Comprehensive Product Summary – Rayon Technology A3016I PCIe 16-Port Isolated Serial Communication Solution

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCIe 16-Port Isolated Serial Communication Card
Model: A3016I
Article Number: A3016I
Series: A320 Intelligent Multiport PCIe Series
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 A3016I is a high-performance PCI Express (PCIe) multiport serial communication card designed for industrial and enterprise applications requiring multiple isolated serial interfaces. It supports up to 16 isolated RS232/RS422/RS485 ports through modular connector boxes and is part of Rayon’s A320 intelligent multiport architecture, which scales up to 64 ports per system. The card integrates intelligent I/O processing, hardware isolation, and broad OS compatibility for robust, high-density serial communication.

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### 2. Key Features

- 16-Port Ground-Isolated Serial Communication: Supports RS232, RS422, and RS485 interfaces with full electrical isolation for industrial reliability.
- PCIe Bus Interface: Compatible with 3.3V PCIe slots, ensuring high-speed data throughput and plug-and-play installation.
- Expandable Architecture: Based on the A320 intelligent multiport design, allowing expansion up to 64 serial ports per PCIe slot using daisy-chained connector boxes.
- Single IRQ Resource: Efficient system resource usage—only one IRQ is required for all ports, minimizing CPU overhead.
- Intelligent Processor Integration: Embedded intelligent processor for efficient data handling and reduced host CPU load.
- Flexible Interface Configuration: Each port can be configured independently as RS232, RS422, or RS485 via DIP switches.
- High-Speed Communication: Supports baud rates from 110 to 115,200 bps (software-selectable).
- Comprehensive OS Support: Compatible with DOS, Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, and SCO OpenServer.
- Hardware and Software Flow Control: Supports both XON/XOFF (software) and RTS/CTS (hardware) handshaking.
- Industrial-Grade Isolation: Ground isolation on each port prevents ground loops and signal interference.
- Compact Design: Card dimensions of 122 × 86 mm (approx. 10 × 9.5 cm) suitable for standard PCIe slots.
- Bundled Accessories: Includes A640 0.7 m cable and DB37 male connector for external box connection.
- Scalable System Integration: Compatible with multiple connector boxes (NF116, NF216, NF316, IF108, IF208, IF308) for flexible deployment.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

Card Specifications:
- Bus Interface: PCI Express (PCIe) 3.3V, 33 MHz
- Voltage Compatibility: 3.3V and 5V PCI slots
- Maximum Cards per System: 2
- Dimensions: 122 mm × 86 mm (approx. 10.0 × 9.5 cm)
- Connector: DB37 male connector
- Included Cable: A640 cable, 0.7 m length
- Material: Industrial-grade PCB with reinforced insulation (Rayon proprietary design)
- 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 Assignment: One free IRQ assigned by PCI BIOS

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

Performance:
- Baud Rate: 110 to 115,200 bps (configurable per port)
- Flow Control: XON/XOFF (software), RTS/CTS (hardware)
- Isolation: Ground-isolated per port (IF-series boxes)
- Port Count: 16 isolated serial ports (expandable to 64)

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### 4. Functionality

The A3016I functions as an intelligent multiport serial communication controller. It connects to external connector boxes via the A640 cable, each box providing 8 or 16 isolated serial ports. The card’s onboard intelligent processor manages data flow between the host system and serial devices, minimizing CPU load and ensuring stable, high-speed communication.

Supported Interfaces:
- RS232C: Standard asynchronous serial communication for modems, terminals, and legacy devices.
- RS422: Differential signaling for long-distance, high-speed communication.
- RS485: Multi-drop communication for industrial automation and networked serial devices.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial automation and control systems
- Data acquisition and instrumentation
- POS and kiosk systems
- SCADA and telemetry networks
- Serial device servers and communication hubs
- Multi-user UNIX/Linux terminal systems

Compatibility:
- Fully compatible with PCIe-based PCs and industrial computers.
- Supports multiple operating systems: DOS, Windows (95 through 7), Linux, and SCO UNIX.
- Works with Rayon’s NF and IF series connector boxes for flexible interface configuration.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- A3016I PCIe card
- A640 0.7 m connection cable
- DB37 male connector interface

