RS232 serial cable layout

Almost nothing in computer interfacing is more confusing than selecting the right RS232 serial
cable. These pages are intended to provide information about the most common serial RS232
cables in normal computer use, or in more common language "How do I connect devices and
computers using RS232?"
RS232 serial connector pin assignment
The RS232 connector was originally developed to use 25 pins. In this DB25 connector pinout
provisions were made for a secondary serial RS232 communication channel. In practice, only
one serial communication channel with accompanying handshaking is present. Only very few
computers have been manufactured where both serial RS232 channels are implemented.
Examples of this are the Sun SparcStation 10 and 20 models and the Dec Alpha Multia. Also on
a number of Telebit modem models the secondary channel is present. It can be used to query the
modem status while the modem is on-line and busy communicating. On personal computers, the
smaller DB9 version is more commonly used today. The diagrams show the signals common to
both connector types in black. The defined pins only present on the larger connector are shown
in red. Note, that the protective ground is assigned to a pin at the large connector where the
connector outside is used for that purpose with the DB9 connector version.
The pinout is also shown for the DEC modified modular jack. This type of connector has been
used on systems built by Digital Equipment Corporation; in the early days one of the leaders in
the mainframe world. Although this serial interface is differential (the receive and transmit have
their own floating ground level which is not the case with regular RS232) it is possible to
connect RS232 compatible devices with this interface because the voltage levels of the bit
streams are in the same range. Where the definition of RS232 focussed on the connection of
DTE, data terminal equipment (computers, printers, etc.) with DCE, data communication
equipment (modems), MMJ was primarily defined for the connection of two DTE's directly.
RS232 DB9 pinout RS232 DB25 pinout

DEC MMJ pinout

RS232 DB25 to DB9 converter

The original pinout for RS232 was developed for a 25 pins sub D connector. Since the
introduction of the smaller serial port on the IBM-AT, 9 pins RS232 connectors are commonly
used. In mixed applications, a 9 to 25 pins converter can be used to connect connectors of
different sizes. As most of the computers are equipped with the DB9 serial port version, all
wiring examples on this website will use that connector as a default. If you want to use the
example with a DB25, simply replace the pin numbers of the connector according to the
conversion table below.
RS232 DB9 to DB25 converter

DB9 - DB25 conversion

DB9 DB25 Function
1 8 Data carrier detect
2 3 Receive data
3 2 Transmit data
4 20 Data terminal ready
5 7 Signal ground
6 6 Data set ready
7 4 Request to send
8 5 Clear to send
9 22 Ring indicator

RS232 serial loopback test plugs

The following RS232 connectors can be used to test a serial port on your computer. The data and
handshake lines have been linked. In this way all data will be sent back immediately. The PC
controls its own handshaking. The first test plug can be used to check the function of the RS232
serial port with standard terminal software. The second version can be used to test the full
functionality of the RS232 serial port with Norton Diagnostics or CheckIt.
RS232 loopback test plug for terminal emulation software
 DB9 DB25 Function
1 + 4 + 6 6 + 8 + 20 DTR CD + DSR
2+3 2+3 Tx Rx
7+8 4+5 RTS CTS

RS232 loopback test plug for Norton Diagnostics and CheckIt

DB9 DB25 Function

1 + 4 + 6 + 9 6 + 8 + 20 + 22 DTR CD + DSR + RI
2+3 2+3 Tx Rx
7+8 4+5 RTS CTS
Testing occurs in a few steps. Data is sent on the Tx line and the received information on the Rx
input is then compared with the original data. The signal level on the DTR and RTS lines is also
controlled by the test software and the attached inputs are read back in the software to see if
these signal levels are properly returned. The second RS232 test plug has the advantage that the
ring-indicator RI input line can also be tested. This input is used by modems to signal an
incoming call to the attached computer.
RS232 null modem cables
The easiest way to connect two PC's is using an RS232 null modem cable. The only problem is
the large variety of RS232 null modem cables available. For simple connections, a three line
RS232 cable connecting the signal ground and receive and transmit lines is sufficient. Depending
of the software used, some sort of handshaking may however be necessary. Use the RS232 null
modem selection table to find the right null modem cable for each purpose. For a Windows
95/98/ME Direct Cable Connection, the RS232 null modem cable with loop back handshaking is
a good choice.
RS232 null modem cables with handshaking can be defined in numerous ways, with loopback
handshaking to each PC, or complete handshaking between the two systems. The most common
null modem cable types are shown here.
Simple RS232 null modem without handshaking (Null modem explanation)

Connector 1 Connector 2 Function

2 3 Rx Tx
3 2 Tx Rx
5 5 Signal ground
RS232 null modem with loop back handshaking (Null modem explanation)

Connector 1 Connector 2 Function

2 3 Rx Tx
3 2 Tx Rx
5 5 Signal ground
1+4+6 - DTR CD + DSR
- 1+4+6 DTR CD + DSR
 7+8 - RTS CTS
- 7+8 RTS CTS
RS232 null modem with partial handshaking (Null modem explanation)

Connector 1 Connector 2 Function

1 7+8 RTS2 CTS2 + CD1
2 3 Rx Tx
3 2 Tx Rx
4 6 DTR DSR
5 5 Signal ground
6 4 DSR DTR
7+8 1 RTS1 CTS1 + CD2
RS232 null modem with full handshaking (Null modem explanation)

Connector 1 Connector 2 Function

2 3 Rx Tx
3 2 Tx Rx
4 6 DTR DSR
5 5 Signal ground
6 4 DSR DTR
7 8 RTS CTS
8 7 CTS RTS
n telecommunications, RS-232 (Recommended Standard 232) is a standard for serial binary data
signals connecting between a DTE (Data Terminal Equipment) and a DCE (Data Circuit-
terminating Equipment). It is commonly used in computer serial ports. A similar ITU-T standard
is V.24.

