Data Communications Overview

Industrial data communications is increasingly important in the field of instrumentation.

Standard 4 – 20 mA signals are being replaced with fieldbus protocols, which transmit much
more information and help to control the plant more effectively. Instrumentation technologists
often work with SCADA and DCS systems. These systems rely heavily on communication
networks of various kinds and complexities. Consider the system pictured here:

Engineering Production
Management

Backup Printer
drive Internet

Firewall

Secondary Operator Server Web

Workstation Workstation Server /

Radio Radio/
PLC PLC RTU
tower Modem

DCS

Radio/ Radio
Flow Modem tower
Computer
Radio/
RTU
Modem

Transmitters/
Control valves

Figure 1

This system includes:

 Access from engineering and production management offices to internet (and
company head offices)
 Engineering and production management offices have a network giving them
access to resources such as databases, printers and intranet
 Production management office has access to production data available at operator
stations
 Engineering has access to operator stations, PLCs and DCS system
 Radio modems communicate with remote RTUs for monitoring remote sites
 Controllers (DCS, PLCs, RTUs, flow controllers, etc.) communicate with field
instruments and valves for controlling the process

The role of an instrumentation technologist might involve:

 Testing and/or troubleshooting a communication link
 Adding devices (especially transmitters) to a network
 Specify and order digital communications equipment
 Setup simple communication links
 Sell digital communication equipment
 Train individuals in use of digital communication equipment

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-1

Plant systems can be divided into 3 main categories of communication levels:
 Information level networks
 Control level networks
 Field device level networks

Production, Engineering and Management

Information level
buses

Operator interface,
programming stations

Control level buses

Controllers (SLC, PLC, RTU, etc)

Remote I/O & Field device buses

Smart Instrumentation

Measured Variables
Process / Manufacturing

Information level buses are high level, high-speed networks used to connect engineering and
plant management offices together. Ethernet is a common example of this type of network.

Control level networks are high speed networks designed specifically for industrial control
applications, and transmit data between controllers and operator stations. Examples of this
network type include PROFIBUS FMS and ControlNet.

Field device networks are designed specifically for communications from (and sometimes
between) controllers to field devices such as transmitters, sensors and valves. Examples are Hart,
Foundation Fieldbus, Honeywell DE, PROFIBUS, DeviceNet and ASi.

In this course we will cover the basic concepts of data communications used in all 3 levels of
industrial data communications.

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-2

Data Communications Fundamentals

Basic Data Communications Concepts

When communicating between two devices there are certain terms used to define the
components used in the transmission.

Device A Device B

4
DTE DCE DCE DTE
1 2 2 1
3 3

(1) DTE - Data Terminal Equipment

- The equipment which originates or receives the transmission

Example: Computers
PLCs
Controllers

(2) DCE - Data Communications Equipment

- Converts the signal into a form which can be transmitted over the
transmission channel

Example: MODEM

(3) DTE/DCE Interface

- Electrical connection from DTE to DCE

Example: RS-232
RS-422

(4) Transmission Channel

- Medium which connects the two devices together

Example: wire
fibre-optic
radio

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-3

This information can then be transmitted in one of two methods:

- serial: the information is sent using one channel

Example: one bit at a time (slower)

- parallel: the information is sent on two or more channels

Example: eight channels to transmit a byte in parallel. (less practical
over longer distances)

Glossary

protocol - A protocol is a set of rules that defines how the computers will manage
their communications. The protocol may specify how data is formatted for
transmitting and when and how each node may transmit

mark - the transmission of a logical 1

space - the transmission of a logical 0

BPS - Bits Per Second

- the number of bits transmitted in on e second

Example: 1200 BPS, 1 bit every 1/1200=834S

Bd - Baud or Baud Rate

- The number of discrete signal events per second occurring on a

communication channel
- normally this is the same as BPS but often incorrectly used
- may vary for some MODEMS

