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P422I

PCI 2-port ground isolated RS422 / RS485 Card
  • Manufacturer Rayon
  • Category: RS485 / RS422 2-Ports
  • 2F, No. 177, Chung-Shan 2 Road, Lu-Chou City, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan, R.O.C. The Rayon P422I is a PCI-based intelligent serial communication card designed to provide two fully isolated RS422/RS485 ports for industrial and automation applications. It belongs to Rayon’s PCIPORT family of multi-port serial communication controllers, engineered for high reliability, electrical isolation, and compatibility with a wide range of operating systems and industrial communication standards.
- Dual Isolated Serial Ports: Two independent RS422/RS485 ports with galvanic ground isolation for noise immunity and protection against ground loops.
- Auto Data Direction Control (ADDC): Built-in automatic data direction control for RS485 half-duplex communication, eliminating the need for manual RTS signal management.
- Flexible Interface Configuration: Each port can be configured individually for RS422 (full-duplex) or RS485 (half-duplex) operation via DIP switches.
- High-Speed Communication: Supports baud rates from 50 bps up to 115,200 bps (standard 1.8432 MHz crystal) or up to 921.6 kbps with optional 14.7456 MHz crystal.
- 16550A UART Compatibility: Each port includes a 16-byte transmit and receive FIFO buffer, reducing CPU interrupt load and improving throughput.
- Plug & Play PCI Interface: Fully compliant with PCI Local Bus Specification Rev. 2.1, supporting automatic resource allocation (I/O address and IRQ) by the system BIOS.
- IRQ Sharing Capability: Supports shared interrupt operation for multi-card systems.
- Ground Isolation: Each port is electrically isolated to prevent damage from voltage differences between devices.
- Surge Protection (optional): The P422IS variant includes additional surge suppression circuitry for harsh environments.
- Multi-OS Driver Support: Compatible with DOS, Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP, Linux, and SCO OpenServer.
- Compact PCI Form Factor: Standard 5V 33 MHz PCI slot compatibility; up to four cards can be installed per system.
- Industrial Reliability: Designed for continuous operation in industrial control, automation, and data acquisition systems.

Country of origin: Taiwan R.O.C.

Customs tariff number: 8473 3020 000

Comprehensive Product Summary – Rayon Technology P422I PCI 2-Port Ground-Isolated RS422/RS485 Card




### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCI 2-Port Ground Isolated RS422/RS485 Card
Model: P422I
Series: RAYON PCIPORT Series
Article Number: P422I
Manufacturer: Rayon Technology Inc.
Manufacturer Address:
2F, No. 177, Chung-Shan 2 Road, Lu-Chou City, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Support Contact: rayon@ms1.hinet.net
European Distributor: Acceed GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany (rayon@acceed.com)

The Rayon P422I is a PCI-based intelligent serial communication card designed to provide two fully isolated RS422/RS485 ports for industrial and automation applications. It belongs to Rayon’s PCIPORT family of multi-port serial communication controllers, engineered for high reliability, electrical isolation, and compatibility with a wide range of operating systems and industrial communication standards.




### 2. Key Features

- Dual Isolated Serial Ports: Two independent RS422/RS485 ports with galvanic ground isolation for noise immunity and protection against ground loops.
- Auto Data Direction Control (ADDC): Built-in automatic data direction control for RS485 half-duplex communication, eliminating the need for manual RTS signal management.
- Flexible Interface Configuration: Each port can be configured individually for RS422 (full-duplex) or RS485 (half-duplex) operation via DIP switches.
- High-Speed Communication: Supports baud rates from 50 bps up to 115,200 bps (standard 1.8432 MHz crystal) or up to 921.6 kbps with optional 14.7456 MHz crystal.
- 16550A UART Compatibility: Each port includes a 16-byte transmit and receive FIFO buffer, reducing CPU interrupt load and improving throughput.
- Plug & Play PCI Interface: Fully compliant with PCI Local Bus Specification Rev. 2.1, supporting automatic resource allocation (I/O address and IRQ) by the system BIOS.
- IRQ Sharing Capability: Supports shared interrupt operation for multi-card systems.
- Ground Isolation: Each port is electrically isolated to prevent damage from voltage differences between devices.
- Surge Protection (optional): The P422IS variant includes additional surge suppression circuitry for harsh environments.
- Multi-OS Driver Support: Compatible with DOS, Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP, Linux, and SCO OpenServer.
- Compact PCI Form Factor: Standard 5V 33 MHz PCI slot compatibility; up to four cards can be installed per system.
- Industrial Reliability: Designed for continuous operation in industrial control, automation, and data acquisition systems.




