Comprehensive Product Summary: ADLINK ACL‑PCIEXT‑5 PCI‑to‑PCI Extension Cable

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: ACL‑PCIEXT‑5
Article Number: ACL‑PCIEXT‑5
Model/Series: Accessory cable for PCIS‑8580 PCI‑to‑PCI Extension System
Manufacturer: ADLINK Technology Inc.
Product Type: Shielded copper PCI‑to‑PCI extension cable, 5 m length
Associated Systems: PCIS‑8580‑4S (4‑slot) and PCIS‑8580‑13S (13‑slot) PCI‑to‑PCI extension systems

The ADLINK ACL‑PCIEXT‑5 is a high‑performance, shielded twisted‑pair copper cable designed to extend PCI bus connectivity between a host computer and an external PCI expansion chassis. It serves as the physical link in ADLINK’s PCIS‑8580 series, which uses StarFabric serial interconnect technology to transparently extend the PCI bus up to 10 m. The ACL‑PCIEXT‑5 provides a robust, low‑noise, and high‑integrity connection through a 24‑pin DVI‑D connector interface.

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### 2. Key Features

- Purpose‑built for PCI‑to‑PCI Extension: Designed specifically for ADLINK’s PCIS‑8580 systems, enabling seamless communication between host and remote PCI chassis.
- High‑speed Serial Transmission: Supports serialized PCI signals over a 5 Gbps StarFabric link, maintaining full 32‑bit/33 MHz PCI bandwidth (132 MB/s).
- Shielded Twisted‑Pair Construction: Eight pairs of shielded twisted copper wires minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI) and ensure signal integrity over extended distances.
- Robust DVI‑D 24‑pin Connector: Industrial‑grade connector ensures secure mechanical coupling and reliable electrical contact.
- Hardware and Software Transparency: Operates as a transparent PCI bridge—no additional drivers or software required.
- Flexible Distance Options: Available in 2 m (ACL‑PCIEXT‑2), 5 m (ACL‑PCIEXT‑5), and 10 m (ACL‑PCIEXT‑10) lengths to accommodate various installation environments.
- Industrial‑grade Reliability: Designed for demanding environments such as automation, test and measurement, and defense applications.
- Full PCI Compliance: Conforms to PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.2 and PCI Bridge Architecture Specification 1.2.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|-------------------|
| Cable Length | 5 m |
| Cable Type | Shielded twisted‑pair copper cable |
| Number of Pairs | 8 differential pairs |
| Connector Type | DVI‑D 24‑pin male |
| Signal Type | Serialized PCI (StarFabric LVDS) |
| Transmission Rate | 4 × 622 Mbps LVDS pairs (2.5 Gbps total bandwidth) |
| Maximum Supported Distance | 10 m (system limit) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C – 50 °C |
| Storage Temperature | −20 °C – 80 °C |
| Relative Humidity | 10 % – 90 %, non‑condensing |
| Compatibility | ADLINK LPCI‑8575 PCI extension card and RK‑8005/RK‑8014 chassis |
| Compliance | PCI Local Bus 2.2, CE/FCC Class A (system level) |

The ACL‑PCIEXT‑5 is engineered to maintain consistent impedance and low crosstalk across its 5 m length, ensuring reliable high‑speed data transfer between the host and extension chassis.

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### 4. Functionality

The ACL‑PCIEXT‑5 functions as the physical transmission medium in ADLINK’s PCI‑to‑PCI extension architecture. It connects the LPCI‑8575 PCI extension card installed in the host computer to the pre‑installed PCI bridge card in the external chassis (RK‑8005 or RK‑8014).

Operational Principle:
1. The LPCI‑8575 converts parallel PCI bus signals into serialized StarFabric frames.
2. These frames are transmitted over the ACL‑PCIEXT‑5 cable using four LVDS transmit/receive differential pairs.
3. The extension chassis receives and deserializes the data, reconstructing the PCI bus environment for additional PCI cards.
4. The system operates transparently—devices in the remote chassis appear as if installed locally in the host system.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial automation and control systems requiring remote I/O expansion.
- Electronics manufacturing test setups where PCI instrumentation must be isolated from the host PC.
- Military and aerospace systems needing ruggedized, EMI‑resistant interconnects.
- Video capture and processing systems requiring multiple PCI cards.
- Remote test and measurement environments where the host PC must be separated from the test area.

Compatibility:
- Fully compatible with ADLINK PCIS‑8580‑4S (4‑slot) and PCIS‑8580‑13S (13‑slot) systems.
- Works with LPCI‑8575 PCI‑to‑PCI bridge card and RK‑8005/RK‑8014 extension chassis.
- Supports both 3.3 V and 5 V PCI signaling environments.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Items (when purchased as part of system):
- One ACL‑PCIEXT‑5 cable (5 m length) with DVI‑D 24‑pin connectors on both ends.

Optional Accessories:
- ACL‑PCIEXT‑2: 2 m cable for short‑distance installations.
- ACL‑PCIEXT‑10: 10 m cable for maximum extension range.

Associated System Components:
- LPCI‑8575 PCI Extension Card: Installed in host PC; provides PCI‑to‑StarFabric bridge.
- RK‑8005 Extension Chassis: 4 available PCI slots, 200 W PSU, 80 mm cooling fan.
- RK‑8014 Extension Chassis: 13 available PCI slots, 400 W PSU, dual 120 mm fans.