Contents
[hide]
• 1 Scope of the standard
• 2 History
• 3 Limitations of the standard
• 4 Role in modern personal computers
• 5 Standard details
○ 5.1 Voltage levels
○ 5.2 Connectors
○ 5.3 Pinouts
○ 5.4 Cables
• 6 Conventions
○ 6.1 RTS/CTS handshaking
○ 6.2 3-wire and 5-wire RS-232
• 7 Seldom used features
○ 7.1 Signal rate selection
○ 7.2 Loopback testing
○ 7.3 Timing signals
○ 7.4 Secondary channel
• 8 Related standards
• 9 See also
• 10 References
• 11 External links

[edit] Scope of the standard

The Electronics Industries Association (EIA) standard RS-232-C[1] as of 1969 defines:
• Electrical signal characteristics such as voltage levels, signaling rate, timing
and slew-rate of signals, voltage withstand level, short-circuit behavior, and
maximum load capacitance.
• Interface mechanical characteristics, pluggable connectors and pin
identification.
• Functions of each circuit in the interface connector.
• Standard subsets of interface circuits for selected telecom applications.
The standard does not define such elements as
 • character encoding (for example, ASCII, Baudot code or EBCDIC)
• the framing of characters in the data stream (bits per character, start/stop
bits, parity)
• protocols for error detection or algorithms for data compression
• bit rates for transmission, although the standard says it is intended for bit
rates lower than 20,000 bits per second. Many modern devices support
speeds of 115,200 bit/s and above
• power supply to external devices.
Details of character format and transmission bit rate are controlled by the serial port hardware,
often a single integrated circuit called a UART that converts data from parallel to asynchronous
start-stop serial form. Details of voltage levels, slew rate, and short-circuit behavior are typically
controlled by a line-driver that converts from the UART's logic levels to RS-232 compatible
signal levels, and a receiver that converts from RS-232 compatible signal levels to the UART's
logic levels.
[edit] History
RS-232 (single-ended) was first introduced in 1962.[2]
The original DTEs were electromechanical teletypewriters and the original DCEs were (usually)
modems. When electronic terminals (smart and dumb) began to be used, they were often
designed to be interchangeable with teletypes, and so supported RS-232. The C revision of the
standard was issued in 1969 in part to accommodate the electrical characteristics of these
devices.
Since application to devices such as computers, printers, test instruments, and so on was not
considered by the standard, designers implementing an RS-232 compatible interface on their
equipment often interpreted the requirements idiosyncratically. Common problems were non-
standard pin assignment of circuits on connectors, and incorrect or missing control signals. The
lack of adherence to the standards produced a thriving industry of breakout boxes, patch boxes,
test equipment, books, and other aids for the connection of disparate equipment. A common
deviation from the standard was to drive the signals at a reduced voltage: the standard requires
the transmitter to use +12V and -12V, but requires the receiver to distinguish voltages as low as
+3V and -3V. Some manufacturers therefore built transmitters that supplied +5V and -5V and
labeled them as "RS-232 compatible."
Later personal computers (and other devices) started to make use of the standard so that they
could connect to existing equipment. For many years, an RS-232-compatible port was a standard
feature for serial communications, such as modem connections, on many computers. It remained
in widespread use into the late 1990s. In personal computer peripherals it has largely been
supplanted by other interface standards, such as USB. RS-232 is still used to connect older
designs of peripherals, industrial equipment (such PLCs), and console ports, and special purpose
equipment such as a cash drawer for a cash register.
The standard has been renamed several times during its history as the sponsoring organization
changed its name, and has been variously known as EIA RS-232, EIA 232, and most recently as
TIA 232. The standard continued to be revised and updated by the Electronic Industries Alliance
and since 1988 by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).[3] Revision C was issued
in a document dated August 1969. Revision D was issued in 1986. The current revision is TIA-
232-F Interface Between Data Terminal Equipment and Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment
Employing Serial Binary Data Interchange, issued in 1997. Changes since Revision C have been
in timing and details intended to improve harmonization with the CCITT standard V.24, but
equipment built to the current standard will interoperate with older versions.
[edit] Limitations of the standard
Because the application of RS-232 has extended far beyond the original purpose of
interconnecting a terminal with a modem, successor standards have been developed to address
the limitations. Issues with the RS-232 standard include:[4]
• The large voltage swings and requirement for positive and negative supplies
increases power consumption of the interface and complicates power supply
design. The voltage swing requirement also limits the upper speed of a
compatible interface.
• Single-ended signaling referred to a common signal ground limits the noise
immunity and transmission distance.
• Multi-drop connection among more than two devices is not defined. While
multi-drop "work-arounds" have been devised, they have limitations in speed
and compatibility.
• Asymmetrical definitions of the two ends of the link make the assignment of
the role of a newly developed device problematic; the designer must decide
on either a DTE-like or DCE-like interface and which connector pin
assignments to use.
• The handshaking and control lines of the interface are intended for the setup
and takedown of a dial-up communication circuit; in particular, the use of
handshake lines for flow control is not reliably implemented in many devices.
• No method is specified for sending power to a device. While a small amount
of current can be extracted from the DTR and RTS lines, this is only suitable
for low power devices such as mice.
• The 25-way connector recommended in the standard is large compared to
current practice.

[edit] Role in modern personal computers

PCI Express x1 card with one RS-232 port

Main article: Serial port

In the book PC 97 Hardware Design Guide,[5] Microsoft deprecated support for the RS-232
compatible serial port of the original IBM PC design. Today, RS-232 is gradually being replaced
in personal computers by USB for local communications. Compared with RS-232, USB is faster,
uses lower voltages, and has connectors that are simpler to connect and use. Both standards have
software support in popular operating systems. USB is designed to make it easy for device
drivers to communicate with hardware. However, there is no direct analog to the terminal
programs used to let users communicate directly with serial ports. USB is more complex than the
RS-232 standard because it includes a protocol for transferring data to devices. This requires
more software to support the protocol used. RS-232 only standardizes the voltage of signals and
the functions of the physical interface pins. Serial ports of personal computers are also
sometimes used to directly control various hardware devices, such as relays or lamps, since the
control lines of the interface can be easily manipulated by software. This isn't feasible with USB,
which requires some form of receiver to decode the serial data.
As an alternative, USB docking ports are available which can provide connectors for a keyboard,
mouse, one or more serial ports, and one or more parallel ports. Corresponding device drivers are
required for each USB-connected device to allow programs to access these USB-connected
devices as if they were the original directly-connected peripherals. Devices that convert USB to
RS-232 may not work with all software on all personal computers and may cause a reduction in
bandwidth along with higher latency.
Personal computers may use the control pins of a serial port to interface to devices such as
uninterruptible power supplies. In this case, serial data is not sent, but the control lines are used
to signal conditions such as loss of power or low battery alarms.
Many fields (for example, laboratory automation, surveying) provide a continued demand for
RS-232 I/O due to sustained use of very expensive but aging equipment. It is often far cheaper to
continue to use RS-232 than it is to replace the equipment. Some manufacturers have responded
to this demand: Toshiba re-introduced the DE-9M connector on the Tecra laptop. Companies
such as Digi specialise in RS232 I/O cards.
[edit] Standard details
In RS-232, user data is sent as a time-series of bits. Both synchronous and asynchronous
transmissions are supported by the standard. In addition to the data circuits, the standard defines
a number of control circuits used to manage the connection between the DTE and DCE. Each
data or control circuit only operates in one direction, that is, signaling from a DTE to the
attached DCE or the reverse. Since transmit data and receive data are separate circuits, the
interface can operate in a full duplex manner, supporting concurrent data flow in both directions.
The standard does not define character framing within the data stream, or character encoding.
[edit] Voltage levels
Diagrammatic oscilloscope trace of voltage levels for an uppercase ASCII "K"
character (0x4b) with 1 start bit, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit

