On Mon, 10 Jun 2002, Mark J. Dulcey wrote:

> =C5ke Neehr wrote:
> > I=B4m want to learn me what I have to do so
> > I can get a dotmatrix printer to work
> > together with a PIC 16F870.
>
> Conveniently, the logic levels on the Centronics interface are standard
> TTL levels, and the current requirements are not too severe, so you can
> probably drive your printer directly with the outputs of your PIC.
> (Disclaimer: I haven't tried it.)

I have used 8048 uC's to talk to parallel printers.  Couldn't possibly be
any simpler, and a PIC will do just fine.  12 I/O lines for the complete
interface, if I recall correctly, but a quick read of the interface specs
widely available will show you that.

Several years ago I built a battery powered pocket tester - plug it into =
a
parallel printer and it will power itself on, print a barber-pole pattern
for as long as you leave it connected, stop when you hit the printer's
STOP button or when out of paper, etc.  Zero buttons, 9V battery or *any*
AC or DC wall-wart for power, one power LED, with auto power on/off and
auto 80/132 column print pattern selection.  One 8748.  Neat little gadge=
t
to have if you do shop repairs on parallel printers, my techs loved it.

Dale

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