OVERVIEW
Bring the ease of “soft switching” to large RS-232 applications with the Code-Operated Switch-16 (COS-16). It works just as smoothly as a mechanical switch, but you activate it by sending a two-character ASCII code from your PC rather than by pressing a button or turning a knob.
Switching is simple. From a PC, modem, or terminal installed on the common port, just send the prefix (arming) character to alert the COS-16, then send the port-selection character. Electronic relays instantly direct data to the proper port.
With code-based switching, you can use your local or remote PC to receive data from or transmit data to any of a huge collection of RS-232 terminals, peripherals, or lab or industrial equipment.
The COS-16 can handle all varieties of data, including binary and graphics files, even though these can contain exact equivalents of the COS-16’s two-character switching codes. When you use the COS-16’s “code repetition” feature, the unit waits for two, four, or even eight consecutive occurrences of the prefix character before recognizing a selection character and redirecting your data. This precaution dramatically lowers the odds of a switching error.
The COS-16 also has a “broadcast mode” feature. In broadcast mode, the device on the common port can simultaneously transmit to all connected devices. This makes sending bulletins and upgrading firmware much easier.
With the COS-16, you can switch between up to 16 devices.
The COS-16 fits any site that relies on a large number of
RS-232 devices—peripherals, terminals, lab equipment, etc. It’s ideal for monitoring remote equipment or data-collection devices, polling bar-code readers, exercising units under test, or broadcasting to market-quote displays. And the COS-16 runs at data rates up to 19.2 kbps.
We also offer an RS-422 version of the COS-16 as a special quote; for details, call us at 724-746-5500.
Additional equipment you may need
•To rackmount a COS-16, you’ll need one Rackmount Kit.
•An asynchronous RS-232 modem for long-distance off-site control of your devices.
•An RS-232 line driver for control from an office on another floor or from a data center in a nearby building.
•RS-232 cable.
•AC and data-line surge protectors.
•Interface converters to connect RS-422, RS-423, RS-449, RS-485, V.35, or X.21 devices to the COS-16.
•A country-specific power cord for operating the COS-16 outside of North America.
•Communications software.
