Comprehensive Product Summary: ADLINK ACL‑PCIEXT‑2 PCI‑to‑PCI Extension Cable and PCIS‑8580 Extension System

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: ACL‑PCIEXT‑2
Article Number: ACL‑PCIEXT‑2
Model/Series: PCI‑to‑PCI Extension Cable (part of the ADLINK PCIS‑8580 PCI‑to‑PCI Extension System)
Manufacturer: ADLINK Technology Inc.
Associated System Models: PCIS‑8580‑4S (4‑slot) and PCIS‑8580‑13S (13‑slot) PCI‑to‑PCI Extension Systems
Related Components: LPCI‑8575 PCI Extension Card, RK‑8005 (4‑slot chassis), RK‑8014 (13‑slot chassis)

The ADLINK ACL‑PCIEXT‑2 is a 2‑meter shielded copper cable designed to interconnect a host computer’s PCI bus with an external PCI expansion chassis. It is a critical component of ADLINK’s PCIS‑8580 series, which extends the PCI bus over a high‑speed serial link using StarFabric technology. The cable ensures robust, low‑noise, and high‑integrity signal transmission between the host and the extension chassis, maintaining full PCI bandwidth and hardware/software transparency.

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### 2. Key Features

- Purpose‑Built PCI Extension Cable: Designed specifically for PCI‑to‑PCI bridge systems, enabling remote PCI slot expansion up to 10 m from the host.
- High‑Speed Serial Transmission: Supports 5 Gbps serial link bandwidth via StarFabric technology, ensuring full 32‑bit/33 MHz PCI throughput (132 MB/s).
- Shielded Twisted‑Pair Construction: Eight pairs of shielded twisted copper wires minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI) and maintain signal integrity.
- Robust DVI‑D 24‑Pin Connector: Industrial‑grade connector ensures secure mechanical coupling and reliable electrical contact.
- Hardware/Software Transparency: Devices installed in the extension chassis appear as if directly connected to the host PCI bus—no additional drivers required.
- Scalable System Integration: Compatible with both 4‑slot (RK‑8005) and 13‑slot (RK‑8014) extension chassis, supporting a wide range of industrial and test applications.
- Full PCI Local Bus Compliance: Conforms to PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.2 and PCI Bridge Architecture Specification 1.2.
- Industrial‑Grade Reliability: Designed for continuous operation in demanding environments such as automation, test, and aerospace systems.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

Cable (ACL‑PCIEXT‑2):
- Length: 2 m
- Construction: 8 pairs of shielded twisted copper wires
- Connector Type: DVI‑D 24‑pin male connector
- Maximum Supported Distance: 10 m (with optional ACL‑PCIEXT‑5 or ACL‑PCIEXT‑10 cables)
- Signal Type: Low‑Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) at 622 Mbps per pair
- Total Bandwidth: 2.5 Gbps per link (5 Gbps aggregate full‑duplex)

Environmental:
- Operating Temperature: 0 °C – 50 °C
- Storage Temperature: −20 °C – 80 °C
- Relative Humidity: 10 % – 90 %, non‑condensing

Associated Hardware:
- LPCI‑8575 PCI Extension Card:
- PCI Local Bus Specification 2.2 compliant
- Supports 5 V and 3.3 V PCI buses
- Data throughput: 132 MB/s (32‑bit/33 MHz)
- I/O Connector: DVI‑D 24‑pin
- Power Requirements: +5 V @ 190 mA, +3.3 V @ 250 mA

- RK‑8005 Extension Chassis (4‑slot):
- Dimensions: 122 mm (W) × 195 mm (H) × 259 mm (D)
- Weight: 3.2 kg
- Backplane: 5 × 32‑bit/33 MHz PCI slots (1 for extension card, 4 available)
- Power Supply: 200 W, 85–265 V AC input
- Cooling: One 80 mm ball‑bearing fan

- RK‑8014 Extension Chassis (13‑slot):
- Dimensions: 483.5 mm (W) × 177 mm (H) × 448.5 mm (D)
- Weight: 12 kg
- Backplane: 14 × 32‑bit/33 MHz PCI slots (1 for extension card, 13 available)
- Power Supply: 400 W, 85–265 V AC auto‑switching
- Cooling: Two 120 mm ball‑bearing fans

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### 4. Functionality

The ACL‑PCIEXT‑2 cable serves as the high‑speed data conduit between the host PCI extension card (LPCI‑8575) and the remote extension chassis (RK‑8005 or RK‑8014). It transmits serialized PCI signals using StarFabric technology, which converts parallel PCI transactions into serial frames for transmission over LVDS differential pairs.

Operational Principle:
1. The host computer’s PCI bus connects to the LPCI‑8575 card.
2. The LPCI‑8575 serializes PCI signals and transmits them through the ACL‑PCIEXT‑2 cable.
3. The extension chassis receives the serialized data via its pre‑installed bridge card, deserializes it, and reconstructs the PCI bus on the remote backplane.
4. PCI devices installed in the extension chassis operate as if directly connected to the host system.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial automation and control systems requiring remote I/O expansion.
- Electronics manufacturing test setups needing additional PCI slots.
- Military and aerospace systems isolating sensitive electronics from harsh environments.
- Video capture and processing systems requiring high‑bandwidth PCI interfaces.
- Remote test and measurement systems where host and instrumentation must be physically separated.

