, you can use most types of twisted-pair cable, often
with little or no performance degradation.
It’s also designed for maximum operator safety—there are
no voltages greater than 12 VDC or 16 VAC present on the
circuit board of the unit. Receive lines are protected from
potential ground differences through optical isolators rated
at 1500 volts.
A typical application using the High-Speed SHM-B Async, a powered driver
that’s ideal for sending async data point-to-point at speeds up to 115.2 kbps.
High-Speed SHM-B Async
(ME802A)
Async minicomputer
RS-232
cable
RS-232
cable
Async
terminal
(2) twisted pairs
High-Speed SHM-B Async
(ME802A)
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High-Speed Short-Haul Modem-B (SHM-B) Async
• Powered, point-to-point, 4-wire.
• Speeds up to 115.2 kbps.
• Ideal for applications where data speed is crucial.
• Uses two unshielded twisted pairs.
• Includes optical isolation to protect against surge damage.
• Switch-selectable for DTE or DCE equipment.
• Available in both standalone and rackmount card versions.
With a pair of High-Speed SHM-B Async units, two RS-232
devices can communicate at speeds of up to 115.2 kbps!
Data travels at this rate when the SHMs are configured for
1.5-mile (2.4-km) distances. To get the greatest distance—up
to 4 miles (6.4 km) over 24 AWG wiring—set them to operate
at 2400-bps speeds.
Along with transmitter and receiver circuits, the High-
Speed SHM-B Async includes EIA-232 control-line interfaces,
status monitor LEDs, and a loopback switch. The High-Speed
SHM-B Async is available in both standalone versions (ME802A
or ME802A-R3) and a rackmount card version (ME802C).
Use these SHMs with 4-wire metallic circuits, with twisted-
pair cable offering the best performance. And although you
can use most types of twisted-pair cable, to achieve maximum
performance, we recommend that you use CAT4 or CAT5 UTP
cable.
Because there are no voltages greater than ±9 VDC or
17 VAC present on the circuit board of the High-Speed SHM-B
Async, it offers maximum operator safety. Receive lines are
protected from potential ground differences through optical
isolators rated at 2500 volts.
Plus, the SHM offers easy installation. Because it‘s switch-
selectable for either DTE or DCE equipment, you won’t need
any special cross-pinned cables; it works with the modular
RJ cable that’s already installed in your building.
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RS-232/RS-485 Multipoint Line Driver (LD485A-MP)
• Powered, point-to-point or multipoint, 2- or 4-wire.
• Provides high-speed service (64 kbps) for large multipoint
installations (up to 64 drops).
• Works with any DTE that can be polled, regardless of the
DTE’s RTS support.
• User-selectable port-timeout feature automatically disables
a port once it finishes transmission.
• Operates in 2-wire half-duplex or 4-wire full-duplex mode.
• Maximum distances of 4 miles (6.4 km) at 1200 bps over
24 AWG wire.
Here‘s the ideal line driver for multipoint installations
where you want to link many terminals —each with its own
line driver—to a computer via one master line driver. Use it,
for instance, in high-speed and polling applications.
Depending on the operating environment, as many as 64
devices can be linked together using twisted-pair cable.
You can also use the RS-232/RS-485 Multipoint Line Driver
in point-to-point installations until you upgrade to a multipoint environment.
And it operates as an RS-232 to RS-485 interface converter,
enabling an RS-232 device to transmit data over much longer
distances than is normally possible (up to 4 miles at 1200 bps).
Although it’s designed specifically to connect to other
RS-232/RS-485 Multipoint Line Drivers, you can connect the
RS-485 port to any device with an RS-422 or RS-485 interface.
Connect, for instance, RS-485 and RS-422 devices to the same
LD485A-MP in an industrial application.
The line driver also features a manual loopback test,
so you can check the system wiring for both the RS-232 and
RS-485 interfaces. In addition, transient protection on the
RS-485 interface helps prevent damage from voltage
transients on the data line.
A typical application in which multiple LD485A-MPs
are used for 4-wire, multipoint communications.
LD485A-MP
(ME836A-R5)
Industrial controller
PLCs
LD485A-MPs
(ME836A-R5)
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Special circuitry within the driver lets it work with any
DTE that can be polled, regardless of the DTE’s RTS support,
so you get total compatibility with your DTE hardware.
