30
W&T
RS232 Multi Computer Adapter
Modes
The RS232 Multi Computer Adapter model 85603 offers
two operating modes, which are described in the following.
In all operating modes two LEDs on the front panel of the
Multi Computer Adapter are used to indicate which of the
two available data paths is currently active.
A character-activated path between Port A and C or Port B
and C supports bi-directional data transfer between the
respective connected ports. The return direction from Port C
to A or Port C to B is however not enabled until the data
sender on Port A or B has provided for opening of the
channel. If neither of the two paths is activated, any data
arriving at Port C are rejected.
Manual mode
The simplest of all operating modes enables manual toggling
of the bi-directional connection between Port A and Port C or
between Port B and Port C.
Pressing the key below LED A opens path Port A <> Port C,
whereas pressing the key below LED B activates the path
Port B <> Port C. After the selector switch is reset the Port A
<> Port C channel is always active. LEDs A and B indicate
which channel is active.
The selector switch uses a handshake signal ir an XIFF
character to automatically block data flow on the non-active
channel.
Standard mode
In this mode switching between both data sources is
automatic on a time basis: the data sender that wants to
send something first uses a handshake stop signal or XOFF
character generated by the T-switch to automatically block
sending from the other source. If the first data sender inserts
a pause, then the second input is again ready to receive
after a settable switching time. The multi-computer adapter
automatically controls the data flow in this mode using the
handshake procedure set on the respective port.
