Polling Mode D Protocol; Multi-Drop Protocol; Xon/Xoff Protocol (Software And Hardware / Flow Control) - Intermec EasyCoder 4100 User Manual

4100 Bar Code Label Printer User's Manual

Polling Mode D Protocol

Polling Mode D is a proprietary Intermec block transfer protocol that transmits
data in blocks of up to 255 characters, including protocol overhead. The blocks
are framed with LRC characters for additional data integrity. Use Polling
Mode D for point-to-point networks that connect the 4100 to an Intermec port
concentrator (RS-232C or RS-422).

Multi-Drop Protocol

Multi-Drop is a network protocol that allows you to connect up to 32 devices to
an Intermec controller on a four-wire RS-485 (two twisted pair) interface. This
protocol is similar to Polling Mode D except each device has a unique address
(POL and SEL characters). You must use RS-485, which is automatically
enabled when you enable Multi-Drop. Be sure to specify a unique address for
the printer and verify that the baud rate is between 2,400 and 19,200.

XON/XOFF Protocol (Software and Hardware / Flow Control)

XON/XOFF protocol stops the host from sending data when the printer buffer
fills up and starts the host again when the buffer empties. When you select the
XON/XOFF protocol, you concurrently enable software and hardware flow
control. Software flow control uses the ASCII characters <DC1> (XON) and
<DC3> (XOFF) to start and stop the flow of data from the host to the printer.
Hardware flow control uses pin 11 or pin 20 (internally connected together) on
the printers serial port to indicate "Ready" or "Busy" for data flow control.
Note: Do not confuse the <DC1> and <DC3> with the Standard protocol ready
<DC1> and buffer full <DC3> status characters.
The message length for the XON/XOFF protocol is unrestricted. The printer
processes information as it is downloaded and stops when there is no more
information. Use and <STX> and an <ETX> when you want to add comment
lines to your command file. The printer ignores comments between an <ETX>
and an <STX>. This comment feature is similar to using comment lines when
programming in computer languages. Use it to document commands sent to
the printer.
Pin 11/20 reports "Ready" and a <DC1> (XON) is transmitted when the printer
finishes reloading at power up. Pin 11/20 reports "Busy" when the printers
input buffer fills with 768 bytes of data. If the host ignores pin 11/20 and
continues to transmit data, the printer transmits a <DC3> (XOFF) after
receiving 15 additional characters. The printer continues to transmit a <DC3>
after every 15 characters received if the host continues to transmit data. Data
integrity is not guaranteed if this happens.
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