The 2-2 and 3-3 connection is a straight through connection. This kind of connection is for 2 dissimilar devices to communicate, ie Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) and Data Communication Equipment (DCE). If you have 2 similar devece ie DCE to DCE or DTE to DTE you will need a 2-3 and 3-2 cable this is a crossover cable. From what you have posted it sounds like you are using a crossover cable and this would be the wrong one. Try a straight through cable. The PC is a DTE and the Plotter is a DCE you should need a 2-2 and 3-3 straight through cable. The hardware ie. plotter and PC in this case determine the type of cable required for communication not a file standard.
Here is an ascii version of the wiring diagram for each standard
DCE to DCE
or
DTE to DTE
1____________1
2_____ ____2 This is a crossover cable (sounds like you are using this cable)
3_____ X ____3
DCE to DTE
or
DTE to DCE
1____________1
2____________2 This is a straight through cable (this is the cable you should be using)
3____________3
Heres a link to all kinds of information on different cable configurations.
http://www.arcelect.com/rs232.htmNow I have read a few paople mention specific things required for communication for the 2 devices to be established. Both devices need to be configured the same. You need to set Bit Rate/baud rate (or plainly said as transfer speed), start and stop bits, byte size, and parity. If all of these perameters are not defined the same on both devices communication will not be possible.
Here is a website I found that will explain the communication between 2 serial devices quite well.
http://cnx.org/content/m12293/latest/I hope this will help you understand how a serial port work a little better, and I also hope I dont affend you by telling you something you already know. But it seems the problem is with the way your PC is communicating or not communicationg with the plotter.
Good Luck and Dont Give Up,
Jesse
----- Original Message ----
From: Lez <
lez.briddon@...>
To:
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.comSent: Sunday, November 12, 2006 2:21:12 AM
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] I need a 'file' in cpgl or ccgl
I'll try with eagle later, just tried winline and no response.
To recap, I made a 3 wire cable, and the PC is sending, I checked this
with a dongle with LED's that monitor the lines, I can 'see' data, one
thing that was odd is thatthe calcomp requires 2-2 and 3-3, not 2-3
and 3-2
I tried it with 6-8-20 connected, and without.
In all the times I sent data to it, it never sent anything back, the
LED never flashed, just stays green, the PC side led is gren, but
flashes red/green with data
It has a switch for ccgl / cpgl, it wont like hpgl so I believe after
hours (an whole evening) of google-ing
Dips switches are used for baud/parity etc so I know thats right, its
printed on the back of the printer!
I did once get a built in test print out of it, but cant remember how,
it was not connected to a pc at the time, just power.
I cant call it dead until I have sent it data I /know/ to be good, but
its looking that way, as though its com's side is 'down' but
mechanically its fine and performs a selftest when switched on, moving
the pen to top/bottom corners etc.
Lez
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