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 plus or minus 3 to
15 volts - the range near zero volts is not a valid RS-232 level. The standard specifies a
maximum open-circuit voltage of 25 volts: signal levels of ±5 V, ±10 V, ±12 V, and ±15 V are
all commonly seen depending on the power supplies available within a device. RS-232 drivers
and receivers must be able to withstand indefinite short circuit to ground or to any voltage level
up to ±25 volts. The slew rate, or how fast the signal changes between levels, is also controlled.
For data transmission lines (TxD, RxD and their secondary channel equivalents) logic one is
defined as a negative voltage, the signal condition is called marking, and has the functional
significance. Logic zero is positive and the signal condition is termed spacing. Control signals
are logically inverted with respect to what one would see on the data transmission lines. When
one of these signals is active, the voltage on the line will be between +3 to +15 volts. The
inactive state for these signals would be the opposite voltage condition, between -3 and -15 volts.
Examples of control lines would include request to send (RTS), clear to send (CTS), data
terminal ready (DTR), and data set ready (DSR).
Because the voltage levels are higher than logic levels typically used by integrated circuits,
special intervening driver circuits are required to translate logic levels. These also protect the
device's internal circuitry from short circuits or transients that may appear on the RS-232
interface, and provide sufficient current to comply with the slew rate requirements for data
transmission.
Because both ends of the RS-232 circuit depend on the ground pin being zero volts, problems
will occur when connecting machinery and computers where the voltage between the ground pin
on one end, and the ground pin on the other is not zero. This may also cause a hazardous ground
loop.
Unused interface signals terminated to ground will have an undefined logic state. Where it is
necessary to permanently set a control signal to a defined state, it must be connected to a voltage
source that asserts the logic 1 or logic 0 level. Some devices provide test voltages on their
interface connectors for this purpose.
[edit] Connectors
RS-232 devices may be classified as Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) or Data Communications
Equipment (DCE); this defines at each device which wires will be sending and receiving each
signal. The standard recommended but did not make mandatory the D-subminiature 25 pin
connector. In general and according to the standard, terminals and computers have male
connectors with DTE pin functions, and modems have female connectors with DCE pin
functions. Other devices may have any combination of connector gender and pin definitions.
Many terminals were manufactured with female terminals but were sold with a cable with male
connectors at each end; the terminal with its cable satisfied the recommendations in the standard.
Presence of a 25 pin D-sub connector does not necessarily indicate an RS-232-C compliant
interface. For example, on the original IBM PC, a male D-sub was an RS-232-C DTE port (with
a non-standard current loop interface on reserved pins), but the female D-sub connector was used
for a parallel Centronics printer port. Some personal computers put non-standard voltages or
signals on some pins of their serial ports.
The standard specifies 20 different signal connections. Since most devices use only a few
signals, smaller connectors can often be used. For example, the 9 pin DE-9 connector was used
by most IBM-compatible PCs since the IBM PC AT, and has been standardized as TIA-574.
More recently, modular connectors have been used. Most common are 8P8C connectors.
Standard EIA/TIA 561 specifies a pin assignment, but the "Yost Serial Device Wiring Standard"
invented by Dave Yost (and popularized by the Unix System Administration Handbook) is
common on Unix computers and newer devices from Cisco Systems. Many devices don't use
either of these standards. 10P10C connectors can be found on some devices as well. Digital
Equipment Corporation defined their own DECconnect connection system which was based on
the Modified Modular Jack connector. This is a 6 pin modular jack where the key is offset from
the center position. As with the Yost standard, DECconnect uses a symmetrical pin layout which
enables the direct connection between two DTEs. Another common connector is the DH10
header connector common on motherboards and add-in cards which is usually converted via a
cable to the more standard 9 pin DE-9 connector (and frequently mounted on a free slot plate or
other part of the housing).
[edit] Pinouts
The following table lists commonly-used RS-232 signals and pin assignments.[6]
Signal Origin DB- DE- TIA-
Yost
Abbreviat DT DC 25 9 561
pin
Name Typical purpose
ion E E pin pin pin

Data
Tells DCE that DTE is ready to
Terminal DTR ● 20 4 3 2
be connected (optional).
Ready

Tells DTE that DCE is

Data Carrier
connected to telephone line DCD ● 8 1 2
Detect
(optional). 7
Data Set Tells DTE that DCE is ready to
DSR ● 6 6
Ready receive commands or data.

Tells DTE that DCE has 1

Ring
detected a ring signal on the RI ● 22 9 -
Indicator
telephone line.

Request To Tells DCE to prepare to

RTS ● 4 7 8 1
Send accept data from DTE.

Clear To Acknowledges RTS and

CTS ● 5 8 7 8
Send allows DTE to transmit.

Transmitted Carries data from DTE to TxD ● 2 3 6 3

Data DCE.

Received Carries data from DCE to

RxD ● 3 2 5 6
Data DTE.

Common commo
GND 7 5 4 4, 5
Ground n

Protective commo
PG 1 - - -
Ground n

The signals are named from the standpoint of the DTE. The ground signal is a common return for
the other connections; it appears on two pins in the Yost standard but is the same signal. The
DB-25 connector includes a second "protective ground" on pin 1. Connecting this to pin 7 (signal
reference ground) is a common practice but not essential.
Use of a common ground is one weakness of RS-232: if the two devices are far enough apart or
on separate power systems, the ground will degrade between them and communications will fail,
which is a difficult condition to trace.
Note that EIA/TIA 561 combines DSR and RI,[7][8] and the Yost standard combines DSR and
DCD.
[edit] Cables
Main article: Serial Cable

