1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCIe 8-Port Isolated Serial Communication Card
Model: A3008I
Series: A320 Intelligent Multiport PCIe Series
Article Number: A3008I
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 A3008I is an industrial-grade PCI Express (PCIe) intelligent multiport serial communication card designed to provide eight fully isolated RS232/RS422/RS485 serial interfaces. It is part of Rayon’s A320 intelligent PCIe series, which supports scalable expansion up to 64 serial ports per system. The A3008I integrates advanced isolation circuitry, a high-performance intelligent processor, and flexible configuration options for industrial automation, data acquisition, and multi-user communication systems.

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2. Key Features

- Multi-Interface Support: Each port can be configured individually as RS232, RS422, or RS485, offering maximum flexibility for mixed communication environments.
- Ground Isolation: Each port is galvanically isolated to prevent ground loops and protect connected devices from electrical surges.
- High Port Density: Supports up to 8 isolated serial ports per card, expandable to 64 ports using compatible connector boxes (NF/IF series).
- Intelligent Processor Architecture: Built on Rayon’s A320 intelligent multiport platform with integrated memory mapping and UART control for efficient data handling.
- Single IRQ Resource: All ports share a single interrupt request (IRQ), minimizing system resource usage and simplifying configuration.
- Broad OS Compatibility: Supports DOS, Windows 95/98/Me, Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, and SCO OpenServer.
- Flexible Expansion: Compatible with NF116/NF216/NF316 or IF108/IF208/IF308 connector boxes for various interface combinations.
- High-Speed Communication: Each port supports baud rates from 110 to 115,200 bps with both hardware (RTS/CTS) and software (XON/XOFF) flow control.
- Industrial Reliability: Designed for continuous operation in industrial environments with wide temperature and humidity tolerance.
- Plug-and-Play PCIe Interface: Fully compliant with PCI Express bus standards, supporting both 3.3V and 5V signaling at 33 MHz.

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3. Technical Specifications

Card Dimensions: 122 mm × 86 mm (approx. 10.0 × 9.5 cm)
Weight: Approx. 120 g (card only)
Connector Type: DB37 male connector (on card)
Included Cable: A640 0.7 m cable for connection to external interface boxes
Supported Connector Boxes:
- NF116: RS232C, 16 ports per box
- NF216: RS422/RS485 selectable, 16 ports per box
- NF316: RS232/RS422/RS485 selectable, 16 ports per box
- IF108: Ground-isolated RS232C, 8 ports per box
- IF208: Ground-isolated RS422/RS485 selectable, 8 ports per box
- IF308: Ground-isolated RS232/RS422/RS485 selectable, 8 ports per box

Electrical Characteristics:
- PCIe Bus Voltage: 3.3V and 5V compatible
- Bus Frequency: 33 MHz
- Maximum Cards per System: 2

Environmental Conditions:
- 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

Material: Industrial-grade PCB with reinforced insulation and EMI shielding.

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4. Functionality

The A3008I functions as an intelligent serial communication controller that offloads data handling from the host CPU. It uses a dedicated intelligent processor and dual memory mapping (2 × 4 KB memory map or 256/64-byte I/O mapping) to manage multiple UART channels efficiently. Each port can be independently configured for RS232, RS422, or RS485 operation via DIP switches on the external connector boxes.

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

Compatibility:
The A3008I is compatible with a wide range of operating systems and supports both legacy and modern environments. It can be integrated into systems running DOS, Windows (95 through 7), Linux, and SCO OpenServer. The card’s intelligent architecture ensures seamless operation across different OS platforms with minimal driver configuration.