CPS - Characters Per Second

- A transfer rate estimated from the bit rate and length of each
character. If each character is 8 bits long and includes a start and
stop bit for asynchronous transmission, each character needs 10
bits to be sent. At 28,800 bps, data is transmitted at approximately
2800 cps.
- often called the Data Rate

Simplex - one device sends, the other receives

- one direction only
- one channel

Data Flow
Transmitter Receiver
Simplex Configuration

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-4

 Half-Duplex - both devices send and receive information
- only one can transmit at a time
- one channel

Transmitter Data Flow Receiver

and and
Half-Duplex
Receiver Transmitter
Configuration

Full-Duplex - both devices send and receive at the same time

- two channels
- this is the same as if one was to take two simplex connections in
the opposite direction to one another

Data Flow
Transmitter Receiver
and and
Data Flow
Receiver Transmitter
Full-Duplex
Configuration

Serial Communications

Serial communications can be accomplished in one of two methods:

Synchronous - In synchronous transmission, all devices use a common clock

generated by one of the devices or an external source.
SYNCHRONOUS TRANSMISSION

TRANSMITTER SENDS BITS ON CLOCK'S FALLING EDGE

RECEIVER READS BITS ON CLOCKS RISING EDGE

CLOCK

DATA (61H)
BIT 7
0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1
MANY SYNCHRONOUS PROTOCOLS SEND MSD FIRST

The clock may have a fixed frequency or it may toggle at irregular

intervals. All transmitted are synchronized to the clock. In other
words, each transmitted bit is valid at a defined time after a clock
transition (rising or falling edge). The receiver uses the clock
transitions to decide when to read each incoming bit.

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-5

 Synchronous formats use a variety of ways to signal the start and
end of transmission, including Start and Stop bits and dedicated
chip-select signals.

Synchronous interfaces are useful for short links, for longer links,
synchronous formats may be less practical because of the need to
transmit the clock signal, which requires an extra line and is
subject to noise.

Asynchronous - In asynchronous (also called un-synchronous and non-

synchronous) transmissions, the link doesn’t include a clock line,
because each end of the link provides its own clock. Each user
must agree on the clock’s frequency, and all of the clocks must
match within a few percent. Each transmitted byte includes a Start
bit to synchronize the clocks, and one or more Stop bits to signal
the end of the transmitted word (most common).

ASYNCHRONOUS TRANSMISSION

TRANSMITTER USES AN INTERNAL CLOCK

TO DETERMINE WHEN TO SEND EACH BIT
RECEIVER DETECTS THE FALLING EDGE OF START,
THEN USES ITS INTERNAL CLOCK TO READ THE
FOLLOWING BITS NEAR ITS CENTRES

DATA (61H)
START BIT 0 BIT 7 STOP
BIT 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 BIT
ASYNCHRONOUS PROTOCOLS SEND LSD FIRST

Asynchronous Frame
MARK
IDLE
DATA BITS
LINE
SPACE
START OPTIONAL STOP BIT
BIT PARITY 1, 1.5, 2
BIT

Idle - Assumes a mark (1) when line not in use

Start bit - a space

- starts the timing clock on the transmission so that the first data bit
is received in 1.5 bits time

Data bits - data being transmitted

- usually ASCII but can be other
- transmitted LSB first

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-6

 Parity Bit - optional
- primitive error detecting technique (not often used)
- Parity can be Even, Odd, Mark, or Space. The following table
demonstrates Even and Odd parity. With Even parity, the parity bit
is set or cleared so that the data bits plus the parity bit contains an
even number of 1’s. With Odd parity, the parity bit is set or cleared
so that these bits contain an odd number of 1’s.

Mark and Space parity are forms of Stick parity: with Mark parity,
the parity bit is always 1, and with Space parity, its always 0.

