Comprehensive Product Summary – Rayon Technology A1016I PCIe 16-Port Ground Isolated RS232 Multiport Card

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCIe 16-Port Ground Isolated RS232 Intelligent Multiport Card
Model: A1016I
Series: A320 Intelligent Multiport Series
Article Number: A1016I
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
- Web: [www.rayontech.com](http://www.rayontech.com)

The Rayon A1016I is a high-performance PCI Express (PCIe) serial communication card designed for industrial and commercial applications requiring multiple isolated RS232 serial ports. It integrates intelligent processing, ground isolation, and flexible expansion capabilities, supporting up to 16 independent RS232 channels through two IF108 connector boxes. The card is part of Rayon’s A320 intelligent multiport architecture, offering robust performance, wide OS compatibility, and reliable data communication for multi-user or device-intensive environments.

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### 2. Key Features

- 16 Ground-Isolated RS232 Ports: Provides 16 fully isolated RS232 serial channels via two IF108 connector boxes, ensuring electrical isolation and protection from ground loops.
- PCI Express Interface: Compatible with standard PCIe slots, supporting both 3.3V and 5V signaling environments.
- Intelligent Multiport Architecture: Based on the A320 intelligent card design, capable of supporting up to 64 ports per system.
- Single IRQ Operation: All 16 ports share one IRQ assigned by the PCI BIOS, minimizing system resource usage.
- Flexible System Expansion: Modular design allows connection of multiple connector boxes (IF108, IF208, IF308, NF116, NF216, NF316) for various serial standards (RS232, RS422, RS485).
- High Compatibility: Supports legacy and modern operating systems including DOS, Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, and SCO OpenServer.
- High-Speed Communication: Each port supports baud rates from 110 to 115,200 bps, with UNIX-specific mappings for 57,600, 76,800, and 115,200 bps.
- Comprehensive Flow Control: Supports both software (XON/XOFF) and hardware (RTS/CTS) handshaking.
- Industrial-Grade Isolation: Ground isolation on each port ensures reliable operation in electrically noisy environments.
- Compact Design: Small form factor (10.0 × 9.5 cm) suitable for industrial PCs and embedded systems.
- Included Accessories: Supplied with A640 0.7m cable for connection between the PCIe card and connector boxes.
- Cross-Platform Drivers: Unified driver architecture across multiple OS platforms simplifies deployment and maintenance.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

Card Specifications:
- Model: A1016I
- Base Architecture: A320 Intelligent Multiport Card
- Interface: PCI Express (PCIe)
- Voltage Support: 3.3V and 5V PCIe signaling
- Bus Frequency: 33 MHz
- Maximum Cards per System: 2
- Connector Type: DB37 male connector on card
- Included Cable: A640 cable, 0.7 meters
- Dimensions: 10.0 cm (L) × 9.5 cm (W)
- Material: Industrial-grade PCB with reinforced components
- Weight: Approx. 120 g (card only)

Electrical and Environmental:
- Operating Temperature: 5°C to 40°C
- Storage Temperature: 0°C to 65°C
- Operating Humidity: 10% to 90% RH (non-condensing)
- Storage Humidity: 5% to 90% RH

System Resource Mapping:
- Memory Map Mode:
- 128 Bytes for PCI controller
- Two 4 KB blocks for UART controllers
- I/O Map Mode:
- 128 Bytes I/O for PCI controller
- 256 Bytes I/O for UART controller
- 64 Bytes I/O for status register
- IRQ: One free IRQ assigned by PCI BIOS

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### 4. Functionality

The A1016I functions as an intelligent multiport serial communication controller. It connects to two IF108 connector boxes via the A640 cable, each providing eight ground-isolated RS232 ports. The card’s onboard intelligent processor manages data flow between the host system and serial devices, reducing CPU load and improving throughput.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial automation and control systems
- Data acquisition and instrumentation
- Multi-terminal communication servers
- POS and kiosk systems
- SCADA and telemetry networks
- Serial device networking and monitoring
- Legacy equipment integration in modern PCs

Compatibility:
- Operating Systems: DOS, Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, SCO OpenServer
- Hardware: Compatible with standard PCIe slots on x86-based PCs and industrial computers
- Software Drivers: Unified driver package supporting both I/O and memory-mapped modes

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- A1016I PCIe card (A320 architecture)
- Two IF108 connector boxes (each with 8 RS232 ports)
- One A640 0.7m connection cable

Optional Accessories:
- IF208 box (8-port Ground Isolated RS422/RS485)
- IF308 box (8-port Ground Isolated RS232/RS422/RS485)
- NF116/NF216/NF316 boxes (16-port non-isolated RS232/RS422/RS485)
- P640NU PCI card (compatible with same connector boxes)
- P990F card (with Intel 80960JF local processor)
- IOP3927F card (with 133 MHz MIPS processor)

