Filter
Top Products
Formatter System
The formatter is responsible for the following:
• Receiving and processing ASCII data from printer interfaces.
• Monitoring front panel input and relaying printer status
information (through the front panel and bi-directional I/O).
• Developing/coordinating data placement and timing with the
print engine.
• Storing font information.
•
Communicating with the host computer.
The Formatter PCA can be divided into three functional areas:
• I/O Control
• Memory/Memory Management
• Data Processing
Formatter Feature LaserJet 4 LaserJet 4+ LaserJet 5
Processor 20 MHz 80960KA 25 MHz 80960KB 33 MHz 80960JF
REt Yes Yes Yes
MEt No Yes Yes
Economode No Yes Yes
Configurable I/O Buffer Size No Yes Yes
Personality Resource
Saving
No Yes Yes
PowerSave Mode No Yes Yes
Font Cartridge Slot Yes Yes No
MIO Interface Level 5.0 5.1 6.0
Serial Ports RS-232/422 RS-232 RS-232 & SIR
Parallel Port Bitronics IEEE-1284 Bitronics IEEE-1284 Bitronics
Maximum RAM (PCL/PS) 34/22 MB 66/50 MB 66/52 MB
SIMM Support RAM/ROM RAM/ROM RAM/ROM/Flash
PCL Level 5 5E 6
On-Board Fonts 35 Intellifont/10 TT
Line Printer
35 Intellifont/10 TT
Line Printer
45 TT & Dark Courier
Line Printer
Default Symbol Set Roman-8 Roman-8 PC-8
Paper Size Support Letter/Legal/A4/Exec Letter/Legal/A4/Exec Letter/Legal/A4/Exec/A5
MP (Tray 1) Modes First, Manual, Cassette First, Manual, Cassette First, Cassette
Grayscale Hardware Assist No No Yes
ROPS 3 Hardware Assist No No Yes
Intuitive Control Panel No No Yes
I/O Control
The formatter I/O control is responsible for maintaining
communications with the host system(s). The printer has three
interfaces; serial, parallel (bitronic), and Modular I/O (MIO). The
formatter maintains connections with hosts connected to these
I/O’s including accepting data handshaking, and returning status.
5-12 Functional Overview