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F642

8-port RS422 connector box
  • Manufacturer Rayon
  • Category: PCI max 128 Serial
  • The Rayon F642 is an external I/O connector box designed for use with the Rayon IOP3927 Intelligent Input/Output Processor (IOP) card series. It provides eight independent RS422 serial communication ports, each managed by a FIFO-type 16C554 UART controller. The F642 is engineered for high-performance, multi-port serial communication applications where reliable, high-speed data transfer and system scalability are critical.
- Eight RS422 Serial Ports: Provides eight fully independent RS422 communication channels for industrial or multi-user systems.
- FIFO 16C554 UART Controller: Each port is managed by a 16C554 UART chip with built-in FIFO buffering, ensuring efficient data handling and reduced CPU overhead.
- High-Speed Data Transmission: Supports baud rates up to 230.4 kbps (230,400 bps), suitable for demanding serial communication environments.
- Expandable Architecture: Up to eight F642 boxes can be daisy-chained to a single IOP3927 CPU card, supporting up to 64 serial ports per card.
- Daisy-Chain Connectivity: Equipped with DB37 female (input) and DB37 male (output) connectors for linking multiple boxes in sequence.
- Compact and Modular Design: Dimensions of 231 mm × 89 mm allow for efficient rack or panel installation.
- System Integration: Designed for seamless operation with Rayon’s IOP3927F CPU card, forming a complete intelligent multi-port serial communication subsystem.
- Reduced Host CPU Load: Offloads serial communication tasks to the IOP’s local RISC processor, improving overall system performance.
- Industrial-Grade Construction: Built with durable materials and robust connectors for reliable operation in industrial or enterprise environments.

Country of origin: Taiwan R.O.C.

Customs tariff number: 8473 3020 000

Comprehensive Product Summary – Rayon F642 8-Port RS422 Connector Box




### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: F642 8-Port RS422 Connector Box
Model Number: F642
Series: F64x Series (part of the Rayon Intelligent I/O Processor system)
Article Number: F642
Manufacturer: Rayon Technology Co., Ltd.

The Rayon F642 is an external I/O connector box designed for use with the Rayon IOP3927 Intelligent Input/Output Processor (IOP) card series. It provides eight independent RS422 serial communication ports, each managed by a FIFO-type 16C554 UART controller. The F642 is engineered for high-performance, multi-port serial communication applications where reliable, high-speed data transfer and system scalability are critical.




### 2. Key Features

- Eight RS422 Serial Ports: Provides eight fully independent RS422 communication channels for industrial or multi-user systems.
- FIFO 16C554 UART Controller: Each port is managed by a 16C554 UART chip with built-in FIFO buffering, ensuring efficient data handling and reduced CPU overhead.
- High-Speed Data Transmission: Supports baud rates up to 230.4 kbps (230,400 bps), suitable for demanding serial communication environments.
- Expandable Architecture: Up to eight F642 boxes can be daisy-chained to a single IOP3927 CPU card, supporting up to 64 serial ports per card.
- Daisy-Chain Connectivity: Equipped with DB37 female (input) and DB37 male (output) connectors for linking multiple boxes in sequence.
- Compact and Modular Design: Dimensions of 231 mm × 89 mm allow for efficient rack or panel installation.
- System Integration: Designed for seamless operation with Rayon’s IOP3927F CPU card, forming a complete intelligent multi-port serial communication subsystem.
- Reduced Host CPU Load: Offloads serial communication tasks to the IOP’s local RISC processor, improving overall system performance.
- Industrial-Grade Construction: Built with durable materials and robust connectors for reliable operation in industrial or enterprise environments.




### 3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|-------------------|
| Interface Type | RS422 (balanced differential signaling) |
| Number of Ports | 8 independent serial ports |
| Controller Type | FIFO-type 16C554 UART |
| Baud Rate Support | Up to 230,400 bps |
| Connector Type (per port) | 25-pin D-type male connectors |
| Pin Assignments | Pin 1: Frame Ground; Pin 7: Signal Ground; Pin 9: RXD+ (in); Pin 10: RXD– (in); Pin 11: TXD+ (out); Pin 12: TXD– (out) |
| Main System Connector (to IOP card) | DB37 female (input) and DB37 male (output) |
| Dimensions | 231 mm (W) × 89 mm (D) |
| Material | Industrial-grade metal enclosure |
| Weight | Approx. 0.8–1.0 kg (typical) |
| Maximum Daisy-Chain Length | Up to 8 boxes per IOP3927 card |
| IRQ Line | Shared interrupt line from box to card |
| Operating Environment | PC/AT or compatible system with IOP3927F card |
| Manufacturer | Rayon Technology Co., Ltd. |




### 4. Functionality

The F642 functions as an intelligent RS422 communication expansion module for Rayon’s IOP3927F intelligent I/O processor card. Each F642 box provides eight RS422 serial ports, enabling simultaneous multi-channel communication between the host system and external devices such as terminals, controllers, or industrial instruments.

Operational Principle:
- The IOP3927F card acts as a local CPU, managing data flow between the host system and the F642 box.
- The F642’s 16C554 UART controllers handle serial data buffering and transmission, minimizing CPU interrupts.
- Communication between the IOP card and F642 box occurs via a 37-pin D-type cable.
- Multiple F642 boxes can be daisy-chained, with the DB37 male connector linking to the next box’s DB37 female input.

Typical Use Cases:
- Industrial automation systems requiring multiple RS422 serial connections.
- Multi-user terminal servers or data acquisition systems.
- Embedded control systems with distributed serial devices.
- Communication hubs for RS422-based instrumentation or sensors.

