# B&K 2318: reconstructing a thermal printer's serial interface

> B&K 2318 documents measured behavior of a vintage thermal printer's ZI 0054 serial interface, including XON/XOFF flow control, text commands, character sets, and graphics. An ESP32-C6 and SP3232 adapter connects a modern computer to the unmodified printer; the repository includes firmware, a Python client, probe scripts, and logs.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Protocol
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-06
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-08
- Original resource: <https://github.com/saschapo/bk2318-esp32>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/saschapo/bk2318-esp32/blob/70756cf8480d5cb4750a5b75ea27aae7030c7e81/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/bk2318-esp32-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/bk2318-esp32-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/bk2318-esp32-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** The adapter build uses an ESP32-C6, SP3232 or MAX3232, and the documented B&K-SI wiring.
- **Scope:** Measurements are from one B&K 2318 printer with a ZI 0054 module and PROM VP1915.
- **Limits:** Only battery power is advised for the printer in the documented setup.
- **License:** CC0 1.0 license.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/saschapo/bk2318-esp32/blob/70756cf8480d5cb4750a5b75ea27aae7030c7e81/README.md>
2. <https://github.com/saschapo/bk2318-esp32/blob/70756cf8480d5cb4750a5b75ea27aae7030c7e81/docs/protocol.md>

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## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.