1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCIe 8-Port Isolated RS422/485 Solution
Model: A2008I
Series: A320 Intelligent Multiport PCIe Series
Article Number: A2008I
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 A2008I is an industrial-grade PCI Express (PCIe) intelligent serial communication card designed to provide eight isolated RS422/RS485 ports. It belongs to the A320 intelligent multiport card family and is engineered for high-performance, multi-user, and industrial automation systems requiring reliable, isolated serial communication. The card integrates advanced UART controllers, supports multiple operating systems, and can be expanded to support up to 64 serial ports per system.

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2. Key Features

- High-Density Serial Expansion: Supports up to 64 serial ports in a single PCIe slot using expansion connector boxes (NF/IF series).
- Isolation Protection: Each port is galvanically isolated to prevent ground loops and electrical interference, ensuring stable communication in industrial environments.
- Flexible Interface Configuration: Supports RS422 and RS485 modes selectable via DIP switches on the connector boxes.
- Intelligent Processor Architecture: Built-in intelligent processor for efficient data handling and reduced CPU load.
- Single IRQ Resource: Only one IRQ is required for up to 64 ports, optimizing system resource allocation.
- Wide OS Compatibility: Supports DOS, Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, and SCO OpenServer.
- High-Speed Communication: Configurable baud rates from 110 bps to 115,200 bps per port.
- Flow Control Options: Supports both software (XON/XOFF) and hardware (RTS/CTS) handshaking.
- Industrial Reliability: Designed for continuous operation in 5°C–40°C environments with 10–90% relative humidity.
- Compact PCIe Form Factor: Fits standard PCIe slots with 3.3V and 5V signaling support.
- Expandable Architecture: Daisy-chain up to eight connector boxes to achieve 64-port configurations.
- Comprehensive Driver Support: Includes drivers and installation utilities for multiple OS platforms, including source-level Linux drivers for kernel integration.

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3. Technical Specifications

Card Dimensions: 122 mm × 86 mm (approx. 10.0 × 9.5 cm)
Weight: Approx. 150 g (card only)
Connector Type: DB37 male connector on card; DB9 male connectors on external boxes
Cable: A640 0.7 m cable included
Bus Interface: PCI Express (PCIe) 3.3V, 5V compatible, 33 MHz
Maximum Cards per System: 2
Memory Mapping:
- 128 bytes for PCI controller
- Two 4 KB blocks for UART controller
I/O Mapping:
- 128 bytes I/O for PCI controller
- 256 bytes I/O for UART controller
- 64 bytes I/O for status register
IRQ Assignment: One free IRQ assigned by PCI BIOS
Baud Rate Range: 110–115,200 bps (configurable per port)
Flow Control: XON/XOFF (software), RTS/CTS (hardware)
Operating Temperature: 5°C to 40°C
Storage Temperature: 0°C to 65°C
Operating Humidity: 10%–90% RH
Storage Humidity: 5%–90% RH
Material: Industrial-grade PCB with EMI shielding and isolation components
Power Requirements: 3.3V/5V PCIe slot power
Isolation Voltage: Ground isolation per port (IF series boxes)

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4. Functionality

The A2008I functions as an intelligent multiport serial communication controller for industrial and commercial systems. It connects to external interface boxes (IF208 or IF308) via the A640 cable, providing eight isolated RS422/RS485 ports. Each port can be configured individually for RS422 or RS485 operation using DIP switches on the connector box.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial automation and control systems
- SCADA and data acquisition networks
- Multi-terminal serial communication servers
- Embedded systems requiring multiple isolated serial channels
- POS, kiosk, and instrumentation systems
- Remote device management and monitoring

Compatibility:
- Compatible with NF116/NF216/NF316 (non-isolated) and IF108/IF208/IF308 (isolated) connector boxes.
- Supports both RS232 and RS422/RS485 communication standards depending on the box used.
- Works with standard PCIe slots on x86-based PCs and industrial computers.

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5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- A2008I PCIe card
- A640 0.7 m DB37-to-DB9 cable
- Driver and utility software package
- Documentation and installation guide

Optional Accessories:
- IF208 Connector Box: 8-port ground-isolated RS422/RS485 interface, DIP switch configurable.
- IF308 Connector Box: 8-port ground-isolated RS232/RS422/RS485 interface, DIP switch configurable.
- NF216 Connector Box: 16-port RS422/RS485 interface (non-isolated).
- NF316 Connector Box: 16-port RS232/RS422/RS485 interface (non-isolated).
- Mounting Brackets: For daisy-chained box installations (up to 8 boxes).
- Additional A640 Cables: For multi-box configurations.

