Serial port synchronization signalling

In many applications, the synchronization interface is based on an RS-232 serial port. Only the Clear to Send (CTS) and Request to Send (RTS) signals on the serial interface are used. Using the serial port for synchronization will trigger all wideband transducers connected to the EK80 computer.

RS-232 uses two signal levels to distinguish between a logical "1" (also called "High"), and a logical "0" (also called "Low"). The two signals will have a negative voltage and a positive voltage respectively. The typical voltage for Vs is 3-15 V.

Clear to Send (CTS)/pin 8

The EK80 will wait for a RS232 logical "0" signal before the transmit/receive cycle will start.

Request To Send (RTS)/pin 7

The EK80 will output the RS232 logical "0" signal when the transmit/receive cycle starts.

Logical representation

Transmit/receive period