SeaLINK+4/232 Users Manual Part # 2401 Sealevel Systems, Inc. Telephone: 864.843.4343 155 Technology Place Fax: 864.843.3067 Liberty, SC 29657 USA www.sealevel.com Contents INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................ 1 OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................................................. 1 WHAT’S INCLUDED ................................................................................................................................. 1 INSTALLATION......................................................................................................................... 2 WINDOWS 98/ME/2000/XP INSTALLATION............................................................................................ 2 SYSTEM INSTALLATION........................................................................................................................... 2 TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION....................................................................................................... 3 FEATURES ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Connector Pin Assignments (DB-9 Male)...........................................................................................3 SPECIFICATIONS ...................................................................................................................... 4 ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS ......................................................................................................... 4 MANUFACTURING ................................................................................................................................... 4 POWER CONSUMPTION............................................................................................................................ 4 PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS........................................................................................................................... 4 APPENDIX A - TROUBLESHOOTING......................................................................................... 5 APPENDIX B - HOW TO GET ASSISTANCE.............................................................................. 6 APPENDIX C - ELECTRICAL INTERFACE ................................................................................ 7 RS-232 ................................................................................................................................................... 7 APPENDIX D - ASYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATIONS.............................................................. 8 APPENDIX E - COMPLIANCE NOTICES.................................................................................... 9 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION STATEMENT......................................................................... 9 CANADIAN RADIO INTERFERENCE REGULATIONS ................................................................................... 9 EMC DIRECTIVE STATEMENT............................................................................................................... 10 WARRANTY............................................................................................................................ 11 © Revision September 30, 2003 Sealevel Systems, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Introduction Introduction Overview The Sealevel Systems SeaLINK+4/232 equips the PC with 4 USB to RS-232 Asynchronous serial ports providing a versatile interface for common serial needs. The advantage of this product over more traditional approaches is that it does not require opening the computer case, nor does it require resources such as I/O ports or IRQs. It does require a system that supports USB both in terms of hardware and operating system. What’s Included The SeaLINK+4/232 is shipped with the following items. If any of these items is missing or damaged, contact the supplier. • SeaLINK+4/232 USB to RS-232 Serial I/O Adapter • USB Cable Part Number CA179 for Connecting to Upstream Host/Hub • Sealevel Software Sealevel Systems SeaLINK+4/232 Page 1 Installation Installation Windows 98/ME/2000/XP Installation Do not install the Adapter in the machine until the software has been fully installed. 1. Start Windows. 2. Insert the Sealevel Systems CD in to your CD drive. 3. If ‘Auto-Start’ is enabled for this drive the software will automatically launch. Otherwise, point your browser to the ‘Index.htm’ on the root of the CD 4. Select ‘Install Software’. 5. Select the part number for your adapter from the listing. 6. Select ‘Windows 98/ME/2000/XP’ the setup file will automatically detect the operating environment and install the proper components. Next (depending on the OS version) select the ‘Run from current location’ or ‘Open’ option. Follow the information presented on the screens that follow. During setup the user may specify installation directories and other preferred configurations. This program also adds entries to the system registry that are necessary for specifying the operating parameters for each driver. Windows NT Note: Windows NT is not USB aware and thus cannot support the adapter. System Installation The SeaLINK+4/232 can be connected to any Upstream Type “A” port either at the PC host or an Upstream Hub, and since it is hot pluggable, there is no need to power down your computer prior to installation. The SeaLINK+4/232 requires no user hardware configuration. Once you have installed the software simply plug the SeaLINK+4/232 into an available USB port. The drivers that were installed during setup will automatically be used to configure the adapter. You should see one or more “New Hardware Found”, indicating the actual port being created. If you view your systems’ Device Manager at this point, you should have a new “COM” port in the Ports (COM & LPT) Device Class. You can access your new COM: port by using the assigned COM: identifier. This assignment will vary from system to system. At this point, the hardware is recognized. To verify operation use Sealevel Systems supplied WinSSD diagnostic utility. WinSSD can be found in the Start, Programs group. Sealevel