Data Bits Even Parity Bit Odd Parity Bit

0000000 0 1
0000001 1 0
0000010 1 0
0000011 0 1
0000100 1 0
1111110 0 1
1111111 1 0

Stop bits - always a mark

- ends frame and allows time to recover for next data byte

Question: What is the data rate in CPS if:

- 2400 Baud, 8 Data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity

Solution: Bits Per Character  1 Start Bit  8 Data Bits  1 Stop Bit  10
2400 Bits Per Second
Characters Per Second   240
10 Bits Per C haracter

Question: Sketch the output for the above if a ‘?’ is being sent

Solution: ‘?’ = 3F16 = 001111112

MARK

SPACE
START 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 STOP

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-7

Question: What character is being sent if 7 data bits, 2 stop, no parity
MARK

SPACE

Solution:
MARK

SPACE
START 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 STOP STOP
LSB MSB

10101002== 5416 =‘T’

Asynchronous Transmitter Block Diagram

Transmitter
Clock

Txd

Start Bit

Connection to Holding Data to be Shift

CPU Data Bus Register transmitted Register

Stop & Parity Bits

R/W Control Registers
and
CE Control Logic

Sequence of Events

1) Data is received from the CPU and stored in the holding register
2) Control logic calculates the parity bit and adds stop bits to Frame
3) Frame is loaded (in parallel) to the shift register
4) Shift register shifts the frame out in serial at a rate determined by the clock (determines
Baud rate)

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-8

Asynchronous Receiver Block Diagram

Timing
Control
Logic

write

Connection to
Shift Data Buffer
Rxd CPU Data Bus
Register

Timing and control logic detects, and confirms a start bit then pulses serial data into shift
register. After all data is received, it is sent out (in parallel) to the buffer. This buffer is not
always required but gives the CPU more time to read the data before new data erases it. This is
called double buffering. The timing and control logic may also check for errors, parity or timing
errors. (looks for stop bits)

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-9

Error detection methods

- The transmitter may add to data extra information for the receiver to
detect errors
- The receiver must then check for errors and then act on them (normally requests retransmission)
- There are three main methods used to detect errors

1) Parity or Vertical Redundancy Checking (VRC)

Parity Checking is a simple method of detecting errors in transmission. A parity bit is sent with
each word that is sent. This bit will make the number of ‘ones’ sent odd or even. If using even
parity, an even number of ones was sent and an even number ones must be received. This method
has relatively low overhead (10% or better), and is simple to calculate. It does have a problem in
that it cannot detect even number of errors.

2) Check Sums

There are two methods commonly used to do this:

a) Longitudinal Redundancy Checking (LRC)

A parity done on a block of data one bit for each bit position.
Lower overhead, more likely to detect errors than simple parity.

b) Logical or Arithmetic Checksums

The data is added together and the result is sent as a data byte at the end (only LSB)

3) CRC Cyclic Redundancy Checking

With this method, a block of data is sent, after that a CRC code is sent (typically 16 bits). This
method has a very good chance of catching any errors (99.9%+). One of the most popular methods
around, although its calculation is difficult.

EIA/TIA Standards
The Electronic Industry Association and the Telecommunications Industry Association (EIA/TIA) develop complete
standards for serial communications between DTE and DCE. The most popular standard is EIA/TIA-232E where
the E stands for the 5th revised version. This standard is usually referred as “RS – 232” where RS stands for
“recommended standard”. The recent adoption of the EIA/TIA is to help identify the source of the standard.

Other more commonly used standards are RS 422 and RS 485. Standards such as RS 423, 449 and 530 are also
discussed however, they are not used as much.
EIA/TIA 232 (RS-232E)

This standard is an upgraded version of RS-232C, which was introduced in 1962. It specifies three characteristics
for the interface between the host (DTE) and the peripheral (DCE) system. The three characteristics are as follows:

1. Electrical characteristics : it specifies the common signal and voltage levels

2. Mechanical characteristics : it specifies the common pin wiring configuration
3. Functional characteristics : it specifies the common pin wire functions

Each of these characteristics will be discussed below.

