1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCIe 48-Port RS232 Solution
Model: A1048
Article Number: A1048
Series: A320 Intelligent Multiport PCIe Series
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 A1048 PCIe 48-Port RS232 Solution is a high-density, intelligent serial communication interface designed for industrial and enterprise systems requiring large-scale serial connectivity. Built on the A320 intelligent multiport architecture, it supports up to 64 serial ports per PCIe slot and is optimized for performance, scalability, and compatibility across multiple operating systems.

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2. Key Features

- High Port Density: Supports up to 64 RS232 serial ports per PCIe slot, with the A1048 configuration providing 48 active ports.
- Intelligent Processor Architecture: Integrated intelligent processor for efficient data handling and reduced CPU load.
- Flexible Expansion: Modular design allows expansion from 8 to 64 ports within seconds using compatible connector boxes (NF116/NF216/NF316 or IF108/IF208/IF308).
- Single IRQ Operation: All ports share a single IRQ assigned by the PCI BIOS, minimizing system resource usage.
- Broad OS Compatibility: Supports DOS, Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, and SCO OpenServer.
- Multiple Interface Options: RS232, RS422, and RS485 interfaces selectable via DIP switches on connector boxes.
- Ground Isolation: IF-series connector boxes provide galvanic isolation for industrial environments.
- High-Speed Communication: Configurable baud rates from 110 to 115,200 bps per port.
- Comprehensive Flow Control: Supports both software (XON/XOFF) and hardware (RTS/CTS) handshaking.
- Compact PCIe Form Factor: Designed for 3.3V and 5V 33MHz PCIe slots, ensuring compatibility with modern and legacy systems.
- Industrial Reliability: Operating temperature range from 5°C to 40°C and humidity tolerance up to 90% RH.

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3. Technical Specifications

Card Specifications (A320 Base):
- Bus Interface: PCI Express (PCIe) 3.3V / 5V, 33MHz
- Memory Map Model:
- 128 Bytes for PCI controller
- Two 4KB blocks for UART controller
- I/O Map Model:
- 128 Bytes I/O for PCI controller
- 256 Bytes I/O for UART controller
- 64 Bytes I/O for status register
- IRQ: One free IRQ assigned by PCI BIOS
- Dimensions: 122 mm × 86 mm (approx. 10.0 × 9.5 cm)
- Weight: Approx. 120 g (card only)
- Material: Multi-layer PCB with gold-plated edge connector
- Connector: DB37 male connector (to A640 cable)
- Included Cable: A640 0.7 m cable

Environmental Conditions:
- Operating Temperature: 5°C to 40°C
- Operating Humidity: 10% to 90% RH
- Storage Temperature: 0°C to 65°C
- Storage Humidity: 5% to 90% RH

Electrical Requirements:
- PCIe slot power: 3.3V and 5V
- Maximum 2 cards per system

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4. Functionality

The A1048 PCIe 48-Port RS232 Solution functions as a high-performance serial communication controller for multi-user or multi-device environments. It integrates an intelligent processor that manages data flow between the host CPU and external serial interfaces, significantly reducing CPU overhead.

Operation Principle:
- The A320 card acts as the central controller, interfacing with external connector boxes via the A640 cable.
- Each connector box (NF or IF series) provides 8 or 16 serial ports, depending on model.
- The system can be configured for RS232, RS422, or RS485 communication modes.
- All ports are managed under a unified driver, using a single IRQ and memory/I/O mapping.

Use Cases:
- Industrial automation and control systems
- Data acquisition and instrumentation
- Multi-terminal server environments
- POS and kiosk networks
- Communication gateways and serial device servers

Compatibility:
- Fully compatible with PCIe slots on PC/AT and x86-based systems.
- Supported operating systems include:
- DOS, Windows 95/98/Me
- Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7
- Linux (RedHat, Slackware, kernel 2.2–2.6)
- SCO OpenServer

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5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- A1048 PCIe 48-Port RS232 Card (A320 architecture)
- A640 0.7 m connection cable
- Driver and utility software package (Windows/Linux/SCO)
- Documentation and installation guide

Compatible Connector Boxes:
- NF116: 16-port RS232C compatible box (DB9 male connectors)
- NF216: 16-port RS422/RS485 selectable box (DB9 male connectors)
- NF316: 16-port RS232/RS422/RS485 selectable box (DB9 male connectors)
- IF108: 8-port Ground Isolated RS232C box (DB9 male connectors)
- IF208: 8-port Ground Isolated RS422/RS485 selectable box (DB9 male connectors)
- IF308: 8-port Ground Isolated RS232/RS422/RS485 selectable box (DB9 male connectors)

