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AL104L

PCIe 4-Port RS232 Card low profile
67,00 EUR

including VAT 79.73 EUR

  • Manufacturer Rayon
  • Category: RS232 4-Ports
  • The Rayon AL104L is a low-profile PCI Express (PCIe) 4-Port RS232 serial communication card designed for industrial control, automation, and embedded computing environments. It provides four independent RS232 serial ports through a single PCIe interface, enabling reliable and high-performance serial communication for legacy and modern systems. The AL104L belongs to Rayon’s APCIe family of serial interface cards, which are known for their robust design, plug-and-play configuration, and broad operating system support.
- Four Independent RS232 Ports: Provides four fully functional RS232 serial ports on a single PCIe card, each capable of independent configuration and operation.
- Low Profile PCIe Form Factor: Compact 92 × 69 mm PCB with a low-profile bracket suitable for small form factor and industrial PCs.
- High-Performance Controller: Built around the Moschip MCS9904 serial communication controller, offering advanced buffering and efficient interrupt handling.
- Flexible Baud Rate Configuration: Each port supports baud rates from 50 to 115,200 bps, suitable for a wide range of serial devices.
- Plug & Play PCIe Interface: Automatic I/O, memory, and IRQ mapping assigned by the PCI BIOS, eliminating manual configuration.
- Comprehensive OS Support: Compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Linux operating systems.
- Industrial-Grade Reliability: Designed for continuous operation in industrial environments with wide temperature and humidity tolerance.
- Included Multi-Port Cable: Ships with a DB44 male to 4 × DB9 male breakout cable for easy connection to standard serial devices.
- Optional Cable Configurations: Supports optional DB44 male to 4 × DB25 male cable for alternate connector requirements.
- Compatible with APCIe Family Drivers: Uses the same driver architecture as other Rayon APCIe cards, simplifying multi-card installations.
- Ideal for Industrial Control Applications: Optimized for SCADA systems, PLC communication, CNC machinery, and serial instrumentation.

Country of origin: Taiwan R.O.C.

Customs tariff number: 8473 3020 000

1. Product Overview

Product Name: AL104L
Model: AL104L
Series: APCIe Series – PCI Express Serial Communication Cards
Article Number: AL104L
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
Websites: [www.rayontech.com](http://www.rayontech.com), [www.computex.com.tw/rayon](http://www.computex.com.tw/rayon)

The Rayon AL104L is a low-profile PCI Express (PCIe) 4-Port RS232 serial communication card designed for industrial control, automation, and embedded computing environments. It provides four independent RS232 serial ports through a single PCIe interface, enabling reliable and high-performance serial communication for legacy and modern systems. The AL104L belongs to Rayon’s APCIe family of serial interface cards, which are known for their robust design, plug-and-play configuration, and broad operating system support.




2. Key Features

- Four Independent RS232 Ports: Provides four fully functional RS232 serial ports on a single PCIe card, each capable of independent configuration and operation.
- Low Profile PCIe Form Factor: Compact 92 × 69 mm PCB with a low-profile bracket suitable for small form factor and industrial PCs.
- High-Performance Controller: Built around the Moschip MCS9904 serial communication controller, offering advanced buffering and efficient interrupt handling.
- Flexible Baud Rate Configuration: Each port supports baud rates from 50 to 115,200 bps, suitable for a wide range of serial devices.
- Plug & Play PCIe Interface: Automatic I/O, memory, and IRQ mapping assigned by the PCI BIOS, eliminating manual configuration.
- Comprehensive OS Support: Compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Linux operating systems.
- Industrial-Grade Reliability: Designed for continuous operation in industrial environments with wide temperature and humidity tolerance.
- Included Multi-Port Cable: Ships with a DB44 male to 4 × DB9 male breakout cable for easy connection to standard serial devices.
- Optional Cable Configurations: Supports optional DB44 male to 4 × DB25 male cable for alternate connector requirements.
- Compatible with APCIe Family Drivers: Uses the same driver architecture as other Rayon APCIe cards, simplifying multi-card installations.
- Ideal for Industrial Control Applications: Optimized for SCADA systems, PLC communication, CNC machinery, and serial instrumentation.




