RS 232

Voltage levels of RS 232:

The RS-232 standard defines the voltage levels that correspond to logical one and logical zero levels for the data transmission and the control signal lines. Valid signals are either in the range of +3 to +15 volts or the range 3 to 15 volts ith respect to the gro!nd"common pin# conse$!entl%& the range 'et een 3 to +3 volts is not a valid RS-232 level. (or data transmission lines )T*+& R*+ and their secondar% channel e$!ivalents, logic one is defined as a negative voltage. -ogic zero is positive. .ontrol signals have the opposite polarit%/ the active state is positive voltage and the inactive state is negative voltage. 0*amples of control lines incl!de re$!est to send )RTS,& clear to send ).TS,& data terminal read% )+TR,& and data set read% )+SR,.

MAX 232

1t is helpf!l to !nderstand hat occ!rs to the voltage levels. 2hen a 345232 1. receives a TT- level to convert& it changes a TT- logic 6 to 'et een +3 and +15 V& and changes TT- logic 1 to 'et een -3 to -15 V& and vice versa for converting from RS232 to TT-. This can 'e conf!sing hen %o! realize that the RS232 data transmission voltages at a certain logic state are opposite from the RS232 control line voltages at the same logic state. To clarif% the matter& see the ta'le 'elo . (or more information& see RS232 voltage levels. RS232 line type and logic level RS232 voltage TTL voltage to/from MAX232

+ata transmission )R*"T*, logic 6

+3 V to +15 V

6V

+ata transmission )R*"T*, logic 1

-3 V to -15 V

5V

.ontrol signals )RTS".TS"+TR"+SR, logic 6 -3 V to -15 V

5V

.ontrol signals )RTS".TS"+TR"+SR, logic 1 +3 V to +15 V

6V