RS-232 Standard

RS-232 (Recommended Standard) is most commonly used to respectively connect DTE (data terminal equipment) and DCE (data communications equipment). An example would be connecting a computer to a modem. Revisions to the RS-233 protocol have included EIA-232 (Electronic Industries Alliance), and more recently, EIA/TIA-232 (Telecommunications Industry Association). Both of these organizations have taken on the protocol along with the task of making improvements. While RS-232 is sponsored by numerous organizations in the U.S., it’s most current variant is compatible with a standard called ITU v.24 (International Telecommunication Union version 24). Compliance with international protocol helps manufacturers to develop products that are more suitable on a global scale. ITU is an organization under the United Nations. While the version 24 communication standards are merely considered to be recommendations, the organization has streamlined the process of creating new standards, making it easier for RS-232 to join in compliance.