Compatibility:
- Fully compatible with Rayon IOP3927F CPU card.
- Supported by Rayon’s driver packages for SCO UNIX, Windows NT/2000/XP, and Linux.
- Can coexist with other F64x or R64x series boxes in mixed configurations (when matched to card type).




### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- F642 8-Port RS422 Connector Box (main unit)
- DB37 interconnect cable (for connection to IOP3927F card)
- Mounting brackets (for single or multi-box installation)
- User documentation and driver diskette (varies by distribution)

Optional Accessories:
- Additional DB37 interconnect cables for daisy-chaining multiple boxes.
- Rack-mount brackets for multi-box assemblies.
- Power supply adapters (if required for extended configurations).
- Diagnostic utilities and driver software for supported operating systems.

Connectors:
- DB37 Female (Input): Connects to IOP3927F card.
- DB37 Male (Output): Connects to next F642 box in chain.
- DB25 Male (Ports): Eight RS422 serial output connectors.




### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- PC/AT or compatible system with available PCI slot.
- Installed Rayon IOP3927F intelligent I/O processor card.
- Supported operating system (SCO UNIX, Windows NT/2000/XP, or Linux).

Installation Steps:
1. Hardware Connection:
- Connect the F642’s DB37 female connector to the IOP3927F card using the provided cable.
- If multiple boxes are used, connect the DB37 male output of the first box to the DB37 female input of the next.
- Secure boxes using the provided brackets for stability.
2. Power-On Sequence:
- Power on the host system; the F642’s LED indicators should illuminate, confirming communication with the IOP card.
3. Driver Installation:
- Install the appropriate Rayon driver for your operating system:
- SCO UNIX: Use `/etc/custom` or `tar` installation method.
- Windows NT/2000/XP: Use “Add Adapter” or Plug & Play installation with driver diskette.
- Linux: Install source-based driver from `/etc/rayon` directory and rebuild kernel module.
4. Configuration:
- Assign COM port numbers or TTY device names as per system mapping.
- Verify operation using terminal software (e.g., HyperTerminal or Rayon’s “etty” utility).

Mounting Options:
- Single-box standalone installation.
- Multi-box daisy-chain configuration (up to 8 boxes).
- Bracket-based rack or panel mounting for industrial environments.




### 7. Performance & Capabilities

Speed and Throughput:
- Supports baud rates from 110 bps up to 230,400 bps.
- FIFO buffering in each UART minimizes data loss at high speeds.
- Efficient interrupt handling via shared IRQ line.

Capacity:
- Each F642 provides 8 ports; up to 8 boxes per IOP3927F card = 64 total ports.
- Two IOP3927F cards can be installed per system, supporting up to 128 ports.

Efficiency:
- Offloads serial communication tasks from the host CPU to the IOP’s local RISC processor (133 MHz TMPR3927).
- Dual-port RAM architecture allows simultaneous access by local and host CPUs.

Limitations:
- Must be paired with a matching IOP3927F card (not compatible with R or A series cards).
- Requires adequate system power supply when multiple boxes are used.
- RS422 interface only (no RS232 compatibility without conversion).




### 8. Standards & Compliance

Interface Standards:
- RS422 (EIA/TIA-422) differential serial communication standard.
- DB25 and DB37 D-sub connector compliance.

Electrical & Safety:
- Designed for industrial-grade electrical environments.
- Grounding via Frame Ground and Signal Ground pins.

Software & Driver Compliance:
- Supported under major operating systems:
- SCO UNIX OpenServer 5.0.x
- Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP
- Linux (Red Hat, Slackware distributions)
- Drivers conform to standard serial communication APIs (TTY/COM).

Regulatory Compliance:
- Manufactured under Rayon’s quality control standards.
- Meets general CE and FCC requirements for industrial communication devices (manufacturer-dependent).




### 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 Rayon Service Centers or email (rayon@ms1.hinet.net).
- RMA (Return Material Authorization) required for repairs.
- Warranty repairs are free of charge; out-of-warranty repairs available at flat-rate service fees.

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Periodically inspect connectors and cables for wear or oxidation.
- Ensure proper grounding and stable power supply.
- Keep firmware and drivers updated to the latest versions provided by Rayon.

Software Updates:
- Updated drivers and utilities available for supported operating systems.
- Source-based Linux drivers allow adaptation to new kernel versions.

Repair Procedure:
- Contact Rayon for RMA number before returning any product.
- Provide model number, serial number, and failure description.
- Products found operational after testing may incur handling charges.

Scalability & Expansion:
- Modular design allows incremental expansion from one to eight boxes.
- Bracket system supports secure multi-box assemblies for large-scale installations.




### Summary

The Rayon F642 8-Port RS422 Connector Box is a high-performance, industrial-grade serial communication expansion module designed for integration with the IOP3927F Intelligent I/O Processor. It provides eight RS422 ports per unit, each managed by a FIFO 16C554 UART controller, supporting data rates up to 230.4 kbps. Its modular, daisy-chain architecture allows up to eight boxes per card, enabling scalable configurations of up to 64 ports per IOP card.

Engineered for reliability, flexibility, and performance, the F642 is ideal for multi-user, industrial automation, and data acquisition systems requiring robust RS422 connectivity. With comprehensive driver support across UNIX, Windows, and Linux platforms, and backed by Rayon’s one-year warranty and technical support, the F642 represents a versatile and dependable solution for complex serial communication infrastructures.
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