The RS-232/RS-485 Multipoint Line Driver can be jumpered
for a user-selectable port timeout. After the last character
is sent from one of the ports and a specified period of time
passes, the line driver disables any transmission from that port.
This way, a single port won’t monopolize your network.
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You can order the RS-232/RS-485 Multipoint Line Driver
in standalone 115-VAC (ME836A-R5), standalone 230-VAC
(ME836AE-R3), and rackmount card (ME836C-R5) versions.
Cables are included with the 115-VAC standalone model
and the rackmount card model.
TECH SPECS
All Models:
Protocol: Asynchronous
Microdriver 9
(ME790A-M, ME790A-F, ME792A-MSP, ME792A-FSP, ME794A-M,
ME1794A-F, ME1791A-F)
Distance (Maximum) — 24 AWG: 17 mi. (27.4 km) at 1200 bps
Operation — 4-wire full-duplex, point-to-point
Speed (Maximum) — 19.2 kbps
Interface — RS-232
Connectors —
ME790A-M, ME792A-MSP: (1) DB9 M, (1) RJ-11 F;
ME790A-F, ME792A-FSP: (1) DB9 F, (1) RJ-11 F;
ME794A-M: (1) DB9 M, (1) RJ-45 F;
ME1794A-F: (1) DB9 F, (1) RJ-45 F;
ME1791A-F: (1) DB9 F, (1) 5-screw terminal block
Power — From the RS-232 interface
Size — 1.2"H x 0.75"W x 2.5"D (3 x 1.9 x 6.4 cm)
Weight — 0.6 lb. (0.3 kg)
SHM-B 2W-A
(ME755A, ME755AE, ME755-C)
Distance (Maximum) — 24 AWG: 2.3 mi. (3.7 km) at 2400 bps
Operation — 2-wire full-duplex, point-to-point
Speed (Maximum) — 19.2 kbps
Interface — RS-232
Connectors — (1) DB25 F, (1) 2-screw terminal block
Power —
ME755A: External 115 VAC, 60 Hz;
ME755AE: External 230 VAC, 50 Hz;
ME755-C: From the ME810 or RM007 rack
Size — Standalone: 1.5"H x 4.3"W x 4.5"D (3.8 x 10.9 x 11.4 cm)
Weight — Standalone: 1.3 lb. (0.6 kg)
SHM-B Async
(ME800A, ME800A-R3, ME800AE-CABPAK, ME805-C, ME805C-R3)
Distance (Maximum) — 24 AWG: 4 mi. (6.4 km) at 2400 bps
Operation — 4-wire full-duplex, point-to-point
Speed (Maximum) — 19.2 kbps
Interface — RS-232
Connectors — (1) DB25 F, (1) 4-screw terminal block
Power — ME800A, ME800A-R3: External 115 VAC, 60 Hz ± 10%, 5 watts;
ME800AE-CABPAK: Primary: 230 VAC ±10%, 50–60 Hz;
Secondary: 17 VAC, 700 mA;
ME805-C, ME805C-R3: From the ME810 or RM007 rack
Size — Standalone: 1.5"H x 4.3"W x 4.5"D (3.8 x 10.9 x 11.4 cm)
Weight — Standalone: 1.3 lb. (0.6 kg)
High-Speed SHM-B Async (ME802A, ME802A-R3, ME802C)
Distance (Maximum) — 24 AWG: 4 mi. (6.4 km) at 2400 bps
Operation — 4-wire full-duplex, point-to-point
Speed (Maximum) — 115.2 kbps
Interface — RS-232
Connectors — (1) DB25 F, (1) 4-screw terminal block
Power — ME802A, ME802A-R3: External 115 VAC, 60 Hz;
ME802C: From the ME810 or RM007 rack
Size — Standalone: 1.5"H x 4.4"W x 4.1"D (3.8 x 11.2 x 10.4 cm)
Weight — Standalone: 2 lb. (0.9 kg)
RS-232/RS-485 Multipoint Line Driver (ME836A-R5, ME836AE-R3,
ME836C-R5)
Distance (Maximum) — 24 AWG: 4 mi. (6.4 km) at 1200 bps
Operation — 4-wire full-duplex, 2-wire half-duplex, point-to-point
or multipoint
Speed (Maximum) — 64 kbps
Interface — RS-232 or RS-485
Connectors — (1) DB25 F, (1) 4-screw terminal block (RS-485)