Compatible Connector Boxes:
- NF116: 16-port RS232C compatible box (DB9 male connectors)
- NF216: 16-port RS422/RS485 selectable box (DB9 male connectors)
- NF316: 16-port RS232/RS422/RS485 selectable box (DB9 male connectors)
- IF108: 8-port ground-isolated RS232C box (DB9 male connectors)
- IF208: 8-port ground-isolated RS422/RS485 selectable box (DB9 male connectors)
- IF308: 8-port ground-isolated RS232/RS422/RS485 selectable box (DB9 male connectors)

Optional Accessories:
- Additional A640 cables for extended connections
- Daisy-chain brackets for multi-box configurations (up to 8 boxes)
- Mounting brackets for rack or panel installation

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### 6. Installation & Setup

Hardware Installation:
1. Power off the host system and insert the A3016I card into an available PCIe slot.
2. Secure the card with the bracket screw.
3. Connect the A640 cable from the card’s DB37 connector to the first connector box.
4. Daisy-chain additional boxes if required (up to 8 boxes per card).
5. Power on the system and verify BIOS detection.

Software Installation:
- Windows: Plug-and-play detection supported. Drivers available for Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7.
- Linux: Source-based driver installation via `/etc/rayon` directory; supports kernel versions 2.2–2.6 and later.
- SCO UNIX: Driver installation via `/etc/custom` or `tar` command; kernel rebuild required.
- DOS: I/O map mode driver installation supported.

Configuration:
- DIP switches on connector boxes select RS232/RS422/RS485 modes.
- COM port numbering configurable via driver setup utility.
- IRQ and memory mapping automatically assigned by PCI BIOS.

Mounting Options:
- Standard PCIe slot mounting
- External boxes can be rack-mounted or daisy-chained using provided brackets

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

- Port Density: 16 isolated serial ports per card (expandable to 64)
- Data Rate: 110–115,200 bps per port
- Signal Integrity: Ground isolation prevents cross-interference and ground loops
- System Efficiency: Single IRQ for all ports reduces CPU overhead
- Scalability: Supports up to two cards per system (128 ports total)
- Reliability: Industrial-grade design with wide temperature and humidity tolerance
- Latency: Low-latency communication due to intelligent local processing
- Limitations:
- Maximum of two cards per system
- RS485 mode requires proper DIP switch configuration
- Baud rate limited to 115,200 bps per port

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

Electrical & Interface Standards:
- RS232C (EIA/TIA-232)
- RS422 (EIA/TIA-422)
- RS485 (EIA/TIA-485)
- PCI Express 1.0/2.0 compliant

Software & OS Compliance:
- Microsoft Windows certified drivers (95 through 7)
- Linux kernel module support (RedHat, Slackware, Ubuntu variants)
- SCO OpenServer certified driver support

Environmental & Safety Compliance:
- Designed for industrial environments (5–40°C operation)
- Ground isolation meets industrial EMC standards
- Manufactured under ISO-compliant quality control

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- Standard Warranty: 1-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
- Exclusions: Damage due to misuse, unauthorized servicing, or electrical faults.
- Repair Policy: Out-of-warranty repairs available at flat-rate service charge.

Support & Maintenance:
- Technical support via email (rayon@ms1.hinet.net / info@rayontech.com.tw)
- Driver updates and documentation available on [www.rayontech.com](http://www.rayontech.com)
- RMA (Return Material Authorization) required for repairs—contact Rayon Service Center for authorization number and return instructions.

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Ensure proper grounding and isolation when connecting external devices.
- Avoid hot-swapping connector boxes while powered.
- Periodically inspect cables and connectors for wear or damage.

Firmware & Driver Updates:
- Regular driver updates provided for new OS versions.
- Linux source drivers available for kernel recompilation.
- Windows driver utilities include COM port configuration tools.

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### Summary

The Rayon A3016I PCIe 16-Port Isolated Serial Solution is a robust, scalable, and intelligent communication interface designed for industrial and enterprise environments requiring multiple isolated serial connections. Built on the A320 intelligent multiport architecture, it offers exceptional flexibility—supporting RS232, RS422, and RS485 interfaces with full ground isolation. Its intelligent processor architecture minimizes CPU load, while its modular connector box system allows expansion up to 64 ports per card. With comprehensive OS support, industrial-grade reliability, and efficient resource utilization, the A3016I is an ideal solution for high-density serial communication in automation, data acquisition, and network management applications.