What is EIA – 232, 422, & 485?

•EIA – 232/ IA-422/EIA-485 also called RS-

232/RS-422/RS-485

•RS-232/RS-422/RS-485 (Recommended
standard) are standard interface approved by
the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) for
connecting serial devices.

•There are two types of serial devices

a) DTE (Data terminal equipment)
b) DCE (Data Communication equipment)
•Data Terminal Equipment is equipment which acts as
source or destinations in digital communication
•It is capable of converting information to signals and
also reconverting received signals.
•DTE refers to terminals, printers and computers that
are at the end of data chain
•These devices display information in ways humans
can read
Data Communication Equipment
• (DCE) refers to computer hardware devices used to establish, maintain
and terminate communication network sessions between a data source
and its destination.
• DCE is connected to the data terminal equipment (DTE) and data
transmission circuit (DTC) to convert transmission signals.
• Usually, the DTE device is the terminal (or computer), and the DCE is
a modem
•In a data station, the DCE performs functions such as signal conversion
, coding, and line clocking and may be a part of the DTE or Data
communications equipment
Synchronous data transmission
•Is a data transfer method in which a continuous stream of data signals
is accompanied by timing signals (generated by an electronic clock) to
ensure that the transmitter and the receiver are in step (synchronized)
with one another

•The data is sent in blocks (called frames or packets) spaced by fixed

time intervals.

•used when large amounts of data must be transferred very quickly from
one location to the other.
•
•Synchronous transmission synchronizes transmission speeds at both
the receiving and sending end of the transmission using clock signals
built into each component.

•network protocols (such as Ethernet, SONET, Token Ring) use

synchronous transmission.
Asynchronous transmission
•It works in spurts and must insert a start bit before each data character
and a stop bit at its termination to inform the receiver where it begins
and ends.
• It doesn’t need a clock for integration; rather it utilizes the parity bits
to inform the receiver how to translate the data.
•It is straightforward, quick, cost-effective and doesn’t need a 2-way
communication.
• The difficulty with asynchronous communications is that the receiver
must have a way to distinguish between valid data and noise
•Examples of Asynchronous Transmission
Emails
Forums
Letters
Radios
Televisions
 Synchronous Asynchronous
Point of Comparison
Transmission Transmission

Transmits data in the

Transmits 1 byte or
Definition form of chunks or
character at a time
frames

Speed of Transmission Quick Slow

Cost Expensive Cost-effective
Time Interval Constant Random
With gap between the
Yes None
data?

Chat Rooms,
Telephonic
Examples Email, Forums, Letters
Conversations, Video
Conferencing
RS-232
•(Recommended standard-232) is a standard interface approved by the
Electronic Industries Association (EIA) for connecting serial devices.
• RS-232 is a standard that describes the physical interface and protocol
for relatively low-speed serial data communication between computers
and related devices.
•RS-232 is the interface that your computer uses to talk to and exchange
data with your modem and other serial devices
•The RS-232 standard includes one transmit wire , one receive wire and
single reference ground for transmit ,receive and all hardware control
signal
•It is used for inexpensive relatively slower communication for short
distances
• RS232 / V24 was found in many areas from computers to remote
terminals and many more, although its use is now decreasing as
Ethernet and other standards take its place.
•The interface is intended to operate over distances of up to 15 meters
•The maximum Data rates for RS-232C is 19.2 k baud or bits per second
Lines and their usage
•There are four types of line defined in the RS232 specification. They are
Data, Control, Timing and Ground.
Secondary lines
•There are two types of lines that are specified in the RS-232
specification.
a) Primary channels lines b) Secondary channels lines
• Primary channels lines are normally used, and operate at the normal
or higher data rates.
•there is also provision for a secondary channel for providing control
information.
•secondary channel lines send data at a much slower rate than the
primary channel.
•As the secondary lines are rarely used or even implemented on
equipment, manufacturers often use these connector pins for other
purposes
Grounding
•The ground connections are of two types
a) Protective ground b) Signal ground
• Protective ground ensures that both equipments (DTE & DCE)are at
the same earth potential Useful when there is a possibility that
either equipment is not earthed
•The signal ground is used as the return for the digital signals travelling
along the data link.