3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|-------------------|
| Bus Interface | PCI Express (PCIe) x1 slot |
| Controller Chip | Moschip MCS9904 (16950A compatible) |
| Number of Ports | 4 independent RS232 ports |
| Baud Rate | 50 to 115,200 bps (software configurable) |
| Connector on Card | DB44 female |
| Included Cable | DB44 male to 4 × DB9 male (R904 cable) |
| Optional Cable | DB44 male to 4 × DB25 male (R901 cable) |
| I/O Mapping | Assigned automatically by PCI BIOS |
| Memory Mapping | Assigned automatically by PCI BIOS |
| IRQ Mapping | Four IRQs assigned automatically by PCI BIOS |
| Dimensions | 92 mm (L) × 69 mm (W) |
| Bracket Type | Low-profile PCIe bracket |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 55°C |
| Storage Temperature | 0°C to 65°C |
| Operating Humidity | 10% to 95% RH (non-condensing) |
| Storage Humidity | 5% to 95% RH (non-condensing) |
| Material | Industrial-grade PCB with gold-plated PCIe contacts |
| Weight | Approx. 80 g (card only) |
| Power Requirements | Supplied via PCIe slot (no external power required) |




4. Functionality

The AL104L PCIe 4-Port RS232 Card functions as a high-speed serial communication interface for PCs and industrial systems. It connects directly to the PCI Express bus, providing four independent RS232 serial channels for communication with external devices such as modems, sensors, barcode scanners, industrial controllers, and instrumentation.

Each port operates independently and can be configured for different baud rates and communication parameters. The Moschip MCS9904 controller integrates advanced FIFO buffering (128 bytes transmit and receive) to minimize CPU load and prevent data loss during high-speed communication. The card’s plug-and-play architecture allows automatic resource allocation by the PCI BIOS, ensuring seamless integration without manual jumper or DIP switch configuration.

Typical Applications:
- Industrial automation and control systems
- Data acquisition and monitoring
- Serial device networking and integration
- POS (Point of Sale) terminals
- CNC and robotics communication
- Laboratory instrumentation
- Embedded system development and testing

Compatibility:
- Fully compatible with standard RS232 devices and communication protocols.
- Supports Windows and Linux operating systems with dedicated drivers.
- Compatible with other Rayon APCIe series cards for multi-card installations.




5. Components & Accessories

Included in Package:
- 1 × AL104L PCIe 4-Port RS232 Card (low-profile bracket)
- 1 × DB44 male to 4 × DB9 male breakout cable (R904)
- 1 × Driver and documentation CD or download link
- 1 × User manual

Optional Accessories:
- R901 Cable: DB44 male to 4 × DB25 male connectors
- Alternative Brackets: Standard height PCIe bracket (optional)
- RS232 Isolated Box (RS4232-4): For ground isolation and signal conversion
- RS232/RS422/RS485 Converter Boxes: For mixed interface environments

Connectors:
- On-card connector: DB44 female
- Breakout cable connectors: 4 × DB9 male (standard RS232 pinout)
- Optional cable connectors: 4 × DB25 male




6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- Available PCI Express x1 slot (compatible with x4/x8/x16 slots)
- Supported operating system (Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7 or Linux)
- Administrative privileges for driver installation

Installation Procedure:
1. Power off the host system and disconnect from AC power.
2. Insert the AL104L card into an available PCIe slot.
3. Secure the card using the bracket screw.
4. Connect the DB44 breakout cable to the card’s DB44 female connector.
5. Attach serial devices to the DB9 connectors on the breakout cable.
6. Power on the system.
7. The PCI BIOS will automatically detect the card and assign I/O, memory, and IRQ resources.
8. Install the appropriate driver for your operating system.

Driver Installation:
- Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7:
The system’s Plug & Play function detects the new hardware. When prompted, specify the driver path (e.g., `D:\PCIe_Card\APCIe\Win32`). The driver installs the “PCIe to High Speed Serial Port” device.
- Linux:
Copy the driver package to `/etc/rayone`, run the installation script (`./Install.redhat`), select the card type (APCIe/MPe9900), and rebuild the kernel module. After reboot, new serial devices appear as `/dev/tty2[1-4][a-d]`.

Mounting Options:
- Low-profile bracket for compact PCs
- Optional full-height bracket for standard desktop or rackmount systems

Configuration:
- No DIP switches or jumpers required; all resource assignments handled by PCI BIOS.
- Baud rate, parity, stop bits, and flow control configured via software or driver settings.




