1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCIe 16-Port Ground Isolated Serial Communication Card
Model: A1216I
Series: A320 Intelligent Multiport PCIe Series
Article Number: A1216I
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](http://www.rayontech.com)

The Rayon A1216I is a high-performance PCI Express (PCIe) intelligent multiport serial communication card designed for industrial and commercial applications requiring multiple isolated serial interfaces. It integrates advanced ground isolation and supports both RS232 and RS422/RS485 communication standards. The card provides 16 serial ports—8 isolated RS232 and 8 isolated RS422/RS485—through a DB37 male connector and external IF-series connector boxes. It is part of Rayon’s A320 intelligent PCIe multiport architecture, supporting up to 64 serial ports per system with a single IRQ assignment.

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2. Key Features

- High-Density Serial Expansion: Supports up to 16 isolated serial ports (8 RS232 + 8 RS422/RS485) on a single PCIe slot.
- Scalable Architecture: Expandable to 64 ports using additional connector boxes (NF116/NF216/NF316 or IF108/IF208/IF308).
- Ground Isolation: Each port is galvanically isolated to prevent ground loops and electrical interference, ensuring reliable communication in industrial environments.
- Intelligent Processor Design: Built on the A320 intelligent multiport platform with local processing capability for efficient data handling.
- Single IRQ Resource: All ports share one IRQ assigned by the PCI BIOS, minimizing system resource usage.
- Flexible Interface Configuration: Each port can be configured individually as RS232, RS422, or RS485 via DIP switches on the connector boxes.
- Wide OS Compatibility: Supports DOS, Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, and SCO OpenServer.
- High-Speed Communication: Configurable baud rates from 110 to 115,200 bps per port.
- Flow Control Options: Supports both software (XON/XOFF) and hardware (RTS/CTS) handshaking.
- Industrial-Grade Reliability: Designed for continuous operation in demanding environments with wide temperature and humidity tolerance.
- Plug-and-Play PCIe Interface: Fully compliant with PCI Express bus standards for easy installation and system integration.
- Included Accessories: Ships with A640 0.7 m cable for connection to external IF-series boxes.

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3. Technical Specifications

Card Specifications:
- Bus Interface: PCI Express (PCIe) 3.3V, compatible with 3.3V and 5V 33 MHz PCI slots.
- Form Factor: 122 mm × 86 mm (approx. 10.0 × 9.5 cm).
- Connector: DB37 male connector for external cable connection.
- Memory Mapping:
- 128 bytes for PCI controller
- Two 4 KB blocks for UART controller
- I/O Mapping:
- 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.
- Power Requirements: 3.3V and 5V operation supported.
- Maximum Cards per System: 2 cards (up to 128 ports total).

Connector Box Specifications (IF-Series):
- IF108: 8-port Ground Isolated RS232C
- IF208: 8-port Ground Isolated RS422/RS485 (DIP switch selectable)
- IF308: 8-port Ground Isolated RS232/RS422/RS485 (DIP switch selectable)
- Controller: FIFO type 16C554 UART chip
- Connector Type: DB9 male per port
- Dimensions: 268 × 128 × 38 mm
- Baud Rate: 110–115,200 bps (supports 50/75/150 bps mapping for UNIX compatibility)
- Flow Control: XON/XOFF (software), RTS/CTS (hardware)
- Isolation: Full ground isolation per port

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

Materials:
- PCB: Industrial-grade multilayer board
- Enclosure (boxes): Metal housing for EMI shielding and durability

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4. Functionality

The A1216I functions as an intelligent serial communication interface card that offloads data handling from the host CPU. It uses an onboard intelligent processor (A320 architecture) to manage serial data flow between the host system and connected devices. The card connects to external IF-series connector boxes via the included A640 cable, providing isolated serial interfaces for industrial equipment such as PLCs, sensors, controllers, and communication terminals.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial automation and control systems
- Data acquisition and SCADA networks
- Multi-terminal communication servers
- POS and kiosk systems
- Serial device networking and monitoring
- Laboratory instrumentation and test systems

Compatibility:
- Compatible with NF and IF series connector boxes for flexible interface combinations.
- Supports both RS232 and RS422/RS485 communication standards.
- Works with legacy and modern operating systems across multiple platforms.

