1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCIe 4-Port RS232/RS422/RS485 Card (Mixed Settable)
Model: A114
Series: APCIe Advanced PCIe Serial Communication Card Series
Article Number: A114
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
Websites: [www.rayontech.com](http://www.rayontech.com), [www.computex.com.tw/rayon](http://www.computex.com.tw/rayon)

The RAYON A114 PCIe 4-Port RS232/RS422/RS485 Card is a high-performance, multi-interface serial communication adapter designed for industrial and embedded PC systems requiring flexible serial connectivity. It provides four independent serial ports, each individually configurable as RS232, RS422, or RS485 via onboard DIP switches. The card is based on the Moschip MCS9904 controller and supports data rates from 50 to 115,200 bps, making it suitable for a wide range of industrial control, automation, and communication applications.

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2. Key Features

- Four Independent Serial Ports: Each port can be configured independently for RS232, RS422, or RS485 operation.
- Selectable Interface via DIP Switch: Hardware DIP switches allow per-port configuration without software intervention.
- High Compatibility: Fully compatible with PCI Express (PCIe) bus architecture; plug-and-play installation.
- ADDC (Auto Data Direction Control): Built-in ADDC feature for RS485 mode ensures automatic data direction management, eliminating the need for manual RTS control.
- Industrial-Grade Design: Designed for industrial control environments with robust signal integrity and wide environmental tolerance.
- Multi-OS Support: Compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Linux operating systems.
- Plug & Play Resource Allocation: I/O mapping, memory mapping, and IRQ assignments are automatically managed by the PCI BIOS.
- DB37 Connector Interface: The card uses a DB37 female connector, with included breakout cable to four DB9 male connectors.
- Flexible Cable Options: Supports optional DB37-to-DB25 (A400 cable) or DB37-to-DB9 (P485 cable) expansion cables.
- Compact Form Factor: Standard PCIe bracket with dimensions of 82 mm × 97 mm.
- High Reliability: 128-byte transmit and receive FIFO buffers per port reduce CPU load and prevent data loss.
- Flow Control Support: Supports both hardware (RTS/CTS) and software (Xon/Xoff) flow control.
- Industrial Temperature Range: Operates from 0°C to 55°C with humidity tolerance up to 95% RH.

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3. Technical Specifications

Controller Chip: Moschip MCS9904 (PCIe to Multi-Serial Controller)
Bus Interface: PCI Express (PCIe) x1 slot compatible
Number of Ports: 4 independent serial ports
Interface Standards: RS232 / RS422 / RS485 selectable per port
Baud Rate: 50 bps to 115,200 bps (software programmable)
FIFO Buffer: 128 bytes transmit and receive per port
Flow Control: Xon/Xoff (software) and RTS/CTS (hardware)
Connector Type: DB37 female on card
Expansion Cable:
- P485 cable: DB37 male to four DB9 male connectors
- A400 cable: DB37 male to four DB25 male connectors

Dimensions: 82 mm (W) × 97 mm (L)
Bracket Type: Standard PCIe bracket
Weight: Approx. 100 g (card only)

Environmental Conditions:
- Operating Temperature: 0°C to 55°C
- Storage Temperature: 0°C to 65°C
- Operating Humidity: 10% to 95% RH (non-condensing)
- Storage Humidity: 5% to 95% RH

Electrical Characteristics:
- Signal Levels:
- RS232: ±12V typical
- RS422/RS485: Differential signaling, 5V logic
- Isolation: Non-isolated (for isolated models, see A124I or A134I)

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4. Functionality

The A114 card provides four serial communication channels that can be individually configured for RS232, RS422, or RS485 operation. Configuration is achieved through two sets of DIP switches:

- SW1: Selects between RS232 and RS422/RS485 modes for each port (A–D).
- SW2: Selects between RS422 and RS485 modes when SW1 is set to RS422/RS485.

RS232 Mode:
Standard asynchronous serial communication supporting full-duplex operation with RTS/CTS handshaking. Suitable for connecting modems, terminals, and legacy serial devices.

RS422 Mode:
Differential signaling for long-distance, full-duplex communication. Ideal for point-to-point or multi-drop applications requiring noise immunity.

RS485 Mode:
Half-duplex differential signaling with automatic data direction control (ADDC). Suitable for multi-drop bus networks and industrial automation systems.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial automation and process control
- Data acquisition systems
- Serial device networking and communication hubs
- Embedded systems requiring multiple serial interfaces
- SCADA and PLC communication
- POS and kiosk systems
- Laboratory instrumentation

Compatibility:
- Fully compatible with PCI Express x1, x4, x8, and x16 slots.
- Supported operating systems: Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7, Linux (kernel 2.6.x and later).

