Ap1300 User Guide Page 11 of 16
8 INTERFACE
DETAILS
8.1
RS-232 SERIAL INTERFACE (APPLIES TO AP1300, AP1300-IR AND AP1300-BT)
All models of Ap1300 printer have an industry standard RS-232 interface. The default parameters are
9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit and no parity. Other baud rates can be programmed by control
codes, or by using a setup utility available from the factory.
Serial data is expected in standard RS-232C format with -12V meaning 'mark' or '1' and +12V a
logical '0', with reference to the common ground. The serial data output line, TxD, transmits
XON/XOFF and status information to the host at the same Baud rate and in the same format as the
serial data input. The hardware busy line is true (nominal -12V) when busy. Both serial output lines
will relax to approximately 0V when the Ap1300 is in sleep mode, and the user must allow a short
period after awakening before relying on the values of these signals.
Some host equipment use a constant space condition (+12V) to indicate a reset condition or wait
state. Some battery powered host equipment present the same output signal when they go to sleep.
The Ap1300 can be set to ignore this condition as detailed in the Programmer’s Guide, but even then
this type of host behaviour may result in one or more spurious characters being received and printed
by the Ap1300, or the Ap1300 may be prevented from going to sleep.
8.2
IrDA INTERFACE (APPLIES TO AP1300-IR ONLY)
The Ap1300-IR features an Infra-Red window on the front of the body. It includes special hardware
which wakes the printer when any Infra-Red activity is detected. In order to reduce the occurence of
'false triggers', the sensitivity of this wake-up sensor is reduced. It may be necessary to bring the host
IrDA device fairly close to the Ap1300-IR before it will wake up.
Once awake, the printer will respond to communications from an IrDA compliant primary device. The
printer supports 'point-to-point' applications (i.e. one primary device and one secondary device). It
operates only as a secondary device, and cannot initiate a link between devices.
Once a link is established then the printer shows a red LED through the IR window on the front. The
link will continue as long as the devices are maintained in line-of-sight and within operating range.
While a link is maintained, data may be exchanged freely between the two devices.
The protocols supported by the Ap1300-IR are as follows: IrPHY V1.0, IrLAP, IrLMP, IAS, TinyTP and
IrCOMM 9-wire. Please contact the factory if further details or alternative protocols are required.
8.3
BLUETOOTH INTERFACE (APPLIES TO AP1300-BT ONLY)
The Ap1300-BT includes a class 2 implementation of the Panasonic PAN1440 module, which is
bluetooth 1.1 compliant, and is certified to EN 300 328. The protocols and profiles supported are as
follows: LM, L2CAP, RFCOMM, SDP, TCS, SPP (Serial Port Profile). Please contact the factory if
further details or alternative profiles are required.
The detail of how to establish a bluetooth link and transfer data will vary greatly depending on the
primary host device. However, the process will generally involve the following stages:
i. Discovery of bluetooth devices;
ii. Discovery of the printer’s services;
iii. Selection of the Serial Port Profile;
iv. It may be necessary to Pair with the printer;
v. Connecting to the printer.
N.B. The PIN for making a secure connection to the Ap1300-BT is pre-set to “1234”.
Usually the bluetooth link is maintained for as long as the devices are within operating range. While
the link is active, data may be exchanged freely between the two devices. Occasionally the link may
be lost, in which case the user should re-initiate the link from the primary host as described above.
There is no facility to wake the printer over the bluetooth link (If such a facility is required, please
contact the factory). The printer must be awake before a bluetooth link may be established and any
data can be transferred to it via the bluetooth interface. Because of this the default Sleep Period for
the Ap1300-BT is extended to 4 minutes.
