Tektronix 340 manual Parallel port signal descriptions

ATechnical Notes

Parallel port

The printer has an asynchronous parallel port that lets you interface with PCs. The parallel port supports uni-directional (default) and bi-directional communications. When you use the parallel port, be sure to type this command at the PC (if LPT1 is not available, use LPT2) to disable timeouts:

MODE LPT1:,,P

You can switch to bi-directional communications using either of the following methods:

■Download a PostScript utility to the printer. Refer to the Phaser 340 Drivers and Utilities Printing Reference for more information.

■Use your World Wide Web browser. Refer to the PhaserShare Status Software User Manual for more information.

For bi-directional communications, the parallel port supports two modes: Compatibility Mode and Nibble Mode. The interpretation of interface signals depends on the current mode. Compatibility Mode provides host-to-printer communication in a manner compatible with a uni-directional interface. Nibble Mode provides printer-to-host communication and may be combined with Compatibility Mode to provide bi-directional communication.

Note For more information, refer to the IEEE P1284 document for parallel interfaces.

The table shows the parallel port’s connected pins. Other pins are not connected.

Parallel port signal descriptions

Pin	Signal mode names:	Return	Signal	Description
	Compatibility/Nibble	pin	source
1	Busy/PtrBusy	19	Printer	C mode: Positive true = not ready
				for data
				N mode: Data bits 3 then 7, then
				busy status
2	Select/Xflag	20	Printer	C mode: Positive true = online
				N mode: Data bits 1 then 5

A-10Phaser 340 Color Printer