centronics parallel interface
The Centronics interface is a plug-in connection for 8-bitparallel transmission between different devices, usually for connecting a printer. In addition to the eight lines for the data, control signals are also transmitted via the Centronics.
The Centronics interface is available as a 36- pin interface (C36) and in a 25-pin version, which is used on the computer side. The 36-pin Centronics connector has a double-sided contact strip and a clamping bracket, the 25-pin version has pin contacts. The logical levels for logical "1" are 2.45 V, for logical "0" 0.8 V.
The classic Centronics interface can only transmit signals unidirectionally from the computer to the printer. In this mode, the Standard Parallel Port( SPP), no status messages can be transmitted from the printer to the computer. The Centronics interface was replaced in 1994 by IEEE 1284, which is incompatible with Centronics.