Users should ensure that the
total fiber ring length is less
than 100 km
s
S
142
Introduction
TCF-142 seriesconverters are equipped with a multiple interface circuit
that can handle RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 serial interfaces, as well
as multi-mode or single-mode fiber. TCF-142 converters are used to
extend serial transmission distance up to 5 km (TCF-142-M, with multimode fiber) or up to 40 km (TCF-142-S, with single-mode fiber). The
TCF-142 must be configured to transmit a particular serial interface.
You cannot transmit both RS-232 and RS-485 signals at the same time.
Why Convert Serial to Fiber?
Fiber communication not only extends the communication distance, but
also provides many advantageous features.
IMMUNITY FROM ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE: Fiber is not
affected by electromagnetic interference or radio frequency
interference. It provides a clean communication path and is immune to
cross-talk.
INSULATION: Optical fiber is an insulator; the glass fiber eliminates
the need for using electric currents as the communication medium.
SECURITY: Fiber cannot be tapped by conventional electric means and
is very difficult to tap into optically.
RELIABILITY & MAINTENANCE: Fiber is immune to adverse
temperature and moisture conditions, does not corrode or lose its
signal, and is not affected by short circuits, power surges, or static
electricity.
Reverse Power Protection
The Reverse Power Protection feature provides extra protection against
accidentally connecting the power cables to the wrong terminal. The
converter automatically detects which power wire is positive and which
is negative.
Ring Mode
To allow one half-duplex serial device to communicate with multiple
half-duplex devices connected to a fiber ring, you should configure the
TCF-142 for “ring mode” by setting DIP switch “SW4” to the “On”
position. The Tx port of a particular TCF-142 unit connects to the
neighboring converter’s Rx port on the ring. Note that when one node
transmits a signal, the signal travels around the ring until it returns
back to the transmitting unit, which then blocks the signal.
ingle-mode models (TCF-142-
) or multi-mode models (TCF-
-M).
when using either
- 2 -
ATTENTION
For Fiber Ring Users:
To avoid problems when setting up a fiber ring, each TCF
unit making up the ring must be powered down and set to
“Ring mode.”
properly, and then power up all devices connected to the ring.
NOTE
“Ring Mode” can only be used with half-duplex applications
(i.e., RS-485 multi-drop communication).
Next, make sure all cables are connected
DIP Switch Selectable Terminator
The TCF-142’s termination resistor is set with a DIP switch located on
the outside of the converter’s casing.
No Configuration Required for Baudrate Settings
The TCF-142 is compatible with any baudrate from 50 bps to 921.6
kbps. The TCF-142 automatically converts the signal back and forth
between serial (RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485) and fiber, and does not
need to interpret the signal or the baudrate of the transmitting device.
For this reason, the TCF-142 does not have any DIP switches or
jumpers for setting the baudrate.
-142
Features
• “Ring” or “Point to Point” transmission
• Extend RS-232/422/485 transmission distance:
up to 40 km with single-mode—TCF-142-S Series
up to 5 km with multi-mode—TCF-142-M Series
• Compact size
• Decrease signal interference
• Protect against electronic degradation and chemical corrosion
• Supports baudrates up to 921.6 kbps
• Extended operating temperature from -40 to 75°C (for “T” models)
Package Checklist
Before installing the TCF-142, verify that the package contains the
following items:
• 1 TCF-142 media converter
• Power jack to 3-pin terminal block adaptor
• Stick-on pads
• Quick installation guide (printed)
• Warranty card
NOTE: Please notify your sales representative if any of the above items
are missing or damaged.
- 3 -
Dimensions and Appearance
NOTE
Electrostatic Discharge Warning!
To protect the product from damage due to electrostatic
discharge, we recommend wearing a grounding device when
handling your TCF-142.
TCF-142-M/S-ST
TCF-142-M/S-SC
TCF-142 fiber converters are easy to set up and use. The serial terminal
block of one of the converters connects to your computer, the serial
terminal block of the other converter connects to your serial device,
and the two converters are connected by fiber cable(s).
Wiring Examples
Connecting the Power Supply
Before using the TCF-142, first connect the DC power supply to the
power supply terminal block located on the TCF-142’s bottom panel.
Connecting RS-422 and 4-wire RS-485 Serial Devices
Connecting 2-wire RS-485 Serial Devices
- 4 -
Connecting an RS-232 Serial Device to a PC
Serial
Connection
RS-232
ON
OFF
RS-422
ON
ON
RS-485 4-wire
OFF
OFF
RS-485 2-wire
OFF
ON
Built-in 120 Ω
Terminator
Enable
ON
–
Disable
OFF
–
Ring mode
–
ON
Point to Point mode
–
OFF
NOTE
This switch setting is used for product revision 3.2 or later; for
previous revisions, refer to the label on the product's rear panel
for the correct information.
RS-485 Data Direction Control
S1 Pin 1
Auto Baudrate
OFF
Fixed Baudrate
ON
Switch Settings
SW1 SW2
SW3 SW4
The S1 DIP Switch is located inside the TCF-142. When the TCF-142 is
in RS-485 mode, use this DIP switch to configure RS-485 data direction
control, data format, and baudrate. When the TCF-142 is in RS232/422 mode, the S1 DIP switch cannot affect RS-232/422
communication.
RS-485 Data Direction Control Settings
- 5 -
Data Format Settings
Data Format
S1 Pin 2
S1 Pin 3
S1 Pin 4
7 Bits
OFF
ON
ON
8 Bits
ON
OFF
ON
9 Bits
OFF
OFF
ON
10 Bits
ON
ON
OFF
11 Bits
OFF
ON
OFF
12 Bits
ON
OFF
OFF
Baudrate
S1 Pin 5
S1 Pin 6
S1 Pin 7
S1 Pin 8
S1 Pin 9
50
OFF
ON
ON
ON
ON
75
ON
OFF
ON
ON
ON
110
OFF
OFF
ON
ON
ON
134.5
ON
ON
OFF
ON
ON
150
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
ON
300
ON
OFF
OFF
ON
ON
600
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
ON
1200
ON
ON
ON
OFF
ON
1800
OFF
ON
ON
OFF
ON
2400
ON
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
4800
OFF
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
7200
ON
ON
OFF
OFF
ON
9600
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
ON
19200
ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
38400
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
57600
ON
ON
ON
ON
OFF
115200
OFF
ON
ON
ON
OFF
230400
ON
OFF
ON
ON
OFF
460800
OFF
OFF
ON
ON
OFF
921600
ON
ON
OFF
ON
OFF
Pull High/Low Resistor
S2 Pin 1*
S2 Pin 2*
150K
OFF
OFF
1K (default)
ON
ON
NOTE
We recommend setting S
(ON/ON) when termination is enabled.
LED
Color
Function
PWR
Red
Steady ON: Power is ON
Fiber Tx
Green
Blinking when fiber is transmitting data
Fiber Rx
Orange
Blinking when fiber is receiving data
Baudrate Settings
The S2 DIP switch is located inside the TCF-142. This switch is used to
configure the pull high/low resistors. Note that S2 Pin 1 and Pin 2 must
both be configured to ON or both must be configured to OFF.
* These DIP switches are located inside the TCF-142.
2 Pin 1 and Pin 2 to the 1K option
LED Description
There are 3 LEDs on the front panel of the TCF-142.