The standard does not define a maximum cable length but instead defines the maximum
capacitance that a compliant drive circuit must tolerate. A widely-used rule-of-thumb indicates
that cables more than 50 feet (15 metres) long will have too much capacitance, unless special
cables are used. By using low-capacitance cables, full speed communication can be maintained
over larger distances up to about 1,000 feet.[9] For longer distances, other signal standards are
better suited to maintain high speed.
Since the standard definitions are not always correctly applied, it is often necessary to consult
documentation, test connections with a breakout box, or use trial and error to find a cable that
works when interconnecting two devices. Connecting a fully-standard-compliant DCE device
and DTE device would use a cable that connects identical pin numbers in each connector (a so-
called "straight cable"). "Gender changers" are available to solve gender mismatches between
cables and connectors. Connecting devices with different types of connectors requires a cable
that connects the corresponding pins according to the table above. Cables with 9 pins on one end
and 25 on the other are common. Manufacturers of equipment with 8P8C connectors usually
provide a cable with either a DB-25 or DE-9 connector (or sometimes interchangeable
connectors so they can work with multiple devices). Poor-quality cables can cause false signals
by crosstalk between data and control lines (such as Ring Indicator).
[edit] Conventions
For functional communication through a serial port interface, conventions of bit rate, character
framing, communications protocol, character encoding, data compression, and error detection,
not defined in RS 232, must be agreed to by both sending and receiving equipment. For example,
consider the serial ports of the original IBM PC. This implementation used an 8250 UART using
asynchronous start-stop character formatting with 7 or 8 data bits per frame, usually ASCII
character coding, and data rates programmable between 75 bits per second and 115,200 bits per
second. Data rates above 20,000 bits per second are out of the scope of the standard, although
higher data rates are sometimes used by commercially manufactured equipment. In the particular
case of the IBM PC, baud rates were programmable with arbitrary values, so that a PC could be
connected to, for example, MIDI music controllers (31,250 bits per second) or other devices not
using the rates typically used with modems. Since most devices do not have automatic baud rate
detection, users must manually set the baud rate (and all other parameters) at both ends of the
RS-232 connection.
[edit] RTS/CTS handshaking
In older versions of the specification, RS-232's use of the RTS and CTS lines is asymmetric: The
DTE asserts RTS to indicate a desire to transmit to the DCE, and the DCE asserts CTS in
response to grant permission. This allows for half-duplex modems that disable their transmitters
when not required, and must transmit a synchronization preamble to the receiver when they are
re-enabled. This scheme is also employed on present-day RS-232 to RS-485 converters, where
the RS-232's RTS signal is used to ask the converter to take control of the RS-485 bus - a
concept that doesn't otherwise exist in RS-232. There is no way for the DTE to indicate that it is
unable to accept data from the DCE.
A non-standard symmetric alternative, commonly called "RTS/CTS handshaking," was
developed by various equipment manufacturers: CTS indicates permission from the DCE for the
DTE to send data to the DCE (and is controlled by the DCE independent of RTS), and RTS
indicates permission from the DTE for the DCE to send data to the DTE. This was eventually
codified in version RS-232-E (actually TIA-232-E by that time) by defining a new signal, "RTR
(Ready to Receive)," which is CCITT V.24 circuit 133. TIA-232-E and the corresponding
international standards were updated to show that circuit 133, when implemented, shares the
same pin as RTS (Request to Send), and that when 133 is in use, RTS is assumed by the DCE to
be ON at all times.[10]
Thus, with this alternative usage, one can think of RTS asserted (logic 0) meaning that the DTE
is indicating it is "ready to receive" from the DCE, rather than requesting permission from the
DCE to send characters to the DCE.
Note that equipment using this protocol must be prepared to buffer some extra data, since a
transmission may have begun just before the control line state change.
[edit] 3-wire and 5-wire RS-232
A minimal "3-wire" RS-232 connection consisting only of transmit data, receive data, and
ground, is commonly used when the full facilities of RS-232 are not required. Even a two-wire
connection (data and ground) can be used if the data flow is one way (for example, a digital
postal scale that periodically sends a weight reading, or a GPS receiver that periodically sends
position, if no configuration via RS-232 is necessary). When only hardware flow control is
required in addition to two-way data, the RTS and CTS lines are added in a 5-wire version.
[edit] Seldom used features
The EIA-232 standard specifies connections for several features that are not used in most
implementations. Their use requires the 25-pin connectors and cables, and of course both the
DTE and DCE must support them.
[edit] Signal rate selection
The DTE or DCE can specify use of a "high" or "low" signaling rate. The rates as well as which
device will select the rate must be configured in both the DTE and DCE. The prearranged device
selects the high rate by setting pin 23 to ON.
[edit] Loopback testing
Many DCE devices have a loopback capability used for testing. When enabled, signals are
echoed back to the sender rather than being sent on to the receiver. If supported, the DTE can
signal the local DCE (the one it is connected to) to enter loopback mode by setting pin 18 to ON,
or the remote DCE (the one the local DCE is connected to) to enter loopback mode by setting pin
21 to ON. The latter tests the communications link as well as both DCE's. When the DCE is in
test mode it signals the DTE by setting pin 25 to ON.
A commonly used version of loopback testing doesn't involve any special capability of either
end. A hardware loopback is simply a wire connecting complementary pins together in the same
connector (see loopback).
Loopback testing is often performed with a specialized DTE called a Bit Error Rate Tester (see
Bit Error Rate Test).
[edit] Timing signals
Some synchronous devices provide a clock signal to synchronize data transmission, especially at
higher data rates. Two timing signals are provided by the DCE on pins 15 and 17. Pin 15 is the
transmitter clock, or send timing (ST); the DTE puts the next bit on the data line (pin 2) when
this clock transitions from OFF to ON (so it is stable during the ON to OFF transition when the
DCE registers the bit). Pin 17 is the receiver clock, or receive timing (RT); the DTE reads the
next bit from the data line (pin 3) when this clock transitions from ON to OFF.
Alternatively, the DTE can provide a clock signal, called transmitter timing (TT), on pin 24 for
transmitted data. Again, data is changed when the clock transitions from OFF to ON and read
during the ON to OFF transition. TT can be used to overcome the issue where ST must traverse a
cable of unknown length and delay, clock a bit out of the DTE after another unknown delay, and
return it to the DCE over the same unknown cable delay. Since the relation between the
transmitted bit and TT can be fixed in the DTE design, and since both signals traverse the same
cable length, using TT eliminates the issue. TT may be generated by looping ST back with an
appropriate phase change to align it with the transmitted data. ST loop back to TT lets the DTE
use the DCE as the frequency reference, and correct the clock to data timing.
[edit] Secondary channel
Data can be sent over a secondary channel (when implemented by the DTE and DCE devices),
which is equivalent to the primary channel. Pin assignments are described in following table:
Signal Pin

7 (same as
Common Ground
primary)

Secondary Transmitted
14
Data (STD)
Secondary Received Data
16
(SRD)

Secondary Request To Send

19
(SRTS)

