Rs-232 Cable Configurations - Microcom 438 Operator's Manual

Chapter 3
3.2.2.1 RS-232 Serial Cables
The printer uses a standard through serial cable, typically referred to as a modem cable,
which may be purchased through Microcom Corporation or a local computer supply
company. A NULL-modem cable is not required because the printer is configured as DCE.
For a 9-pin serial communication port – Use a 9-pin female to 9-pin male cable.
9 to 9 Pin Cable
DE-9
State Pin # Directions
XX 1 DCD
XX 2 TXD
XX 3 RXD
HI 4 DTR
LO 5 GND
HI 6 DSR
DC 7 RTS
XX 8 CTS
HI 9 +5V
DC = DO NOT CARE
CAUTION: Connection of a serial port to a parallel port may
result in damage to the printer and/or computer.
3.2.3 USB Communication Interface
A standard USB 2.0 compliant connector is provided on the rear panel of the printer. The
USB port operates as a virtual serial communications port and requires the installation of the
Microcom Corporation supplied USB driver for proper operation. The USB cable must be
connected to a host PC that is already powered on before the printer is turned on. The
^D108 command is used to select the USB port and requires a power cycle to take affect.
3.3 Qualsoft Windows Driver
3.3.1 Installing the Windows Driver
This section explains the driver installation process. The Qualsoft Windows print driver may
be used with Windows 7, 8.1, and 10 operating systems. If the printer is intended to be
used on a USB connection, the appropriate USB driver must be installed before the printer
is able to be used with the driver. The X38 based products use an FTDI based driver while
the X85 based products use a Microcom Corporation based driver.
The driver requires that the User has ADMIN privileges in order to install the driver. The
installation process sample shows the Windows 7 installation.
438 Operator's Manual - 880052-0103
PC
Signals /
DE-9
Pin #
DCD 1
RXD 2
TXD 3
DSR 4
GND 5
DTR 6
CTS 7
RTS 8
+5V 9
Table 3-1

RS-232 Cable Configurations

9 to 25 Pin Cable
DE-9
State Pin #
HI 1 DCD
XX 2 TXD
XX 3 RXD
HI 4 DTR
LO 5 GND
HI 6 DSR
DC 7 RTS
XX 8 CTS
HI 9 +5V
XX = INDETERMINATE
Getting Started
PC
Signals /
DB-25
Directions
Pin #
DCD
RXD
TXD
DSR 20
GND
DTR
CTS
RTS
8
3
2
7
6
4
5
-
3-3