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cPCI-3544

cPCI 4-port isolated RS422/RS485 Card
592,00 EUR

including VAT 704.48 EUR

  • Manufacturer Adlink Technology Inc.
  • Category: cPCI Serial 4/8-Port
  • The ADLINK cPCI-3544 is a high-performance, four-port isolated RS-422/RS-485 serial communication module designed for industrial and embedded CompactPCI systems. It provides robust, isolated serial connectivity for automation, control, and data acquisition applications requiring reliable, noise-immune communication over long distances. The module is fully compliant with PICMG 2.0 Rev. 2.1 CompactPCI standards and supports plug-and-play configuration through the PCI BIOS.
- Four Independent Isolated Serial Ports:
Each port supports RS-422 or RS-485 communication, selectable via DIP switch.
Channel-to-channel isolation ensures electrical protection and noise immunity.

- High Isolation Voltage:
Provides 1000 V RMS isolation between channels and system ground, protecting against surges and ground loops.

- Auto-Direction Flow Control for RS-485:
Hardware-based automatic data direction control eliminates the need for software toggling of RTS signals.

- CompactPCI 32-bit Interface:
Fully compliant with PICMG 2.0 Rev. 2.1, supporting 5V signaling and plug-and-play resource allocation.

- High-Speed Communication:
Each port supports baud rates from 50 bps to 115,200 bps, configurable per channel.

- Plug-and-Play Configuration:
IRQ and I/O addresses are automatically assigned by the PCI BIOS, simplifying installation and system integration.

- Rugged Industrial Design:
Equipped with a DB37 female connector and optional breakout cables (DB9 or DB25).
Designed for harsh industrial environments with wide operating temperature and humidity ranges.

- Multi-OS Support:
Compatible with Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP, Linux, and QNX (upon request).

- Rear I/O Option (cPCI-3544R):
Supports rear I/O connectivity through the CompactPCI J2 connector for backplane integration.

- Surge Protection:
Built-in surge protectors safeguard communication lines from transient voltage spikes.

- Scalable System Expansion:
Supports up to 8 cards per system, providing a total of 32 isolated serial ports.

Country of origin: Taiwan R.O.C.

Customs tariff number: 8473 3020 000

Comprehensive Product Summary: ADLINK cPCI-3544 – 4-Port Isolated RS-422/RS-485 CompactPCI Serial Communication Module




### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: cPCI-3544
Model: cPCI-3544 / cPCI-3544R (rear I/O version)
Series: cPCI-35xx Series – CompactPCI Multi-Port Serial Communication Modules
Article Number: cPCI-3544
Manufacturer: ADLINK Technology Inc.
Manufacturer Address: 9F, No. 166, Jian Yi Road, Chungho City, Taipei 235, Taiwan
Website: [www.adlinktech.com](http://www.adlinktech.com)
Contact: service@adlinktech.com | Tel: +886-2-82265877 | Fax: +886-2-82265717

The ADLINK cPCI-3544 is a high-performance, four-port isolated RS-422/RS-485 serial communication module designed for industrial and embedded CompactPCI systems. It provides robust, isolated serial connectivity for automation, control, and data acquisition applications requiring reliable, noise-immune communication over long distances. The module is fully compliant with PICMG 2.0 Rev. 2.1 CompactPCI standards and supports plug-and-play configuration through the PCI BIOS.




### 2. Key Features

- Four Independent Isolated Serial Ports:
Each port supports RS-422 or RS-485 communication, selectable via DIP switch.
Channel-to-channel isolation ensures electrical protection and noise immunity.

- High Isolation Voltage:
Provides 1000 V RMS isolation between channels and system ground, protecting against surges and ground loops.

- Auto-Direction Flow Control for RS-485:
Hardware-based automatic data direction control eliminates the need for software toggling of RTS signals.

- CompactPCI 32-bit Interface:
Fully compliant with PICMG 2.0 Rev. 2.1, supporting 5V signaling and plug-and-play resource allocation.

- High-Speed Communication:
Each port supports baud rates from 50 bps to 115,200 bps, configurable per channel.

- Plug-and-Play Configuration:
IRQ and I/O addresses are automatically assigned by the PCI BIOS, simplifying installation and system integration.

- Rugged Industrial Design:
Equipped with a DB37 female connector and optional breakout cables (DB9 or DB25).
Designed for harsh industrial environments with wide operating temperature and humidity ranges.

- Multi-OS Support:
Compatible with Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP, Linux, and QNX (upon request).

- Rear I/O Option (cPCI-3544R):
Supports rear I/O connectivity through the CompactPCI J2 connector for backplane integration.

- Surge Protection:
Built-in surge protectors safeguard communication lines from transient voltage spikes.

- Scalable System Expansion:
Supports up to 8 cards per system, providing a total of 32 isolated serial ports.




### 3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|------------------|
| Bus Interface | 32-bit CompactPCI, PICMG 2.0 Rev. 2.1 |
| Form Factor | 3U CompactPCI |
| Serial Controller | 16C550A compatible UART |
| Clock Frequency | 1.8432 – 7.3728 MHz |
| Ports | 4 independent RS-422/RS-485 ports |
| Isolation Voltage | 1000 V RMS (channel-to-channel and system isolation) |
| Baud Rate | 50 bps to 115,200 bps per port |
| Flow Control | RS-485 auto-direction control |
| Connector Type | DB37 female (front panel) |
| Optional Cables | C409M (DB37 to 4×DB9 male), C425M (DB37 to 4×DB25 male) |
| Rear I/O Connector (R version) | CompactPCI J2 connector |
| Max Cards per System | 8 cards (32 ports total) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +55°C |
| Storage Temperature | -20°C to +65°C |
| Humidity | 10% to 95%, non-condensing |
| Dimensions | 160 mm (L) × 100 mm (W) × 3U |
| Power Consumption | +5V @ 1400 mA typical |
| Isolation Type | Channel-to-channel and channel-to-system isolation |
| Weight | Approx. 200 g (module only) |
| Material | PCB with industrial-grade components, metal front panel |




### 4. Functionality

The cPCI-3544 operates as a four-channel asynchronous serial communication interface for CompactPCI systems. Each port can be configured for RS-422 (full-duplex) or RS-485 (half-duplex) operation using onboard DIP switches. The module’s auto-direction control for RS-485 ensures seamless half-duplex communication without software intervention.