Secondary Clear To Send

13
(SCTS)

Secondary Carrier Detect

12
(SDCD)

[edit] Related standards

Other serial signaling standards may not interoperate with standard-compliant RS-232 ports. For
example, using the TTL levels of near +5 and 0 V puts the mark level in the undefined area of
the standard. Such levels are sometimes used with NMEA 0183-compliant GPS receivers and
depth finders.
A 20 mA current loop uses the absence of 20 mA current for high, and the presence of current in
the loop for low; this signaling method is often used for long-distance and optically isolated
links. Connection of a current-loop device to a compliant RS-232 port requires a level translator.
Current-loop devices can supply voltages in excess of the withstand voltage limits of a compliant
device. The original IBM PC serial port card implemented a 20 mA current-loop interface, which
was never emulated by other suppliers of plug-compatible equipment.
Other serial interfaces similar to RS-232:
• RS-422 (a high-speed system similar to RS-232 but with differential signaling)
• RS-423 (a high-speed system similar to RS-422 but with unbalanced
signaling)
• RS-449 (a functional and mechanical interface that used RS-422 and RS-423
signals - it never caught on like RS-232 and was withdrawn by the EIA)
• RS-485 (a descendant of RS-422 that can be used as a bus in multidrop
configurations)
• MIL-STD-188 (a system like RS-232 but with better impedance and rise time
control)
• EIA-530 (a high-speed system using RS-422 or RS-423 electrical properties in
an EIA-232 pinout configuration, thus combining the best of both; supersedes
RS-449)
• EIA/TIA-561 8 Position Non-Synchronous Interface Between Data Terminal
Equipment and Data Circuit Terminating Equipment Employing Serial Binary
Data Interchange
• EIA/TIA-562 Electrical Characteristics for an Unbalanced Digital Interface (low-
voltage version of EIA/TIA-232)
• TIA-574 (standardizes the 9-pin D-subminiature connector pinout for use with
EIA-232 electrical signalling, as originated on the IBM PC/AT)
• SpaceWire (high-speed serial system designed for use on board spacecraft)
 RS232 Data
Interface
a Tutorial on Data Interface and cables

RS-232 is simple, universal, well understood and supported but it has some
serious shortcomings as a data interface. The standards to 256kbps or less
and line lengths of 15M (50 ft) or less but today we see high speed ports on
our home PC running very high speeds and with high quality cable maxim
distance has increased greatly. The rule of thumb for the length a data cable
depends on speed of the data, quality of the cable.

a Tutorial
Electronic data communications between elements will generally fall into two broad
categories: single-ended and differential. RS232 (single-ended) was introduced in 1962,
and despite rumors for its early demise, has remained widely used through the industry.
Independent channels are established for two-way (full-duplex) communications. The
RS232 signals are represented by voltage levels with respect to a system common
(power / logic ground). The "idle" state (MARK) has the signal level negative with
respect to common, and the "active" state (SPACE) has the signal level positive with
respect to common. RS232 has numerous handshaking lines (primarily used with
modems), and also specifies a communications protocol.
The RS-232 interface presupposes a common ground between the DTE and DCE. This
is a reasonable assumption when a short cable connects the DTE to the DCE, but with
longer lines and connections between devices that may be on different electrical busses
with different grounds, this may not be true.
RS232 data is bi-polar.... +3 TO +12 volts indicates an "ON or 0-state (SPACE)
condition" while A -3 to -12 volts indicates an "OFF" 1-state (MARK) condition....
Modern computer equipment ignores the negative level and accepts a zero voltage level
as the "OFF" state. In fact, the "ON" state may be achieved with lesser positive
potential. This means circuits powered by 5 VDC are capable of driving RS232 circuits
directly, however, the overall range that the RS232 signal may be transmitted/received
may be dramatically reduced.
The output signal level usually swings between +12V and -12V. The "dead area"
between +3v and -3v is designed to absorb line noise. In the various RS-232-like
definitions this dead area may vary. For instance, the definition for V.10 has a dead
area from +0.3v to -0.3v. Many receivers designed for RS-232 are sensitive to
differentials of 1v or less.
This can cause problems when using pin powered widgets - line drivers, converters,
modems etc. These type of units need enough voltage & current to power them self's
up. Typical URART (the RS-232 I/O chip) allows up to 50ma per output pin - so if the
device needs 70ma to run we would need to use at least 2 pins for power. Some
devices are very efficient and only require one pin (some times the Transmit or DTR
pin) to be high - in the "SPACE" state while idle.
An RS-232 port can supply only limited power to another device. The number of output
lines, the type of interface driver IC, and the state of the output lines are important
considerations.
The types of driver ICs used in serial ports can be divided into three general categories:
• Drivers which require plus (+) and minus (-) voltage power supplies such as the
1488 series of interface integrated circuits. (Most desktop and tower PCs use this
type of driver.)
• Low power drivers which require one +5 volt power supply. This type of driver
has an internal charge pump for voltage conversion. (Many industrial
microprocessor controls use this type of driver.)
• Low voltage (3.3 v) and low power drivers which meet the EIA-562 Standard.
(Used on notebooks and laptops.)

Data is transmitted and received on pins 2 and 3 respectively. Data Set Ready (DSR) is
an indication from the Data Set (i.e., the modem or DSU/CSU) that it is on. Similarly,
DTR indicates to the Data Set that the DTE is on. Data Carrier Detect (DCD) indicates
that a good carrier is being received from the remote modem.
Pins 4 RTS (Request To Send - from the transmitting computer) and 5 CTS (Clear To
Send - from the Data set) are used to control. In most Asynchronous situations, RTS
and CTS are constantly on throughout the communication session. However where the
DTE is connected to a multipoint line, RTS is used to turn carrier on the modem on and
off. On a multipoint line, it's imperative that only one station is transmitting at a time
(because they share the return phone pair). When a station wants to transmit, it raises
RTS. The modem turns on carrier, typically waits a few milliseconds for carrier to
stabilize, and then raises CTS. The DTE transmits when it sees CTS up. When the
station has finished its transmission, it drops RTS and the modem drops CTS and
carrier together.
Clock signals (pins 15, 17, & 24) are only used for synchronous communications. The
modem or DSU extracts the clock from the data stream and provides a steady clock
signal to the DTE. Note that the transmit and receive clock signals do not have to be the
same, or even at the same baud rate.
Note: Transmit and receive leads (2 or 3) can be reversed depending on the use of the
equipment - DCE Data Communications Equipment or a DTE Data Terminal
Equipment.

Glossary of Abbreviations etc.

