1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCI Isolated 2-Port RS232 Card
Model: AP102-I
Series: Advanced PCI Serial Communication Card Series
Article Number: AP102-I
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.tw](http://www.rayontech.com.tw)

The AP102-I is a high-performance, industrial-grade PCI expansion card designed to add two isolated RS232 serial communication ports to a PC system. It is part of Rayon’s Advanced PCI series, engineered for robust industrial control, automation, and data communication applications requiring electrical isolation and reliable serial connectivity.

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2. Key Features

- Dual Ground-Isolated RS232 Ports: Each of the two serial ports is independently isolated from system ground, protecting the host PC and connected devices from ground loops, surges, and electrical noise.
- ASIX MCS9865-Compatible Controller: Utilizes the ASIX MCS9865 serial communication controller, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of operating systems and providing stable, high-speed data transfer.
- Selectable Port Configuration: Each port can be configured individually via DIP switches, allowing flexible setup for different communication requirements.
- High-Speed Communication: Supports baud rates from 50 bps up to 230,400 bps, suitable for both legacy and modern serial devices.
- Plug & Play PCI Interface: Fully compliant with PCI Plug & Play standards. I/O address, memory mapping, and IRQ assignments are automatically managed by the PCI BIOS.
- Broad OS Compatibility: Supports Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7/8, and Linux operating systems.
- Industrial-Grade Design: Designed for industrial control environments with robust isolation and wide environmental tolerance.
- Compact Form Factor: Standard PCI card dimensions (100 × 97 mm) with optional low-profile bracket for compact systems.
- Single Voltage Operation: Operates on 5V PCI bus power only, simplifying system integration.

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3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|-------------------|
| Bus Interface | PCI 2.2 compliant, 32-bit, 33 MHz |
| Controller Chip | ASIX MCS9865 (16950A compatible) |
| Number of Ports | 2 isolated RS232 ports |
| Connector Type | 2 × DB9 male connectors |
| Baud Rate Range | 50 bps to 230,400 bps |
| Isolation Type | Ground isolation per port |
| Voltage Requirement | 5V PCI slot only |
| Dimensions | 100 mm (L) × 97 mm (W) |
| Bracket Type | Standard PCI bracket (low-profile optional) |
| 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 (non-condensing) |
| Material | High-quality PCB with industrial-grade components |
| Weight | Approx. 120 g (typical) |
| Isolation Voltage | Typically 1 kV (port-to-system ground) |
| Signal Lines Supported | TXD, RXD, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, DCD, GND |
| Flow Control | Hardware (RTS/CTS) and software (Xon/Xoff) |
| Interrupts | 2 × IRQs assigned by PCI BIOS |
| I/O Mapping | Assigned automatically by PCI BIOS |
| Memory Mapping | Assigned automatically by PCI BIOS |

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4. Functionality

The AP102-I functions as a dual-port serial communication interface card that allows a PC to communicate with RS232-compatible devices such as PLCs, sensors, modems, barcode scanners, and industrial controllers. Each port operates independently and is galvanically isolated from the system ground, preventing electrical interference and ensuring data integrity in electrically noisy environments.

Operation Principle:
- The card is installed in a standard PCI slot.
- Upon system boot, the PCI BIOS automatically assigns I/O addresses, memory space, and IRQs.
- Each port can be configured via DIP switches for specific communication parameters.
- The ASIX MCS9865 controller manages data buffering and flow control, providing efficient serial communication with minimal CPU overhead.

Typical Applications:
- Industrial automation and process control systems
- SCADA and data acquisition systems
- Laboratory instrumentation
- POS and kiosk systems
- Embedded control and monitoring
- Communication with legacy RS232 devices

Compatibility:
- Compatible with both 5V and 3.3V PCI slots (electrical operation limited to 5V signaling).
- Works with standard RS232 devices using DB9 connectors.
- Fully supported under Windows and Linux environments with appropriate drivers.

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5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- 1 × AP102-I PCI card (standard bracket)
- 1 × User manual and driver CD
- 2 × DB9 male connectors (onboard)
- Optional low-profile bracket (on request)

Optional Accessories:
- Low-profile bracket for compact chassis installations
- RS232 extension cables (DB9 male-to-female)
- RS232 to RS422/RS485 converters (e.g., Rayon TWIN232 or TWIN485 series)
- Isolated RS232 boxes (e.g., RS4232-4 or RS4232-8) for extended isolation and multi-port expansion

Connectors:
- Each DB9 male connector provides standard RS232 pinout:
1: DCD, 2: RXD, 3: TXD, 4: DTR, 5: GND, 6: DSR, 7: RTS, 8: CTS, 9: RI (not supported on isolated models).

