1. Product Overview

Product Name: CardBus Serial 1-Port RS-232C Interface Card
Model: COM-1(CB)H
Series: COM-H Series (CardBus Communication Interface Boards)
Article Number: COM-1(CB)H
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd. (Japan)
Product Category: Industrial Automation and Measurement & Control Communication Interface Products

The CONTEC COM-1(CB)H is a high-speed CardBus-compliant serial communication interface card designed to provide one RS-232C asynchronous serial port for notebook and embedded PC systems equipped with a 32-bit CardBus slot. It supports data transfer rates up to 921.6 kbps and is engineered for industrial and laboratory environments requiring reliable, high-speed serial communication.

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2. Key Features

- CardBus (32-bit PC Card) Compatibility: Fully compliant with the PC Card Standard Type II (CardBus) interface, enabling use in modern notebook PCs and embedded systems with CardBus slots.
- High-Speed Serial Communication: Supports RS-232C asynchronous communication at selectable baud rates from 15 bps up to 921,600 bps.
- Standard COM Port Emulation: Appears as a standard COM port under Windows or Linux, allowing use with existing serial communication software without modification.
- Advanced UART Controller: Equipped with a 162850-compatible UART featuring a 128-byte FIFO buffer for both transmission and reception, ensuring stable high-speed data transfer and reduced CPU load.
- Interrupt Handling: Utilizes one interrupt request signal (INTA) for efficient communication management.
- Compact and Portable: Type II PC Card form factor allows easy installation and removal, ideal for mobile and field applications.
- Cross-Platform Driver Support: Includes standard COM drivers for Windows (XP/2000/Me/98) and Linux, along with the COM Setup Disk for easy configuration.
- Surge Protection: Integrated surge protection circuitry safeguards communication lines against voltage spikes and transient currents.
- Industrial Reliability: Designed for industrial automation, instrumentation, and control systems requiring robust serial connectivity.
- Multiple Board Support: Up to two COM-1(CB)H cards can be installed in a single system (limited to one under Windows Me/98SE/98 and Linux).

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3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|-------------------|
| Interface Type | RS-232C (Asynchronous) |
| Number of Channels | 1 channel |
| Communication Speed | Selectable from 15 bps to 921,600 bps |
| Data Format | 5, 6, 7, or 8 data bits |
| Stop Bits | 1, 1.5, or 2 stop bits |
| Parity | Even, Odd, or None |
| Controller | 162850-compatible UART with 128-byte FIFO (Tx/Rx) |
| Interrupts | One interrupt request signal (INTA) |
| Maximum Cable Length | 15 meters (RS-232C standard) |
| I/O Address | Any 32-byte boundary |
| Power Supply | 3.3 VDC (supplied from CardBus slot) |
| Power Consumption | 100 mA (maximum) |
| Bus Interface | PC Card Standard CardBus (32-bit), Type II |
| Connector Type | 9-pin D-sub male connector (DELC-J9PAF-20L9 [JAE] or equivalent) |
| Dimensions | Standard PC Card Type II size (approx. 85.6 mm × 54.0 mm × 5.0 mm) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +50°C (typical for CONTEC communication cards) |
| Storage Temperature | -10°C to +60°C |
| Humidity | 10–90% RH (non-condensing) |
| Weight | Approx. 50 g (typical for CardBus cards) |

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4. Functionality

The COM-1(CB)H functions as a standard serial communication port (COM1, COM2, etc.) once installed and configured. It provides a single RS-232C asynchronous communication channel that can be used for data exchange between a PC and external serial devices such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), sensors, modems, barcode readers, or measurement instruments.

Operation Principle:
The card interfaces with the host system via the CardBus (32-bit PC Card) bus, providing a direct hardware-level serial communication channel. The onboard UART manages data buffering and flow control, while the driver software integrates the port into the operating system’s COM port structure.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial automation and process control systems
- Data acquisition and measurement equipment
- Serial communication with laboratory instruments
- Field service and maintenance tools requiring portable serial connectivity
- Embedded systems and test benches
- Communication with legacy RS-232C devices

Compatibility:
- Operating Systems: Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows 98SE, Windows 98, and Linux
- Software: Recognized as a standard COM port; compatible with any application supporting serial communication (e.g., terminal emulators, SCADA systems, custom control software).