CTS Clear To Send [DCE --> DTE]
DCD Data Carrier Detected (Tone from a modem) [DCE -->
DTE]
DCE Data Communications Equipment eg. modem
DSR Data Set Ready [DCE --> DTE]
DSRS Data Signal Rate Selector [DCE --> DTE] (Not
commonly
used)
DTE Data Terminal Equipment eg. computer, printer
DTR Data Terminal Ready [DTE --> DCE]
FG Frame Ground (screen or chassis)
NC No Connection
RCk Receiver (external) Clock input
RI Ring Indicator (ringing tone detected)
RTS Request To Send [DTE --> DCE]
RxD Received Data [DCE --> DTE]
SG Signal Ground
SCTS Secondary Clear To Send [DCE --> DTE]
SDCD Secondary Data Carrier Detected (Tone from a
modem)
[DCE --> DTE]
SRTS Secondary Ready To Send [DTE --> DCE]
SRxD Secondary Received Data [DCE --> DTE]
STxD Secondary Transmitted Data [DTE --> DTE]
TxD Transmitted Data [DTE --> DTE]

Is Your Interface a DTE or a DCE?

One of the stickiest areas of confusion in datacom is over the terms "transmit" and "receive"
as they pertain to DTE (data terminal equipment) and DCE (data communication
equipment). In synchronous communication, this confusion is particularly acute, because
more signals are involved. So why is it that you sometimes send data on TD, and other
times you send data on RD? Is this just a cruel form of mental torture? Not really. The
secret lies in adopting the proper perspective. In data-com, the proper perspective is always
from the point of view of the DTE. When you sit at a PC, terminal or workstation (DTE) and
transmit data to somewhere far away, you naturally do so on the TD (transmit data) line.
When your modem or CSU/DSU (DCE) receives this incoming data, it receives the data on
the TD line as well. Why? Because the only perspective that counts in data-com is the
perspective of the DTE. It does not matter that the DCE thinks it is receiving data; the line
is still called "TD". Conversely, when the modem or CSU/DSU receives data from the outside
world and sends it to the DTE, it sends it on the RD line. Why? Because from the
perspective of the DTE, the data is being received! So when wondering, "Is this line TD or
RD? Is it TC or RC?" Ask yourself, "What would the DTE say?"
Find out by following these steps: The point of reference for all signals is the
terminal (or PC).
1 ) Measure the DC voltages between (DB25) pins 2 & 7 and between pins 3 & 7. Be
sure the black lead is connected to pin 7 (Signal Ground) and the red lead to whichever
pin you are measuring.
2) If the voltage on pin 2 is more negative than -3 Volts, then it is a DTE, otherwise it
should be near zero volts.
3) If the voltage on pin 3 is more negative than -3 Volts, then it is a DCE.
4) If both pins 2 & 3 have a voltage of at least 3 volts, then either you are measuring
incorrectly, or your device is not a standard EIA-232 device. Call technical support.
5) In general, a DTE provides a voltage on TD, RTS, & DTR, whereas a DCE provides
voltage on RD, CTS, DSR, & CD.

X.21 interface on a DB 15 connector

also see X.21 write up

also see end of page for more info

X.21
General

Voltages: +/- 0.3Vdc

Max. 100Kbps (X.26)
Speeds:
Max. 10Mbps (X.27)
The X.21 interface was recommended by the CCITT in 1976. It is defined as a digital
signaling interface between customers (DTE) equipment and carrier's equipment (DCE).
And thus primarily used for telecom equipment.
All signals are balanced. Meaning there is always a pair (+/-) for each signal, like used
in RS422. The X.21 signals are the same as RS422, so please refer to RS422 for the
exact details.
Pinning according to ISO 4903

Sub-D15 Male Sub-D15 Female

Pin Signal abbr. DTE DCE

1 Shield - -
2 Transmit (A) Out In
3 Control (A) Out In
4 Receive (A) In Out
5 Indication (A) In Out
6 Signal Timing (A) In Out
7 Unassigned
8 Ground - -
9 Transmit (B) Out In
10 Control (B) Out In
11 Receive (B) In Out
12 Indication (B) In Out
13 Signal Timing (B) In Out
14 Unassigned
15 Unassigned
Functional Description
As can be seen from the pinning specifications, the Signal Element Timing (clock) is
provided by the DCE. This means that your provider (local telco office) is responsible for
the correct clocking and that X.21 is a synchronous interface. Hardware handshaking is
done by the Control and Indication lines. The Control is used by the DTE and the
Indication is the DCE one.
Cross-cable pinning

X.21 Cross Cable

X.21 X.21
1 1
 2 4
3 5
4 2
5 3
6 7
7 6
8 8
9 11
10 12
11 9
12 10
13 14
14 13
15

RS232D uses RJ45 type connectors

(similar to telephone connectors)

Pin No. Signal Description Abbr. DTE DCE

1 DCE Ready, Ring Indicator DSR/RI
 2 Received Line Signal Detector DCD
3 DTE Ready DTR
4 Signal Ground SG
5 Received Data RxD
6 Transmitted Data TxD
7 Clear To Send CTS
8 Request To Send RTS

This is a standard 9 to 25 pin cable layout for async data on a PC AT serial cable

9-pin 25-pin
Description Signal Source DTE or DCE
DTE DCE
Carrier Detect CD 1 8 from Modem
Receive Data RD 2 3 from Modem
Transmit Data TD 3 2 from Terminal/Computer
Data Terminal
DTR 4 20 from Terminal/Computer
Ready
Signal Ground SG 5 7 from Modem
Data Set Ready DSR 6 6 from Modem
Request to Send RTS 7 4 from Terminal/Computer
Clear to Send CTS 8 5 from Modem
Ring Indicator RI 9 22 from Modem
This a DTE port as on the back of a PC Com Port -
EIA-574 RS-232/V.24 pin out on a DB-9 pin
used for Asynchronous Data
 25 pin D-shell connector
RS232
commonly used for
Async. data
PIN SIGNAL DESCRIPTION

1 PGND Protective Ground

2 TXD Transmit Data
3 RXD Receive Data
4 RTS RequestTo Send
 5 CTS Clear To Send
6 DSR Data Set Ready
7 SG Signal Ground
8 CD Carrier Detect
20 DTR Data Terminal Ready
22 RI Ring Indicator

Some applications require more pins

than a simple async. configurations.
 Pins used for Synchronous data
jump to Other Connector pages

RS-232 Specs.
SPECIFICATIONS RS232 RS423

Mode of Operation SINGLE SINGLE

 -ENDED -ENDED

1 DRIVER 1 DRIVER
Total Number of Drivers and Receivers on One Line
1 RECVR 10 RECVR

Maximum Cable Length 50 FT. 4000 FT.