Connector Box Specifications (IF208 Example):
- Built-in FIFO type 16C554 UART controller
- 8 ports per box
- DB9 male connectors
- RS422/RS485 selectable via DIP switch
- Ground isolation per port
- 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 compatible system with available PCIe slot
- Supported OS (Windows, Linux, or SCO UNIX)
- Administrative privileges for driver installation

Installation Steps:
1. Power off the system and insert the A2008I card into an available PCIe slot.
2. Connect the A640 cable from the card’s DB37 connector to the IF208 or IF308 box.
3. Configure DIP switches on the connector box for RS422 or RS485 mode as required.
4. Power on the system and install the appropriate driver:
- Windows: Use Plug & Play installation or specify driver path (e.g., A:\WIN2000).
- Linux: Extract and compile source driver using provided installation script.
- SCO UNIX: Use `/etc/custom` or `tar` installation method to integrate driver into kernel.
5. Verify installation via device manager (Windows) or `dmesg` output (Linux).
6. Confirm port operation using included utilities (`etty` for data test, `om` for monitoring).

Mounting Options:
- Single-box or multi-box daisy-chain configuration (up to 8 boxes).
- Bracket kits available for secure rack or panel mounting.

Configuration:
- Each port’s interface type and termination can be set via DIP switches.
- COM port numbering can be adjusted through driver setup utilities.
- Linux device naming convention: `/dev/tty6[1–8][a–h]` for first card, `/dev/tty7[1–8][a–h]` for second card.

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7. Performance & Capabilities

- Port Capacity: 8 ports per IF208 box; expandable to 64 ports per card.
- System Capacity: Up to 2 cards per system (128 ports maximum).
- Baud Rate: 110–115,200 bps (supports 50, 75, 150, 200 bps mapping for UNIX compatibility).
- Data Handling: FIFO buffering via 16C554 UART controllers ensures low latency and high throughput.
- Flow Control: Supports both hardware (RTS/CTS) and software (XON/XOFF) flow control.
- Isolation: Each port is galvanically isolated to prevent ground potential differences.
- Efficiency: Intelligent processor offloads serial communication tasks from the host CPU.
- Latency: Optimized for low interrupt overhead with single IRQ for all ports.
- Reliability: Designed for 24/7 operation in industrial environments.
- Limitations: Maximum of two cards per system; total port count limited to 128.

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8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Interface: PCI Express 3.3V/5V, 33 MHz compliant
- Serial Standards: RS422, RS485 (EIA/TIA compliant)
- Isolation: Ground isolation per port (IF series)
- EMC Compliance: Designed for industrial EMI/EMC environments
- Operating System Drivers:
- Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7
- Linux (RedHat, Slackware, kernel 2.2–2.6 and later)
- SCO OpenServer 5.0.x
- DOS (I/O map mode only)
- Regulatory Compliance: CE and FCC Class A (industrial)
- Environmental Compliance: RoHS compliant materials

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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 from 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.
- Customers must provide model number, serial number, and failure description when requesting RMA.

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Ensure proper grounding and shielding in installation.
- Avoid hot-swapping connector boxes while powered.
- Periodically inspect cables and connectors for wear.

Software Utilities:
- etty: Serial port data transmission test utility.
- om: Real-time port monitoring tool (supports up to 16 ports per screen).
- setup: COM port configuration utility for Windows systems.

Driver Updates:
- Windows drivers provided for all major versions up to Windows 7.
- Linux source drivers allow recompilation for new kernel versions.
- SCO UNIX drivers integrated via kernel rebuild process.

Expansion Options:
- Compatible with other Rayon intelligent cards such as P640NU, P990F (Intel 80960JF processor), and IOP3927F (133 MHz MIPS processor).
- Supports daisy-chaining of up to eight IF208/IF308 boxes for large-scale serial networks.

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Summary

The Rayon A2008I PCIe 8-Port Isolated RS422/485 Solution is a robust, scalable, and intelligent serial communication platform designed for industrial and enterprise environments requiring multiple isolated serial interfaces. Its modular architecture, intelligent processor design, and comprehensive OS support make it ideal for automation, data acquisition, and multi-terminal communication systems. With support for up to 64 ports per card, galvanic isolation, and flexible configuration options, the A2008I delivers high reliability, efficient resource utilization, and long-term operational stability in demanding applications.