Optional Accessories:
- P640NU PCI card (compatible with same connector boxes)
- P990F card (with Intel 80960JF local processor)
- IOP3927F card (with 133MHz MIPS processor)
- Daisy-chain brackets for multi-box mounting
- Extended A640 cables for multi-box configurations

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6. Installation & Setup

Hardware Installation:
1. Power off the host system and disconnect AC power.
2. Insert the A1048 card into an available PCIe slot (3.3V or 5V).
3. Connect the A640 cable from the card’s DB37 connector to the first connector box.
4. Daisy-chain additional boxes (up to 8 total) using 37-pin D-type connectors.
5. Secure boxes using provided brackets for multi-box configurations.
6. Power on the system and verify BIOS detection of the PCIe device.

Software Installation:
- Windows:
- Plug-and-play detection under Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7.
- Specify driver path (e.g., A:\WIN2000).
- Configure COM port numbering via Device Manager → Multi-Port Serial Adapter → Setup.
- Linux:
- Install source-based driver from /etc/rayon directory.
- Compile against kernel source and rebuild runtime image.
- Device naming convention: /dev/tty[6–7][1–8][a–h].
- SCO UNIX:
- Install via /etc/custom or tar command.
- Rebuild kernel and reboot to activate new TTY devices.

Configuration:
- DIP switches on connector boxes select RS232/RS422/RS485 modes.
- Flow control and baud rate settings are software-configurable.
- Each port can be independently configured for communication parameters.

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7. Performance & Capabilities

- Maximum Ports per Card: 64 (48 active in A1048 configuration)
- Maximum Cards per System: 2 (up to 128 total ports)
- Baud Rate Range: 110 to 115,200 bps (supports 50, 75, 150, 200 bps mapping for UNIX compatibility)
- Flow Control:
- Software: XON/XOFF
- Hardware: RTS/CTS
- Data Integrity: FIFO-based UART controllers (16C554) ensure stable data buffering.
- Latency: Optimized through intelligent processor and dual-port memory mapping.
- Efficiency: Single IRQ and shared memory mapping minimize CPU overhead.
- Limitations:
- DOS and Windows 9x support I/O map mode only.
- Some legacy systems may limit I/O map size to 256 bytes.
- Windows XP/Vista supports up to 64 ports in memory map mode.

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8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Interface: PCI Express (PCIe) compliant
- Electrical Standards: RS232C, RS422, RS485 (EIA/TIA compliant)
- UART Controller: FIFO type 16C554
- Isolation: Ground isolation on IF-series boxes
- Regulatory Compliance:
- CE and FCC Class A (industrial environments)
- RoHS compliant materials
- Operating System Drivers: Certified for Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, SCO OpenServer
- Industry Standards:
- EIA/TIA-232-F
- EIA/TIA-422-B
- EIA/TIA-485-A

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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 via email (rayon@ms1.hinet.net).
- Firmware and driver updates available through Rayon’s website.
- RMA (Return Material Authorization) required for repairs.

Repair Policy:
- Warranty repairs free of charge for verified defects.
- Out-of-warranty repairs available at flat-rate service charge.
- Standard handling and testing fees apply for non-defective returns.

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Ensure proper grounding and shielding in industrial environments.
- Avoid hot-swapping connector boxes while system power is on.
- Periodically inspect cables and connectors for wear or damage.

Software Utilities:
- ETTY: Port testing utility for data transmission verification.
- OM: Real-time monitoring tool for serial port activity.
- SETUP: Windows utility for COM port configuration and mapping.

System Expansion:
- Supports daisy-chaining up to 8 connector boxes per card.
- Bracket kits available for secure multi-box mounting.
- Compatible with other Rayon intelligent cards (P640NU, IOP3927F).

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Summary

The Rayon A1048 PCIe 48-Port RS232 Solution is a robust, scalable, and intelligent serial communication platform engineered for high-density industrial and enterprise applications. Leveraging the A320 intelligent multiport architecture, it delivers up to 64 serial ports per PCIe slot with unified IRQ management, flexible interface selection, and broad OS compatibility. Its modular design, ground-isolated connector boxes, and comprehensive driver support make it ideal for demanding environments requiring reliable, high-speed serial connectivity.