STANDARD PARALLEL PORT ( SPP )

GABRIELA MATEI

INTRODUCTION
What is the parallel port ?

In the computer world, a port is a set o signal lines that the microprocessor, or

CPU, uses to exchange data with other components.

Typical uses for ports are communicating with printers, modems, keyboards and
displays, or just about any component or device except system memory.

Most computer ports are digital, where each signal, or bit, is 0 or 1. A parallel port transfers multiple
bits at once, while a serial port

transfers a bit at a time

( though it may transfer in both directions at once ).

 Parallel ports were originally developed by IBM as a way to connect a printer to our PC. When IBM was in the process of designing the PC, the company wanted the computer to work with printers offered by Centronics, a top printer manufacturer at the time. IBM decided not to use the same port interface on the computer that Centronics used on the printer. Instead, IBM engineers coupled a 25-pin connector, DB-25, with a 36-pin Centronics connector to create a special cable to connect the printer to the computer.

The Standard Parallel Port (SPP) is also known as the Centronics parallel port.

PARALLEL PORT EVOLUTION

The original specification for parallel ports was
unidirectional, meaning that data only traveled in one direction for each pin. This mode is commonly known as Standard Parallel Port (SPP).

With the introduction of the PS/2 (Simple Bidirectional) in 1987, IBM offered a new
bidirectional parallel port design.

The next type of parallel port takes its name from its fastest mode, and is called an Enhanced Parallel Port or EPP. Finally, the Extended Capabilities Port mode lends its name to ports called Extended Capabilities Ports or ECP.

SPP

The Standard Parallel Port operated in compatibility and nibble modes.

COMPATIBILITY MODE

Compatibility mode is a "forward channel" mode, or a mode that moves data from the PC to the peripheral. This mode moves bytes one at a time to a peripheral, and is the default mode of parallel port operation. To be termed "IEEE 1284 Compatible" a port must be at least capable of this type of operation.

NIBBLE MODE
Nibble mode is a "reverse channel" mode, or one that moves data from the peripheral to the PC. This mode moves data one "nibble" (4 bits) at a time to the PC. Once the nibbles arrive they must be reassembled into bytes, an operation that slows the overall rate at which data can be transmitted. "IEEE Compliant" parallel ports must include at least compatibility and nibble modes, and an approved mechanism for negotiating transfers. The standard parallel port is capable of sending 50 to 100 kilobytes of data per second.

SPP DATA TRANSFER TIMING

Data8-1 Unidirectional data lines. Data8 is the most significant.

STROBE* Data is valid during an active low pulse on this line. ACK* The peripheral pulses this line low when it has received the previous data and is ready to receive more data. BUSY The peripheral drives this signal high to indicate that it is not ready to receive data.

When the printer is ready to receive data, it drives BUSY low. The host drives valid data on the data lines, waits a minimum of 500 ns, then pulses STROBE* for a minimum of 500 ns. Valid data must remain on the data lines for a minimum of 500 ns after the rising edge of STROBE*. The printer will receive the data and drive BUSY active to indicate that it is processing the data. When the printer has completed the data transfer, it will pulse the ACK* line active for a minimum of 500 ns and de-assert BUSY, indicating it is ready for the next data byte.

SPP RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS

The first category of resource used by parallel ports is addresses. Addresses are assigned to parallel ports in numerical order.

The standard parallel port uses three consecutive addresses. The first is the base address or Data register, the second is the ports Status register, and the third is the ports Control register. These addresses are usually in one of the following ranges:

QUESTIONS ?