ABB Serial Communications Module RS232
INTRODUCTION AND TECHNICAL DATA
PURPOSE
The Serial Communications Module provides a serial interface between the SC300E
environment and a variety of remote devices complying with the standard RS232-C. At least
one Serial Communications Module must be used in the system and fitted in Slot 10 of the
main chassis to enable communications between the system processors and the
workstations. The workstation link is used for loading the application software and monitoring
ladder and diagnostic functions. The link utilises Port 0 of the module. Additional modules can
be fitted to any other I/O slot, ‘wrong slotting’ is prevented by mechanical coding blocks (Figure
2-1 ). The system software identifies the module via a built-in hardware identifier.
Circuit triplication and voting procedures make the module single fault tolerant and front panel
indicators show Tx/Rx activity, the circuit on-line status and the health of the module.
Communications connections are via four identical ports on the front panel (Ports 0 to 3) and
these connections are duplicated on the field connector (J2) at the rear. A fifth port is for
diagnostic purposes only. The module is compatible with ‘single slot hot repair’ and the front
panel has a switch to enable a request that the module be taken off line.
This document is intended to provide a general understanding of the function of Serial
Communications Module, sufficient to enable basic maintenance operations to be effected in
the field.
Triguard SC300E
Ejector lever
User COMMports
Diagnosticport
Mechanical coding block
(Upper)
Connector J1
(Module ID)
Link LK2
(Voltage Mon)
Link LK2 Link LK4
Tx / Rx LEDs
Health LED
ON/OFF LEDs
ON/OFF Line
Request switch
Ejector lever
Connector J2
RS232 Daughterboard
Mechanical coding block
(Lower)

ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTATION
Reference No Title
008-5097 Chassis User Manual
SPECIFICATION
Model MSR04XI
Communications Serial RS232
Mictrocontroller Intel family
Communication ports: Port 0: RS232 9600 or 19200 Baud
Port 1: RS232 9600 or 19200 Baud
Port 2: RS232 9600 or 19200 Baud (see Note)
Port 3: RS232 9600 or 19200 Baud (see Note)
Diagnostic: for diagnostics purposes only Note:
Ports 2 & 3 must be set to the same Baud
rate.
rate. Isolation Ports 0 to 3, 1kV
Indicators Tx, Rx, Health, 3 x On Line
Hot repair procedure Single slot
Module power consumption 3.5W
Overall size (mm)
Overall size (inches)
400(9U)H x 397L x 28W
15.75H x 15.63L x 1.1W
Weight 1.3kg
Triguard SC300E
ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS
The maximum ambient temperature measured at the hottest point within the Triguard system
shall not be greater than 60 degrees centigrade.
Temperature operating: +5°C to +60°C
Temperature storage: -25°C to +70°C
Humidity 5% to 95% non-condensing at ambient <40°C
EMC/RFI Immunity Tested and certified to IEC 1131-Part 2 1994
Vibration/Shock Tested and certified to IEC 1131-Part 2 1994
Certification:
General Certification: Ref. SC300E Product Guide (ref 008-5209)
TRANSPORT AND HANDLING
The MSR04XI module must be transported and stored in its original packing material which
should be retained for this purpose.
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
PHYSICAL
The Serial Communications Module is a 9U high PCB with integral front panel and front and
rear connectors; a plug-in daughter board carries the RS232 interface circuits. Figure 1-1
shows the general layout, location of the connectors and front panel components.
Mechanical coding blocks
All Input/Output modules carry two mechanical coding blocks equipped with pins which mate
with holes in corresponding blocks in the chassis and prevent the module being inserted into
the wrong slot. The pins in the module blocks are factory installed in a pattern determined by
the module and corresponding set screws are removed from the chassis coding blocks to
enable fitting. Unused holes are plugged with set screws. The chassis mechanical coding
block configuration for this module is shown in Figure 2-1 .
Triguard SC300E
On the lower section of the PCB are three further links, LK2, LK3 and LK4, located and
configured as follows:
LK2 (2-pin) located approximately 220mm down from the top of the module and 110mm in from
the front face, used in the voltage monitoring circuit, always fitted.
LK3 (3-pin) located beneath the plug in daughterboard. Used for 3-2-1-or 3-2-0 operation,
factory fitted hard wired, all pins linked for 3-2-1 mode.
LK4 (3-pin) located approximately 250mm down from the top of the module and 220mm from
the front face, used for the daughterboard clock speed setting, pins 1 and 2 linked.
Table 2-1. Default link settings
Link Default setting
LK1 (3 off x 3 pin) Links not fitted
LK2 (3 off x 8 pin) Fitted
LK2 (2 pin) Fitted
LK3 (3 pin) Hard wired (all pins linked)
LK4 (3 pin) Fitted (pins 1 & 2 linked
EXTERNAL CONNECTIONS
Pinouts and signals for front panel connectors J4 to J6 through to J2 backplane are given in
Table 2-2.
Is your interface DTE (data terminal equipment) or DCE (data communications equipment)?:
The point of reference for all signals is the terminal (or PC).
Transmit and receive leads (2 or 3) can be reversed depending on the use of the equipment,
either DTE or DCE.
THEORY OF OPERATION
Triplicated data enters and leaves the module (Figure 2-3 ) via the chassis backplane
connector J1 and is isolated from the MPP by bus transceivers. Data for transmission is
loaded into dual port RAM in each of the three circuit branches and is voted 2-oo-3 before being
passed to the USARTs on the daughter board where it is serialised and sent to the appropriate
communications port.
Data received at the ports is converted to parallel form by the USART and written to dual port
RAM in each branch, the data is accompanied by information about the status of the ports and
the embedded microprocessor. The dual port memory is then read by the MPP via a second
set of transceivers.
The four communications ports are configured to run in full duplex mode using an RS232
interface and having a maximum rate of 19200 Baud. The communications ports are isolated
from the module circuits by opto-isolators and connected to field connector J2 at the rear of the
module. The ports are capable of powering modems or line drivers for transmission over long
distances.
Power for the module circuits is derived from the dual redundant SC300E power supply units,
individual auctioneering and regulating circuits supplying various logic areas. The
communications port opto-isolators and interfaces also have separate supplies.