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-10

1. Electrical characteristics
The electrical characteristics specifies: signal voltage levels

Transmitter side : +5V to +15V for logic 0 (Space)

-15V to –5 V for logic 1 (Mark)
Receiver side : : +3V to +15V for logic 0 (Space)
-15V to –3 V for logic 1 (Mark)

+15V +15V
Space logic 0 Space logic 0

ON ON

+5V
2V noise margin
+3V
Transition Transition
Region Region
-3V
2V noise margin
-5V
Mark logic 1 Mark logic 1

OFF OFF
-15V -15V
Figure 1 Voltage levels for RS 232E specifications

The receiver logic level is lowered by 2V to include a noise margin. Through voltage conversions, the +5 to +15V is
converted to 0V (space), and the –15 to –5 V is converted to a 5V (mark) to suit the TTL logic. (See Figure 2)

Fig. 2 Conversion of RS 232 voltage signal to 0 – 5V TTL signal

(Ref.: www.maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm/appnote_number/723/ln/en)
(Copyright 2003 Maxim Integrated Products Used by permission http://www.maxim-ic.com)

a. slew rate
The maximum rise and fall of voltage at the driver output is defined to be 30V/µs. This is for reducing the
crosstalk between adjacent signals.

b. Data rate
The maximum data rate is defined to be 20 kbps in order to reduce crosstalks. However, some
manufacturers modify this to a higher bit rate in order to satisfy today’s applications.

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-11

 c. Line impedance
The maximum length of cable between driver and receiver is defined to be 15 m length.
This was modified in revision D to a maximum capacitive load of 2500 pF. The length of
the cable is hence determined by the capacitance per unit length of the cable.
2. Mechanical characteristics

The RS 232 E specifies a new 26 pin alternative connector (known as ALT A connector). Other than having
a smaller size and an extra pin, the connector is exactly like the DB25 pin connector, which was
standardized in revision D (Fig. 3). Currently, pin 26 is not used.

The connector for DCE equipment is male for the housing and female for the connection pins. Similarly,
the DTE connector is a female housing with male connection pins. Most of the time, not all the pins are
used since not all the defined signals are used.
Another popular connector being used other than the 25-pin connector is the 9-pin DB9S
connector. It provides means to transmit and receive the necessary signals required.
Figure 3 Pin outs for DB 25 (female) connector and DB 9 (female) connector
25 - PIN CONNECTOR 9 - PIN CONNECTOR

1 1
PROTECTIVE GROUND 14 DATA CARRIER DETECT (DCD) 6
SECONDARY TD DATA SET READY (DTR)
TRANSMIT DATA LINE (TD) RECEIVE DATA LINE (RD)
TRANSMIT CLOCK REQUEST TO SEND (RTS)
RECEIVE DATA LINE (RD) TRANSMIT DATA LINE (TD)
SECONDARY RD CLEAR TOP SEND (CTS)
REQUEST TO SEND (RTS) DATA TERMINAL READY (DTR)
RECEIVER CLOCK RING INDICATE (RI)
CLEAR TO SEND (CTS) GROUND 9
LOCAL LOOPBACK 5
DATA SET READY (DSR)
SECONDARY RTS
SIGNAL GROUND
DATA TERMINAL READY (DTR)
DATA CARRIED DETECT (DCD)
REMOTE LOOPBACK
RESERVED
RING INDICATE (RI)
RESERVED
DATA RATE DETECT
UNASSIGNED
TRANSMIT CLOCK
SECONDARY DCD
TEST MODE
SECONDARY CTS 25
13

Note: Only the underlined ones will be discussed in here.

