Comprehensive Product Summary – Rayon Technology A1016 PCIe 16-Port RS232 Solution

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: A1016 Advanced PCIe Serial Communication Card
Model: A1016
Series: A320 Intelligent Multiport Architecture
Article Number: A1016
Manufacturer: Rayon Technology Co., Ltd.
Manufacturer Address: 2F, No. 177, Chung Shan 2 Rd., Lu Chou City, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan
Contact: Tel: +886-2-82858362 | Fax: +886-2-82857065
Email: rayon@ms1.hinet.net / info@rayontech.com.tw
Website: [www.rayontech.com](http://www.rayontech.com)

The Rayon A1016 is a high-performance PCI Express (PCIe) serial communication card designed to provide 16 independent RS232 ports through a single PCIe slot. It is part of Rayon’s A320 intelligent multiport card family, which supports scalable configurations from 8 up to 64 serial ports per system. The A1016 integrates advanced UART controllers, efficient memory mapping, and broad OS driver support, making it ideal for industrial automation, data acquisition, and multi-terminal communication systems.

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### 2. Key Features

- 16 RS232 Serial Ports in One PCIe Slot: Provides 16 independent RS232 channels via a single PCIe interface, maximizing port density and minimizing slot usage.
- Single IRQ for All Ports: Efficient interrupt management reduces CPU overhead and simplifies system configuration.
- Intelligent Multiport Architecture: Based on the A320 intelligent card design, supporting expansion up to 64 ports using compatible connector boxes.
- Broad OS Compatibility: Supports DOS, Windows 95/98/Me, Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, and SCO OpenServer.
- Flexible System Resource Mapping: Supports both memory-mapped and I/O-mapped configurations for compatibility with various system architectures.
- High-Speed Communication: Each port supports baud rates from 110 to 115,200 bps, with UNIX-compatible rate mapping for 57,600, 76,800, and 115,200 bps.
- Hardware and Software Flow Control: Supports both RTS/CTS hardware handshake and XON/XOFF software flow control.
- Industrial-Grade Design: Operates reliably in environments from 5°C to 40°C and 10–90% relative humidity.
- Compact Form Factor: 10.0 × 9.5 cm PCB suitable for standard PCIe slots.
- Included Accessories: Bundled with NF116 RS232 connector box and A640 0.7 m cable.
- Expandable Architecture: Compatible with NF216, NF316, IF108, IF208, and IF308 connector boxes for RS422/RS485 or isolated configurations.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

Card Specifications:
- Bus Interface: PCI Express (PCIe)
- Voltage: 3.3V PCIe signaling
- Clock Frequency: 33 MHz
- Maximum Cards per System: 2
- Dimensions: 10.0 cm × 9.5 cm
- Weight: Approx. 120 g (card only)
- Material: Multi-layer PCB with gold-plated edge connector
- Connector Type: DB37 male connector (to external box via A640 cable)
- Included Cable: A640, 0.7 m length

Electrical & Environmental:
- Operating Temperature: 5°C to 40°C
- Storage Temperature: 0°C to 65°C
- Operating Humidity: 10%–90% RH (non-condensing)
- Storage Humidity: 5%–90% RH

Memory & I/O Mapping:
- Memory Map Model:
- 128 bytes for PCI controller
- Two 4 KB regions for UART controllers
- I/O Map Model:
- 128 bytes I/O for PCI controller
- 256 bytes I/O for UART controller
- 64 bytes I/O for status registers
- IRQ Assignment: One free IRQ assigned automatically by PCI BIOS

Performance:
- Baud Rate Range: 110–115,200 bps (configurable per port)
- Flow Control: RTS/CTS hardware, XON/XOFF software
- UART Type: FIFO 16C554 or equivalent
- Data Bits: 5, 6, 7, or 8 bits
- Stop Bits: 1 or 2
- Parity: None, Even, Odd, Mark, Space

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### 4. Functionality

The A1016 operates as an intelligent PCIe-based serial expansion card, providing 16 RS232 ports through the NF116 connector box. The card communicates with the host system via the PCIe bus, using either memory-mapped or I/O-mapped addressing. Each port is managed by a dedicated UART controller with FIFO buffering to ensure efficient data transfer and minimal CPU load.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial automation and control systems
- Multi-terminal communication servers
- POS and kiosk systems
- Data acquisition and instrumentation
- Serial device networking and monitoring
- SCADA and process control environments

Compatibility:
- Operating Systems: DOS, Windows 95/98/Me, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, Linux, SCO OpenServer
- Hardware: Standard PCIe slots on PC/AT or compatible systems
- Connector Boxes: NF116 (RS232), NF216 (RS422/RS485), NF316 (RS232/RS422/RS485), IF108/208/308 (isolated variants)

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- A1016 PCIe card (A320 architecture)
- NF116 RS232 connector box (16 ports)
- A640 0.7 m connection cable