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5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- A1216I PCIe card
- A640 0.7 m DB37 cable
- Driver and utility software (Windows/Linux/SCO)
- Documentation and installation guide

Optional Accessories:
- IF108 Box: 8-port Ground Isolated RS232C
- IF208 Box: 8-port Ground Isolated RS422/RS485
- IF308 Box: 8-port Ground Isolated RS232/RS422/RS485
- NF116/NF216/NF316 Boxes: Non-isolated 16-port RS232/RS422/RS485 options
- P640NU Card: PCI version compatible with same connector boxes
- P990F Card: Built-in Intel 80960JF local processor
- IOP3927F Card: Built-in 133 MHz MIPS local processor for advanced applications

Connectors:
- DB37 male on card
- DB9 male on connector boxes
- 37-pin D-type cable interconnects (A640 series)

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6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- IBM PC/AT or compatible system
- Available PCIe slot (3.3V or 5V)
- Supported OS: DOS, Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, SCO OpenServer

Installation Steps:
1. Power off the system and insert the A1216I card into an available PCIe slot.
2. Connect the A640 cable from the card’s DB37 connector to the IF-series connector box.
3. Secure the connector box and ensure proper grounding.
4. Power on the system; the PCI BIOS will assign resources automatically.
5. Install the appropriate driver for your operating system.
6. Configure port parameters (COM numbering, baud rate, flow control) via driver setup utilities.
7. Verify installation using diagnostic tools (e.g., HyperTerminal, etty, or om utilities).

Mounting Options:
- Rack or panel mounting for connector boxes using brackets.
- Daisy-chain up to 8 boxes for expanded port capacity.

Configuration:
- DIP switches on IF boxes select RS232/RS422/RS485 mode per port.
- Software utilities allow COM port numbering and IRQ configuration.

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7. Performance & Capabilities

- Port Count: 16 isolated serial ports (8 RS232 + 8 RS422/RS485)
- Maximum Expansion: 64 ports per card, 128 ports per system (2 cards)
- Baud Rate Range: 110–115,200 bps (supports 50/75/150/200 bps mapping for UNIX)
- Data Bits: 5, 6, 7, or 8 bits
- Stop Bits: 1 or 2
- Parity: None, Even, Odd
- Flow Control: XON/XOFF, RTS/CTS
- Isolation Voltage: Full galvanic isolation between ports and system ground
- Efficiency: Single IRQ for all ports reduces CPU overhead
- Latency: Minimal due to intelligent local processing
- Limitations: Maximum of two cards per system; total 128 ports

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8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Interface: PCI Express (PCIe) compliant
- Serial Standards: RS232C, RS422, RS485 (EIA/TIA compliant)
- Isolation: Meets industrial ground isolation standards
- EMI/EMC: Designed for industrial environments with metal shielding
- Operating System Drivers:
- Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7
- Linux (RedHat, Slackware, kernel 2.2–2.6 supported)
- SCO OpenServer 5.0.x
- DOS driver support (I/O map mode only)
- Regulatory Compliance: CE and FCC Class A (industrial use)
- RoHS Compliance: Yes (lead-free manufacturing)

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9. Additional Information

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

Support & Maintenance:
- Technical support via email and web resources.
- Firmware and driver updates available from Rayon’s website.
- RMA (Return Material Authorization) process available for repairs.

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Ensure proper grounding and isolation when connecting external devices.
- Avoid hot-swapping cables while the system is powered.
- Periodically check connectors and cables for wear or damage.

Repair Procedure:
- Contact Rayon for RMA number before returning products.
- Provide model number, serial number, and problem description.
- Warranty repairs are free; out-of-warranty repairs available at flat-rate service charge.

Software Utilities:
- etty: Transmit/receive test utility for verifying port operation.
- om: Monitoring utility for real-time data transmission observation.
- Setup Utility: Configure COM port numbering and parameters under Windows.

Driver Installation Notes:
- Windows Plug & Play automatically detects the card and prompts for driver installation.
- Linux drivers provided as source code for kernel integration.
- SCO UNIX drivers require kernel rebuild after installation.

Expansion Capability:
- Daisy-chain up to 8 IF-series boxes per card using 37-pin cables.
- Each box adds 8 isolated ports, allowing flexible scaling from 8 to 64 ports.

Environmental Durability:
- Designed for continuous operation in industrial control rooms, manufacturing plants, and data centers.
- Metal enclosures provide EMI protection and mechanical robustness.

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Summary

The Rayon A1216I PCIe 16-Port Ground Isolated Serial Communication Card is a robust, scalable, and intelligent solution for multiport serial communication in industrial and enterprise environments. Combining the A320 intelligent processor architecture with ground-isolated IF-series connector boxes, it delivers reliable, high-speed, and interference-free serial connectivity. With support for multiple operating systems, flexible configuration options, and expansion up to 64 ports per card, the A1216I is ideal for system integrators, automation engineers, and network administrators seeking a high-density, high-reliability serial interface solution.