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5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- A3008I PCIe card
- A640 0.7 m DB37-to-DB9 breakout cable
- Driver and installation media (Windows/Linux/SCO)
- User manual and installation guide

Optional Accessories:
- NF116/NF216/NF316 connector boxes (16 ports each)
- IF108/IF208/IF308 isolated connector boxes (8 ports each)
- Daisy-chain brackets for multi-box expansion (up to 8 boxes)
- P640NU PCI card for hybrid PCI/PCIe systems
- P990F and IOP3927F intelligent cards with onboard processors for advanced configurations

Connectors:
- Card: DB37 male
- Boxes: DB9 male connectors per port
- Daisy-chain: 37-pin D-type connectors (male/female) for inter-box linking

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6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- PCI Express slot (x1 or higher)
- IBM PC/AT or compatible system
- Supported OS (Windows, Linux, SCO, DOS)
- Available IRQ assigned by PCI BIOS

Installation Steps:
1. Power off the system and insert the A3008I card into an available PCIe slot.
2. Connect the A640 cable from the card’s DB37 connector to the desired IF or NF connector box.
3. Secure the connector box using the provided brackets if multiple boxes are daisy-chained.
4. Power on the system and install the appropriate driver for your operating system.
5. Configure port parameters (COM numbering, baud rate, interface type) via the driver setup utility or DIP switches on the connector box.
6. Verify installation using terminal software (e.g., HyperTerminal or Linux `tty` utilities).

Mounting Options:
- Internal PCIe slot installation
- External rack or panel mounting for connector boxes (268 × 128 × 38 mm each)
- Daisy-chain expansion up to 8 boxes per card

Configuration:
- Interface selection via DIP switches (RS232/RS422/RS485)
- Output enable timing adjustable for RS485 mode
- COM port numbering configurable through driver setup

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7. Performance & Capabilities

Baud Rate: 110 to 115,200 bps (standard); supports 50, 75, 150, and 200 bps for UNIX compatibility
Flow Control:
- Software: XON/XOFF
- Hardware: RTS/CTS

Port Capacity:
- 8 isolated ports per A3008I card
- Expandable to 64 ports using multiple connector boxes
- Supports up to 2 cards per system (128 ports total)

Data Handling:
- FIFO type 16C554 UART controller per port
- 4 KB memory map per UART controller
- Single IRQ for all ports, reducing CPU overhead

Efficiency:
The intelligent processor architecture minimizes host CPU load by managing serial communication tasks locally. This results in improved system performance, especially in multi-user or high-throughput environments.

Limitations:
- Maximum of two cards per system
- RS485 mode requires proper termination and biasing for long-distance communication
- Baud rate limited to 115,200 bps per port (standard configuration)

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8. Standards & Compliance

Bus Interface: PCI Express (3.3V/5V, 33 MHz)
Electrical Isolation: Ground-isolated per port (IF series boxes)
Controller Type: FIFO 16C554 UART
Compliance:
- CE and FCC Class A (industrial environment)
- RoHS compliant materials
- Meets RS232C, RS422, and RS485 electrical standards
- Compatible with PCI BIOS resource allocation standards

Software Drivers:
- Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7
- Linux (RedHat, Slackware, kernel 2.2–2.6)
- SCO OpenServer 5.0.x
- DOS (I/O map mode only)

Industry Standards:
- EIA/TIA-232, EIA/TIA-422, EIA/TIA-485
- PCI Express Base Specification 1.1
- UART FIFO buffering compliant with 16C554 standard

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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 surges.

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

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Ensure proper grounding and isolation when connecting external devices.
- Avoid hot-swapping connector boxes while the system is powered.
- Periodically check cable connections and DIP switch settings.

Repair Policy:
- Warranty repairs are free of charge for verified defects.
- Out-of-warranty repairs available at a flat service rate.
- Contact Rayon Service Center for RMA number before returning products.

Expansion & Compatibility:
- Fully compatible with Rayon’s P640NU, P990F, and IOP3927F intelligent cards.
- Supports daisy-chaining up to eight IF/NF boxes for large-scale serial networks.
- Can be integrated with TWIN232/TWIN485 converters for mixed RS232/RS422/RS485 environments.

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Summary

The Rayon A3008I PCIe 8-Port Isolated Serial Communication Card is a robust, scalable, and intelligent solution for industrial and commercial serial communication applications. Its modular architecture, intelligent processor, and flexible interface configuration make it ideal for environments requiring high reliability, electrical isolation, and multi-protocol support. With comprehensive driver support across multiple operating systems and compliance with industry standards, the A3008I provides a future-proof platform for serial connectivity in automation, networking, and data acquisition systems.