3. Functional Characteristics

RS 232 defines the functions of the different signals that are used in the interface. The functions of the pins are
categorized into 4 groups, namely, common (pin 7), data (pin2 and 3), control (pins 4 5,6,8,20) and timing. The pin
labels in Figure 3 demonstrates the various function of each pin. Only the underlined ones are relatively important
and will be discussed here.

a. TD (pin 2) Transmit data from DTE to DCE

b. RD (pin 3) Receive data from DCE to DTE
c. RTS (pin 4) Request to Send from DTE to DCE
DTE wishes to transmit
d. CTS (pin 5) Clear to Send from DTE to DCE
DCE is ready for data
Response to RTS
e. DSR (pin 6) DCE Ready from DCE to DTE
DCE is ready to transmit
Response to RTS

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-12

 f. DCD (pin 8) Data Carrier Detect from DCE to DTE
DCE is receiving a carrier signal
Response to RTS
g. DTR (pin 20) DTE ready, from DTE to DCE
DTE is ready to operate

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-13

TRANSMISSION LINE SYSTEM

1. Unbalanced transmission system

RS 232 adopts an unbalanced transmission line system. In such a system, all devices share the same common ground
wire and transmit signals through separate single wire. Ideally, the system should work. However, the voltage along
the ground wire can vary along its length due to its capacitance and inductance. Moreover, the ground wire can pick
up noises as well. Consequently, the signal voltage at the receiving end can be distorted significantly.

This system is initially designed for pc printers and modems and is therefore only good for signal rates less than 20
kbps and over a distance of 15 m.

Tx Rx

Rx Tx

Fig. 4 Electrical connections in an unbalanced system

Common ground
2. Balanced transmission system

To overcome the shortfalls in the unbalanced transmission system, a balanced system is used. Such a system is used
in the RS-422 and RS-485, which will be discussed later. In a balanced system, a pair of wires is used for each
transmitting device. The differential voltage between the two wires is used as the input at the receiving end. Any
noise pick up along the lines will be cancelled out. This design allows for a higher data transfer rate over long
distances. However, installation cost is higher since the use of wire is doubled. Terminating resistors are also needed
to eliminate any reflections along the wire.
A(-)

Tx Rx
B(+)

A(-)
Rx Tx
Common ground
B(+)
Fig. 5 Electrical connections in a balanced transmission system

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-14

Connecting equipment with RS-232 cables

When connecting two devices together using RS-232 specified connections, the connection is straight through if
connecting a DTE to DCE.

25 pin connector 25-pin connector (simplified one)

Protective Ground
1 1 1 1
Transmitted Data Transmitted Data
2 2 2 2

3 Received Data 3 3 Received Data 3

4 RTS 4 4 4

5
CTS 5 5 5
DSR
6 6 6 6
Signal Ground 7
Signal Ground 7
7 7
DCD
8 8 8 8
DTR 20 20
20 20
RI 22 22
22 22

DTE DCE DTE DCE

Fig. 6 Electrical connections between DTE and DCE

Sometimes, however, the control signals used for handshaking (telling each other if the other is ready to
communicate) are not supported by one or both devices. If one device does not support these control signals, the
other must receive ‘fake’ signals to allow communication to take place.
25-pin connector
1 1
Transmitted Data
2 2

3 Received Data 3

4 RTS 4
CTS
5 5
DSR
6 6

7
Signal Ground 7
DCD
8 8

20
DTR 20

22 22

Fig. 7 Electrical connections between DTE and DCE without full pin support

The connection, however, is made more complicated if the two devices are DTE. In this case, a null modem
connection must be made for communication to take place.

connections between 25 pin connectors connections between 25 pin connectors

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-15

 1 1 1 1
Transmitted Data Transmitted Data
2 2 2 2
Received Data Received Data
3 3 3 3

4 RTS 4 4 RTS 4
CTS CTS
5 5 5 5
DSR DSR
6 6 6 6

7
Signal Ground 7 7
Signal Ground 7

8
DCD 8 8
DCD 8

20
DTR 20 20
DTR 20

22 22 22 22

DTE DTE DTE DTE

Fig. 8 Electrical connections between DTE and DTE

N.C. 1
2 RxD RxD 3
3 TxD TxD 2
5 GND GND 7
Remote RTS 4
(DTE device)
CTS 5 IBM Type
(DB - 9) PC
DTR 20 (DTE)
7 RTS
DSR 6 (DB-25)
8 CTS
DCD 8

