Appendix C: Attaching Peripheral Devices; Serial Port - Acorn Computers Limited A4000 Welcome Manual

Appendix C: Attaching peripheral devices

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computer.
Introduction
There are a number of peripheral devices that you can attach to your computer to
expand its capabilities – for example, printers and modems.
This chapter offers some general guidelines for connecting peripherals to your
computer. Some examples are given for attaching specific peripheral devices, but often
you'll need to use the general information provided to help you decide how to connect a
device. For example, the signal connection diagrams that are given for each hardware
connection act as guidelines which will work with most hardware. Some or all of the
connections shown with dotted lines may be unnecessary, and you must first check the
manual accompanying the peripheral device that you are connecting.
There are two ports available on your system that are used to attach peripheral
devices: the Serial port and the Parallel port.
The characteristics of each of the above ports are described in the following sections
along with information about the types of devices that can be connected to them.

Serial port

The serial port is by far the most versatile and sometimes the most troublesome port to
use. The port supports two different types of peripheral or equipment: Data Terminal
Equipment (or DTE – for example printers and computers), and Data Circuit-
terminating Equipment (or DCE– for example moderns). It follows that you will need
different cables, depending upon which type of peripheral (DTE or DCE) you are
connecting to your machine. The computer itself is DTE.
When you connect peripherals to the serial port:
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his appendix gives you advice on attaching different peripheral devices to your
Ensure that screened cabling is used to connect up the peripheral, and that the
screening is connected to the shell of the connector.
Consult the peripheral manufacturer's instructions for pin connections.