Comprehensive Product Summary – Rayon Technology A2024I PCIe 24-Port Isolated RS422/485 Solution

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCIe 24-Port Isolated RS422/485 Solution
Model: A2024I
Article Number: A2024I
Series: A320/A1032I 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
- Web: [www.rayontech.com](http://www.rayontech.com)

The A2024I is a high-density, industrial-grade PCI Express (PCIe) serial communication card designed to provide 24 isolated RS422/RS485 ports through modular connector boxes. It is part of Rayon’s intelligent multiport communication solutions, built for high-performance serial data transmission in industrial automation, data acquisition, and multi-user computing environments.

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### 2. Key Features

- High Port Density: Supports up to 24 isolated RS422/RS485 serial ports in a single PCIe slot using modular connector boxes.
- Intelligent Architecture: Based on the A320 intelligent multiport card platform with integrated processor and memory-mapped I/O for efficient data handling.
- Isolation Protection: Each port is ground-isolated, ensuring reliable operation in electrically noisy industrial environments.
- Flexible Interface Configuration: Each port can be configured individually for RS422 or RS485 operation via DIP switches.
- Single IRQ Resource: All ports share one IRQ, minimizing system resource usage.
- Wide OS Compatibility: Supports DOS, Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, and SCO OpenServer.
- Expandable System: Compatible with IF208 and IF308 connector boxes, allowing daisy-chaining up to 32 ports per card.
- High-Speed Communication: Each port supports baud rates from 110 to 115,200 bps with both hardware (RTS/CTS) and software (XON/XOFF) flow control.
- Industrial Reliability: Designed for continuous operation in 5–40°C environments with 10–90% relative humidity.
- Plug-and-Play PCIe Interface: Fully compliant with PCIe bus standards for easy installation and automatic resource assignment by BIOS.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

Card Specifications (A320 Base):
- Bus Interface: PCI Express (PCIe)
- Voltage: 3.3V and 5V compatible
- Clock Frequency: 33 MHz
- Maximum Cards per System: 2
- Memory Map Model:
- 128 Bytes for PCI controller
- Two 4 KB 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 × 86 mm (approx. 10.0 × 9.5 cm)
- Material: Industrial-grade PCB with EMI shielding
- Connector: DB37 male connector (to A640 cable)
- Included Cable: A640 0.7 m shielded cable

Connector Box (IF208 / IF308):
- Built-in Controller: FIFO type 16C554 UART chip
- Ports per Box: 8 ports
- Interface: Ground-isolated RS422/RS485 (IF208) or RS232/RS422/RS485 (IF308)
- Connector Type: DB9 male connectors
- Configuration: DIP switch selectable per port
- Baud Rate: 110–115,200 bps (supports 50, 75, 150 bps mapping for UNIX systems)
- Flow Control: XON/XOFF (software), RTS/CTS (hardware)
- Dimensions: 268 × 128 × 38 mm
- Operating Temperature: 5–40°C
- Storage Temperature: 0–65°C
- Operating Humidity: 10–90% RH
- Storage Humidity: 5–90% RH

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### 4. Functionality

The A2024I functions as an intelligent serial communication controller that offloads data handling from the host CPU. It uses a local processor and dual-port memory architecture to manage data flow between the system bus and external serial interfaces.

Operation Principle:
- The PCIe card communicates with external connector boxes via the A640 cable.
- Each connector box houses UART controllers and isolation circuitry.
- Ports can be configured for RS422 (point-to-point) or RS485 (multi-drop) communication.
- The system supports daisy-chaining of up to three IF208 boxes to achieve 24 ports.

