Input/Output connections are via a 37-pin D connector on the card mounting bracket. The standard configuration also includes 18-inch long (457 mm) breakout cables for two and four port connections.

EIA 485 models support half-duplex communications with a two-wire cable connection. Also, in EIA 485 communications under Windows programs, the driver must be enabled and disabled as needed to allow multiple communication ports to share the same two-wire cable. The PCI-ICM485/4 card controls the driver automatically. Under this automatic control, the driver is enabled when data are ready to be transmitted and then, when transmission is complete, the driver remains enabled for one additional character's transmission time and then is disabled. Correspondingly, the receiver is always enabled except during transmission time and then re-enabled when transmission is complete.

A transmission line should be terminated in its characteristic impedance at the receiving end. Jumpers are provided for each port to select termination impedances on the lines.

When the card is first installed, Windows 95/98/NT will detect it as new hardware and assign it an IRQ number and base address. There are no switches to set or base addresses to assign, making it easy to use. From this point on, the card behaves as standard COM ports starting at COM 5. You cannot set or change the card’s base address, you can only determine what the system has assigned. The PCI Bus supports 64K of I/O address space so your card's address may be located anywhere in the 0000 to FFFF range.

• Universal PCI, PCI-X, 3.3V and 5V compatible
• Optically isolated, asynchronous serial communications
• Choice of EIA 422 or EIA 485 models
• Type 16550 buffered UARTs protect against data loss in multitasking systems
• Baud rates up to 460,800 baud
• Usable at cable lengths up to 4000 feet
• Detected as standard COM ports under Windows 95/98/NT
• No base address or IRQ switches to set

Communications Interface

• I/O Connection: 37-pin DBM connector
• Serial Ports: An external breakout cable that terminates in a female, 9-pin Sub-D connector for each port
• Character length: 5, 6, 7, or 8 bits.
• Parity: Even, odd or none.
• Stop Interval: 1, 1.5, or 2 bits.
• Serial Data Rates: Up to 115,200 baud, Asynchronous. A faster range of rates, up to 460,800 baud, is achieved by jumper selection on the card. Type 16550 buffered UART is used to assure against data loss in multitasking systems.
• Address: Each port individually mappable anywhere within the 0000 to FFFF (hex) range of the PCI bus
• Receiver Sensitivity: ±200 mV, differential input
• Common Mode Voltage Rejection: Opto-isolation provides 60 volts isolation signal-to-ground and signal-to-signal
• Transmitter Output Drive Capability: 60 mA, with thermal shutdown.
• Isolation: 60 VDC

Environmental

• Operating Temperature Range: 0^o to +60^o C
• Humidity: 5% to 95%, non-condensing.
• Storage Temperature Range: -50^o to +120^o C
• Power Required (four-port cards): +5VDC at 125 mA typical, -12VDC at 5 mA typical, +12VDC at 5 mA typical, 750 mW total power consumption.
• Size: 12.3" long (312 mm)