07-AP863 ABLE SYSTEMS, 07-AP863 Datasheet - Page 10

• Manufacturer Part Number: 07-AP863
• Description: PRINTER, PORTABLE, THERMAL
• Manufacturer: ABLE SYSTEMS

Specifications of 07-AP863

• Interface Type: Serial RS-232
• Resolution: 8 Dots/mm
• Print Speed: 10 Lines/sec
• Svhc: No SVHC (18-Jun-2010)
• External Depth: 158mm
• External Length / Height: 104mm
• External Width: 82mm
• Weight: 640g
• Lead Free Status / RoHS Status: Lead free / RoHS Compliant

6
The Ap863 has an EPSON M-T102 printer mechanism, with a fixed (parallel) print head with 384
horizontally-arranged thermal elements. The paper is advanced by a stepper motor, and printing
takes place in a single dot row for each step of the paper. Each printed dot is approximately 1/8 mm
square. The printing speed and dot density are controlled according to the battery voltage and the
head temperature.
Alternative printing modes, including graphics, are invoked by 'Escape' sequences. Control codes
and status report protocols are described in detail in the Programmers' Guide, available as a separate
document.
6.1
The Ap863 has a nominal 20k byte buffer to optimise throughput: this enables data to be received into
the buffer while previous lines are being printed. Printing will be initiated on receipt of a valid logical
line of data or a complete graphics pattern.
The buffer may be cleared by data command or by a hardware reset. A partially full line will be
printed on receipt of an appropriate control code, or after a programmable timeout delay.
6.2
Spooling mode can be entered under command from the host. It can also be programmed to be
entered automatically when the paper runs low, or completely out. This makes it easier to change the
roll without losing data (refer to Section 4).
In spooling mode, the buffered data are stored without being printed until the mode is exited by:
6.3
The serial interface Baud rate is factory set to 9,600 Baud, and the data format should be 8 data bits,
1 or 2 stop bits, and no parity (see Section 7 for connection details); other baud rates can be
programmed by control codes. 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 Ap863 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 Ap863 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 by the
Ap863, or the Ap863 may be prevented from going to sleep.
6.4
Several character fonts are supported, the default 32-column character set being formed from a
24x10 dot matrix. The standard 224 IBM® character set (Code Page 437) includes graphics
characters, which are extended to link up in both axes where appropriate. The character set has been
modified to include the Euro symbol (‘€’) at position 80H (128 Decimal), in place of the usual capital C
with cedilla (‘Ç’).
Text can be printed in various combinations of single or double width, single or double height,
inverted, underlined, and with other attributes. Text and dot- addressable graphics can be mixed
within a line.
6.5
Various dot-addressable graphics modes are supported, at up to 384 dots per line. Refer to the
Programmer’s Guide for full details. The Windows driver operates in the graphics mode.
Ÿ
Ÿ
PRINTER OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING
DATA BUFFER
SPOOLING MODE
a command from the host;
the paper feed button being double-clicked.
SERIAL INTERFACE
CHARACTER PRINTING
GRAPHICS PRINTING
Ap863 Users’ Guide Page 10 of 14