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

Compatibility:
- Works with NF216, IF208, and IF308 connector boxes.
- Compatible with legacy Rayon cards such as P640NU, P990F, and IOP3927F.
- Supports both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- A2024I PCIe card (A320 architecture)
- A640 0.7 m DB37 cable
- One IF208 or IF308 connector box (8 ports each)

Optional Accessories:
- Additional IF208/IF308 boxes for expansion (up to 3 boxes for 24 ports)
- Mounting brackets for daisy-chained box installation
- Extended A640 cables for remote box placement
- P640NU PCI card (for legacy PCI systems)

Connectors:
- Card Side: DB37 male
- Box Side: DB9 male per port
- Signal Lines: TXD+, TXD–, RXD+, RXD–, GND (RS422/485 differential pairs)

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### 6. Installation & Setup

Hardware Installation:
1. Power off the PC and insert the A2024I card into an available PCIe slot.
2. Connect the A640 cable between the card’s DB37 connector and the first IF208/IF308 box.
3. Daisy-chain additional boxes if required (up to three total).
4. Secure boxes using the provided brackets for stable installation.
5. Power on the system; the PCI BIOS will automatically assign resources.

Software Installation:
- Windows 95/98/Me: Use I/O map mode driver.
- Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7: Use memory map mode driver.
- Linux/SCO: Install source-based driver from Rayon’s package.
- Driver Path Examples:
- A:\WIN2000 for Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7
- /etc/rayon for Linux systems

Configuration:
- Use DIP switches on each port to select RS422 or RS485 mode.
- In RS485 mode, pins 2 & 3 are shorted as DATA+, and pins 4 & 6 as DATA–.
- Baud rate and flow control can be configured via software utilities.
- Linux device naming convention: `/dev/tty6[1–3][a–h]` for first card mode.

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

- Port Count: 24 isolated RS422/RS485 ports (via 3 × IF208 boxes)
- Baud Rate Range: 110–115,200 bps (supports 230,400 bps in some configurations)
- Flow Control: Hardware (RTS/CTS) and software (XON/XOFF)
- IRQ Usage: Single shared IRQ for all ports
- Data Buffering: FIFO UART with 16-byte buffer per channel
- Transmission Mode: Full-duplex RS422 or half-duplex RS485
- Isolation Voltage: Ground isolation per port (typical 1 kV)
- System Capacity: Up to 64 ports per system (two cards)
- Latency: Low CPU overhead due to intelligent local processing
- Reliability: Continuous operation in industrial environments with EMI protection

Limitations:
- Maximum of two cards per system (64 ports total).
- RS485 multi-drop limited by cable length and termination.
- DOS and Windows 9x support only I/O map mode (no memory mapping).

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Interface: PCI Express (PCIe 3.3V/5V, 33 MHz)
- Serial Standards: RS422, RS485 (EIA/TIA compliant)
- Isolation: Ground isolation per port
- EMC Compliance: Designed for industrial EMI/ESD immunity
- Operating Systems:
- DOS, Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7
- Linux (RedHat, Slackware, kernel 2.2–2.6)
- SCO OpenServer 5.0.x
- Driver Certification: WHQL-compatible for Windows 2000/XP/Vista
- Environmental Compliance: RoHS-compliant PCB and components

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- Duration: 1-year limited warranty
- Coverage: Defects in materials and workmanship
- Exclusions: Damage from misuse, unauthorized servicing, or electrical faults

Support & Maintenance:
- Technical support via email (rayon@ms1.hinet.net)
- Driver updates and documentation available on [www.rayontech.com](http://www.rayontech.com)
- RMA (Return Material Authorization) required for repairs
- Out-of-warranty repairs available at flat-rate service charge

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Ensure proper grounding and shielding of cables.
- Avoid hot-swapping connector boxes while powered.
- Periodically check DIP switch settings and cable integrity.
- Use stable power supply to prevent voltage fluctuations.

Firmware & Driver Updates:
- Regular driver updates for new OS versions (Windows 7, Linux kernels).
- Source-based Linux drivers allow recompilation for custom kernels.
- Diagnostic utilities (`etty`, `om`) provided for port testing and monitoring.

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### Summary

The Rayon A2024I PCIe 24-Port Isolated RS422/485 Solution is a robust, scalable, and intelligent serial communication platform designed for industrial and enterprise environments requiring high-density, isolated serial connectivity. Built on the proven A320 intelligent multiport architecture, it combines advanced UART control, flexible interface configuration, and broad OS support. With its modular connector boxes, ground isolation, and single-IRQ efficiency, the A2024I delivers reliable, high-speed serial communication for demanding applications such as automation, SCADA, and data acquisition systems.

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