Comprehensive Product Summary – Rayon Technology P5788U Universal PCI 8-Port Serial Communication Card

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: UPCI 8-Port 7×RS232/422 + 1×RS232/485 5V Only Card
Model Number: P5788U
Series: PCIPORT Universal PCI Serial Communication Card Series
Article Number: P5788U
Manufacturer: Rayon Technology Co., Ltd.
Manufacturer Address: 2F, No. 177, Chung-Shan 2 Rd., Lu-Chou City, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Contact:
- Tel: +886-2-82858362
- Fax: +886-2-82857065
- Email: rayon@ms1.hinet.net
- Web: [www.rayontech.com](http://www.rayontech.com)

The Rayon P5788U is a high-performance, intelligent Universal PCI communication card designed to provide eight independent serial ports for industrial, commercial, and embedded PC applications. It supports flexible configuration of seven RS232/RS422 ports and one RS232/RS485 port, offering robust connectivity for multi-protocol serial communication environments.

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### 2. Key Features

- Eight Independent Serial Ports: Seven ports configurable as RS232 or RS422, and one port configurable as RS232 or RS485.
- Universal PCI Interface: Compatible with both 5V and 3.3V PCI slots (33 MHz), ensuring broad system compatibility.
- Automatic Resource Allocation: IRQ and I/O mapping automatically assigned by PCI BIOS through Plug & Play functionality.
- Auto Data Direction Control: Built-in automatic data direction control for RS485 communication, eliminating the need for manual RTS signal handling.
- High-Speed Communication: Supports baud rates from 50 bps up to 115,200 bps per port (software programmable).
- 16550A-Compatible UART: Each port uses a 16550A-compatible UART with 16-byte FIFO buffers for efficient data handling.
- Flexible Connector Options: Supports DB25 or DB9 male connectors via included expansion cable.
- Operating System Support: Fully compatible with DOS, Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista, Linux, and SCO OpenServer.
- Plug & Play Installation: No manual configuration required; resources are automatically assigned by the PCI BIOS.
- Multi-Card Support: Up to two P5788U cards can be installed per system, providing up to 16 serial ports.
- Industrial Reliability: Designed for continuous operation in industrial environments with wide temperature and humidity tolerance.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

System Architecture:
- Intelligent PCI multi-port serial communication controller card.
- External expansion cable with eight standard DB25 or DB9 connectors.

Serial Communication Controller:
- Type: 16550A-compatible UART with programmable FIFO.
- Clock Frequency: 1.8432 MHz (supports up to 14.7456 MHz for higher baud rates).
- Buffer: 16-byte transmit and receive FIFO per port.

Interface Configuration:
- Ports A–G: RS232 or RS422 selectable independently.
- Port H: RS232 or RS485 selectable independently.
- Baud Rate Range: 50 to 115,200 bps (software programmable).
- Signal Control: RTS/CTS and XON/XOFF flow control supported.

Connectors:
- DB25 male (via R801 cable) or DB9 male (via R804 cable).
- DB62 male connector on the card for expansion cable connection.

Bus Interface:
- PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.1 compliant.
- 5V or 3.3V signaling, 33 MHz clock.
- Plug & Play resource assignment.

I/O and IRQ Mapping:
- One 64-byte and one 8-byte I/O region assigned by PCI BIOS.
- One IRQ assigned by PCI BIOS (IRQ sharing supported).

Physical Dimensions:
- Card Size: 6.0 × 4.2 inches (152 × 107 mm).

Environmental Conditions:
- 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

Power Requirements:
- Single 5V power supply only.
- Power consumption optimized for low-heat operation.

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### 4. Functionality

The P5788U functions as a high-density serial communication interface for PCs equipped with PCI slots. It provides eight independent serial channels that can be configured for RS232, RS422, or RS485 communication standards. Each port operates independently, allowing mixed-mode operation across multiple serial protocols.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial automation and process control systems.
- Data acquisition and instrumentation.
- Point-of-sale (POS) and kiosk systems.
- SCADA and telemetry systems.
- Multi-terminal communication servers.
- Embedded control and monitoring systems.

Compatibility:
- Compatible with standard PC AT architecture and PCI bus systems.
- Supports major operating systems including Windows (95 through Vista), DOS, Linux, and UNIX variants.
- Supports up to two cards per system for a total of 16 serial ports.

Operation:
- Each port can be configured via software or DIP switch for the desired communication mode.
- RS485 ports feature automatic data direction control, simplifying half-duplex communication.
- Plug & Play BIOS automatically assigns I/O addresses and IRQs, minimizing configuration effort.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- One P5788U PCI interface card.
- One DB62-to-8×DB9M or DB25M expansion cable (R804 or R801).
- User manual and driver diskette.

Optional Accessories:
- R803 Cable: DB62 male-to-male cable for connection to RS4232-8 isolation box.
- RS4232-8 Box: External isolation box providing galvanic isolation and RS232/RS422/RS485 conversion.
- TB485 Adapter: DB9 female to RS485 terminal block converter for field wiring.
- P5388U-25 Cable: Optional DB25M connector cable variant.