Typical Use Cases:
- Factory automation and process control
- Distributed monitoring and SCADA systems
- Telecommunications and networking equipment
- Point-of-Sale (POS) and retail systems
- Traffic management and transportation control
- Stock exchange and financial data systems

Compatibility:
- CompactPCI backplanes supporting 5V signaling
- Operating systems: DOS, Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP, Linux, QNX
- Compatible with ADLINK’s rear I/O transition boards and cable accessories




### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- cPCI-3544 or cPCI-3544R module
- User’s manual and driver CD
- Expansion cable (model dependent)
- Optional rear I/O daughter board (for R version)

Optional Accessories:
- C409M: DB37 to four DB9 male cable
- C425M: DB37 to four DB25 male cable
- cPCI-R3544: Rear I/O transition board for backplane connectivity

Connectors:
- Front I/O: DB37 female connector
- Rear I/O (R version): CompactPCI J2 connector
- Signal Isolation: Each port has isolated ground and differential signal pairs




### 6. Installation & Setup

Hardware Installation:
1. Power off the CompactPCI system and all connected peripherals.
2. Insert the cPCI-3544 module into an available 3U CompactPCI slot.
3. Secure the module using the front panel screws.
4. Connect the DB37 cable to the front panel connector or rear I/O transition board.
5. Power on the system; the PCI BIOS will automatically assign resources.

Software Installation:
- Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP:
Plug-and-play detection automatically installs the driver.
Drivers are located on the ADLINK installation CD under:
`X:\SerialComm\cPCI-3544\Win2000-XP` (where X = CD-ROM drive letter).

- Linux:
Extract and install the driver package `pci3544.tgz` using the provided installation script:
```
./3544_inst.pl -cards <number> -tty 70 -cua 71 -path /usr/local/pci_3544
```
The script automatically creates device nodes and loads the kernel module.

Configuration:
- DIP switches select RS-422 or RS-485 mode per port.
- Jumpers (JP1–JP8) enable or disable termination resistors for each channel.
- Software utility AdlComSet.exe (Windows) allows port mode configuration and COM port assignment.

Mounting Options:
- Front-panel I/O via DB37 connector
- Rear I/O via CompactPCI J2 connector (R version)




### 7. Performance & Capabilities

- Data Rate: Up to 115.2 kbps per port, full-duplex (RS-422) or half-duplex (RS-485)
- Throughput: 115.2K × 4 ports = 460.8 Kbps total system throughput per card
- System Expansion: Up to 8 cards per system (32 ports total)
- Isolation: 1000 V RMS channel-to-channel and channel-to-system
- Signal Integrity: Differential signaling minimizes noise and crosstalk
- Surge Protection: Integrated transient suppression on all data lines
- Reliability: Industrial-grade components rated for continuous operation in harsh environments

Limitations:
- Supports only 5V CompactPCI signaling (not compatible with 3.3V-only backplanes)
- Maximum baud rate limited to 115.2 kbps per port
- RS-485 mode supports half-duplex communication only




### 8. Standards & Compliance

- CompactPCI Compliance: PICMG 2.0 Rev. 2.1
- Electrical Safety: 1000 V RMS isolation, surge protection
- EMC Compliance: Designed to meet industrial EMI/EMC standards
- Environmental Compliance: RoHS-compliant manufacturing
- Operating System Support:
- Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP/XP Embedded
- Linux (kernel module and utilities provided)
- QNX (available upon request)
- DOS (limited support)

Certifications:
- CE and FCC Class A (industrial environments)
- ISO 9001:2008 manufacturing quality certification (ADLINK facilities)




### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- Standard two-year limited warranty (one year for products purchased in China).
- Covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.
- Excludes damage from misuse, improper installation, or unauthorized repair.

Support & Service:
- Technical support via email: service@adlinktech.com
- RMA and repair services available through [http://rma.adlinktech.com/policy/](http://rma.adlinktech.com/policy/)
- Replacement or repair at ADLINK’s discretion within warranty period.

Maintenance:
- Periodic inspection of connectors and cables recommended.
- Ensure proper grounding and isolation when used in high-noise environments.
- Firmware and driver updates available from ADLINK’s website.

Documentation & Updates:
- User’s Guide (Manual Revision 1.30, April 30, 2004)
- Product datasheet and driver packages downloadable from ADLINK’s support portal.
- All specifications subject to change without notice for product improvement.




### Summary

The ADLINK cPCI-3544 is a robust, industrial-grade CompactPCI serial communication module offering four isolated RS-422/RS-485 ports with high electrical isolation, surge protection, and flexible configuration. Designed for mission-critical automation and control systems, it provides reliable, noise-immune serial connectivity in demanding environments. With support for multiple operating systems, plug-and-play installation, and scalable expansion up to 32 ports per system, the cPCI-3544 delivers exceptional performance and reliability for industrial communication applications.

No accessories available.