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5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- COM-1(CB)H CardBus serial interface card
- COM Setup Disk (Windows and Linux drivers, installation utilities)
- User manual and installation guide

Optional Accessories:
- Cables and Connectors:
- RSS-9M/F (9-pin male/female extension cable)
- RSC-9F (9-pin female cable)
- RSS-25M/9F (25-pin to 9-pin conversion cable)
- RSC-25F/9F (25-pin to 9-pin female cable)
- CN5-D9F (9-pin D-sub connector assembly)

These accessories facilitate flexible connection to various RS-232C devices and configurations.

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6. Installation & Setup

Requirements:
- Host system with an available CardBus (32-bit PC Card) slot
- Supported operating system (Windows XP/2000/Me/98 or Linux)
- Administrative privileges for driver installation

Installation Procedure:
1. Insert the COM-1(CB)H card into the CardBus slot of the host PC.
2. The system detects the card and prompts for driver installation.
3. Insert the COM Setup Disk and follow the on-screen instructions to install the standard COM driver.
4. After installation, the card appears as a standard COM port (e.g., COM3 or COM4) in the operating system.
5. Connect the external RS-232C device using the 9-pin D-sub connector.

Configuration:
- Baud rate, parity, data bits, and stop bits can be configured through the operating system’s device manager or via application software.
- The COM Setup Disk utility allows assignment of COM port numbers and configuration of multiple boards.

Mounting Options:
- Plug-and-play insertion into the CardBus slot; no external power supply required.
- Hot-swappable under supported operating systems.

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7. Performance & Capabilities

- Data Transfer Rate: Up to 921.6 kbps, selectable in software.
- FIFO Buffering: 128-byte transmit and receive buffers per channel minimize data loss and CPU overhead.
- Interrupt Handling: Single INTA interrupt line ensures efficient communication management.
- Communication Distance: Up to 15 meters for RS-232C standard operation.
- Multi-Board Support: Up to two COM-1(CB)H cards can be installed simultaneously (limited to one under older OS versions).
- Reliability: Surge protection and stable UART operation ensure consistent performance in industrial environments.
- Limitations:
- Not isolated (for isolation, use COM-1PD(CB)H).
- Limited to RS-232C communication standard (no RS-422/485 support).
- Maximum of two cards per system (depending on OS).

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8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Standard: PC Card Standard (CardBus, 32-bit, Type II)
- Communication Standard: RS-232C (EIA/TIA-232-E compliant)
- Electrical Compliance: 3.3VDC operation per CardBus specification
- Software Compliance:
- Windows COM driver (standard serial port emulation)
- Linux COM driver (standard ttyS device support)
- Environmental and Safety:
- Surge protection circuitry integrated on communication lines
- Designed for industrial-grade reliability and noise immunity
- Regulatory Compliance:
- CE Mark (typical for CONTEC communication products)
- RoHS-compliant manufacturing process

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9. Additional Information

Warranty:
Standard CONTEC limited warranty (typically one year) covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use conditions.

Technical Support:
CONTEC provides comprehensive technical support through its global portal (www.contec.com), including driver updates, FAQs, and documentation downloads.

Maintenance:
- No periodic maintenance required.
- Keep connectors clean and free from dust.
- Avoid exposure to excessive heat, humidity, or vibration.

Software Updates:
Driver and utility updates are available from CONTEC’s website. The COM Setup Disk can be updated to support newer operating systems and additional configuration options.

Product Line Integration:
The COM-1(CB)H belongs to CONTEC’s extensive COM-H series, which includes PCI, Low Profile PCI, USB, and PCMCIA variants. This allows users to maintain consistent communication interfaces across different hardware platforms.

Related Models:
- COM-2(CB)H: 2-channel RS-232C CardBus card
- COM-4(CB)H: 4-channel RS-232C CardBus card
- COM-1PD(CB)H: 1-channel isolated RS-422A/RS-485 CardBus card

Typical Applications:
- Portable data logging and monitoring
- Field service diagnostics
- Industrial equipment configuration
- Laboratory automation
- Communication with legacy serial devices

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Summary

The CONTEC COM-1(CB)H is a robust, high-speed, single-port RS-232C CardBus interface card designed for industrial and professional applications requiring reliable serial communication on portable or embedded systems. With support for data rates up to 921.6 kbps, a 128-byte FIFO buffer, and full compatibility with Windows and Linux operating systems, it provides a seamless solution for connecting RS-232C devices to modern computers. Its surge protection, compact design, and ease of installation make it ideal for engineers, technicians, and system integrators working in automation, measurement, and control environments.

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End of Product Summary – COM-1(CB)H (CardBus Serial 1-Port RS-232C Card, 921.6 kbps)