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5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- A114 PCIe 4-Port Serial Card
- DB37 male to 4 × DB9 male connector cable (P485)
- User manual and driver CD

Optional Accessories:
- A400 cable: DB37 male to 4 × DB25 male connectors
- RS4232-4 or RS4232-8 isolated converter boxes for galvanic isolation
- TB485 terminal block adapter for RS485 wiring
- RS232/RS422/RS485 loopback test connectors

Connectors and Pinouts:
- DB37 female connector on card (see Appendix A-2 for pin assignments)
- DB9 male connectors on breakout cable (see Appendix A-4 for pin definitions)
- DB25 male connectors (optional cable, see Appendix A-3)

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6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- Available PCI Express slot (x1 or higher)
- Supported OS (Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7 or Linux)
- Administrator privileges for driver installation

Installation Procedure:
1. Power off the host system.
2. Insert the A114 card into an available PCIe slot.
3. Connect the DB37 expansion cable to the card.
4. Attach the DB9 or DB25 connectors to external serial devices.
5. Power on the system.
6. Install the appropriate driver from the provided CD or download from RAYON’s website.

Driver Installation:
- Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7:
The system’s Plug & Play function detects the card automatically. When prompted, specify the driver path (e.g., `D:\PCIe_Card\APCIe\WIN32\StnMf.inf`).
The driver installs two components:
- “PCIe to Multifunction Peripheral Controller” (card driver)
- “PCIe to High Speed Serial Port” (COM port driver)

- Linux:
1. Log in as root.
2. Copy driver package to `/etc/rayone`.
3. Run installation script (`./Install.redhat`).
4. Select card type (APCIe/MPe9900) and kernel version.
5. Rebuild and reboot the system.
Device nodes will appear as `/dev/tty2[1-4][a-d]` for ports A–D.

Mounting Options:
- Standard PCIe bracket for desktop or industrial PC chassis.
- Compatible with rackmount and embedded systems.

Configuration:
- DIP switches SW1 and SW2 for interface selection.
- Software configuration for baud rate, parity, stop bits, and flow control.

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7. Performance & Capabilities

Data Rate: 50 to 115,200 bps (software programmable)
Buffering: 128-byte transmit and receive FIFO per port
Interrupt Handling: Shared or independent IRQs assigned by PCI BIOS
I/O and Memory Mapping: Automatically assigned by PCI BIOS
Latency Reduction: Hardware buffering minimizes CPU interrupts, improving system throughput.
Transmission Modes:
- RS232: Full-duplex
- RS422: Full-duplex differential
- RS485: Half-duplex with ADDC

Efficiency:
The MCS9904 controller reduces CPU load by buffering data and managing interrupts efficiently. This ensures stable communication even under high system load.

Limitations:
- Non-isolated design (for isolated applications, use A124I or A134I).
- Maximum baud rate limited to 115.2 kbps (higher rates available on other models).
- RS485 mode supports half-duplex only.

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8. Standards & Compliance

Bus Standard: PCI Express Base Specification Revision 1.1 compliant
Serial Standards:
- RS232 (EIA/TIA-232-F)
- RS422 (EIA/TIA-422-B)
- RS485 (EIA/TIA-485-A)

Electrical Compliance:
- CE and FCC Class A (industrial environment)
- RoHS compliant materials

Software Drivers:
- Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Linux kernel 2.6.x and later
- Plug & Play and IRQ sharing supported

Industry Standards:
- Compatible with PC/AT architecture
- Supports standard COM port emulation

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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 through RAYON’s website.
- RMA (Return Material Authorization) required for repairs.

Repair Procedure:
- Contact RAYON for RMA number before returning products.
- Provide model number, serial number, and failure description.
- Warranty repairs are free of charge; out-of-warranty repairs incur a flat-rate fee.

Related Models in APCIe Series:
- A102: 2-port RS232
- A132: 2-port RS422/RS485
- A112: 2-port RS232/RS422/RS485
- A104: 4-port RS232
- A134: 4-port RS422/RS485
- A134I: 4-port isolated RS422/RS485
- A124I: 2-port RS232 + 2-port isolated RS422/RS485
- A168: 8-port RS232
- A138: 8-port RS422/RS485
- A118: 8-port RS232/RS422/RS485

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Avoid inserting or removing the card while the system is powered on.
- Ensure proper grounding and shielding in industrial environments.
- Periodically check cable connections and DIP switch settings.

Software Utilities:
- “RAYMON.EXE” terminal emulator for Windows for testing COM ports.
- Linux utilities for verifying device nodes and communication.

Driver Updates:
- Windows and Linux drivers are periodically updated to support new OS versions.
- Latest drivers available from RAYON’s official website.

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Summary

The RAYON A114 PCIe 4-Port RS232/RS422/RS485 Card is a versatile, industrial-grade communication interface designed for systems requiring multiple serial connections with flexible configuration. Each of its four ports can independently operate as RS232, RS422, or RS485, selectable via DIP switches. With robust hardware design, automatic resource allocation, and broad OS compatibility, the A114 provides reliable performance for industrial automation, data acquisition, and embedded communication applications.

Its use of the Moschip MCS9904 controller ensures efficient data handling with minimal CPU overhead, while the plug-and-play PCIe interface simplifies installation. The card’s modular cable system and optional accessories make it adaptable to various connection standards and environments.

Backed by RAYON’s one-year warranty and comprehensive technical support, the A114 stands as a dependable solution for engineers and system integrators seeking a flexible, high-quality multi-serial PCIe interface.