1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCI 1-Port RS422/485 Card (Mixed Setting, 5V Only)
Model: AP1132-I
Article Number: AP1132-I
Series: APCIe Series (Advanced PCI Express Serial Communication Cards)
Manufacturer: Rayon Technology Co., Ltd.

The Rayon AP1132-I is a single-port industrial-grade PCI serial communication card designed for RS422 and RS485 interfaces. It belongs to the APCIe family of high-performance serial communication adapters, engineered for PC/AT systems with PCI or PCIe bus architecture. The card provides robust, ground-isolated communication channels suitable for industrial automation, data acquisition, and embedded control systems. It supports plug-and-play configuration through the PCI BIOS and offers flexible interface selection via DIP switches.

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2. Key Features

- Single-Port RS422/RS485 Interface: Provides one serial communication port configurable as RS422 or RS485 through DIP switch selection.
- Ground Isolation: Each port is galvanically isolated to prevent ground loops and electrical interference, ensuring reliable operation in industrial environments.
- High-Speed Communication: Supports baud rates from 50 bps up to 230,400 bps (software programmable).
- Advanced UART Controller: Each port uses a 16950A-compatible ASIX MCS9865 chip, offering 128-byte transmit and receive FIFOs for efficient data buffering and reduced CPU load.
- Plug & Play PCI Configuration: I/O mapping, memory mapping, and IRQ assignment are automatically handled by the PCI BIOS, simplifying installation and avoiding resource conflicts.
- Flexible Interface Selection: DIP switches allow per-port configuration between RS422 and RS485 modes.
- Dual DB9 Male Connectors: Provides two DB9 male connectors for easy connection to external serial devices.
- Low Profile Option: Optional low-profile brackets available for compact or embedded PC chassis.
- Operating System Support: Compatible with Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Windows 7, Linux, and SCO UNIX.
- Single Voltage Operation: Operates exclusively on 5V PCI bus power.
- Compact Design: PCB dimensions of 100 mm × 97 mm.
- Industrial Reliability: Designed with Rayon’s robust PCB layout and isolation technology for long-term stability in harsh environments.

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3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|-------------------|
| Bus Interface | PCI (5V signaling only) |
| Number of Ports | 1 (RS422/RS485 selectable) |
| Controller Chip | ASIX MCS9865 (16950A compatible) |
| Baud Rate Range | 50 bps to 230,400 bps (software programmable) |
| FIFO Buffer | 128 bytes transmit / 128 bytes receive |
| Flow Control | XON/XOFF (software) and RTS/CTS (hardware) |
| Connector Type | 2 × DB9 male connectors |
| Isolation | Ground isolation per port |
| Voltage Requirement | 5V only |
| Dimensions | 100 mm (L) × 97 mm (W) |
| Material | Industrial-grade PCB (Rayon proprietary design) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 60°C (typical) |
| Storage Temperature | -20°C to 85°C |
| Relative Humidity | 5% to 95% non-condensing |
| Supported OS | Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/7, Linux, SCO UNIX |
| Mounting Options | Standard PCI bracket; low-profile bracket optional |
| Isolation Voltage | Typically 2.5 kV between signal and ground (per port) |
| Signal Levels | RS422 differential, RS485 differential (half/full duplex) |

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4. Functionality

The AP1132-I functions as a PCI-based serial communication interface card that enables a host PC to communicate with external devices using RS422 or RS485 protocols. Each port can be configured independently via DIP switches:

- RS422 Mode: Supports full-duplex differential signaling for point-to-point or multi-drop communication.
- RS485 Mode: Supports half-duplex differential signaling with automatic data direction control, ideal for multi-drop bus networks.

The card’s onboard MCS9865 controller provides intelligent buffering and interrupt management, reducing CPU overhead and improving throughput. The PCI BIOS automatically assigns I/O addresses, memory ranges, and IRQs, ensuring seamless integration without manual configuration.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial automation and control systems
- SCADA and data acquisition networks
- Building management systems (BMS)
- Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication
- Embedded systems requiring isolated serial communication
- Laboratory instrumentation and test equipment interfaces

Compatibility:
- Compatible with standard PCI slots (5V signaling).
- Works with a wide range of operating systems and supports both 32-bit and 64-bit environments.
- Supports standard serial communication protocols and can interface with PLCs, sensors, controllers, and other RS422/RS485 devices.

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5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- AP1132-I PCI card (1-port RS422/RS485)
- User manual and driver CD (Windows and Linux drivers)
- Standard PCI bracket

Optional Accessories:
- Low-profile bracket for compact PC chassis
- DB9-to-terminal block adapters (for field wiring)
- RS4232-4 or RS4232-8 isolated converter boxes (for extended isolation and multi-port expansion)
- R803 DB62-to-DB62 cable (for connection to RS4232-8 box)
- TB485 converter (DB9 to 3-terminal block for RS485 wiring)

Connectors:
- Two DB9 male connectors for serial communication
- Pin assignments follow standard RS422/RS485 definitions (see Appendix A-4 in manual).

