Abstracts

This standard is applicable to the interconnection of data terminal equipment (DTE) and data circuit-terminating equipment (DCE) employing serial binary data interchange. It defines:

Section 2 Signal Characteristics:

Electrical and grounding characteristics of the interchange signals and associated circuitry.

Section 3 Interface Mechanical Characteristics:

Definition of the mechanical characteristics of the interface between the DTE and the DCE.

Section 4 Functional Description of Interchange Circuits:

Functional description of a set of data, timing and control interchange circuits for use at a digital interface between a DTE and a DCE.

Section 5 Standard Interfaces for Selected Communication System Configurations:

Standard subsets of specific interchange circuits are defined for a specific group of data communication system applications.

In addition, the standard includes:

Section 6 Recommendations and Explanatory Notes

Interface Configurations

This standard includes thirteen specific interface configurations intended to meet the needs of fifteen defined system applications. These configurations are identified by type, using alphabetic characters A through M. In addition, type Z has been reserved for applications not covered by types A through M, and where the configuration of interchange circuits is to be specified, in each case, by the supplier.

Data Signaling Rates

This standard is applicable for use at data signaling rates up to a nominal limit of 20,000 bits per second.

Signal Common

This standard is applicable for the interchange of data, timing and control signals when used in conjunction with electronic equipment, each of which has a single common return (Signal Common), which can be interconnected at the interface point. It does not apply where electrical isolation between equipment on opposite sides of the interface point is required.

Synchronous/Nonsynchronous Communication

This standard applies to both synchronous and nonsynchronous serial binary data communication systems.

Classes of Service

This standard applies to all classes of data communication service, including:

Dedicated leased or private line service, either two-wire or four-wire. Consideration is given to both point-to-point and multipoint operation.

Switched service, either two-wire or four-wire. Consideration is given to automatic answering of calls; however, this standard does not include all of the interchange circuits required for automatically originating a connection using EIA-366-A, Interface Between Data Terminal Equipment and Automatic Calling Equipment for Data Communication. Serial dialing and control is described in TIA/EIA-602, Data Transmission Systems and Equipment - Serial Asynchronous Automatic Dialing and Control.

Allocation of Functions

The DCE may include transmitting and receiving signal converters as well as control functions. Other functions, such as pulse regeneration, error control, etc., may or may not be provided. Equipment to provide these additional functions may be included in the DTE or in the DCE, or it may be implemented as a separate unit interposed between the two.

When such additional functions are provided within the DTE or the DCE, this interface standard shall apply only to the interchange circuits between the two classes of equipment.

When additional functions are provided in a separate unit inserted between the DTE and the DCE, this standard shall apply to both sides (the interface with the DTE and the interface with the DCE - see 3.3.3 and 3.4.2) of such separate unit.

Modes of Operation

This standard applies to all of the modes of operation described under the system configurations indicated in Section 5, Standard Interfaces for Selected Communication System Configurations.