Compatibility:
- Fully compatible with ADLINK PCIS‑8580‑4S and PCIS‑8580‑13S systems.
- Supports standard 32‑bit/33 MHz PCI devices.
- Transparent to operating systems and drivers—no software configuration required.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Components (System Level):
- LPCI‑8575 PCI Extension Card (host interface)
- RK‑8005 or RK‑8014 Extension Chassis (remote PCI slots)
- ACL‑PCIEXT‑2 Cable (2 m, standard length)

Optional Accessories:
- ACL‑PCIEXT‑5 (5 m cable)
- ACL‑PCIEXT‑10 (10 m cable)

Connectors:
- DVI‑D 24‑pin male connectors on both ends of the cable.
- Secure locking mechanism for vibration resistance and stable signal transmission.

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### 6. Installation & Setup

Requirements:
- Host computer with an available PCI slot (for LPCI‑8575).
- Extension chassis (RK‑8005 or RK‑8014) with pre‑installed bridge card.
- ACL‑PCIEXT‑2 cable for interconnection.

Installation Steps:
1. Power off both host and extension chassis.
2. Install the LPCI‑8575 card into an available PCI slot in the host system.
3. Connect one end of the ACL‑PCIEXT‑2 cable to the DVI‑D connector on the LPCI‑8575.
4. Connect the other end to the corresponding DVI‑D port on the extension chassis.
5. Power on the extension chassis first, then the host computer.
6. The system automatically enumerates the remote PCI devices—no driver installation required.

Mounting Options:
- RK‑8005: Wall‑mount or desktop configuration.
- RK‑8014: 19‑inch rack‑mount chassis.

Configuration:
- The system operates transparently; BIOS and OS detect remote PCI devices as local.
- No jumpers or software configuration required for the cable itself.

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

- Bandwidth: Full 32‑bit/33 MHz PCI bandwidth (132 MB/s sustained throughput).
- Link Speed: 4 × 622 Mbps LVDS pairs (2.5 Gbps total per direction).
- Latency: Negligible; hardware bridge ensures transparent PCI timing.
- Maximum Distance: 10 m (with optional cables).
- Signal Integrity: Shielded twisted‑pair design minimizes crosstalk and EMI.
- Reliability: Error detection and correction performed automatically during StarFabric transmission.
- Power Efficiency: Low‑power LVDS signaling reduces thermal load and EMI emissions.
- Limitations:
- Designed for 32‑bit/33 MHz PCI; not intended for PCI‑X or PCIe.
- Maximum cable length limited to 10 m for optimal signal quality.

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

- PCI Local Bus Specification: Revision 2.2 compliant
- PCI Bridge Architecture Specification: Revision 1.2 compliant
- Electrical Interface: LVDS signaling per StarFabric physical layer
- Safety & EMC: Meets CE and FCC Class A requirements (system level)
- Environmental Compliance: RoHS‑compliant materials and construction
- Industry Standards:
- 32‑bit/33 MHz PCI bus compatibility
- StarFabric serial interconnect standard
- Industrial‑grade EMI shielding and grounding

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- Standard 2‑year manufacturer’s warranty from ADLINK Technology Inc.
- Covers defects in materials and workmanship.
- Excludes damage from misuse, improper installation, or environmental factors.
- RMA (Return Material Authorization) process available for repairs.

Support & Maintenance:
- Technical support via ADLINK service channels:
- Email: service@adlinktech.com
- Phone: +886‑2‑82265877
- Website: [www.adlinktech.com](http://www.adlinktech.com)
- Firmware and documentation updates available online.
- Preventive maintenance: periodic inspection of cable connectors and shielding integrity recommended.

Ordering Information:
- ACL‑PCIEXT‑2: 2 m PCI‑to‑PCI extension cable (standard)
- ACL‑PCIEXT‑5: 5 m optional extension cable
- ACL‑PCIEXT‑10: 10 m optional extension cable
- PCIS‑8580‑4S: 4‑slot PCI‑to‑PCI extension system (includes cable and chassis)
- PCIS‑8580‑13S: 13‑slot PCI‑to‑PCI extension system (includes cable and chassis)

Manufacturer Contact:
ADLINK Technology Inc.
9F, No. 166, Jian Yi Road, Chungho City, Taipei 235, Taiwan
Tel: +886‑2‑82265877 Fax: +886‑2‑82265717
Email: service@adlinktech.com

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### Summary

The ADLINK ACL‑PCIEXT‑2 is a precision‑engineered, shielded 2‑meter copper cable designed for high‑performance PCI bus extension applications. As an integral component of the PCIS‑8580 system, it enables seamless, transparent PCI‑to‑PCI communication between a host computer and an external expansion chassis. Leveraging StarFabric serial interconnect technology, the cable supports full PCI bandwidth over distances up to 10 meters while maintaining data integrity through LVDS differential signaling and robust shielding.

Engineered for industrial reliability, the ACL‑PCIEXT‑2 and its associated hardware (LPCI‑8575, RK‑8005, RK‑8014) provide a scalable, plug‑and‑play solution for extending PCI resources in automation, test, and embedded computing environments. With compliance to PCI 2.2 standards, CE/FCC Class A certification, and ADLINK’s two‑year warranty, the ACL‑PCIEXT‑2 delivers dependable performance for mission‑critical PCI expansion applications.