7. Performance & Capabilities

- Data Throughput: Up to 115.2 kbps per port (software programmable)
- Buffering: 128-byte transmit and receive FIFO per port (16950A compatible)
- Interrupt Handling: Shared or independent IRQs assigned by PCI BIOS
- Flow Control: Supports hardware (RTS/CTS) and software (XON/XOFF) flow control
- Latency Reduction: FIFO buffering minimizes CPU interrupts and improves system performance
- Multi-Card Support: Up to four APCIe cards can be installed in one system, providing up to 32 serial ports
- Reliability: Designed for 24/7 operation in industrial environments
- Limitations: RS232-only interface (no RS422/RS485 support on this model); for mixed or isolated interfaces, use A114, A124I, or A134I models.




8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Standard: PCI Express Base Specification Revision 1.1 compliant
- Serial Interface Standard: EIA/TIA RS232C compliant
- Controller Compatibility: 16950A UART compatible
- Operating System Support:
- Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7
- Linux kernel 2.6.x and later (RedHat, SUSE, Slackware distributions)
- Plug & Play: Fully compliant with PCI Plug & Play specifications
- RoHS Compliance: Manufactured in accordance with RoHS environmental standards
- EMC/EMI Compliance: Designed to meet CE and FCC Class B requirements (typical for industrial PCIe cards)




9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- One-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
- Warranty excludes damage from misuse, electrical surges, or unauthorized servicing.
- Out-of-warranty repairs available at a flat-rate service charge.

Support & Maintenance:
- Technical support available via email (rayon@ms1.hinet.net).
- Driver updates and documentation downloadable from Rayon’s website.
- RMA (Return Material Authorization) required for repairs; contact Rayon for RMA number and return instructions.

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Avoid inserting or removing the card while the system is powered on.
- Keep PCIe contacts clean and free of dust.
- Ensure adequate ventilation in the host system to maintain operating temperature.

Upgrade Path:
The AL104L is part of a scalable product family. Users requiring different serial standards or port counts can select from the following compatible models:

| Model | Ports | Interface Type | Isolation |
|------------|------------|--------------------|----------------|
| A102 | 2 | RS232 | No |
| A132 | 2 | RS422/RS485 | No |
| A112 | 2 | RS232/RS422/RS485 | No |
| A114 | 4 | RS232/RS422/RS485 | No |
| A134 | 4 | RS422/RS485 | No |
| A134I | 4 | RS422/RS485 | Ground Isolated |
| A124I | 4 | 2 × RS232 + 2 × Isolated RS422/RS485 | Ground Isolated |
| A168 | 8 | RS232 | No |
| A138 | 8 | RS422/RS485 | No |
| A118 | 8 | RS232/RS422/RS485 | No |

Related Accessories:
- RS4232-4 / RS4232-8 Isolated Boxes: Provide galvanic isolation and RS232/RS422/RS485 conversion.
- TWIN232 / TWIN485 Converters: Industrial-grade isolated converters for RS232 to RS422/RS485 applications.
- UTS004 / UTS485 USB-to-Serial Boxes: USB-based alternatives offering isolated multi-port serial connectivity.

Driver and Firmware Updates:
Rayon provides updated drivers for new operating systems and kernel versions. Linux drivers are open-source and can be recompiled for custom kernels. Windows drivers are WHQL-tested for stability.

Technical Support Contact:
For driver assistance, installation troubleshooting, or hardware diagnostics, users can contact Rayon’s engineering support team. Common issues such as IRQ conflicts, driver installation errors, or COM port recognition are addressed in the included troubleshooting guide.




### Summary

The Rayon AL104L PCIe 4-Port RS232 Card (Low Profile) is a robust, industrial-grade serial communication solution designed for modern PCI Express systems requiring multiple RS232 interfaces. Its use of the Moschip MCS9904 controller ensures high reliability, efficient data handling, and compatibility with a wide range of operating systems. The card’s plug-and-play architecture, combined with its compact low-profile design, makes it ideal for embedded, industrial, and automation environments where space and reliability are critical.

With automatic resource allocation, flexible baud rate configuration, and comprehensive driver support, the AL104L simplifies integration of legacy serial devices into modern computing platforms. Its inclusion in Rayon’s APCIe family ensures compatibility with a broad ecosystem of serial communication products, offering scalability from two to eight ports and across RS232, RS422, and RS485 standards.

In essence, the AL104L delivers industrial reliability, flexible connectivity, and seamless PCIe integration—making it a dependable choice for engineers, system integrators, and OEMs requiring stable multi-port RS232 communication in compact systems.