1. Product Overview

Product Name: EX9188AD
Model: CPU80188 LED Controller
Series: EX9188XD Series
Article Number: EX9188AD
Manufacturer: Topsccc

The EX9188AD is a compact, fanless, embedded industrial controller designed for multi-interface communication and real-time control applications. It integrates an AMD Am188™ ES 40 MHz CPU, multiple serial communication ports (RS‑232 and RS‑485), onboard memory resources, and a built‑in real‑time clock (RTC). The controller operates under Datalight ROM‑DOS, providing a DOS‑compatible environment for embedded automation, data acquisition, and industrial control systems. Its rugged design, wide operating temperature range, and flexible communication capabilities make it suitable for replacing traditional PLCs or PCs in industrial environments.

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2. Key Features

- High‑Performance Embedded CPU:
Equipped with an AMD Am188™ ES 40 MHz processor, offering 1 MB memory space, 1 MB I/O space, 32 GPIOs, 6 interrupts, and 2 timers for deterministic control.

- Multi‑Port Serial Communication:
Four independent communication ports:
- COM1: Selectable RS‑232 or RS‑485 (up to 115,200 bps)
- COM2: RS‑485 (up to 115,200 bps, 3 kV isolation)
- COM3: RS‑232 (up to 115,200 bps)
- COM4: RS‑232 (up to 115,200 bps, used for debugging and program download)

- Integrated Memory System:
- 256 KB SRAM (A617308V‑12×2) for program execution and RAM‑disk operation
- 512 KB Flash ROM (Am29F010‑70EC) for ROM‑disk storage
- 2 KB EEPROM for parameter storage
- 32 bytes NVSRAM (DS1302) with 10‑year battery backup

- Built‑in Real‑Time Clock (RTC):
DS1302 Y2K‑compliant RTC supports date/time from 1980 to 2079 with 10‑year battery retention.

- Display and Indicators:
- Five 7‑segment LED displays for numeric or alphanumeric output
- One user‑controllable LED indicator

- Embedded Operating System:
Pre‑installed Datalight ROM‑DOS with miniBIOS, supporting standard DOS executables and file systems.

- Watchdog Timer:
Hardware watchdog with 1.6 s timeout for system reliability and automatic reset on failure.

- Wide Power and Environmental Range:
- Input voltage: 10 V – 30 V DC (unregulated)
- Power consumption: 2.0 W (static), 3.0 W (dynamic)
- Operating temperature: −40 °C – +80 °C
- Storage temperature: −40 °C – +85 °C
- Humidity: 0 % – 90 % non‑condensing

- Compact, Fanless Design:
Dimensions 117 mm × 71 mm × 26 mm, suitable for DIN‑rail or panel mounting in industrial enclosures.

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3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|-------------------|
| CPU | AMD Am188™ ES, 40 MHz |
| Memory | 256 KB SRAM, 512 KB Flash ROM, 2 KB EEPROM, 32 B NVSRAM |
| RTC | DS1302, Y2K‑compliant, 10‑year battery backup |
| Display | 5 × 7‑segment LED, 1 × status LED |
| Communication Ports | COM1 – RS‑232/RS‑485 selectable; COM2 – RS‑485; COM3 – RS‑232; COM4 – RS‑232 |
| Baud Rates | Up to 115,200 bps on all ports |
| Power Supply | 10 – 30 V DC, 2–3 W consumption |
| Dimensions | 117 mm × 71 mm × 26 mm |
| Operating Temp. | −40 °C – +80 °C |
| Storage Temp. | −40 °C – +85 °C |
| Humidity | 0 – 90 % RH |
| GPIOs | 32 general‑purpose I/O lines |
| Timers | 2 hardware timers |
| Interrupts | 6 interrupt channels |
| Isolation | COM2 RS‑485 port 3 kV isolation |
| Weight | Approx. 150 g (typical) |
| Material | Industrial‑grade PCB with aluminum housing (fanless) |

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4. Functionality

The EX9188AD functions as a standalone embedded controller capable of executing DOS‑based control programs. It can communicate with multiple external devices simultaneously through its four serial ports. COM1 can be configured via jumpers for either RS‑232 or RS‑485 operation, while COM2 provides isolated RS‑485 communication for industrial networks. COM3 and COM4 serve as standard RS‑232 interfaces, with COM4 dedicated to debugging and firmware updates.

The controller boots from its internal Flash ROM, where ROM‑DOS and user applications reside. Upon power‑up, the miniBIOS initializes hardware, loads ROM‑DOS, and mounts the ROM‑disk (drive A:). A RAM‑disk (drive B:) can be created dynamically in SRAM for temporary data storage. The system supports file transfer via Xmodem protocol using HyperTerminal or dedicated utilities (COMM.EXE, TRANSFER.EXE, XM.EXE).

Typical Applications:
- Industrial automation and process control
- Data acquisition and logging
- Serial device networking and protocol conversion
- Remote monitoring and embedded control systems
- Replacement for legacy PLCs or PC‑based controllers

Compatibility:
Runs standard DOS executables; compatible with Borland C/C++ and Turbo C compilers using the provided 9188 library for hardware access.

