RS449: Interface and Pinout

RS449 was a standard that was intended to provide fast serial data transmission:- discover the technology, pinout & interface.

Serial Data Transmission Includes:
Serial data standards

Common standards: RS232 RS422 RS449 RS485 20 mA current loop

The RS449 serial data standard was intended as an enhancement to RS232. It was aimed at providing serial data transmission at speeds up to 2 Mbps whilst still being able to maintain compatibility with RS232.

Though never applied on personal computers, this interface was found on some network communication equipment. The RS449 standard has now been discontinued and may also be seen in some references as EIA-449, TIA-449 and ISO 4902

RS449 interface

One of the ways in which the RS449 data communications standard is able to send at high speeds without stray noise causing interference is to use a differential form of signalling. Earlier data communications standards such as RS232 used signalling that was referenced to earth and while this was easier to implement and cheaper to cable, it introduced limitations into the system.

By using twisted wire pairs for the data lines, any unwanted noise will be picked up by both wires together. As the RS449 receivers use a differential input, and they are not referenced to ground, any noise that is picked up does not affect the input. This means that higher levels of noise can be tolerated without any degradation to the performance to the data communications system.

For the RS449 interface, ten additional circuits functions have been provided when compared to RS232. Additionally three of the original interchange circuits have been abandoned.

In order to minimise any confusion that could easily occur, the circuit abbreviations have been changed. In addition to this the RS449 interface requires the use of 37 way D-type connectors and 9 way D-type connectors, the latter being necessary when use is made of the secondary channel interchange circuits.

RS449 Primary connector pinout and interface connections

The RS449 primary connector, which is used the one that is used as standard uses a 37 way D-type connector. The pinout and connections are given in the table below:

Pin	Signal Name	Description
1		Shield
2	SI	Signal Rate Indicator
3	n/a	unused
4	SD-	Send Data (A)
5	ST-	Send Timing (A)
6	RD-	Receive Data (A)
7	RS-	Request To Send (A)
8	RT-	Receive Timing (A)
9	CS-	Clear To Send (A)
10	LL	Local Loopback
11	DM-	Data Mode (A)
12	TR-	Terminal Ready (A)
13	RR-	Receiver Ready (A)
14	RL	Remote Loopback
15	IC	Incoming Call
16	SF/SR+	Signal Freq./Sig. Rate Select.
17	TT-	Terminal Timing (A)
18	TM-	Test Mode (A)
19	SG	Signal Ground
20	RC	Receive Common
21	n/a	unused
22	SD+	Send Data (B)
23	ST+	Send Timing (B)
24	RD+	Receive Data (B)
25	RS+	Request To Send (B)
26	RT+	Receive Timing (B)
27	CS+	Clear To Send (B)
28	IS	Terminal In Service
29	DM+	Data Mode (B)
30	TR+	Terminal Ready (B)
31	RR+	Receiver Ready (B)
32	SS	Select Standby
33	SQ	Signal Quality
34	NS	New Signal
35	TT+	Terminal Timing (B)
36	SB	Standby Indicator
37	SC	Send Common

RS449 primary connector pinout and connections

Within the RS449 interface a number of differential connections are defined. In the pinout table above they are labelled as either "A and B" or "+" and "-". When setting up a connection, it is necessary to ensure that the correct polarities are used. As twisted pairs are used for the A and B connections it is often possible to mix the. If this happens the interface will not work.

RS449 auxilliary connector

A second connector is defined for use when the secondary channel interchange circuits are needed.. This connector uses a 9 way D-type connector.

Pin	Signal Name	Description
1		Shield
2	SRR	Secondary Receive Ready
3	SSD	Secondary Send Data
4	SRD	Secondary Receive Data
5	SG	Signal Ground
6	RC	Receive Common
7	SRS	Secondary Request to Send
8	SCS	Secondary Clear to Send
9	SC	Send Common

RS449 secondary connector

The RS449 data communications interface is an interface standard that is able to provide data communications with speeds of up to 2 Mbps. Retaining some similarities to RS232, it is a more comprehensive interface capable of greater speeds and operation with greater levels of data integrity.