The RS232 Standard --- Tutorial with Signal Name and Definition

What is EIA232?

In the early 1960s, a standards committee, today known as the Electronic Industries Association, developed a common interface standard for data communications equipment. At that time, data communications was thought to mean digital data exchange between a centrally located mainframe computer and a remote computer terminal, or possibly between two terminals without a computer involved. These devices were linked by telephone voice lines, and consequently required a modem at each end for signal translation. While simple in concept, the many opportunities for data error that occur when transmitting data through an analog channel require a relatively complex design. It was thought that a standard was needed first to ensure reliable communication, and second to enable the interconnection of equipment produced by different manufacturers, thereby fostering the benefits of mass production and competition. From these ideas, the RS232 standard was born. It specified signal voltages, signal timing, signal function, a protocol for information exchange, and mechanical connectors.

Over the 40+ years since this standard was developed, the Electronic Industries Association published three modifications, the most recent being the EIA232F standard introduced in 1997. Besides changing the name from RS232 to EIA232, some signal lines were renamed and various new ones were defined, including a shield conductor.

Pin Assignaments

If the full EIA232 standard is implemented as defined, the equipment at the far end of the connection is named the DTE device (Data Terminal Equipment, usually a computer or terminal), has a male DB25 connector, and utilizes 22 of the 25 available pins for signals or ground. Equipment at the near end of the connection (the telephone line interface) is named the DCE device (Data Circuit-terminating Equipment, usually a modem), has a female DB25 connector, and utilizes the same 22 available pins for signals and ground. The cable linking DTE and DCE devices is a parallel straight-through cable with no cross-overs or self-connects in the connector hoods. If all devices exactly followed this standard, all cables would be identical, and there would be no chance that an incorrectly wired cable could be used. This drawing shows the orientation and connector types for DTE and DCE devices:

EIA232 communication function and connector types for a personal computer and modem. DCE devices are sometimes called "Data Communications Equipment" instead of Data Circuit-terminating Equipment.

Here is the full EIA232 signal definition for the DTE device (usually the PC). The most commonly used signals are shown in bold.

This shows the full EIA232 signal definition for the DCE device (usually the modem). The most commonly used signals are shown in bold.

Many of the 22 signal lines in the EIA232 standard pertain to connections where the DCE device is a modem, and then are used only when the software protocol employs them. For any DCE device that is not a modem, or when two DTE devices are directly linked, far fewer signal lines are necessary.

You may have noticed in the pinout drawings that there is a secondary channel which includes a duplicate set of flow-control signals. This secondary channel provides for management of the remote modem, enabling baud rates to be changed on the fly, retransmission to be requested if a parity error is detected, and other control functions. This secondary channel, when used, is typically set to operate at a very low baud rate in comparison with the primary channel to ensure reliability in the control path. In addition, it may operate as either a simplex, half-duplex, or full-duplex channel, depending on the capabilities of the modem.

Transmitter and receiver timing signals (pins 15, 17, and 24) are used only for a synchronous transmission protocol. For the standard asynchronous 8-bit protocol, external timing signals are unnecessary.

IMPORTANT: Signal names that imply a direction, such as Transmit Data and Receive Data, are named from the point of view of the DTE device. If the EIA232 standard were strictly followed, these signals would have the same name for the same pin number on the DCE side as well. Unfortunately, this is not done in practice by most engineers, probably because no one can keep straight which side is DTE and which is DCE. As a result, direction-sensitive signal names are changed at the DCE side to reflect their drive direction at DCE. The following list gives the conventional usage of signal names:

Cable Wiring Examples

1 - DB9 All-Line Direct Extension

This shows a 9-pin DTE-to-DCE serial cable that would result if the EIA232 standard were strictly followed. All 9 pins plus shield are directly extended from DB9 Female to DB9 Male. There are no crossovers or self-connects present. Use this cable to connect modems, printers, or any device that uses a DB9 connector to a PC's serial port.

This cable may also serve as an extension cable to increase the distance between a computer and serial device. Caution: do not exceed 25 feet separation between devices without a signal booster!

Left Side: Connect to DTE (computer)

Right Side: Connect to DCE (modem or other serial device)

2 - DB9 Loopback Connector

Left Side: Connect to DTE (computer)

Right Side: (none)

3 - DB9 Null Modem Cable

Use this female-to-female cable in any application where you wish to connect two DTE devices (for example, two computers). A male-to-male equivalent of this cable would be used to connect two DCE devices.

The cable shown below is intended for RS232 asynchronous communications (most PC-based systems). If you are using synchronous communications, the null modem will have additional connections for timing signals, and a DB25 connector would be necessary.

NOTE: Not all null modem cables connect handshaking lines the same way. In this cable, Request-to-Send (RTS, pin 7) asserts the Carrier Detect (pin 1) on the same side and the Clear-to-Send (CTS, pin 8) on the other side of the cable.

This device may also be available in the form of an adapter.

Left Side: Connect to 9-pin DTE (computer)

Right Side: Connect to 9-pin DTE (computer)

4 - DB25 to DB9 Adapter
Signals on the DB25 DTE side are directly mapped to the DB9 assignments for a DTE device. Use this to adapt a 25-pin COM connector on the back of a computer to mate with a 9-pin serial DCE device, such as a 9-pin serial mouse or modem. This adapter may also be in the form of a cable.