Power — ME836A-R5: External 115 VAC, 60 Hz;
ME836AE-R3: External 230 VAC, 50 Hz;
ME836C-R5: From the RM005 rack
Size — Standalone: 1.8"H x 5.5"W x 8.5"D (4.6 x 14 x 21.6 cm)
Weight — Standalone: 1.8 lb. (0.8 kg)
ME790A-M
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Item Powered/ Multipoint 2-wire 4-wire Full Half- To To To Power
Nonpowered or duplex duplex 19.2 64 115.2
5-wire* kbps kbps kbps
ME790A-M,
Nonpowered
✓✓✓
RS-232 interface, DCE mode: Pins 3, 4, 7
790A-F
ME792A-MSP,
Nonpowered
✓✓✓✓ RS-232 interface, DCE mode: Pins 3, 4, 7
792A-FSP
ME794A-M,
Nonpowered
✓✓✓✓ RS-232 interface, DCE mode: Pins 3, 4, 7
1794A-F
ME1791A-F Nonpowered ✓✓✓✓ RS-232 interface, DCE mode: Pins 3, 4, 7
ME755A Powered ✓✓✓ 115 VAC, 60 Hz
ME755AE Powered ✓✓✓ 230 VAC, 50 Hz
ME755-C Powered ✓✓✓ From the ME810 or RM007 rack
ME800A, 800A-R3 Powered ✓✓ ✓ 115 VAC, 60 Hz
ME800AE-CABPAK Powered ✓✓ ✓ 230 VAC, 50 Hz
ME805-C, 805C-R3 Powered ✓✓ ✓ From the ME810 or RM007 rack
ME802A, 802A-R3 Powered ✓✓ ✓✓✓ 115 VAC, 60 Hz
ME802C Powered ✓✓ ✓✓✓From the ME810 or RM007 rack
ME836A-R5 Powered
✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
115 VAC, 60 Hz
ME836AE-R3 Powered ✓✓✓✓✓✓✓ 230 VAC, 50 Hz
ME836C-R5 Powered ✓✓✓✓✓✓✓ From the RM005 rack
*Models with 5-wire terminal blocks use one wire for ground.
Quick Reference Guide
Item Code
Microdriver 9 RJ-11
Male ME790A-M
Female ME790A-F
Microdriver 9 RJ-11 with Surge Protection
Male ME792A-MSP
Female ME792A-FSP
Microdriver 9 RJ-45
Male ME794A-M
Female ME1794A-F
Microdriver 9 5-Screw Terminal Block
Female ME1791A-F
Short-Haul Modem-B (SHM-B) 2W-A
Standalone (115-VAC) ME755A
Standalone (230-VAC) ME755AE
Rackmount Card ME755-C
Short-Haul Modem-B (SHM-B) Async
Standalone (115-VAC) ME800A
Standalone (115-VAC) with Cables ME800A-R3
(ME800A-R3 includes [1] power supply, [1] 6-foot RS-232 DB25
male/DB9 female cable, and [1] DB25 female/DB9 male adapter.)
Item Code
Short-Haul Modem-B (SHM-B) Async (Continued)
Standalone (230-VAC)
with Cables ME800AE-CABPAK
Rackmount Card ME805-C
Rackmount Card with Cables ME805C-R3
(ME805C-R3 includes [1] power supply, [1] 6-foot RS-232 DB25
male/DB9 female cable, and [1] DB25 female/DB9 male
adapter.)
High-Speed Short-Haul Modem-B (SHM-B) Async
Standalone (115-VAC) ME802A
Standalone (115-VAC) with Cables ME802A-R3
Rackmount Card ME802C
(ME802A-R3 includes [1] power supply, [1] 6-foot RS-232 DB25
male/DB9 female cable, and [1] DB9 female/DB9 male adapter.)
For all card versions above, you’ll need a rack…
Short Haul Modem-B Rack (16-Card) ME810
Short Haul Modem-B Desktop Rack (8-Card) RM007
RS-232/RS-485 Multipoint Line Driver (LD485A-MP)
Standalone (115-VAC) with Cables ME836A-R5
Standalone (230-VAC) ME836AE-R3
Rackmount Card with Cables ME836C-R5
(ME836A-R5 and ME836C-R5 include [1] 6-foot RS-232 DB25
male to DB25 female cable and [1] DB9 female to DB25 male
adapter.)
For your ME836C-R5 cards, you’ll need a…
Multi-Function Rack (16-Card) RM005
ME800A
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