Systems SeaLINK+4/232 Page 2 Technical Description Technical Description The SeaLINK+4/232 utilizes four USB UARTs. These chips feature programmable baud rate, data format, 128 byte Dual Port TX Buffer, and 384 byte Dual Port RX Buffer. The RS-232 transceiver supports data rates up to 460.8K baud. Features • Hot pluggable device that does not require opening the case • No system resources are required (i.e. I/O ports or IRQs) • LED status indicators for USB Enabled and port activity Connector Pin Assignments (DB-9 Male) Signal Name Pin # Mode GND Ground 5 TX Transmit Data 3 Output RTS Request To Send 7 Output DTR Data Terminal Ready 4 Output RX Receive Data 2 Input CTS Clear To Send 8 Input DSR Data Set Ready 6 Input DCD Data Carrier Detect 1 Input RI Ring Indicator 9 Input Sealevel Systems SeaLINK+4/232 Page 3 Specifications Specifications Environmental Specifications Specification Operating Storage 0º to 70º C -50º to 105º C Temperature Range (32º to 158º F) (-58º to 221º F) Humidity Range 10 to 90% R.H. 10 to 90% R.H. Non-Condensing Non-Condensing Manufacturing All Sealevel Systems Printed Circuit boards are built to UL 94V0 rating and are 100% electrically tested. These printed circuit boards are solder mask over bare copper or solder mask over tin nickel. Power Consumption Supply line +5 VDC Rating 50 mA Physical Dimensions Package Length 7.06 inches (17.93 cm) Package Width 5.32 inches (13.51 cm) Package Height 1.50 inches (3.81 cm) Sealevel Systems SeaLINK+4/232 Page 4 Appendix A – Troubleshooting Appendix A - Troubleshooting Serial Utility test software is supplied with the Sealevel Systems adapter and will be used in the troubleshooting procedures. Using this software and following these simple steps, most common problems can be eliminated without the need to call Technical Support. 1. If your adapter isn’t working, first check to make sure that USB support is enabled in the System BIOS and it is functioning properly in the operating system. This can be done by using either the Windows 98/ME or Windows 2000 Device Manager. 2. Ensure that the Sealevel Systems software has been installed on the machine so that the necessary files are in place to complete the installation. 3. When the SeaLINK+232 is configured properly, the USB Enabled LED (EN) will be lit. This should allow you to use Sealevel’s WinSSD utility and the supplied loopback plug to check communications. The supplied loopback plug connects TD to RD. If you decide to test the Modem Control Signals, a full pin loopback plug will be required. Details on loopback plugs are included within WinSSD. Contact Sealevel Systems if you need further assistance 4. When testing the SeaLINK+232 in loopback mode, you should see both the TD and RD LED’s flashing as well as seeing echoed data on the screen. The loopback test first transmits a HEX pattern, 55AA, and then an ASCII string of data. If this test passes, then the SeaLINK+232 is ready for use in your application. Sealevel Systems SeaPORT+4/232 Page 5 Appendix B – How To Get Assistance Appendix B - How To Get Assistance Please refer to Troubleshooting Guide prior to calling Technical Support. 1. Begin by reading through the Trouble Shooting Guide in Appendix A. If assistance is still needed please see below. 2. When calling for technical assistance, please have your user manual and current adapter settings. If possible, please have the adapter installed in a computer ready to run diagnostics. 3. Sealevel Systems provides an FAQ section on its web site. Please refer to this to answer many common questions. This section can be found at http://www.sealevel.com/faq.asp. 4. Sealevel Systems maintains a web page on the Internet. Our home page address is http://www.sealevel.com. The latest software updates, and newest manuals are available via our web site. 5. Technical support is available Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time. Technical support can be reached at (864) 843-4343. Return Authorization Must Be Obtained From Sealevel Systems Before Returned Merchandise Will Be Accepted. Authorization Can Be Obtained By Calling Sealevel Systems And Requesting A Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) Number. Sealevel Systems SeaPORT+4/232 Page 6 Appendix C - Electrical Interface Appendix C - Electrical Interface RS-232 Quite possibly the most widely used communication standard is RS-232. This implementation has been defined and revised several times and is often referred to as RS-232 or EIA/TIA-232. The IBM PC computer defined the RS-232 port on a 9 pin D sub connector and subsequently the EIA/TIA approved this implementation as the EIA/TIA-574 standard. This standard is defined as the 9-Position Non-Synchronous Interface between Data Terminal Equipment and Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment Employing Serial Binary Data Interchange. Both implementations are in wide spread use and will be referred to as RS-232 in this document. RS-232 is capable of operating at data rates up to 20 Kbps at distances less than 50 ft. The absolute maximum data rate may vary due to line conditions and cable lengths. RS-232 is a single ended or unbalanced interface, meaning that a single electrical signal is compared to a common signal (ground) to determine binary logic states. The RS-232 and the EIA/TIA-574 specification define two types of interface circuits, Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) and Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment (DCE). The SeaLINK+4/232 is a DTE device. Sealevel Systems SeaPORT+4/232 Page 7 Appendix D - Asynchronous Communications Appendix D - Asynchronous Communications Serial data communications implies that individual bits of a character are transmitted consecutively to a receiver that assembles the bits back into a character. Data rate, error checking, handshaking, and character framing (start/stop bits) are pre-defined and must correspond at both the transmitting and receiving ends. Asynchronous communications is the standard means of serial data communication for PC compatibles and PS/2 computers. The original PC was equipped with a communication or COM: port that was designed around an 8250 Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART). This