Serial Instrument Control Interfaces for USB
NI USB-232 Series, NI USB-485 Series
• Compatible with standard PC serial port • 1, 2, and 4-port versions • Handle RTS/CTS hardware handshake lines • 128 B transmit and receive FIFOs • 5,6,7, or 8 data bits
New
NI USB-232
• RS-232 interface • 230.4 kb/s maximum transfer rate • Software-selectable DTE or DCE transceiver modes (2 and 4-port models only)
Operating Systems
Windows 2000/XP
NI USB-485
• RS-485 or RS-422 interface • 460.8 kb/s maximum transfer rate • Communicates with up to 31 devices • Automatic transceiver-control mode for 2-wire RS-485 devices • Software-selectable biasing • Cable lengths up to 1.2 km (4,000 ft)
Recommended Software
• LabVIEW™ • LabWindows™/CVI™ • Measurement Studio™
Other Compatible Software
• C/C++ • Visual Basic • Any package with the Microsoft serial driver interface
Driver Software (included)
• NI-Serial
Overview
The National Instruments USB-232 and USB-485 transform your Universal Serial Bus (USB) port into asynchronous serial ports for communication with serial devices. The NI USB-232 and USB-485 are available in either 1, 2, or 4-port versions and use standard RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 communications. All products include driver software for Windows 2000/XP. You can install and use the USB-232 and USB-485 as standard serial ports from your existing applications or with applications written with NI-VISA.
Specifications
FIFO size ................................................. Maximum transfer rate............................ USB connector (1 port) ............................ USB connector (2 and 4 port) .................. Serial connectors...................................... Noise emissions ....................................... 128 B 460.8 kb/s (RS-485); 230.4 kb/s (RS-232) captive cable with USB series A plug USB standard series B connector DB-9 Class A
Additionally, the USB-232 2 and 4-port INFO CODES versions feature software-selectable For more information DTE or DCE transceiver modes, as well or to order products online, visit ni.com/info as an automatic transceiver detection and enter: mode, or Auto232. The USB-485 usb232 features software selectable biasing; usb485 therefore, you can turn biasing on and off for each port through software. BUY ONLINE! Development environments, such as Visual Basic, Visual C++, and Excel, as well as National Instruments LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI and Measurement Studio, can access the serial ports using standard serial I/O functions.
Power Requirements
5 VDC (from USB) ........................................ USB-232 (100 mA typ, 200 mA max), USB-232/2 (200 mA typ, 500 mA max), USB-232/4 (300 mA typ, 500 mA max), USB-485 (175 mA typ, 500 mA max) USB-485/2 (300 mA typ, 500 mA max), +12 VDC (from supply furnished)............ USB-485/4 (225 mA typ, 500 mA max)
Ordering Information
Model NI USB-232 NI USB-232/2 NI USB-232/4 NI USB-485 NI USB-485/2 NI USB-485/4 Serial Port RS-232 RS-232 RS-232 RS-485/RS-422 RS-485/RS-422 RS-485/RS-422 Number of Ports 1 2 4 1 2 4 Part Number 778472-01 778473-02 778473-04 778475-01 778476-02 778476-P4*
Operating Environment
Ambient temperature............................... 0 to 70 °C Relative humidity...................................... 10 to 90%, noncondensing
Storage Environment
Ambient temperature (1 port).................. -40 to 80 °C Ambient temperature (2 and 4 port)........ -40 to 85 °C Relative humidity...................................... 10 to 90%, noncondensing
*External 12 VDC power supply included P = Power Cord Type 0 = U.S. 120 VAC 2 = Swiss 220 VAC 3 = Australian 240 VAC 4 = Universal Euro 240 VAC 5 = North American 240 VAC 6 = United Kingdom 240 VAC
Electrostatic Discharge Protection
Case contact and air discharge................ ±4 kV RS-232 and RS-435 data lines ................. ±15 kV (HBM)
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