Connector Pinouts:
- DB62 connector pin assignments support eight serial channels with full signal mapping for TXD, RXD, RTS, CTS, DSR, DTR, and DCD.
- DB25 and DB9 connectors follow standard RS232/RS422/RS485 pin definitions.

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### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- PC/AT compatible system with available 5V or 3.3V PCI slot (33 MHz).
- Supported operating systems: DOS, Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista, Linux, SCO OpenServer.

Installation Procedure:
1. Power off the host system.
2. Insert the P5788U card into an available PCI slot.
3. Connect the DB62 expansion cable to the card.
4. Power on the system.
5. The PCI BIOS automatically detects and assigns resources.
6. Install the appropriate driver for your operating system.

Driver Installation:
- Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7: Plug & Play detection; specify driver path (A:\WIN2000 or equivalent).
- Windows NT4: Manual installation via Control Panel → Network → Add Adapter → “Other.”
- Windows 95/98/ME: Automatic detection; specify driver directory (A:\WIN95).
- DOS: Run `PCIPORT.EXE` from the driver diskette to install.
- Linux: Extract driver package, run `./Install`, and rebuild kernel modules.
- SCO OpenServer: Use `/etc/custom` or manual `tar` and `build` commands to install.

Multi-Card Configuration:
- Up to two P5788U cards can be installed per system.
- Jumper JP1 determines card number: ON = first card, OFF = second card.
- Each card receives unique I/O and IRQ assignments from the PCI BIOS.

Caution:
Do not insert or remove the card while the system is powered on. Use anti-static precautions during installation.

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

Communication Performance:
- Baud Rate: 50–115,200 bps (standard), up to 921,600 bps with optional 14.7456 MHz crystal.
- Data Bits: 5, 6, 7, or 8 bits.
- Stop Bits: 1 or 2.
- Parity: None, Even, Odd, Mark, or Space.
- Flow Control: Hardware (RTS/CTS) and software (XON/XOFF).

Throughput and Efficiency:
- 16-byte FIFO buffers per port reduce CPU interrupt load.
- PCI bus interface ensures high data throughput and low latency.
- IRQ sharing supported for efficient multi-card operation.

Limitations:
- Maximum of two cards per system (16 ports total).
- RS485 mode supports half-duplex communication only.
- Requires 5V power supply (no 12V or 3.3V-only operation).

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

Bus and Interface Standards:
- PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.1 compliant.
- RS232C, RS422, and RS485 electrical interface standards compliant.

Software and OS Compatibility:
- Microsoft Windows (DOS through Vista, including NT/2000/XP/2003).
- Linux kernel 2.4.x and later (source-based driver installation).
- SCO OpenServer and UNIX variants.

Regulatory and Quality Compliance:
- Designed and manufactured under Rayon Technology’s quality management system.
- Meets industrial-grade reliability and environmental standards.

Certifications:
- CE and FCC compliance (typical for PCI communication cards).
- RoHS-compliant manufacturing process.

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- One-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
- Excludes damage due to misuse, improper installation, or unauthorized modification.

Support and Service:
- Taiwan Service Center: rayon@ms1.hinet.net
- European Support (Acceed GmbH, Germany): rayon@acceed.com
- Technical documentation, driver updates, and troubleshooting guides available online.

Maintenance:
- No periodic maintenance required.
- Keep connectors clean and free from dust.
- Use anti-static handling procedures when removing or installing the card.

Repair and RMA Procedure:
- Obtain Return Material Authorization (RMA) before returning any product.
- Provide model number, serial number, and description of the issue.
- Products under warranty repaired free of charge; out-of-warranty repairs subject to flat-rate service fee.

Driver Updates and Compatibility:
- Windows 7 and later systems use the same driver as Windows 2000/XP/Vista.
- 32-bit and 64-bit driver versions available.
- COM port numbering can be adjusted via driver setup utility in Device Manager.

Related Models in the 5V PCI 8-Port Series:

| Model | RS232 Ports | RS422 Ports | RS485 Ports |
|--------|--------------|--------------|--------------|
| P5188U | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| P5288U | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| P5388U | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| P5488U | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| P5588U | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| P5688U | 8 | 6 | 2 |
| P5788U | 8 | 7 | 1 |
| P5888U | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| P5988U | 4 | 8 | 4 |

Summary of Advantages:
- High port density (8 ports per card).
- Flexible multi-protocol support (RS232/422/485).
- Universal PCI compatibility (5V/3.3V).
- Reliable operation across multiple OS platforms.
- Industrial-grade design with robust environmental tolerance.
- Comprehensive driver and software support.

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In Summary:
The Rayon Technology P5788U Universal PCI 8-Port Serial Communication Card is a versatile, high-performance solution for expanding serial connectivity in industrial and commercial PC systems. With its flexible configuration of RS232, RS422, and RS485 interfaces, automatic resource management, and broad OS compatibility, the P5788U provides a reliable and scalable platform for multi-port serial communication applications. Its robust design, comprehensive driver support, and ease of installation make it ideal for system integrators, OEMs, and industrial automation professionals seeking dependable serial expansion for PCI-based systems.