Typical applications D-subminiature

1 typical applications

1.1 communications ports
1.2 network ports
1.3 computer video output
1.4 game controller ports
1.5 other

typical applications

d-sub connectors.

shown 9-pin male (de-9m) connector (plug), , 25-pin female (db-25f) connector (socket). hexagonal pillars (4-40 bolt) @ both ends of each connector have threaded stud fastening connectors metal panel. have threaded sockets receive jackscrews on cable shell, holding plug , socket together.


communications ports

the widest application of d-subs rs-232 serial communications, though standard did not make connector mandatory. rs-232 devices used db25, many applications less common signals omitted, allowing de-9 used. standard specifies male connector terminal equipment , female connector modems, many variations exist. ibm pc-compatible computers tend have male connectors @ device , female connectors @ modems. apple macintosh models used de-9 connectors rs-422 multi-drop serial interfaces (which can operate rs-232). later macintosh models use 8-pin miniature din connectors instead.

on pcs, 25-pin , (beginning ibm-pc/at) 9-pin plugs used rs-232 serial ports; 25-pin sockets used parallel ports (instead of amphenol socket found on printer itself, inconveniently large direct placement on expansion cards).

many uninterruptible power supply units have de-9f connector on them in order signal attached computer via rs-232 interface. these not send data serially computer instead use handshaking control lines indicate low battery, power failure, or other conditions. such usage not standardized between manufacturers , may require special cables.

network ports

de9 connectors used token ring networks other computer networks.

the attachment unit interfaces used 10base5 thick net in 1980s , 1990s used da15 connectors connectivity between medium attachment units , (ethernet) network interface cards, albeit sliding latch lock connectors instead of usual hex studs threaded holes. sliding latch intended quicker engage , disengage , work in places jackscrews not used reasons of component shape.

de-9 connectors commonly used in can: female connectors on bus while male connectors on devices.

computer video output

female de-15 connector (socket), used vga, svga , xga ports

a female 9-pin connector on ibm compatible personal computer may video display output such mda, hercules, cga, or ega (rarely vga or others). though these use same de9 connector, displays cannot interchanged , monitors or video interfaces may damaged if connected incompatible device using same connector.

later analog video (vga , later) adapters replaced these connectors de15 high-density sockets (though vga devices still used de9 connectors). de15 connectors similar de9 connectors (see above).

many apple macintosh models, beginning macintosh ii, used da15 sockets analogue rgb video out. earlier apple iigs used same connector same purpose, incompatible pinout. digital (and incompatible) rgb adapter apple iie used da15f. apple iic used da15f auxiliary video port not rgb, provided necessary signals derive rgb.

game controller ports

the de9 connector used on variety of home consoles , computers.

starting in late 1970s atari 2600 game console used modified de9 connectors (male on system, female on controller) game controller connectors. atari joystick ports had bodies entirely of molded plastic without metal shield, , omitted pair of fastening screws. in years following, various video game consoles , home computers adopted same connector own game ports, though not interoperable. common wiring supported 5 digital connections (for up, down, left, , right movement, , 1 fire button), plus 1 pair of analog 100 kΩ potentiometers or paddles. computers supported additional buttons, , on computers additional devices, such computer mouse, light pen, or graphics tablet supported via game port. unlike basic one-button digital joysticks , basic paddles, such devices not typically interchangeable between different systems.

systems utilizing de9 connector game port included texas instruments ti-99/4a; atari 8-bit , st lines; commodore vic-20, 64, 128, , amiga; amstrad cpc (which employed daisy-chaining when connecting 2 amstrad-specific joysticks); msx, x68000, , fm towns, predominantly used in japan; colecovision; sega platforms (e.g. sg-1000, master system , mega drive/genesis); , 3do interactive multiplayer. zx spectrum lacked built-in joystick connector of kind aftermarket interfaces provided ability connect de9 joysticks. nec s home computers (e.g. pc-88, pc-98) used de9 connectors game controllers, depending on sound card used.

many apple ii computers used de9 connectors joysticks, had female port on computer , male on controller, used analog rather digital sticks, , pin-out unlike used on aforementioned systems. de9 connectors not used game ports on apple macintosh, apple iii, ibm pc systems, or game consoles outside aforementioned examples. sega switched proprietary controller ports saturn , dreamcast.

da15s connectors used pc joystick connectors, each da15 connector supports 2 joysticks each 2 analog axes , 2 buttons. in other words, 1 da15s game adapter connector has 4 analog potentiometer inputs , 4 digital switch inputs. interface strictly input-only, though provide +5 v dc power. joysticks more 2 axes or more 2 buttons use signals designated both joysticks. conversely, y-adapter cables available allow 2 separate joysticks connected single da15 game adapter port; if joystick connected 1 of these y-adapters has more 2 axes or buttons, first 2 of each work.

the ibm da15 pc game connector has been modified add (usually mpu-401 compatible) midi interface, , implemented in game connectors on third-party sound cards, example sound blaster line creative labs. standard straight game adapter connector (introduced ibm) has 3 ground pins , 4 +5 v power pins, , midi adaptation replaces 1 of grounds , 1 of +5 v pins, both on bottom row of pins, midi in , midi out signal pins. (there no midi thru provided.) creative labs introduced adaptation.

the neo geo aes game console used da15 connector, pins wired differently , therefore not compatible regular da15 pc game controllers.

other

25-pin sockets on macintosh computers typically single-ended scsi connectors, combining signal returns 1 contact (again in contrast centronics c50 connector typically found on peripheral, supplying separate return contact each signal), while older sun hardware uses dd50 connectors fast-scsi equipment. scsi variants ultra2 onwards used differential signalling, macintosh db25 scsi interface became obsolete.

the complete range of d-sub connectors includes da15s (one row of 7 , 1 of 8), dc37s (one row of 18 , 1 of 19), , dd50s (two rows of 17 , 1 of 16); these used in industrial products, 15-way version being commonly used on rotary , linear encoders.

the macintosh , late apple ii computers used obscure 19-pin d-sub connecting external floppy disk drives. atari used connector on 16-bit computer range attaching hard disk drives , atari laser printer, known acsi (atari computer system interface), or, less commonly, dma bus. commodore amiga used equally unusual 23-pin version both video output , connection external floppy disk drive.

tascam used db25 connectors multi-track recording audio equipment (tdif), , logitek audio later did same broadcast consoles, though different pinouts. roland used db25 connectors multi-track recording audio equipment (r-bus). few patch panels have been made have db25 connectors on phone jacks (or trs phone connectors) on front, these wired tascam, more common outside of broadcasting.

in broadcast , professional video, parallel digital digital video interface uses db25 connectors, per smpte 274m specification adopted in late 1990s. more common smpte 259m serial digital interface (sdi) uses bnc connectors digital video signal transfer.

d-sub 37 connectors commonly used in hospital facilities interface between hospital beds , nurse call systems, allowing connection , signaling of nurse call, bed exit, , cord out including tv entertainment , lighting controls.