Optional Accessories:
- NF216 Box: 16-port RS422/RS485 selectable interface
- NF316 Box: 16-port RS232/RS422/RS485 selectable interface
- IF108 Box: 8-port ground-isolated RS232 interface
- IF208 Box: 8-port ground-isolated RS422/RS485 interface
- IF308 Box: 8-port ground-isolated RS232/RS422/RS485 interface
- P640NU Card: PCI version compatible with same connector boxes
- P990F Card: Built-in Intel 80960JF local processor
- IOP3927F Card: Built-in 133 MHz MIPS local processor

Connector Box Specifications (NF116):
- Interface: RS232C compatible
- Controller: FIFO type 16C554 UART
- Connector Type: DB9 male (16 ports per box)
- Dimensions: 268 × 128 × 38 mm
- Operating Temperature: 5–40°C
- Humidity: 10–90% RH

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### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- PC/AT or compatible system with available PCIe slot
- Supported OS (Windows, Linux, or SCO)
- Administrative privileges for driver installation

Installation Steps (Windows):
1. Power off the system and insert the A1016 card into an available PCIe slot.
2. Connect the NF116 box using the A640 cable.
3. Power on the system; the OS will detect new hardware.
4. Install the appropriate driver from the provided media (e.g., A:\WIN2000 for Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7).
5. Configure COM port numbering via Device Manager → Multi-port Serial Adapter → Setup.
6. Reboot the system to finalize installation.

Installation Steps (Linux):
1. Copy driver files to `/etc/rayon` directory.
2. Run `./Install` script and select card type (A320/A1016).
3. Choose Linux distribution and kernel version.
4. Reboot system; verify installation using `dmesg` and LED indicators on NF116 box.

Installation Steps (SCO OpenServer):
1. Use `/etc/custom` or `tar` command to install driver package.
2. Rebuild kernel and reboot system.
3. Verify device creation under `/dev/tty6xx` or `/dev/tty7xx`.

Mounting Options:
- Standard PCIe slot mounting with bracket
- External NF116 box can be rack-mounted or daisy-chained with additional boxes

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

- Port Density: 16 RS232 ports per card
- System Expansion: Up to 2 cards per system (32 ports total)
- Baud Rate: 110–115,200 bps per port
- Data Throughput: Optimized via FIFO buffering and single IRQ handling
- Latency: Low interrupt latency due to intelligent controller design
- Efficiency: Minimal CPU utilization through hardware-managed data flow
- Scalability: Expandable to 64 ports using A320 architecture and multiple connector boxes
- Limitations:
- Maximum of 2 cards per system
- RS232-only interface on NF116 box (no RS422/RS485 without alternate box)
- Requires OS-specific drivers for full functionality

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Interface: PCI Express 3.3V, 33 MHz
- Serial Interface Standards:
- RS232C (EIA/TIA-232)
- Optional RS422/RS485 (EIA/TIA-422/485) via alternate boxes
- UART Compliance: 16C554 FIFO type
- Electrical Isolation (optional): Available with IF-series boxes
- Regulatory Compliance:
- CE and FCC Class A (industrial environments)
- RoHS compliant materials
- Software Standards:
- Compatible with POSIX serial communication APIs
- Supports standard COM port enumeration under Windows

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- One-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
- Excludes damage from misuse, unauthorized servicing, or electrical faults.

Support & Maintenance:
- Technical support available via email (rayon@ms1.hinet.net).
- Firmware and driver updates provided for supported OS versions.
- RMA (Return Material Authorization) required for repairs.

Repair Procedure:
- Contact Rayon Service Center with model number, serial number, and issue description.
- Obtain RMA number before returning product.
- Warranty repairs are free of charge; out-of-warranty repairs subject to flat-rate fees.

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Ensure proper grounding and shielding of cables.
- Avoid hot-swapping connector boxes while powered.
- Periodically check cable connections and port functionality.

Software Utilities:
- etty: Command-line tool for testing transmit/receive data on TTY ports.
- om: Monitoring utility for real-time data flow visualization (Linux/SCO).
- setup: Configuration utility for COM port numbering and baud rate settings.

Driver Availability:
- Windows 95/98/Me: I/O map model only
- Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7: Memory map model
- Linux: Source-based driver with kernel module support
- SCO OpenServer: Kernel-linked driver package

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### Summary

The Rayon A1016 PCIe 16-Port RS232 Solution is a robust, industrial-grade serial communication interface designed for high-density, multi-port applications. Built on the proven A320 intelligent multiport architecture, it combines efficient resource management, broad OS support, and flexible expansion capabilities. With its single-IRQ design, FIFO-based UART controllers, and compatibility with multiple connector boxes, the A1016 delivers reliable, high-speed serial connectivity for demanding industrial and enterprise environments.

Its modular design allows seamless scalability from 16 to 64 ports, while maintaining consistent performance and compatibility across operating systems. The inclusion of the NF116 RS232 connector box and A640 cable ensures immediate deployment, and optional accessories extend its versatility to RS422, RS485, and isolated communication environments.

Rayon’s comprehensive driver support, detailed installation utilities, and strong warranty service make the A1016 an ideal choice for system integrators, OEMs, and industrial automation professionals seeking a dependable multiport serial communication solution.