RS-232↔IEEE 488 INTERFACE CONVERTER
3.3.6SERIAL HANDSHAKE
Switch SW1-5 is used to select hardware [RTS/CTS] or software [Xon/Xoff] serial handshake control.
With X-ON/X-OFF, the interface converter issues an X-OFF character [ASCII value of $13] when its buffer memory is near full. When the X-OFF character is sent, there are still more than 1000 character locations remaining to protect against buffer overrun. When it is able to accept more information, the inter- face converter issues an Xon character [ASCII value of $11]. The interface converter also accepts X-ON/X-OFF on transmit from the serial host it is communicating with. RTS/CTS serial control becomes inactive when X- ON/X-OFF is enabled. The RTS output is, however, set to an active high state. The CTS input is not used for this handshake and may be left floating (unconnected).
With RTS/CTS, the interface converter un-asserts RTS (sets RTS low) when its buffer memory is near full. When RTS is un-asserted, there are still more than 1000 character locations remaining to protect against buffer overrun. When it is able to accept more information, the interface converter asserts RTS (sets RTS high). The interface converter will not transmit data to the serial host if it detects the CTS input un-asserted (low) when configured for this hardware handshake.
The factory-default serial control is hardware, RTS/CTS.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
OPEN
RTS/CTS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
OPEN
X-ON/X-OFF
Figure 3-7. Switch SW1: Selecting the Serial Handshake.