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6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- PC/AT compatible system with available PCI slot (5V signaling)
- Supported operating system (Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/7 or Linux)

Installation Procedure:
1. Power off the host system.
2. Insert the AP1132-I card into an available PCI slot.
3. Secure the card with the bracket screw.
4. Connect the DB9 cables to external devices.
5. Power on the system.
6. The PCI BIOS will automatically detect the card and assign I/O, memory, and IRQ resources.
7. Install the appropriate driver from the provided CD or download from Rayon’s support site.

Driver Installation (Windows):
- The card is detected as a “PCI to High-Speed Serial Port.”
- Use the MOSCHIP-based driver (MCS9865) provided in the installation package.
- For Windows 7, manually update the driver via Device Manager (“Other Devices” → “PCI Simple Communications Controller”).

Driver Installation (Linux):
- Copy the driver package to `/etc/rayone`.
- Run the installation script (`Install.redhat` or equivalent).
- Select card type (APCIe/MPe9900), kernel version, and rebuild the system.
- Device nodes will appear as `/dev/tty21a`, `/dev/tty21b`, etc.

Configuration:
- DIP switches on the card allow selection between RS422 and RS485 modes.
- RS485 mode requires shorting DB9 pins 2–3 (DATA+) and 4–6 (DATA−).
- RS422 mode provides separate TXD+/− and RXD+/− differential pairs.

Safety Note:
Do not insert or remove the card while the system is powered on.

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7. Performance & Capabilities

- Data Rate: Up to 230,400 bps (software programmable).
- Buffering: 128-byte transmit and receive FIFOs per port for efficient data handling.
- Interrupt Handling: PCI BIOS-assigned IRQs with shared interrupt capability.
- Throughput: Optimized for continuous data transmission with minimal CPU load.
- Latency: Reduced interrupt frequency due to large FIFO buffers.
- Isolation: Prevents ground loops and signal interference in electrically noisy environments.
- Reliability: Designed for 24/7 operation in industrial and embedded systems.
- Limitations:
- Operates only on 5V PCI slots (not compatible with 3.3V-only PCIe slots).
- Single-port configuration limits simultaneous multi-device connections unless expanded via external boxes.

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8. Standards & Compliance

- Electrical Standards:
- RS422 (TIA/EIA-422-B)
- RS485 (TIA/EIA-485-A)
- Bus Interface: PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.2 (5V signaling)
- Controller Compliance: MOSCHIP MCS9865 (16950A UART compatible)
- Operating System Drivers:
- Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/7 (32/64-bit)
- Linux kernel 2.6.x and later (RedHat, SUSE, Slackware supported)
- Environmental Compliance: RoHS-compliant materials and lead-free soldering
- Safety and EMC: Designed to meet CE and FCC Class A industrial standards (typical for Rayon products)

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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 via email: rayon@ms1.hinet.net
- Driver updates and documentation available from Rayon’s support portal.
- RMA (Return Material Authorization) required for repairs; contact Rayon Service Center for RMA number and return instructions.

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Keep PCI contacts clean and free of dust.
- Avoid hot-swapping or inserting/removing the card under power.
- Periodically verify driver updates for OS compatibility.

Firmware & Driver Updates:
- Windows and Linux drivers updated periodically to support new OS versions.
- MOSCHIP-based driver ensures compatibility with future PCI systems.

Related Products in the APCIe Series:
- A132I: Dual-port isolated RS422/RS485 card.
- A112I: Dual-port isolated RS232/RS422/RS485 card.
- A134I: Four-port isolated RS422/RS485 card.
- A124I: Mixed two RS232 + two isolated RS422/RS485 ports.
- A138: Eight-port RS422/RS485 card.
- A118: Eight-port mixed RS232/RS422/RS485 card.

Complementary Devices:
- RS4232-4 / RS4232-8 Boxes: External isolation boxes for 4 or 8 ports, providing additional galvanic isolation and mode selection.
- TWIN232 / TWIN485 Converters: Industrial-grade RS232-to-RS422/RS485 converters with full isolation and auto data direction control.
- UTS004 / UTS485 USB Converters: USB-to-serial converters supporting multiple isolated RS422/RS485 ports.

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Summary

The Rayon AP1132-I PCI 1-Port RS422/485 Card is a compact, high-reliability communication interface designed for industrial and embedded applications requiring robust, isolated serial connectivity. With its MOSCHIP MCS9865 controller, 128-byte FIFOs, and full software programmability, it delivers stable, high-speed data transfer while minimizing CPU load. Its DIP-switch-configurable RS422/RS485 modes, ground isolation, and plug-and-play PCI integration make it ideal for automation, control, and data acquisition systems.

The AP1132-I exemplifies Rayon’s commitment to industrial-grade communication solutions—offering flexibility, reliability, and long-term support across multiple operating systems and hardware platforms.