Maximum Data Rate 20kb/s 100kb/s

Maximum Driver Output Voltage +/-25V +/-6V

Driver Output Signal Level (Loaded Min.) Loaded +/-5V to +/-15V +/-3.6V

Driver Output Signal Level (Unloaded Max) Unloaded +/-25V +/-6V

Driver Load Impedance (Ohms) 3k to 7k >=450

Max. Driver Current in High Z State Power On N/A N/A

Max. Driver Current in High Z State Power Off +/-6mA @ +/-2v +/-100uA

Slew Rate (Max.) 30V/uS Adjustable

Receiver Input Voltage Range +/-15V +/-12V

Receiver Input Sensitivity +/-3V +/-200mV

Receiver Input Resistance (Ohms) 3k to 7k 4k min.

One byte of async data

Cabling considerations - you should use cabling made for RS-232 data but I have seen
low speed data go over 250' on 2 pair phone cable. Level 5 cable can also be used but
for best distance use a low capacitance data grade cable.
The standard maxim length is 50' but if data is async you can increase that distance to
as much as 500' with a good grade of cable.
The RS-232 signal on a single cable is impossible to screen effectively for noise. By
screening the entire cable we can reduce the influence of outside noise, but internally
generated noise remains a problem. As the baud rate and line length increase, the
effect of capacitance between the different lines introduces serious crosstalk (this
especially true on synchronous data - because of the clock lines) until a point is reached
where the data itself is unreadable. Signal Crosstalk can be reduced by using low
capacitance cable and shielding each pair
Using a high grade cable (individually shield low capacitance pairs) the distance can be
extended to 4000'
At higher frequencies a new problem comes to light. The high frequency component of
the data signal is lost as the cable gets longer resulting in a rounded, rather than
square wave signal.
The maxim distance will depend on the speed and noise level around the cable run.
On longer runs a line driver is needed. This is a simple modem used to increase the
maxim distance you can run RS-232 data.
Making sense of the specifications

Selecting data cable isn't difficult, but often gets lost in the shuffle of larger system
issues. Care should be taken. however, because intermittent problems caused by
marginal cable can be very difficult to troubleshoot.

Beyond the obvious traits such as number of conductors and wire gauge, cable
specifications include a handful of less intuitive terms.

Characteristic Impedance (Ohms): A value based on the inherent conductance,

resistance, capacitance and inductance of a cable that represents the impedance of an
infinitely long cable. When the cable is out to any length and terminated with this
Characteristic Impedance, measurements of the cable will be identical to values
obtained from the infinite length cable. That is to say that the termination of the cable
with this impedance gives the cable the appearance of being infinite length, allowing no
reflections of the transmitted signal. If termination is required in a system, the
termination impedance value should match the Characteristic Impedance of the cable.

Shunt Capacitance (pF/ft): The amount of equivalent capacitive load of the cable,
typically listed in a per foot basis One of the factors limiting total cable length is the
capacitive load. Systems with long lengths benefits from using low capacitance cable.

Propagation velocity (% of c): The speed at which an electrical signal travels in the
cable. The value given typically must be multiplied by the speed of light (c) to obtain
units of meters per second. For example, a cable that lists a propagation velocity of
78% gives a velocity of 0.78 X 300 X 106 - 234 X 106 meters per second.

Plenum cable

Plenum rated cable is fire resistant and less toxic when burning than non-plenum rated
cable. Check building and fire codes for requirements. Plenum cable is generally more
expensive due to the sheathing material used.

The specification recommends 24AWG twisted pair cable with a shunt capacitance of
16 pF per foot and 100 ohm characteristic impedance.
It can be difficult to qualify whether shielding is required in a particular system or not,
until problems arise. We recommend erring on the safe side and using shielded cable.
Shielded cable is only slightly more expensive than unshielded.

There are many cables available meeting the recommendations of RS-422 and RS-485,
made specifically for that application. Another choice is the same cable commonly used
in the Twisted pair Ethernet cabling. This cable, commonly referred to as Category 5
cable, is defined by the ElA/TIA/ANSI 568 specification The extremely high volume of
Category 5 cable used makes it widely available and very inexpensive, often less than
half the price of specialty RS422/485 cabling. The cable has a maximum capacitance of
17 pF/ft (14.5 pF typical) and characteristic impedance of 100 ohms.

Category 5 cable is available as shielded twisted pair (STP) as well as unshielded

twisted pair (UTP) and generally exceeds the recommendations making it an excellent
choice for RS232 systems.

RS232 - V.24/V.28 - IS2110 - X.20 bis (for

Async) -
X.21 bis (for Sync)
General
In this document the term RS232 will be used when refered to this serial interface. The
description of RS232 is an EIA/TIA norm and is identical to CCITT V.24/V.28,
X.20bis/X.21bis and ISO IS2110. The only difference is that CCITT has split the
interface into its electrical description (V.28) and a mechanical part (V.24) or
Asynchronous (X.20 bis) and Synchronous (X.21 bis) where the EIA/TIA describes
everything under RS232.
As said before RS232 is a serial interface. It can be found in many different applications
where the most common ones are modems and Personal Computers. All pinning
specifications are writen for the DTE side.
All DTE-DCE cables are straight through meaning the pins are connected one on one.
DTE-DTE and DCE-DCE cables are cross cables. To make a destiction between all
different types of cables we have to use a naming convention.
DTE - DCE: Straight Cable
DTE - DTE: Null-Modem Cable
DCE - DCE: Tail Circuit Cable
Interface Mechanical
RS232 can be found on different connectors. There are special specifications for this.
The CCITT only defines a Sub-D 25 pins version where the EIA/TIA has two versions
RS232C and RS232D which are resp. on a Sub-D25 and a RJ45. Next to this IBM has
added a Sub-D 9 version which is found an almost all Personal Computers and is
described in TIA 457.
 Male Female

