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The printer is able to continuously receive print jobs, compiling and printing other
jobs at the same time. It acts much like a “print buffer” to maximize the performance
of the host and the printer.
When using the RS232 Serial interface, the Multi Job Buffer uses either the
Ready/Busy with DTR (pin 20) or X-On/X-Off flow control protocols. See these
sections for more details. With an empty receiving buffer, the status of DTR is “high”
(or an X-On status if using X-On/X-Off), meaning the printer is ready to receive
data. When the receive buffer is holding 1.95MB of data (1MB from being full), DTR
will go “low” (or an X-Off is sent) indicating the printer can no longer receive data.
This condition is called “Buffer Near Full.”
The receiving buffer will not be able to receive more data again until a “Buffer
Available” condition occurs. This takes place when the receiving buffer has emptied
so that only 1MB bytes of data are being held (1.95MB bytes from being full). At this
time, DTR will go “high” or an X-On is sent to tell the host that it can again receive
data.
All printer error conditions (i.e., label out, ribbon out) will cause the printer to go
busy (DTR “low” or X-Off) until the problem is corrected and the printer is placed
on-line. The printer will also be busy if taken off-line from the front panel.
IEEE 1284 PARALLEL INTERFACE
The parallel interface for the CT printers conforms to the IEEE 1284 specification. It
will automatically detect the IEEE 1284 signals and operate in the high speed mode.
If it does not detect the IEEE 1284 signals, it will operate in the standard Centronics
mode, which is significantly slower. For this reason, an interface cable and host
interface conforming to the IEEE 1284 specification must be present to fully utilize
the speed capabilities. This interface also operates bi-directionally and can report the
status of the printer back to the host.
DSW-8 on the Configuration Panel must be in the ON position to activate the parallel
interface.
ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Printer Connector AMP 57-40360 (DDK) or equivalent
Cable Connector AMP 57-30360 (DDK) or equivalent
Cable Length 10 ft. (3 m) or less
Signal Level High=+2.4Vto+5.0V
Low = 0V to -0.4V
DATA STREAMS
<ESC>A . . Job#1 . . <ESC>Z<ESC>A . . Job#n . . <ESC>Z
Section 5. Interface Specifications
SATOCTSeriesPrinters9001069A Page5-3