RS 232 voltage levels

•The RS232 standards include defined levels for the lines to assure its
correct operation.
•If the voltages fall within the defined levels, then the receivers are able
to correctly detect the data that is being transmitted, or the state of the
other lines
•If the lines fall outside the required limits, then there can be
uncertainty and data errors
•It also define the voltage states for the control signals
 RS232 SIGNAL LINE VOLTAGE LEVELS

SIGNAL LOGICAL STATE

VOLTAGE LEVELS
VOLTS
-3 to -25 1
+3 to +25 0

RS232 CONTROL LINE VOLTAGE LEVELS

CONTROL LOGICAL STATE

VOLTAGE LEVELS
VOLTS
-3 to -25 OFF
+3 to +25 ON
RS232 serial data transmission
•The data is sent serially on RS232, each bit is sent one after the next
because there is only one data line in each direction

•To synchronies the receiver for incoming data logic 0 is sent as start bit
•This is followed by the data itself which is normally seven or eight bits
•Data on RS232 is normally sent using ASCII (American Standard Code
for Information Interchange).other codes including the Murray Code or
EBCDIC (Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code) can be used
equally well.
•After the data a parity bit is sent. Parity can be even or odd parity. This
is used to check the correctness of the received data and it can indicate
whether the data has an odd or even number of logic ones.
•Finally a stop bit is sent which is normally one bit long and is used to
signify the end of a particular byte.
RS232 Handshaking
•In order that data can be exchanged on an RS232 link, the control
signals must indicate that the equipment at either end of the link is
ready to send the data and ready to receive the data. To achieve RTS ,
CTS, and DTR lines are used.
•These lines are found in the Data Terminal Equipment, DTE and Data
Communications Equipment DCE

RS232 HANDSHAKING LINE DEFINITIONS

LINE ABBREVIATION LINE NAME EQUIPMENT

RTS Request to Send DTE
CTS Clear to Send DCE
DTR Data Terminal Ready DTE
•The handshaking exchange to start the data flow is quite
straightforward and can be seen as a number of distinct stages:
a)RTS is put in the ON state by the DTE
b)The DCE then puts the CTS line into the ON state
c)The DTE then responds by placing the DTR(Data terminal ready) line
into the ON state.
d)The DTR line remains on while data is being transmitted.

•At the end of the transmission, DTR and RTS are pulled to the OFF state
and then the DCE pulls the CTS line to the OFF state
RS-232 Pinouts: pin connections & connectors:
•The correct connection of the various pins used for an RS232 data link
are key to the operation of the system.
•Knowing the RS232 pinouts, or pin connections, and being able to make
the required links enables the handshaking to operate correctly and the
data to flow smoothly.
•the RS232 standard does not define a connector, the 9 way and 25 way
D-type connectors are very popular and provide an excellent format.
RS232 on DB25 (25-pin D-type connector)
•In DB-25 connector most of the pins are not needed for normal PC
communications
• most new PCs are equipped with male D type connectors having only 9
pins.
•Using a 25-pin DB-25 or 9-pin DE-9 connector, computer normal cable
limitation of 50 feet can be extended to several hundred feet with high-
quality cable.
• RS-232 defines the purpose and signal timing for each of the 25 lines;
however, many applications use less than a dozen.
•The standardized pin out for RS-232 on a DB25 connector, as shown
below
RS232 on DB9 (9-pin D-type connector):
• The RS232 smaller 9 pin configuration with a 9 way D-type connector is
used in many applications as it provides size and cost benefit compared
to 25way D-type connector.
• Also the RS232 9pin configuration is quite sufficient in most
circumstances because many of the lines available for RS232 25 pin
configuration signaling are rarely used.
•The standardized pinout for RS-232 on a DE9 connector, as shown
below
RS232 on RJ-45
•RJ-45 (Registered Jack-45) is an eight-wire connector used commonly to
connect computers onto local-area networks (LAN),especially Ethernets.
•RJ-45 is a single-line jack for digital transmission over ordinary phone
wire, either untwisted or twisted.
•The interface has eight pins or positions.
Signal Description
•TxD(Transmit data) - This pin carries data from the computer to the
serial device

•RXD(Receive data): - This pin carries data from the serial device to the
computer

•DTR (Data Terminal Ready)signals: - DTR is used by the computer to

signal that it is ready to communicate with the serial device like modem.
DTR indicates to the Dataset (i.e., the modem or DSU(Data service
unit)/CSU(channel service unit)) that the DTE (computer) is ON.

•DSR: - Similarly to DTR, Data set ready (DSR) is an indication from the
Dataset that it is ON.

•DCD: - Data Carrier Detect (DCD) indicates that carrier for the transmit
data is ON.
•RTS(Request to send): - This pin is used to request clearance to send
data to a modem.

•CTS(Clear to send): - This pin is used by the serial device to

acknowledge the computer's RTS Signal.

