1. RS-232 INTERFACE
Introduction:
The RS-232 interface is the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) standard for the interchange of serial binary
data between two devices. It was initially developed by the EIA to standardize the connection of computers with telephone
line modems. The standard allows as many as 20 signals to be defined, but gives complete freedom to the user. Three
wires are sufficient: send data, receive data, and signal ground. The remaining lines can be hardwired on or off
permanently. The signal transmission is bipolar, requiring two voltages, from 5 to 25 volts, of opposite polarity.
Communication Standards:
The industry custom is to use an asynchronous word consisting of: a start bit, seven or eight data bits, an optional
parity bit and one or two stop bits. The baud rate at which the word sent is device-dependent. The baud rate is usually
150 times an integer power of 2, ranging from 0 to 7 (150, 300, 600 ,...., 19,200 ). Below 150 baud, many system-unique
rates are used. The standard RS-232-C connector has 25 pins, 21 pins which are used in the complete standard. Many of
the modem signals are not needed when a computer terminal is connected directly to a computer, and Figure 1 illustrates
how some of the "spare" pins should be linked if not needed. Figure 1 also illustrates the pin numbering used in the original
DB-25 connector and that now commonly used with a DB-9 connector normally used in modern computers
Specifying compliance to RS-232 only establishes that the signal levels in two devices will be compatible and that
if both devices use the suggested connector, they may be able to be connected. Compliance to RS-232 does not imply that
the devices will be able to communicate or even acknowledge each other's presence.
RS-232 Interface
Frame (Chassis) Ground
1 1
Transmit data Transmit data 2 3
3 2
Receive data Receive data 3 2
2 3
Signal Ground 7 5
5 7
Request to send Request to send 4
7 4 7
COMPUTER Clear to send Clear to send TERMINAL
8 5 5 8
Carrier detect Carrier detect 8 1
1 8
Data set ready Data set ready 6
6 6 6
Ring indicator Ring indicator 22 9
9 22
Data terminal ready Data terminal ready 20 4
4 20
Figure 1. Direct-to-computer RS-232 Interface
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2. Table 1 shows the signal names, and functions of the RS-232 serial port pinout. Table 2 shows a complete pin description
Table 1. RS-232 Serial Port Pinout
Name Pin Signal Name Function
AA 1 PG This line is connected to the chassis ground of the GPIB-232CV. Since the
Protective Ground GPIB-232CV chassis ground is not connected to earth ground, pin 1 should be
connected on both serial devices.
BA 2 TxD This line carries serial data from the GPIB-232CV to the serial host.
Transmit Data
BB 3 RxD This line carries serial data from the serial host to the GPIB-232CV.
Receive Data
CA 4 RTS This signal line is driven by the GPIB-232CV and when asserted indicates that
Request to Send the GPIB-232CV is ready to accept serial data. The GPIB-232CV unasserts
RTS when it is no longer ready to accept serial data because of a buffer full
condition.
CB 5 CTS This signal line is asserted by the serial host and sensed by the GPIB-232CV.
Clear to Send When asserted, it indicates that the serial host is ready to accept serial data.
When unasserted, it indicates that data transmission should be disabled.
AB 7 SG This line establishes a reference point for all interface voltages.
Signal Ground
CD 20 DTR This signal line is asserted by the GPIB-232CV to signal that it has been
Data Terminal powered on, and is ready to operate.
Ready
Table 2. RS-232C Interface Signals.
