Centronicsliitäntä

Centronicsliitäntä, often referred to as the Centronics port, is a 36-pin parallel interface standard primarily used for connecting printers to computers. Developed by Centronics Data Computer Corporation in the 1970s, it became the de facto standard for printer connectivity for many years.

The interface uses a parallel transmission method, meaning that multiple bits of data are sent simultaneously over separate wires. This offered a speed advantage over older serial interfaces. The Centronics connector is a D-subminiature connector with 36 pins, though not all pins are always utilized. Common uses included data lines, control signals, and ground connections.

While widely adopted, the Centronics interface had limitations. It was relatively bulky and susceptible to signal degradation over longer cable lengths. Furthermore, it was largely a one-way communication, primarily designed for sending data from the computer to the printer, with limited capability for printer status feedback.

With the advent of USB (Universal Serial Bus) and network printing technologies, the Centronics interface has largely been superseded. Modern computers rarely feature Centronics ports, and most new printers utilize USB or wireless connectivity. However, it remains a significant part of computing history, representing a crucial step in the evolution of peripheral connectivity.