Suggestion only
Consult device
manuals for
specific details

Fig. 9 Electrical connection between 9 pin and 25 pin connectors for DTE

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-16

EIA/TIA 422 (RS –422 )

This standard is an expansion of RS-232 with balanced transmission system. With such a system, it improves the
transmission characteristics as follows:

 2 signal wires and 1 ground wire are necessary for a half duplex transmission and 4 signal wires and 1
ground wire are necessary for a full duplex transmission.

 The system can support just 1 driver and a maximum of 10 receivers on a line.

 It can transmit a maximum rate of 10 Mbps over a distance of 10m.

 A longer transmission distance can be achieved at the expanse of a lower transmission rate (< 100 kbps @
1000m).

 The differential signal between the two conductors is maintained at 5V ( can be ranged between 0.2Vmin to
6Vmax). This allows the transmitters and drivers to be powered at 5V.

 If the differential signal is bigger than +0.2 V, the receiver gives a specific logic state. If the differential
signal is lower than –0.2 V, the receiver gives an opposite logic state.

 The line voltages in each line range between –6V to –2 V for a mark and +2 to +6 V for a space signal. A
noise margin of 1.8 V is adopted so that the line voltages at the receiving end vary between –6 V to –0.2 V
and +0.2 V to +6 V.

 A terminating resistor is required at the end of the line to prevent any reflection of electrical signals along
the line that can cause signal distortion.

Note: RS-422 does not specify the mechanical connection specifications. It uses the 25 pin designation as
specified in RS-232 or 37 pin designation specified in RS-449 (explain later).

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-17

EIA/TIA –485 (RS-485)

This standard is an extension RS-422 and is one of the most versatile one. It allows more transmitters and receivers
to be connected on the line. It uses 1 pair of signal wires (for both TxD and RxD) and 1 common ground wire (Fig.
11 and 12). Each signal wire carries a voltage with the same magnitude but opposite polarity (A is designated with a
– polarity and B with a + polarity). Its characteristics are as follows:

 It allows 32 pieces of equipment to be connected together (multidrop networking). If there are more than 32
pieces, repeaters have to be used.

 Its maximum signal transmission rate is 10 Mbps @ 10 m distance (just like RS-422).

 A tristate output is used to achieve the multidrop function i.e. only 1 driver talks at each time. Other drivers
are disabled. A tristate output is one that the driver can deliver a logic 1, a logic 0 or no signal (Enable or
Disable.) When the driver is off, it is viewed as having a high impedance. The driver is considered to be
disconnected from the line.

 Line voltages are –6 V to –1.5 V (logic 1 or mark) and +1.5V to +6V (logic 0 or space) at the transmission
end. Line voltages are –6V to –0.2V and +0.2V to +6V at the receiving end.

 A logic one (mark) is outputted at the receiver if the differential output (A - B) > + 0.2 Vand a logic zero
(space) is outputted if A – B < -0.2 V.

When the differential input to the receiver is 0 V, the receiver output is indeterminate. This can cause a bit reading
error. A multi-drop termination (see Fig. 10) is hence installed at the end of the line. The termination biases the
receiver input to be about 50 mV so that the receiver output is guaranteed to be high (logic 1).

Fig. 10 Arrangements of terminating resistors

(Copyright 2003 Maxim Integrated Products Used by permission http://www.maxim-ic.com)

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-18

 G R G – generator
R - receiver

termination
resistor
R G
Circuit
R common
ground
G

Fig. 11 Two wire multidrop network

Note: A two wire multidrop network supports a half duplex system, while a four wire multidrop network supports a
full duplex system.