•Clock signals (TC-Transmit clock, RS-Receiver clock, and XTC-External

clock): - The clock signals 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.
CD: - CD stands for Carrier Detect. Carrier Detect is used by a modem to
signal that it has a made a connection with another modem, or has
detected a carrier tone. In other words, this is used by the modem to
signal that a carrier signal has been received from a remote modem.

RI: - RI stands for Ring Indicator. A modem toggles(keystroke) the state

of this line when an incoming call rings your phone. In other words, this
is used by an auto answer modem to signal the receipt of a telephone
ring signal

The Carrier Detect (CD) and the Ring Indicator (RI) lines are only
available in connections to a modem. Because most modems transmit
status information to a PC when either a carrier signal is detected (i.e.
when a connection is made to another modem) or when the line is
ringing, these two lines are rarely used.
Limitations of RS-232
•Firstly, the interface presupposes a common ground between the DTE
and DCE. Which may not be true with longer lines and connections
between devices that may be on different electrical busses
•A signal on a single line is impossible to screen effectively for noise due
to internally generated noise

•As the baud rate and line length increase, the effect of capacitance
between the cables introduces serious crosstalk until a point is reached
where the data itself is unreadable
•Crosstalk can reduce by using low capacitance cable and by controlling
of slew rate in the signal (i.e., making the signal more rounded rather
than square)
•RS 232 was designed for communication of local devices, and supports
one transmitter and one receiver
•Each signal wire shares a common ground which limits the length of
the cable - about 30 to 60 meters maximum
RS422 and RS485:
•When communicating at high data rates, or over long distances in real
world environments, single-ended methods are often inadequate.
Differential data transmission (balanced differential signal) offers
superior performance in most applications. EIA has released new serial
interface, RS-422 and RS-485. These standards are designed for high
speed communication.
RS422:

•RS422 is a Standard interfaces approved by the Electronic Industries

Association (EIA),and designed for greater distances and higher Baud
rates than RS232.
•Data rates of up to 100K bits / second and distances up to 4000 Ft. can
be accommodated with RS422due to the use of differential or balanced
transmission techniques.
•Lower voltage line levels are used for RS422:
a)A space is represented by a line voltage level in the band between
+2 and +6 volts.
b)A mark is represented by a voltage in the range -2 to -6 volts.
c)The range between +2 and -2 volts provides a good noise margin for
the system.
•RS422 standard allows for line impedances down to 50 ohms while
supporting the high data rates
•RS422 is also specified for multi-drop (party-line) applications where
only one driver is connected to, and transmits on, a "bus" of up to 10
receivers.
•RS422 devices cannot be used to construct a truly multi-point network.
A true multi-point network consists of multiple drivers and receivers
connected on a single bus, where any node can transmit or receive data
RS422 STANDARD SUMMARY
ATTRIBUTE SPECIFICATION
Cabling Single ended, Multi-drop

Number of devices 5 transmitters,10 receivers

Communications modes half duplex, full duplex

Maximum distance 4000 feet @ 100 kbps

Maximum data rate 10 Mbps @ 50 feet
Signalling Balanced
Mark (data = 1) condition 2V to 6V (B greater than A)

Space (data = 0) condition 2V to 6 V (A greater than B)

