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IEEE1284 Adapter;
This page provides the adaptor cable for the IEEE 1284 'B' connector to the IEEE 1284 'C' connector.
Refer to either of those pages for more data or the main IEEE-1284 interface page.
The IEEE-1284-B side is a 36-pin Champ connector with locking bails to secure the connection.
The IEEE-1284-C side is a 36-pin high density connector with locking rails to secure the connection.
| Host C connector | Function | Peripheral B connector |
| 1 | Busy | 11 |
| 2 | Select | 13 |
| 3 | nAck | 10 |
| 4 | nFault | 32 |
| 5 | PError | 12 |
| 6 | Data 1 | 2 |
| 7 | Data 2 | 3 |
| 8 | Data 3 | 4 |
| 9 | Data 4 | 5 |
| 10 | Data 5 | 6 |
| 11 | Data 6 | 7 |
| 12 | Data 7 | 8 |
| 13 | Data 8 | 9 |
| 14 | nInit | 31 |
| 15 | nStrobe | 1 |
| 16 | nSelectIn | 36 |
| 17 | nAutoFd | 14 |
| 18 | Host logic high | No connection |
| 19 | Ground return for pin 1 (Busy) | 29 |
| 20 | Ground return for pin 2 (Select) | 28 |
| 21 | Ground return for pin 3 (nAck) | 28 |
| 22 | Ground return for pin 4 (nFault) | 29 |
| 23 | Ground return for pin 5 (PError) | 28 |
| 24 | Ground return for pin 6 (Data 1) | 20 |
| 25 | Ground return for pin 7 (Data 2) | 21 |
| 26 | Ground return for pin 8 (Data 3) | 22 |
| 27 | Ground return for pin 9 (Data 4) | 23 |
| 28 | Ground return for pin 10 (Data 5) | 24 |
| 29 | Ground return for pin 11 (Data 6) | 25 |
| 30 | Ground return for pin 12 (Data 7) | 26 |
| 31 | Ground return for pin 13 (Data 8) | 27 |
| 32 | Ground return for pin 14 (nInit) | 30 |
| 33 | Ground return for pin 15 (nStrobe) | 19 |
| 34 | Ground return for pin 16 (nSelectIn) | 30 |
| 35 | Ground return for pin 17 (nAutoFd) | 30 |
| 36 | Peripheral logic high | 18 |
The Personal Computer Parallel printer bus specification defines
a Point-to-Point asynchronous bi-directional interface. Devices may be
either 1284 compatible {for older parallel port devices} or 1284
compliant. The maximum recommended cable length is 25 feet max.
Centronics parallel cables run out to 12 feet. The IEEE1284 cable
replaced the 'Centronics' cable, which is obsolete.
IEEE1284 operates in five different modes: [The connector or cable does not change
with each different mode, but the function of some of the pins do]
Compatibility mode; Centronics type operation (PC to Peripheral),
providing the original (required) control signaling bits. These bits
include 8 data lines, a Strobe, a Busy, an Acknowledge, a Select, Paper
Empty, Fault, Initialize Printer, Select Printer, and a Auto Feed line.
Compatibility mode is the basic mode of operation, asynchronous, byte
wide operation with a transfer rate of between 50kBps to 150kBps.
Nibble mode; 4 bit data bus (Peripheral to PC), 8 bit data bus (PC
to Peripheral); supporting uni-directional printer interfaces. This
provides an interface which operates full speed forward and half speed in
reverse. The transfer rate is between 50kBps to 150kBps
Byte mode; 8 bit bi-directional bus. Normal port operation. The
transfer rate is between 50kBps to 150kBps
ECP; Extended Capabilities Port. Allowed the PC to send 32 bit
data to the port, than letting the port divide up the data into four 8
byte messages, improving system (PC) operation. Transfer speeds are ten
times faster then the previous modes.
EPP; Enhanced Parallel Port; Allows high-speed transfers of bytes
in either direction. EPP is used with real time controlled peripherals.
EPP transfer times are the same as ECP transfer rates.
Centronics Connector Pinout .. Parallel Port Connector Pinout .. 1284-A Cable Pinout .. 1284-B Cable Pinout .. 1284-C Cable Pinout
Back to the main IEEE-1284 bus page.
The IEEE1284-B to IEEE1284-C is an adapter cable;
The IEEE1248-B side uses the original parallel printer Centronics type connector for peripheral connection.
The IEEE1284-C end uses the newer high density connector introduced in the IEEE1284 standard
This should be a inter-connecting cable between a host and peripheral device.
It is possible that there could be a IEEE1284-B to IEEE1284-C adapter module, using no cable.
However this editor has never seen a simple adapter or gender changer of this type.
Also, I do not think one is called out in the IEEE1284 specification.
In any case work on the IEEE1284 standard has ceased.
Making the IEEE1284 a bit dated, in fact at this point in time the IEEE1284 interface is out-dated.
But, the cable pin outs and signal functions are still valid as shown in the table above.
The real question is, are there any vendors still producing IEEE1284 adapter cables,
and are there any printers that use the Centronics port still in service and functioning.
Normally when an interface specification is this old, I remove the manufacturers because the effort to track their products becomes to time consuming.
The Centronics port of this cable was out-dated in 1995 when this standard was released.
Making any printer that uses this cabling interface at least 15 years old by 2010.
Navigation: Engineering Home > Interface Buses > Cabled Interface Standards > IEEE-1284 Standard > B-Cable to C-Cable.
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