1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCIe 16-Port Serial Communication Solution
Model: A3016
Series: A320 Intelligent Multiport PCIe Series
Article Number: A3016
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 A3016 is a high-performance PCI Express (PCIe) intelligent multiport serial communication card designed to provide up to 16 serial ports supporting RS232, RS422, and RS485 interfaces. It is part of Rayon’s A320 intelligent multiport card family, which supports scalable configurations from 8 to 64 ports per system. The A3016 is engineered for industrial, server, and communication applications requiring multiple serial connections with high reliability, flexible configuration, and broad OS compatibility.

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2. Key Features

- High Port Density: Supports up to 16 serial ports per card, expandable to 64 ports using compatible connector boxes (NF116/NF216/NF316 or IF108/IF208/IF308).
- Single IRQ Operation: Efficient system resource utilization with only one IRQ required for up to 64 ports.
- Flexible Interface Support: Each port can be configured as RS232, RS422, or RS485, depending on the connector box used.
- Ground Isolation: Optional ground-isolated models (IF108/IF208/IF308) provide electrical isolation for industrial environments.
- High-Speed Communication: Baud rate configurable from 110 bps to 115,200 bps per port.
- Flow Control: Supports both software (XON/XOFF) and hardware (RTS/CTS) handshaking.
- Broad OS Compatibility: Drivers available for DOS, Windows 95/98/Me, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7, Linux, and SCO OpenServer.
- Intelligent Processor Architecture: Built-in intelligent processor for efficient data handling and reduced CPU load.
- Plug-and-Play PCIe Interface: Fully compliant with PCI Express bus standards for easy installation and configuration.
- Compact Design: Card dimensions of 122 mm × 86 mm (approx. 10.0 × 9.5 cm).
- Included Accessories: Supplied with A640 0.7 m cable and DB37 male connector.
- Scalable Expansion: Daisy-chain capability allows up to eight external boxes per card, supporting up to 64 serial ports in total.

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3. Technical Specifications

Card Specifications:
- Model: A3016 (A320 Series)
- Bus Interface: PCI Express (PCIe) 3.3V, compatible with 3.3V and 5V 33 MHz PCI slots
- Processor: Intelligent local processor for multiport management
- Memory Mapping:
- 128 bytes for PCI controller
- Two 4 KB memory 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
- Connector: DB37 male connector
- Cable: A640 cable, 0.7 m length
- Dimensions: 122 × 86 mm (approx. 10.0 × 9.5 cm)
- Material: Industrial-grade PCB with high-reliability components
- Weight: Approx. 150 g (card only)

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 (non-condensing)

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4. Functionality

The A3016 PCIe card functions as an intelligent multiport serial communication controller. It connects to external multiport connector boxes via the A640 cable, enabling flexible configuration of serial interfaces. Each port can be independently set to RS232, RS422, or RS485 mode, depending on the connected box type.

Supported Connector Boxes:
- NF116: 16-port RS232C compatible
- NF216: 16-port RS422/RS485 selectable
- NF316: 16-port RS232/RS422/RS485 selectable
- IF108: 8-port ground-isolated RS232C
- IF208: 8-port ground-isolated RS422/RS485 selectable
- IF308: 8-port ground-isolated RS232/RS422/RS485 selectable

Use Cases:
- Industrial automation systems requiring multiple serial device connections
- Data acquisition and control systems
- Communication servers and terminal concentrators
- POS and kiosk systems
- SCADA and remote monitoring applications
- Multi-user UNIX/Linux environments

Compatibility:
- PCIe bus slot (3.3V/5V)
- Operating Systems: DOS, Windows 95/98/Me, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7, Linux, SCO OpenServer

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5. Components & Accessories

Included:
- A3016 PCIe card (A320 intelligent multiport card)
- A640 0.7 m connection cable
- DB37 male connector

