
1.nterface connector terminal assignments and signal functions
Pin number  | Signal name  | Signal Source  | Description  | ||||
2  | TXD  | Printer  | When using XON/XOFF  | ||||
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  | handshake protocol, printer  | 
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  | transmits control code XON/XOFF  | 
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3  | RXD  | Host  | Printer receives data from host  | ||||
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4  | RTS | Printer  | Indicates printer current status,  | ||||
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  | whether the printer is Busy or  | 
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  | Ready to receive data  | 
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7  | GND  | 
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  | Signal ground  | 
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20  | DTR  | Printer  | Same as RTS (pin 4)  | ||||
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b.IEEE 1284 Bidirectional Parallel Interface(Parallel Interface Specifications)
b.1) Parallel Specifications
1.  | Data transmission:  | Parallel  | 
2.  | Synchronization:  | Externally supplied nStrobe signals  | 
3.  | Handshaking:  | nAck and Busy signals  | 
4.  | Signal levels:  | TTL compatible  | 
5.  | Data word length:  | 8 bits  | 
6.  | Connector (printer side):  | 36 pins Centronics connector  | 
b.2) Parallel Interface Pin Assignments for Each Mode
Pin  | Mode  | Source  | 
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  | 1  | /STB  | Host  | The computer presents the data on the  | ||||
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  | data lines, and pulses STB  | 
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  | 2  | DATA0  | Host  | Indicates the 1st data bit through 8th  | ||||
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  | data bit  | 
  | 3  | DATA1  | Host  | 
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  | 4  | DATA2  | Host  | 
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  | 5  | DATA3  | Host  | 
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  | 6  | DATA4  | Host  | 
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  | 7  | DATA5  | Host  | 
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  | 8  | DATA6  | Host  | 
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  | 9  | DATA7  | Host  | 
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  | 10  | nAck  | Printer  | Printer acknowledge signal which  | ||||
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  | indicates that printer has received  | 
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  | previous data bit  | 
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  | 11  | BUSY  | Printer  | Printer is busy and cannot receive  | ||||
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  | data  | 
  | 12  | GND  | 
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  | Ground  | 
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  | 13  | Select  | Printer  | High electric potential  | ||||
14  | 15  | NC  | 
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  | No Connect  | 
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16  | 17  | GND  | 
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  | Ground  | 
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  | 18  | Printer  | High electric potential  | |||||
19  | 30  | GND  | 
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  | Ground  | 
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  | 31  | NC  | 
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  | No Connect  | 
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  | 32  | Nerror  | Printer  | Printer Error Signal  | ||||
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  | 33  | GND  | 
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  | Ground  | 
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34  | 36  | NC  | 
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  | No Connect  | 
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