RTS CTS Problem

Hi all ,

I am using GPIO lines of an AVR to control the RTS & CTS lines of the
RS232 interface. The level convertor that I am using is MAX3222.

Software wise when the AVR is configured as a DCE so the RTS line is
input and CTS is output , the software sets the GPIO going to the CTS
high as long as it has buffer space , when it is wants the DTE to stop
sending data it pull the GPIO low.

the problem is that when I set the CTS AVR GPIO high(1) the voltage
that I see the 9 way connector pin is -5v and when I set CTS AVR GPIO
to low(0) the voltage on the 9 way connector is 0v.

Is that the expected behavior? I think i am missing some fundamental
concept.

BR
rate
.