Optional Accessories:
- NF116/NF216/NF316 Boxes: 16-port connector boxes for RS232/RS422/RS485
- IF108/IF208/IF308 Boxes: 8-port ground-isolated connector boxes
- P640NU Card: Compatible PCI card for similar connector boxes
- P990F Card: PCI card with built-in Intel 80960JF local processor
- IOP3927F Card: PCI card with built-in 133 MHz MIPS processor

Connector Type:
- DB9 male connectors on all external boxes
- Daisy-chain connectors (37-pin D-type) for multi-box expansion

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6. Installation & Setup

Hardware Installation:
1. Power off the host system and disconnect AC power.
2. Insert the A3016 card into an available PCIe slot.
3. Connect the A640 cable to the DB37 connector on the card.
4. Attach the other end of the cable to the selected connector box (NF or IF series).
5. For multi-box configurations, daisy-chain up to eight boxes using 37-pin connectors.
6. Secure all connections and power on the system.

Software Installation:
- Windows: Plug-and-Play installation for Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7. Drivers are provided on diskette or via Rayon’s website.
- Linux: Source-based driver installation using provided scripts (`/etc/rayon/Install`). Supports RedHat and Slackware distributions.
- SCO UNIX: Install via `/etc/custom` or `tar` command, rebuild kernel after installation.
- DOS/Windows 95/98/Me: Use I/O map mode drivers for legacy systems.

Configuration:
- COM port numbering and IRQ assignment handled automatically by PCI BIOS.
- DIP switches on connector boxes allow per-port interface selection (RS232/RS422/RS485).
- Flow control and baud rate settings configurable via software or DIP switches.

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7. Performance & Capabilities

- Maximum Ports per Card: 16 (expandable to 64 with external boxes)
- Maximum Cards per System: 2
- Baud Rate: 110 to 115,200 bps per port
- Flow Control: XON/XOFF (software), RTS/CTS (hardware)
- Data Bits: 5, 6, 7, or 8 bits
- Stop Bits: 1 or 2
- Parity: None, Even, Odd
- Throughput: Optimized via intelligent processor and FIFO UART buffering
- UART Controller: FIFO type 16C554 chip
- Isolation (IF Series): Full ground isolation per port for noise immunity
- Latency: Minimal due to intelligent local processing
- Expansion: Daisy-chain up to 8 boxes per card (64 ports total)
- Limitations:
- Maximum of two cards per system
- Baud rate limited to 115,200 bps per port
- RS485 mode requires proper DIP switch configuration for data direction control

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8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Interface: PCI Express (PCIe) compliant
- Electrical Standards: RS232C, RS422, RS485 (EIA/TIA compliant)
- Isolation: Ground isolation on IF-series boxes
- Environmental Compliance: Designed for industrial temperature and humidity ranges
- Software Standards: Compatible with major operating systems and kernel versions
- Certifications: CE, FCC Class A (industrial environment)
- Regulatory Compliance: Meets international EMC and safety standards for industrial communication equipment

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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 available via email (rayon@ms1.hinet.net).
- Firmware and driver updates provided through Rayon’s website.
- RMA (Return Material Authorization) required for repairs.
- Out-of-warranty repairs available at a flat-rate service charge.

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Ensure proper grounding and shielding in industrial environments.
- Avoid hot-swapping connector boxes while powered.
- Periodically check cable connections and DIP switch settings.

Update & Expansion Options:
- Compatible with Rayon’s P640NU, P990F, and IOP3927F cards for system scalability.
- Supports future driver updates for new OS versions.
- Expandable via additional connector boxes for up to 64 ports per card.

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Summary

The Rayon A3016 PCIe 16-Port Serial Communication Solution is a robust, scalable, and intelligent multiport serial interface card designed for industrial and enterprise applications. With support for RS232, RS422, and RS485 interfaces, ground isolation options, and compatibility across multiple operating systems, it provides a flexible and reliable platform for high-density serial communication. Its intelligent processor architecture minimizes CPU load, while its modular design allows easy expansion and configuration. The A3016 is ideal for system integrators, industrial automation engineers, and IT professionals requiring high-performance serial connectivity in demanding environments.