Centronics connector
Centronics connector
A Centronics connector is a 36-pin parallel interface used to connect a computer to a printer or other peripheral devices. It is primarily used in older systems and has been widely replaced by newer interfaces such as USB and FireWire.
What does Centronics connector mean?
The Centronics connector, also known as a parallel port connector, is a type of parallel interface used to Connect peripherals to a computer. It is typically used for connecting printers, but can also be used for other peripherals such as scanners and modems. The Centronics connector is a 36-pin connector, with 25 pins used for data transmission and 11 pins used for control signals. It is a parallel interface, meaning that data is transmitted over multiple wires simultaneously. This allows for faster data transfer rates than Serial interfaces, which Transmit data over a single wire.
The Centronics connector was originally developed by Centronics Data Computer Corporation in the 1970s. It quickly became the standard interface for connecting printers to computers, and is still widely used today. However, the Centronics connector is gradually being replaced by newer interfaces such as the USB and FireWire interfaces.
Applications
The Centronics connector is primarily used for connecting printers to computers. It is also used for connecting other peripherals such as scanners, modems, and external hard drives. The Centronics connector is important in technology today because it provides a reliable and fast way to connect peripherals to computers. It is a widely-used standard, which ensures that peripherals from different manufacturers can be easily connected to computers.
History
The Centronics connector was originally developed by Centronics Data Computer Corporation in the 1970s. It was first used on the Centronics 101 printer, which was one of the first dot matrix printers. The Centronics connector quickly became the standard interface for connecting printers to computers, and is still widely used today.
The Centronics connector has undergone several revisions over the years. The original Centronics connector was a 36-pin connector, with 25 pins used for data transmission and 11 pins used for control signals. In 1981, a revised version of the Centronics connector was released, which added an extra 9 pins for additional control signals. This revised version of the Centronics connector is known as the Centronics IEEE 1284 connector.
The Centronics connector is gradually being replaced by newer interfaces such as the USB and FireWire interfaces. However, the Centronics connector is still widely used today, especially for connecting older printers to computers.