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6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- Available PCI slot (5V or 3.3V compatible)
- Supported operating system (Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7/8 or Linux)
- Administrative privileges for driver installation

Installation Procedure:
1. Power off the PC and unplug it from the power source.
2. Insert the AP102-I card into an available PCI slot.
3. Secure the card with the bracket screw.
4. Reconnect power and boot the system.
5. The PCI BIOS will automatically detect the card and assign resources.
6. Install the appropriate driver from the provided CD or download from Rayon’s website.
7. Verify installation via Device Manager (Windows) or `/dev/tty` device entries (Linux).

Configuration:
- DIP switches on the card allow per-port configuration.
- Baud rate, parity, stop bits, and flow control are set via software.
- For Linux, device nodes are typically `/dev/tty21a` and `/dev/tty21b`.

Mounting Options:
- Standard PCI bracket for desktop or industrial PC chassis.
- Optional low-profile bracket for compact enclosures.

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7. Performance & Capabilities

- Data Throughput: Up to 230.4 kbps per port, full-duplex operation.
- FIFO Buffer: 128-byte transmit and receive buffers per port (16950A compatible).
- Interrupt Handling: Efficient interrupt-driven communication reduces CPU load.
- Isolation Protection: Each port is galvanically isolated, preventing ground potential differences and protecting against transient voltages.
- Reliability: Designed for continuous operation in industrial environments.
- Latency: Low interrupt latency due to hardware buffering and PCI bus efficiency.
- Limitations:
- RS232 only (no RS422/RS485 support on this model).
- 5V PCI slot required for operation.
- Maximum baud rate limited to 230.4 kbps.

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8. Standards & Compliance

- PCI Specification: Compliant with PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.2
- Serial Communication: EIA/TIA RS232C standard compliant
- Isolation: Meets industrial isolation standards for ground separation
- Operating System Drivers:
- Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8
- Linux kernel 2.6.x and later
- SCO UNIX (legacy support)
- RoHS Compliance: Manufactured with lead-free components
- EMC/EMI Compliance: Designed to meet CE and FCC Class B requirements
- Safety: Conforms to industrial-grade insulation and grounding practices

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9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- Standard Warranty: 1-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
- Exclusions: Damage due to misuse, modification, or improper installation is not covered.
- Repair Policy:
- Products under warranty repaired free of charge.
- Out-of-warranty repairs available at a flat-rate service fee.
- RMA (Return Material Authorization) required before returning products.

Support & Maintenance:
- Technical support available via email (rayon@ms1.hinet.net).
- Driver updates and manuals downloadable from [www.rayontech.com.tw](http://www.rayontech.com.tw).
- Firmware and driver updates provided for new OS versions.
- Troubleshooting assistance includes diagnostic utilities such as RAYMON.EXE for Windows.

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Avoid inserting or removing the card while the system is powered on.
- Keep the PCI contacts clean and free of dust.
- Ensure proper grounding and shielding in industrial environments.
- Periodically verify driver updates for optimal performance.

Related and Upgrade Models:
- AP112-I: Dual-port isolated RS232/RS422/RS485 card.
- AP132-I: Dual-port isolated RS422/RS485 card.
- AP301-I: One RS232 and one isolated RS232/422/485 port.
- APLOG301-I: RS232 to isolated RS232/422/485 converter with monitoring.
- AP112 / AP132: Non-isolated versions for standard applications.

Manufacturer’s Notes:
All product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Rayon Technology reserves the right to modify specifications without prior notice to improve product performance or compatibility.

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Summary

The Rayon AP102-I PCI Isolated 2-Port RS232 Card is a robust, industrial-grade communication interface designed to expand a PC’s serial connectivity with two fully isolated RS232 ports. Featuring the ASIX MCS9865 controller, it delivers reliable, high-speed serial communication with full hardware and software flow control. Its ground isolation ensures protection against electrical interference, making it ideal for industrial automation, instrumentation, and control systems. With broad OS support, plug-and-play PCI integration, and flexible configuration options, the AP102-I provides a dependable solution for engineers and system integrators requiring secure, noise-immune serial communication in demanding environments.