Measurement Computing Serial488A - Manual (Page 3)

1.1
Introduction
1.1 Description
The Serial488A, Serial488A/OEM and Serial488/512K Bus Converters
provide transparent communication from a serial computer to an IEEE 488 printer,
plotter or other device. They also can be used to control a serial device, such as a
printer or terminal, from an IEEE 488 host computer.
As a serial to IEEE 488 converter, it receives data from a serial host then
automatically performs the bus sequences necessary to send this data to the IEEE 488
device. If desired, data can be requested from the IEEE 488 device and returned to the
host.
As an IEEE 488 to serial converter, it functions as a peripheral to an IEEE 488
controller. Data received from the controller is sent to the serial device, and data
received from the serial device is buffered for transmission to the IEEE 488 controller.
The converter can inform the host, by the serial poll status byte, that it has received
data from the serial device.
The Serial488A and Serial488A/OEM can communicate with RS-232 and RS-
422 devices by positioning configuration jumpers located within the unit. Both
devices can communicate at selectable baud rates up to 57600 baud.
The Serial488/512K can communicate with RS-232 devices at selectable baud
rates up to 19200 baud.
This manual will refer to all three interfaces as the Serial488A. Differences
between the Serial488A, Serial488A/OEM and Serial488/512K will be noted where
applicable.