Connectors:
- DVI‑D 24‑pin male connectors with locking screws for secure attachment.
- Shielded cable terminations to minimize EMI ingress and egress.

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### 6. Installation & Setup

Requirements:
- Host computer with available PCI slot for LPCI‑8575 card.
- ADLINK extension chassis (RK‑8005 or RK‑8014) with pre‑installed bridge card.
- Appropriate cable length (2 m, 5 m, or 10 m).

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

Mounting and Routing:
- Cable should be routed away from high‑voltage or high‑frequency sources to minimize interference.
- Maintain gentle bend radius to prevent mechanical stress on the cable.
- Secure connectors using the integrated screw locks to prevent accidental disconnection.

Configuration:
- No software configuration required; the PCI‑to‑PCI bridge operates transparently.
- System BIOS automatically detects and enumerates devices in the extension chassis.

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

Bandwidth and Throughput:
- Full 32‑bit/33 MHz PCI bandwidth (132 MB/s) maintained across the extension link.
- StarFabric serial link provides 2.5 Gbps total bandwidth (4 × 622 Mbps LVDS pairs).
- Error detection and correction mechanisms ensure data integrity during transmission.

Distance and Signal Quality:
- 5 m cable length provides optimal balance between flexibility and signal performance.
- Maximum supported system distance: 10 m (using ACL‑PCIEXT‑10).
- Shielded twisted‑pair design minimizes crosstalk and signal degradation.

Electrical Characteristics:
- Supports both 3.3 V and 5 V PCI signaling environments.
- Low‑voltage differential signaling (LVDS) ensures high noise immunity.

Environmental Performance:
- Operating temperature range: 0 °C – 50 °C.
- Storage temperature range: −20 °C – 80 °C.
- Relative humidity: 10 % – 90 %, non‑condensing.

Limitations:
- Designed exclusively for ADLINK PCIS‑8580 systems; not a generic PCI extension cable.
- Maximum total extension distance limited to 10 m.
- Not suitable for PCI‑Express or PXI systems (use PCI/PXI‑8570 series for those applications).

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

Industry Standards:
- PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.2 compliant.
- PCI Bridge Architecture Specification Revision 1.2 compliant.
- StarFabric serial interconnect technology compliant with LVDS signaling standards.

Regulatory Compliance (system level):
- CE and FCC Class A electromagnetic compatibility (EMC/EMI).
- Designed and manufactured under ISO‑certified quality management systems.

Safety and Environmental:
- RoHS‑compliant materials (lead‑free solder and halogen‑free insulation).
- Shielded construction reduces radiated emissions and susceptibility to external noise.

Interoperability:
- Fully transparent to operating systems and PCI drivers.
- Compatible with Windows, Linux, and real‑time OS environments without additional software.

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- Standard ADLINK two‑year limited warranty from date of shipment.
- Covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.
- Excludes damage from misuse, improper installation, or environmental factors.

Support and Service:
- Technical support available via ADLINK’s global service network.
- Contact:
- Email: service@adlinktech.com
- Telephone: +886‑2‑82265877
- Fax: +886‑2‑82265717
- Website: [www.adlinktech.com](http://www.adlinktech.com)
- Address: 9F, No. 166, Jian Yi Road, Chungho City, Taipei 235, Taiwan

Maintenance:
- Periodically inspect connectors for dust or oxidation; clean with appropriate contact cleaner.
- Avoid excessive bending or pulling of the cable.
- Store in a dry, temperature‑controlled environment when not in use.

Product Updates and Revisions:
- ADLINK may release updated cable versions or longer lengths to support new system configurations.
- Firmware or hardware updates are not required for the cable itself; compatibility is maintained through the host and chassis firmware.

Ordering Information:
- ACL‑PCIEXT‑2: 2 m PCI‑to‑PCI extension cable
- ACL‑PCIEXT‑5: 5 m PCI‑to‑PCI extension cable (this product)
- ACL‑PCIEXT‑10: 10 m PCI‑to‑PCI extension cable

Associated Systems:
- PCIS‑8580‑4S: 4‑slot PCI‑to‑PCI extension system with RK‑8005 chassis (200 W PSU, 3.2 kg).
- PCIS‑8580‑13S: 13‑slot PCI‑to‑PCI extension system with RK‑8014 chassis (400 W PSU, 12 kg).

Environmental and Operational Notes:
- Ensure adequate ventilation around the extension chassis to maintain optimal operating temperature.
- The cable’s shielding and grounding are integral to system EMI performance; always use genuine ADLINK cables to maintain compliance.

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### Summary

The ADLINK ACL‑PCIEXT‑5 is a precision‑engineered, 5‑meter shielded copper cable designed to extend PCI bus connectivity between a host computer and an external PCI expansion chassis within the PCIS‑8580 system family. Utilizing StarFabric high‑speed serial technology, it provides a reliable 2.5 Gbps link that preserves full PCI bandwidth and transparency. Its DVI‑D 24‑pin connectors, shielded twisted‑pair construction, and industrial‑grade materials ensure robust performance in demanding environments such as automation, test, and defense applications.

Fully compliant with PCI 2.2 and CE/FCC Class A standards, the ACL‑PCIEXT‑5 offers plug‑and‑play operation, minimal signal degradation, and long‑distance flexibility up to 10 m when combined with other cable variants. Supported by ADLINK’s two‑year warranty and global service infrastructure, it represents a dependable interconnect solution for extending PCI systems without compromising performance or reliability.