Fig. 12 Two wire multidrop network with termination resistors

(from DGH transmitter - balanced line, at 38.4 kbaud, up to 10,000 ft, up to 32 devices)

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-19

EIA/TIA 423 (RS-423)

This standard is not widely used in industry. It is an expansion of RS 232 with higher data rates. It uses unbalanced
transmission system. Both TxD and RxD have their own signal grounds allowing noise cancellations. The receiver
has a differential input.

TxD
Tx
terminating
Common resistor

Rx Rx up to 10 receivers

Fig. 13 RS 423 unbalanced transmission connection

The data transmission rate is increased to 300 kbps @ 10m or <3kbps@1000m due to lower capacitance along the
line. The line can support 1 driver and a maximum of 10 receivers. Line voltage signals are:

 –6V to –3.6 V and +3.6 V to +6V at the transmitting end.

 -6V to –0.2V and +0.2V to +6 V at the receiving end

The slew rate is faster since the voltage swing is from –6V to+6V instead of –25V to +25V. No mechanical
connections are specified under this standard.

EIA/TIA 449 (RS–449)

This standard only modifies the mechanical connections and keeps the electrical and functional characteristics of RS
232. It specifies a 37-pin connector. It is gaining support from users of RS 422 and 485.

EIA/TIA 530 (RS-530)

This standard is a simplification of the RS-449. It was simplified to fit a standard D-25 pin connector used by RS
232 while supporting fully balanced transmission. In all other respects, it is the same.

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-20

 Fig. 14 RS-530 (male) connector pin out arrangement

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-21

Communication EIA Standard Comparison

RS 232E RS423A RS 422A RS 485

Mode of operation single-ended single-ended differential differential
Number of drivers and 1 driver 1 driver 1 driver 32 drivers
receivers allowed on line 1 receiver 10 receivers 10 receivers 32 receivers
Maximum cable length
(ft) 50 4000 4000 4000
(m) 15 1000 1000 1000
Maximum data bit 20k 100k 10M@12m 10M
(bits per second) 100kbps@1.2 m
Maximum common-mode  25V  6V  6V  12V
voltage -0.25V -7V
Driver output  5V min  3.6V min  2V min  1.5V min
 15V max  6V max
(with load)
Driver Load 3k to 7k 450 min 100 min 60 min
(Ω)
Driver slew rate 30V/s max Externally NA NA
controlled
Driver output short circuit 500 mA to Vcc 150 mA to 150 mA to 150 mA to
current limit or ground ground ground ground
250 mA to –8V
or +12V
Driver output Power on NA NA NA 120k
resistance Power off 300 60k 60k 120k
(High Z state)
Resistance input () 3k to 7 k 4k 4k 12k
Receiver sensitivity  3V  200mV  200mV  200mV

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-22

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-23
IBM Serial Interface

This interface card provides a communication link between the PC and the modem or other devices. On this card, an
IC chip called UART, which stands for Universal Asynchronous Receiver and Transmitter, is installed. The UART
usually is integrated to other chips. The first UART made was the 8250 chip. Newer versions have been
manufactured over the years. Nowadays, the most common ones that are installed in PCs are the 16450, 16550 and
16750 UARTS.

Fig. 15 displays the function blocks in the 8250 UARTS.

Fig. 15 Function blocks used in UART 8250

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-24

The UART converts parallel data from your computer into a serial data stream, and vice versa. Most serial ports that
come with older PC’s (especially pre-Pentium systems) have an 8250 or a 16450 UART. This chip only has a 1
character buffer. Therefore, it can cause a CRC error when incoming characters are not processed fast enough.

Most newer 486 and Pentium systems have 16550 UART equivalents included on the motherboard. Also, nearly all
high-speed internal modems have a 16550 UART equivalent on-board.

The 16550 UART has a 16-character FIFO (First-in, First-out) buffer. With a larger character buffer, it helps the
computer operating system keep up with the data stream without missing incoming characters.

For further references, you are advised to read the article published in the following website:
http://www.beyondlogic.org/serial/serial.htm

NAIT #1380 Overview 10-25