Specifications

Appendix C - Glossary of Terms RS-422 And RS-485 Applications Ebook
Page 111 of 137 Manual Documentation Number: <DocNumber>
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Hardware Handshaking
Serial Port transfer using the RTS and CTS control lines to control data flow
instead of using software flow control using X-On/X-Off control with a full
duplex serial link.
I
Interface
The connection between computer and the outside world. Electrical
interfaces can be serial, RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, USB-A Female, Parallel,
or similar.
A user interface provides a connection between the user and program. It
includes the appearance of the screens, menus, mouse/keyboard keys for
input/output. Windows provides standard methods for a program to use to
build a user interface.
Interface Converter
A converter from one type of interface to another. A converter performs
conversion from one electrical format to another. RS-232 to RS-422 or RS-485
or back, RS-232 to fiber optic or back. Some converters handle hardware
conversion between formats. Some require hardware and software to perform
conversion. For example, Host USB to RS-232/422/485 or Ethernet to Serial.
Compare a converter to an adapter. An adapter simply converts hardware
connections, whereas a converter may also provide an electrical signaling
change. A RS-232 signal may use DB25, DB9 or RJ-11 or phone plug or jack.
The signal connector is adapted, not converted.
Isolation
Separation of all electrical signals and ground on one device from those on
another device. Isolation is usually rated in volts or leakage currents. Isolated
power is typically handled by power transformers and separate power supplies
with no common between one side and the other. Signal lines may be isolated
with signal transformers (depending on the signal), optical isolators, or with
fiber optic converters.