The Negotiation Phase
The Negotiation Phase
The negotiation phase determines which operating mode will be used. At this time, the host and the printer will sense what devices are attached, the supported signals available, and which mode to use. The selected mode, in turn, defines the pins on the 1284 connector.
There are 36 pins on the parallel interface. Each one sends a different signal. Pin 1, for example, can send a Strobe signal or a HostClk signal, depending on the mode selected. Table 14 shows the different definitions.
Signals
1284 interface signals between the host and the printer are defined below.
Host Clock / nWrite. Driven by host. Data transferred from host to printer. When printer sends data, two types are available. If Nibble Mode, signal is set high. If Byte Mode, signal is set low.
Data 1 through Data 8. These pins are
Printer Clock / Peripheral Clock / Interrupt. Driven by the printer. A signal from the printer indicating the character or function code has been received and the printer is ready for the next data transfer.
Printer Busy / Peripheral Acknowledge / nWait. Driven by the printer. Indicates the printer cannot receive data. (Data bits 4 and 8 in Nibble Mode.)
Acknowledge Data Request / nAcknowledge Reverse. Driven by the printer. Indicates the printer is in a fault condition. (Data bits 3 and 7 in Nibble Mode.)
Xflag. Driven by the printer. A high true level indicating the printer is ready for data transfer and the printer is
Host Busy / Host Acknowledge / NDStrobe. Driven by the host. Activates
Peripheral Logic High. Driven by the printer. When set high, the printer indicates all of its signals are in a valid state. When set low, the printer indicates its power is off or its signals are in an invalid state.
nReverse Request. Driven by the host. Resets the interface and forces a return to Compatibility Mode idle phase.
nData Available / nPeripheral Request. Driven by the printer. Indicates the printer has encountered an error. (Data bits 1 and 5 in Nibble Mode.)
1284 Active / nAStrobe. Driven by the host. A peripheral device is selected.
Host Logic High. Driven by the host. When set to high, the host indicates all of its signals are in a valid state. When set to low, the host indicates its power is off or its signals are in an invalid state.
nInit. Resets init interface from the host.
NOTE: The length of the data cable from the host computer to the printer should not exceed 10 meters (32 feet).
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