Differential balanced signals with RS422:
•Serial, balanced and differential are the keywords for the RS422
interface standard.
•Serial means, that the information is sent bit by bit on a single
transmission line, just like with RS232.
•Balanced differential signal makes RS422 different from RS232. On
RS232 interfaces, the signals are send on lines which share a common
zero.
•With RS422, each signal line consists of two wires, preferably twisted to
reduce noise.
•The voltage-difference between the two lines is an indication of the
signal value, rather than the voltage-level.
• Looking at voltage differences with RS422 rather than levels eliminates
a lot of noise induced by external sources and allows for higher data
rates and cable lengths compared to RS232.
•Twisting the lines helps to reduce the noise. The noise currents induced
by an external source are reversed in every twist. Instead of amplifying
each other as in a straight line, the reversed noise currents reduce each
others influence. The figure explains this in more detail.
Network topology with RS422
•The differences between RS422 and RS232 is the maximum data speed
and cable length.
•RS232 was specifically defined as an interface between computers,
printers and terminals with modems(short distance communication)
• RS422 allows the direct connection of intelligent devices, without the
need of modems.
• The RS232 line driver is only designed to serve one receiver, a RS422
line driver can serve upto ten receivers in parallel. This allows one
central control unit to send commands in parallel to upto ten slave
devices, the slave devices cannot send information back over a shared
interface line.
•RS422 allows a multi-drop network topology, rather than a multi-point
network where all nodes are considered equal and every node has send
and receive capabilities over the same line.
EIA485/RS485 Serial Communication:
•RS485 was developed to provide high speed data. The standard is
defined by industry telecommunications bodies.
•RS485 is able to provide a headline data rate of 10 Mbps at distances
up to 50 feet, but distances can be extended to 4000 feet with a lower
speed of 100 kbps.
•RS-485 links are used for simple networks, and they may be connected
in a 2 or 4 wire mode.
•Using RS-485, it is possible to construct a multi-point data
communications network.
•The standard specifies that up to 32 drivers or transmitters along with
32 receivers can be used on a system. This means that there can be 32
nodes capable to both transmit and receive.
• This can be extended further by using "automatic" repeaters and high-
impedance drivers / receivers. In this way it is possible to have hundreds
of nodes on a network.
• RS-485 drivers are able to withstand "data collisions" (bus contention)
problems and bus fault conditions.
•As RS485 networks become larger, the problem of data collisions
becomes greater. This can be solved, at least in part by ensuring the
hardware units (converters, repeaters, micro-processor controls) are
designed to remain in a receive mode until they are ready to transmit
data.
•Another approach is to design a 'single master' system. Here the master
initiates a communications request to a "slave node" by addressing that
unit. The hardware detects the start-bit of the transmission and thereby
enables the transmitter. Once a requested data is sent the hardware
reverts back into a receive mode
 RS485 HIGHLIGHT SPECIFICATIONS
ATTRIBUTE SPECIFICATION
Cabling Multi-drop
Number of devices 32 transmitters
32 receivers
Communications modes half duplex
Maximum distance 4000 feet @ 100 kbps
Maximum data rate 10 Mbps @ 50 feet
Signalling Balanced
Mark (data = 1) 1.5 V to 5 V (B greater than A)
condition
Space (data = 0) 1.5 V to 5 V (A greater than B>
condition
Driver output current capability 250 mA
 MMON RS SERIES SERIAL DATA TRANSMISSION STANDARDS

PARAMETER RS232 RS422 RS485

Cabling Single ended Differential Differential
Number of devices One transmit and one Five transmitters and 32 transmitters and
receive ten receivers 32 receivers

Communication Full duplex Full duplex / half Half duplex

mode duplex
Maximum distance 50 feet at 19.2 kbps 4000 feet at 100 kbps 4000 feet at 100
kbps
Maximum data rate 19.2 kbps at 50 feet 10 Mbps at 50 feet 10 Mbps at 50 feet

Signaling mode Unbalanced Balanced Balanced

Mark (1) -5 to -15 V 2 V to 6 V max. (B>A) 1.5 V to 5 V max.

(B>A)
Space (0) +5 to +15 V 2 V to 6 V max. (A>B) 1.5 V to 5 V max.
(A>B
Output current 500 mA 150 mA 250 mA
capability
Synchronous Full-duplex Transmission
An example
•Demonstrates the functioning of EIA-232 in synchronous full duplex
mode using primary channel
•Divided into 5 distinct steps, from preparation to clearing
•Step 1- Preparation of the interfaces for transmission. Two Grounding
circuits between the sending and receiving side
•Step 2 –Ensures all 4 devices are ready for transmission
Sending DTE activates pin 20 and sends a DTE ready message to
DCE,DCE answers by activating pin 6 and returning a DCE ready message
.The same sequence is performed by receiving side.
•Step 3- sets up physical connection between the sending and receiving
modems(involves network).
The sending DTE activates pin4 and sends DCE a request -to-send
message. The DCE transmits a carrier signal to the idle receiving modem
The receiving modem detects the carries signal, activates pin 8(received
line signal detector ) inform its computer that transmission is about to
begin. After carrier signal transmission, the sending DCE activates pin5,
sending its DTE a clear to send message. The remote computer and
modem perform the same step.
Step 4-Data transfer procedure.
Initiating computer transfer its data stream to its modem over circuit 2,
accompanied by the timing pulse of circuit 24. The modem converts the
digital data to an analog signals and sends it out over the network.
The responding modem retrieves the signal, converts it back into digital
data and passes the data along to its computer via circuit 3,
accompanied by the timing pulse of circuits 17

Step 5 – Clearing
After data transmission from both the sides, both computers deactivates
their request to send circuits, the modems turn off their carrier signals,
their received line signal detectors and their clear to send circuits
•A null modem provides the DTE-DTE interface without DCEs by cross
connecting the data transmission wires of the two DTEs
•Pin 2 of the first DTE connected to pin 3 of the second DTE and pin 2 of
the second DTE is connected to pin 3 of the first
•Null modem can be a length of a cable or a device
•Null modem has female connectors at both ends to allow it to connect
to the EIA-232 DTE ports which male.