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5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- EX9188AD main controller module
- 10‑pin screw terminal block for power and COM2–COM4 connections
- DB‑9 male connector for COM1 (RS‑232/RS‑485 selectable)
- Internal lithium battery for RTC/NVRAM backup

Optional Accessories:
- RS‑485 network cables
- Power supply (10–30 V DC)
- Mounting brackets or DIN‑rail adapters
- Communication cables for PC connection (for COM4 programming)

Connectors:
- 10‑pin terminal block: Power input, COM2 RS‑485, COM3/COM4 RS‑232, INIT pin
- DB‑9 male (COM1): Standard RS‑232 pinout with jumper‑selectable RS‑485 mode

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6. Installation & Setup

Power Requirements:
Supply 10 – 30 V DC to pins 9 (+VS) and 10 (GND) of the terminal block. Ensure stable, regulated power for reliable operation.

Mounting Options:
Compact form factor allows panel or DIN‑rail mounting. The fanless design supports installation in sealed industrial enclosures.

Configuration:
- COM1 Mode Selection:
Set jumpers JP5, JP6, JP7 for RS‑232 or RS‑485 operation.
- INIT Pin:
Used for firmware or ROM‑disk updates. Must be disconnected from ground immediately before update completion to prevent system hang.
- Communication Setup:
Default baud rates: COM1–3 = 9600 bps, COM4 = 57600 bps, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit.
- Software Setup:
Connect COM4 to PC via RS‑232 cable. Use HyperTerminal or COMM.EXE to access the DOS prompt (A:\>).

Program Download Procedure:
1. Connect COM4 to PC serial port.
2. Ground INIT* pin and power on the module.
3. Use Xmodem protocol to transfer the ROM image via HyperTerminal.
4. Disconnect INIT* before completion to avoid hang.
5. Reboot to apply updates.

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7. Performance & Capabilities

- Processing Speed: 40 MHz CPU ensures fast response for real‑time control.
- Communication Throughput: Up to 115.2 kbps per port, supporting simultaneous multi‑port operation.
- Memory Utilization:
- ROM‑disk (Flash): up to 512 KB for OS and applications
- RAM‑disk (SRAM): up to 256 KB for temporary data
- EEPROM: 2 KB for configuration parameters
- NVRAM: 32 bytes for critical data retention
- Watchdog Timer: 1.6 s timeout, software‑refreshable for system recovery.
- LED Display: 5‑digit 7‑segment display supports numeric and hexadecimal output with adjustable intensity.
- Reliability: Battery‑backed RTC/NVRAM ensures data retention for 10 years; fanless design eliminates moving parts.
- Limitations:
- No built‑in Ethernet or USB interfaces
- Limited to DOS‑based applications
- EEPROM block 7 reserved for system use

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8. Standards & Compliance

- Electrical Safety: Designed for industrial DC power systems (10–30 V DC).
- Isolation: 3 kV isolation on COM2 RS‑485 port for noise immunity.
- Environmental Compliance: Wide temperature and humidity tolerance for industrial environments.
- Software Standards:
- Datalight ROM‑DOS compliant with MS‑DOS 5.0 API
- Y2K‑compliant RTC (1980–2079)
- Industry Standards:
- RS‑232 (EIA/TIA‑232‑E)
- RS‑485 (EIA/TIA‑485‑A)
- DOS file system FAT12/FAT16 compatible

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9. Additional Information

Warranty & Support:
Typically supplied with a 1‑year limited hardware warranty covering manufacturing defects. Technical documentation includes hardware and software manuals, pin assignments, and programming libraries.

Maintenance:
- Periodically verify RTC battery voltage (10‑year expected life).
- Ensure clean, dry environment; avoid condensation.
- Firmware updates via COM4 using TOROM.EXE utility.

Software Development & Updates:
- 9188 Library: Provides C‑language functions for COM port control, LED management, EEPROM/Flash access, watchdog, and timers.
- Development Environment: Compatible with Borland C++ 3.1 or Turbo C in small memory model, CPU = 80186, floating‑point emulation enabled.
- Utilities:
- ROMDISK.EXE: Creates ROM‑disk image files.
- TOROM.EXE: Transfers ROM‑disk images to Flash memory.
- VDISK.SYS: Creates virtual RAM‑disks.
- COMM.EXE / XM.EXE / TRANSFER.EXE: Manage serial communication and file transfer.

Boot Sequence Overview:
1. MiniBIOS initializes hardware and interrupts.
2. ROM‑DOS loads from Flash and mounts ROM‑disk (A:).
3. Optional RAM‑disk (B:) created in SRAM.
4. System executes AUTOEXEC.BAT or user application.

Support Resources:
- Hardware & Software Manuals (EX9188XD Series V1.2)
- Example C source code and library documentation
- Technical assistance from Topsccc or authorized distributors

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Summary

The Topsccc EX9188AD is a robust, DOS‑based embedded controller built around the AMD 80188 CPU. It integrates multiple serial interfaces, onboard memory, RTC, and display functions in a compact, fanless module. With its wide operating range, flexible communication options, and comprehensive software support, the EX9188AD serves as a reliable platform for industrial automation, data acquisition, and embedded control applications requiring deterministic performance and long‑term stability.