Pinnings
Circuit Circuit
RS232-C Description RJ45 TIA 457
EIA CCITT
1 Shield Ground AA
7 Signal Ground AB 102 4 5
2 Transmitted Data BA 103 6 3
3 Received Data BB 104 5 2
4 Request To Send CA 105 8 7
5 Clear To Send CB 106 7 8
6 DCE Ready CC 107 1 6
20 DTE Ready CD 108.2 3 4
22 Ring Indicator CE 125 1 9
8 Received Line Signal Detector CF 109 2 1
Data Signal Rate Select
23 CH/CI 111/112
(DTE/DCE Source>
Transmit Signal Element Timing
24 DA 113
(DTE Source)
Transmitter Signal Element Timing
15 DB 114
(DCE Source)
Receiver Signal Element Timing
17 DD 115
(DCE Source)
18 Local Loopback / Quality Detector LL 141
21 Remote Loopback RL/CG 140/110
14 Secondary Transmitted Data SBA 118
16 Secondary Received Data SBB 119
19 Secondary Request To Send SCA 120
13 Secondary Clear To Send SCB 121
Secondary Received Line Signal Detector/
12 SCF/CI 122/112
Data signal Rate Select (DCE Source)
25 Test Mode TM 142
9 Reserved for Testing
10 Reserved for Testing
11 Unassigned
Interface Electrical
All signals are measured in reference to a common ground, which is called the signal
ground (AB). A positive voltage between 3 and 15 Vdc represents a logical 0 and a
negative voltage between 3 and 15 Vdc represents a logical 1.
This switching between positive and negative is called bipolar. The zero state is not
defined in RS232 and is considered a fault condition (this happens when a device is
turned off).
According to the above a maximum distance of 50 ft or 15 m. can be reached at a
maximum speed of 20k bps. This is according to the official specifications, the distance
can be exceeded with the use of Line Drivers.
Functional description
Description Circuit Function
Also known as protective ground. This is the chassis ground
Shield Ground AA
connection between DTE and DCE.
The reference ground between a DTE and a DCE. Has the
Signal Ground AB
value 0 Vdc.
Transmitted Data BA Data send by the DTE.
Received Data BB Data received by the DTE.
Request To Send CA Originated by the DTE to initiate transmission by the DCE.
Send by the DCE as a reply on the RTS after a delay in ms,
Clear To Send CB which gives the DCEs enough time to energize their circuits
and synchronize on basic modulation patterns.
Known as DSR. Originated by the DCE indicating that it is
DCE Ready CC
basically operating (power on, and in functional mode).
Known as DTR. Originated by the DTE to instruct the DCE to
DTE Ready CD setup a connection. Actually it means that the DTE is up and
running and ready to communicate.
A signal from the DCE to the DTE that there is an incomming
Ring Indicator CE call (telephone is ringing). Only used on switched circuit
connections.
Known as DCD. A signal send from DCE to its DTE to
Received Line
CF indicate that it has received a basic carrier signal from a
Signal Detector
(remote) DCE.
Data Signal Rate
Select A control signal that can be used to change the transmission
CH/CI
(DTE/DCE speed.
Source>
Transmit Signal
Timing signals used by the DTE for transmission, where the
Element Timing DA
clock is originated by the DTE and the DCE is the slave.
(DTE Source)
Transmitter Signal
Element Timing DB Timing signals used by the DTE for transmission.
(DCE Source)
 Receiver Signal
Element Timing DD Timing signals used by the DTE when receiving data.
(DCE Source)
Local Loopback /
LL
Quality Detector
Originated by the DCE that changes state when the analog
Remote Loopback RL/CG
signal received from the (remote) DCE becomes marginal.
Test Mode TM
Reserved for
Testing
The secondary signals are used on some DCE's. Those units have the possibility to
transmit and/or receive on a secondary channel. Those secondary channels are mostly
of a lower speed than the normal ones and are mainly used for administrative functions.

Cable pinning
Here are some cable pinning that might be useful. Not all applications are covered, it is
just a help:
aight DB25 Cable DB25 Null- modem DB25 Tail- circuit DB25 to DB9 DTE - DCE cabl
or cross over cable (Async) or cross over cable cable (Sync)
Pin Pin Pin Pin Pin Pin Pin Pin
1 1
2 2 1 1 1 1 1
3 3
4 4 2 3 2 3 3 2
5 5 3 2 3 2 2 3
6 6
7 7 4 5 4 8 7 4
8 8
5 4 6 20 8 5
9 9
10 10 6, 8 20 7 7 6 6
11 11
12 12 7 7 8 4 5 7
13 13
20 6, 8 17 24 1 8
14 14
15 15 20 6 4 20
16 16 </
17 17 DB9 Null- modem or 24 17 9 22
18 18
cross over cable
19 19
20 20
21 21 1,6 4
22 22 2 3
23 23
24 24
25 25 3 2

4 1,6

5 5

7 8

8 7

This cable should be used for DTE to DCE (for instance computer to modem) connections with
hardware handshaking.

(To Computer).

(To Modem).
9 PIN D-SUB FEMALE to the Computer
25 PIN D-SUB MALE to the Modem
Female Male Dir
Shield 1
Transmit Data 3 2
Receive Data 2 3
Request to Send 7 4
Clear to Send 8 5
Data Set Ready 6 6
System Ground 5 7
Carrier Detect 1 8
Data Terminal Ready 4 20
Ring Indicator 9 22

Nullmodem (25-25) Cable

Use this cable between two DTE devices (for instance two computers).
 (To Computer 1).

(To Computer 2).

25 PIN D-SUB FEMALE to Computer 1.
25 PIN D-SUB FEMALE to Computer 2.
D-Sub 1 D-Sub 2
Recieve Data 3 2 Transmit Data
Transmit Data 2 3 Receive Data
Data Terminal Ready 20 6+8 Data Set Ready + Carrier Detect
System Ground 7 7 System Ground
Data Set Ready + Carrier Detect 6+8 20 Data Terminal Ready
Request to Send 4 5 Clear to Send
Clear to Send 5 4 Request to Send
Note: DSR & CD are jumpered to fool the programs to think that their online.
RS232 (25 pin) Tail Circuit Cable

Null Modem cable diagrams

• Nullmodem (9p to 9p)
• Nullmodem (9p to 25p)
• Nullmodem (25p to 25p)
Cross Pinned cables for Async data.
 Pin out for local Async Data transfer

Loopback plugs:
• Serial Port Loopback (9p)
• Serial Port Loopback (25p)

• jump to The Belden Cable Company's cable selection tutorial pages

• jump to RS232 I/O
• jump to General
Hardware Input/Output
• jump to http://www.hardwarebook.info/

(in-depth write ups)

• jump to RS232 by CAMI Research Inc
 • jump to Interfacing the Serial / RS232 Port
• jump to Introduction to Serial Communications
• jump to Serial Communications

• jump to Serial Port Basics

• jump to http://electrosofts.com/serial

• jump to Parallel port

•

• jump to related fiber Optic cable pages

jump to Data Modems for phone lines

jump to Data Modems for fiber optics
jump to Interface converters

ARC Electronics ...

800-926-0226 ext 202
Home Page
arc@arcelect.com