Pin Description Pin Description PinDescription
1 Protective Ground 10 (Reserved for Data Set Testing) 19 Secondary Request to Send
2 Transmitted Data 11 Unassigned 20 Data Terminal Ready
3 Received Data 12 Sec. Rec'd. Line Sig. Detector 21 Signal Quality Detector
4 Request to Send 13 Sec. Clear to Send 22 Ring Indicator
5 Clear to Send 14 Secondary Transmitted Data 23 Data Signal Rate Selector
(DTE/DCE Source)
6 Data Set Ready 15 Transmission Signal Element Timing 24 Transmit Signal Element
(DCE Source) Timing (DTE Source)
7 Signal Ground (Common 16 Secondary Received Data 25 Unassigned
Return)
8 Received Line Signal 17 Receiver Signal Element Timing
Detector (DCE Source)
9 (Reserved for Data Set 18 Unassigned
Testing)
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3. Electrical Characteristics: The RS-232-C specifies the signaling rate between the DTE and DCE, and a digital signal is used
on all interchange circuits. The RS-232 standard specifies that logic "1" is to be sent as a voltage in the range -15 to -5 V
and that logic "0" is to sent as a voltage in the range +5 to +15 V. The standard specifies that voltages of at least 3 V in
amplitude will always be recognized correctly at the receiver according to their polarity, so that appreciable attenuation
along the line can be tolerated. The transfer rate is rated > 20 kbps and a distance of < 15m. Greater distance and data
rates are possible with good design, but it is reasonable to assume that these limits apply in practice as well as in theory.
The load impedance of the terminator side of the interface must be between 3000 and 7000 ohms, and not more than
2500pF.
Table 3, summarizes the functional specifications of the most important circuits.
Table 3. RS-232-C Circuit Definitions
Direction
Name Function
to:
Data Signals
Transmitted Data (BA) DCE Data generated by DTE
Received Data (BB) DTE Data Received by DTE
Timing signals
Transmitter Signal Element Timing (DA) DCE Clocking signal, transitions to ON and OFF occur at center of each signal element
Transmitter Signal Element Timing (DB) DTE Clocking signal, as above; both leads relate to signals on BA
Receiver Signal Element Timing (DD) DTE Clocking signal, as above, for circuit BB
Control Signals
Request to Send (CA) DCE DTE wishes to transmit
Clear to Send (CB) DTE DCE is ready to transmit; response to request to send
Data Set Ready (CC) DTE DCE is ready to operate
Data Terminal Ready (CD) DCE DTE is ready to operate
Ring Indicator (CE) DTE Indicates that DCE is receiving a ringing signal on the communication channel
Carrier Detect (CF) DTE Indicates that DCE is receiving a carrier signal
Signal Quality Detector (CG) DTE Asserted when there is reason to believe there is an error in the received data
Data Signal Rate Selector (CH) DCE Asserted to select the higher of two possible data rates
Data Signal Rate Selector (CI) DTE Asserted to select the higher of two possible data rates
Ground
Protective Ground (AA) NA Attached to machine frame and possibly external grounds
Signal Ground (AB) NA Establishes common ground reference for all circuits
Range: The RS-232-C standard specifies that the maximum length of cable between the transmitter and receiver should
not exceed 100 feet, Although in practice many systems are used in which the distance between transmitter and receiver
exceeds this rather low figure. The limited range of the RS-232C standard is one of its major shortcomings compared with
other standards which offer greater ranges within their specifications. One reason why the range of the RS-232C standard
is limited is the need to charge and discharge the capacitance of the cable connecting the transmitter and receiver.
Mechanical Characteristics: The connector for the RS-232-C is a 25 pin connector with a specific arrangement of wires.
In theory, a 25 wire cable could be used to connect the Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) to the Data Communication
Equipment (DCE). The DTE is a device that is acting as a data source , data sink, or both, e.g. a terminal, peripheral or
computer. The DCE is a device that provides the functions required to establish, maintain,and terminate a data-transmission
connecting, as well as the signal conversion, and coding required for communication between data terminal equipment and
data circuit; e.g. a modem. Table 4, shows the complete summary of the RS-232-C, e.g., descriptor, sponsor, data format,
etc.
9-2.3

4. Table 4. Summary of the RS-232-C
Data Format 5- to 8- bit serial
Transfer Type Asynchronous
Error Handling Optional Parity Bit
Connector 25-pin female connector on DCE; 25-pin male connector on DTE
Length 20 meters
Speed 20 kb/s
Remarks RS-232 is used in the microcomputer world for communications between two DTEs. The null-
modem is included into one or both connecting devices, and/or cable and is seldom documented.
As a result, establishing an RS-232 connection between two DTEs is frequently a difficult task.
9-2.4