Connector Details:
- IF108 Box: DB9 male connectors (8 ports per box)
- Cable Interface: 37-pin D-type male connector on card to 37-pin female on box
- Signal Isolation: Full ground isolation per port

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### 6. Installation & Setup

Hardware Installation:
1. Power off the host system and disconnect AC power.
2. Insert the A1016I card into an available PCIe slot.
3. Connect the A640 cable between the card’s DB37 connector and the IF108 box.
4. Daisy-chain additional boxes if required (up to two for 16 ports).
5. Secure all connections and power on the system.

Software Installation:
- Windows:
- Plug-and-play detection under Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7.
- Manual driver installation for Windows 7 via Device Manager → Update Driver → specify path (e.g., A:\WIN2000).
- COM port numbering configurable via Device Manager → Multi-port Serial Adapter → Properties → Setup.
- Linux:
- Install source-based driver from Rayon package.
- Compile against kernel source (supports 2.2, 2.4, 2.6 kernels).
- Device naming convention: `/dev/tty6[1–8][a–h]` for first card, `/dev/tty7[1–8][a–h]` for second card.
- SCO UNIX:
- Install via `/etc/custom` or `tar` method.
- Rebuild kernel after driver installation.

Configuration Notes:
- Ensure one IRQ is available for the card.
- Verify BIOS resource allocation for memory or I/O mapping.
- For UNIX/Linux, ensure kernel source matches runtime image to avoid unresolved symbols.

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

Communication Performance:
- Baud Rate Range: 110 to 115,200 bps (standard)
- UNIX Baud Mapping:
- 50 bps → 57,600 bps
- 75 bps → 76,800 bps
- 150 bps → 115,200 bps
- Flow Control:
- Software: XON/XOFF
- Hardware: RTS/CTS
- FIFO Buffer: 16C554 UART with 16-byte FIFO per channel
- Isolation: Full ground isolation per port (IF108)
- Maximum Ports per System: 16 (A1016I) or up to 64 (A320 architecture)
- IRQ Usage: Single IRQ for all ports
- Latency: Optimized via intelligent processor and memory-mapped I/O

Limitations:
- Maximum of two cards per system (32 ports total).
- Baud rate limited to 115,200 bps per port.
- Requires proper driver installation for full OS support.

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

Electrical and Interface Standards:
- RS232C (EIA/TIA-232) compliant
- PCI Express Base Specification compliant
- Ground isolation per port (IF108)
- Compatible with RS422/RS485 standards via optional boxes

Regulatory and Quality Compliance:
- Designed and manufactured under ISO-compliant quality control
- Meets industrial EMC and safety standards for serial communication devices
- CE and FCC Class A compliant (industrial environment)

Industry Standards Supported:
- UART 16C554 FIFO architecture
- PCI BIOS resource assignment standards
- Linux TTY and UNIX serial device conventions

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- One-year limited hardware warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
- Excludes damage from misuse, electrical surges, or unauthorized servicing.

Support & Maintenance:
- Technical support via email (rayon@ms1.hinet.net).
- Driver updates and documentation available at [www.rayontech.com](http://www.rayontech.com).
- RMA (Return Material Authorization) required for repairs.

Repair Policy:
- Warranty repairs free of charge for verified defects.
- Out-of-warranty repairs available at flat-rate service charge.
- Customers advised to contact Rayon before returning products to verify software configuration issues.

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Avoid hot-swapping connector boxes; always power down before connecting/disconnecting.
- Periodically inspect cables and connectors for wear or oxidation.
- Keep operating environment within specified temperature and humidity ranges.

Software Updates:
- Unified driver package supports all Rayon intelligent multiport cards (A320, P640NU, IOP3927F).
- Updated drivers available for Windows 7, Linux kernel 2.6+, and SCO OpenServer 5.0.x.

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### Summary

The Rayon A1016I PCIe 16-Port Ground Isolated RS232 Card is a robust, industrial-grade multiport serial communication solution built on the A320 intelligent architecture. It provides 16 fully isolated RS232 ports through dual IF108 boxes, ensuring reliable, noise-free communication in demanding environments. With broad OS support, single-IRQ efficiency, and modular expandability, the A1016I is ideal for industrial automation, data acquisition, and multi-terminal applications requiring high reliability and flexible configuration. Its intelligent design minimizes CPU load, supports both memory and I/O mapping, and integrates seamlessly into modern PCIe-based systems, making it a versatile and future-proof choice for serial communication infrastructure.