device allows asynchronous serial data to be transferred through a simple and straightforward programming interface. Character boundaries for asynchronous communications are defined by a starting bit followed by a pre-defined number of data bits (5, 6, 7, or 8). The end of the character is defined by the transmission of a pre-defined number of stop bits (usually 1, 1.5 or 2). An extra bit used for error detection is often appended before the stop bits. Idle state of Odd, Even line or Remain Idle or 5 to 8 Data Bits Unused next start bit 1 P STOP BIT 0 1 1.5 2 Figure 1 - Asynchronous Communications Bit Diagram This special bit is called the parity bit. Parity is a simple method of determining if a data bit has been lost or corrupted during transmission. There are several methods for implementing a parity check to guard against data corruption. Common methods are called (E)ven Parity or (O)dd Parity. Sometimes parity is not used to detect errors on the data stream. This is refereed to as (N)o parity. Because each bit in asynchronous communications is sent consecutively, it is easy to generalize asynchronous communications by stating that each character is wrapped (framed) by pre-defined bits to mark the beginning and end of the serial transmission of the character. The data rate and communication parameters for asynchronous communications have to be the same at both the transmitting and receiving ends. The communication parameters are baud rate, parity, number of data bits per character, and stop bits (i.e. 9600,N,8,1). Sealevel Systems SeaPORT+4/232 Page 8 Appendix E - Compliance Notices Appendix E - Compliance Notices Federal Communications Commission Statement This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna • Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help Caution Sealevel Systems, Inc. is not responsible for any radio or television interference caused by unauthorized modifications of this equipment or the substitution of attachment of connecting cables and equipment other than those specified by Sealevel Systems. Such unauthorized modifications, substitutions, or attachments may void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. The correction of interference caused by such unauthorized modifications, substitutions, or attachments will be the responsibility of the user. Always use cabling provided with this product if possible. If no cable is provided or if an alternate cable is required, use high quality shielded cabling to maintain compliance with FCC directives. Canadian Radio Interference Regulations This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations. Cet Appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences de Règlement sur le matériel du Canada Sealevel Systems SeaPORT+4/232 Page 9 Appendix E - Compliance Notices EMC Directive Statement Products bearing the CE Label fulfill the requirements of the EMC directive (89/336/EEC) and of the low-voltage directive (73/23/EEC) issued by the European Commission. To obey these directives, the following European standards must be met: EN55022 Class B - ‘Limits and methods of measurement of radio interference characteristics of information technology equipment’ EN55024 - ‘Information technology equipment Immunity characteristics Limits and methods of measurement. EN60950 (IEC950) - ‘Safety of information technology equipment, including electrical business equipment’ Always use cabling provided with this product if possible. If no cable is provided or if an alternate cable is required, use high quality shielded cabling to maintain compliance with EMC directives. Sealevel Systems SeaPORT+4/232 Page 10 Warranty Warranty Sealevel's commitment to providing the best I/O solutions is reflected in the Lifetime Warranty that is standard on all Sealevel manufactured products. We are able to offer this warranty due to our control of manufacturing quality and the historically high reliability of our products in the field. Sealevel products are designed and manufactured at its Liberty, South Carolina facility, allowing direct control over product development, production, burn-in and testing. Sealevel Systems, Inc. (hereafter "Sealevel") warrants that the Product shall conform to and perform in accordance with published technical specifications and shall be free of defects in materials and workmanship for life. In the event of failure, Sealevel will repair or replace the product at Sealevel's sole discretion. Failures resulting from misapplication or misuse of the Product, failure to adhere to any specifications or instructions, or failure resulting from neglect or abuse are not covered under this warranty. Warranty service is obtained by delivering the Product to Sealevel and providing proof of purchase. Return authorization must be obtained from Sealevel Systems before returned merchandise will be accepted. Authorization is obtained by calling Sealevel Systems and requesting a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. The Customer agrees to insure the Product or assume the risk of loss or damage in transit, to prepay shipping charges to Sealevel, and to use the original shipping container or equivalent. Warranty is valid only for original purchaser and is not transferable. Sealevel Systems assumes no liability for any damages, lost profits, lost savings or any other incidental or consequential damage resulting from the use, misuse of, or inability to use this product. Sealevel Systems will not be liable for any claim made by any other related party. This warranty applies to Sealevel manufactured Product. Product purchased through Sealevel but manufactured by a third party will retain the original manufacturer's warranty. Sealevel Systems, Incorporated 155 Technology Place P.O. Box 830 Liberty, SC 29657 USA (864) 843-4343 FAX: (864) 843-3067 www.sealevel.com email: support@sealevel.com Technical Support is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. Monday - Friday Trademarks Sealevel Systems, Incorporated acknowledges that all trademarks referenced in this manual are the service mark, trademark, or registered trademark of the respective company. SeaLINK+4/232 is a trademark of Sealevel Systems, Incorporated. Sealevel Systems SeaPORT+4/232 Page 11