### 3. Technical Specifications

Bus Interface:
- PCI Local Bus Specification Rev. 2.1 compliant
- 5V, 33 MHz PCI slot (universal card supports 3.3V and 5V slots)
- Plug & Play resource assignment

Serial Communication Controller:
- 16C550A compatible UART
- 16-byte transmit and receive FIFO buffers
- Clock frequency: 1.8432 MHz (standard), optional 14.7456 MHz

Communication Ports:
- 2 × RS422/RS485 isolated serial ports
- Each port individually configurable for RS422 or RS485
- Auto Data Direction Control for RS485
- 4-wire RS485 supported

Baud Rate:
- 50 bps to 115,200 bps (standard)
- Up to 921,600 bps with high-speed crystal

Flow Control:
- Hardware: RTS/CTS
- Software: XON/XOFF

Connectors:
- Two DB9 male connectors
- Pinout per Appendix A, Table 4 (RS422/RS485 signal mapping)

Isolation:
- Optical or transformer isolation between ports and system ground
- Independent isolated ground per port

Dimensions:
- PCB size: 141 mm × 106 mm

Weight:
- Approx. 120 g (typical)

Material:
- Multi-layer PCB with gold-plated edge connector
- Industrial-grade components for extended temperature operation

Environmental Requirements:
- Operating temperature: 0°C to 55°C
- Storage temperature: -20°C to 85°C
- Humidity: 5%–95% non-condensing




### 4. Functionality

The P422I card provides two independent, isolated serial communication channels that can operate in either RS422 or RS485 mode. Each port’s mode is selectable via DIP switches (SW1). The card’s isolation ensures that each port can safely interface with external devices operating at different ground potentials, preventing data errors and hardware damage.

Operation Modes:
- RS422 Mode: Full-duplex differential signaling for point-to-point or multi-drop communication.
- RS485 Mode: Half-duplex differential signaling for multi-drop bus networks, supporting up to 32 nodes per line.

Auto Data Direction Control (ADDC):
In RS485 mode, the card automatically manages the transmit/receive direction, eliminating the need for software-controlled RTS toggling.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial automation and process control
- SCADA and PLC communication
- Data acquisition systems
- Building management systems
- Remote device monitoring and control
- Serial networking and multi-drop RS485 bus systems

Compatibility:
- Compatible with standard serial communication protocols and devices.
- Supports integration with industrial sensors, controllers, and instrumentation using RS422/RS485 interfaces.




### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- P422I PCI card with two DB9 male connectors
- User manual and driver diskette

Optional Accessories:
- TB485 Converter: DB9-to-terminal block adapter for RS485 wiring (DATA+, DATA–, GND).
- RS4232-4/8 Isolated Box: External isolation and signal conversion box (for other PCIPORT models).
- Cables: Standard shielded serial cables for RS422/RS485 connections.

Connectors and Pin Assignments (DB9 Male):
| Pin | RS422/485 Signal | Description |
|-----|------------------|-------------|
| 1 | DCD (In) | Data Carrier Detect |
| 2 | RXD+ (In) | Receive Data Positive |
| 3 | TXD+ (Out) | Transmit Data Positive |
| 4 | TXD– (Out) | Transmit Data Negative |
| 5 | GND (Isolated) | Signal Ground |
| 6 | RXD– (In) | Receive Data Negative |
| 7 | RTS (Out) | Request to Send |
| 8 | CTS (In) | Clear to Send |
| 9 | RI (In) | Ring Indicator |




### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- IBM PC/AT compatible system with available PCI slot
- 5V or 3.3V PCI bus (33 MHz)
- Supported operating system (DOS, Windows, Linux, SCO)

Installation Procedure:
1. Power off the computer and disconnect AC power.
2. Insert the P422I card into an available PCI slot.
3. Secure the card with the bracket screw.
4. Connect external RS422/RS485 devices to the DB9 connectors.
5. Power on the system.
6. Install the appropriate driver for your operating system.

DIP Switch Configuration (SW1):
- Bits 1–2: Card number (ON = first card, OFF = second card)
- Bit 3: Port A mode (ON = RS422, OFF = RS485)
- Bit 4: Port B mode (ON = RS422, OFF = RS485)

Jumper Configuration:
- JP3 (Port A) / JP6 (Port B): Terminator resistor (120 Ω) insertion
- Shorted = terminator enabled
- Open = terminator disabled (default)

RS485 Wiring:
- Short DB9 pins 2 & 3 for DATA+
- Short DB9 pins 4 & 6 for DATA–
- Use TB485 adapter for terminal block connection if required.

Mounting Options:
- Standard PCI slot mounting with rear bracket access to DB9 connectors.




### 7. Performance & Capabilities

Data Throughput:
- Up to 115.2 kbps (standard) or 921.6 kbps (optional high-speed mode).

Buffering:
- 16-byte transmit and receive FIFO per port for efficient data handling.

Interrupt Handling:
- Shared IRQ support for multiple cards.
- PCI BIOS automatically assigns IRQ and I/O addresses.

System Capacity:
- Up to four P422I cards per system (total of eight isolated ports).

Efficiency:
- Reduced CPU load due to buffered UARTs and intelligent interrupt management.
- Stable communication even under high system load.

Limitations:
- RS485 mode supports half-duplex only.
- Maximum cable length depends on baud rate and cable quality (typically up to 1200 m at 9600 bps).




### 8. Standards & Compliance

Electrical and Interface Standards:
- RS422 (EIA/TIA-422)
- RS485 (EIA/TIA-485)
- PCI Local Bus Specification Rev. 2.1

Operating System Support:
- DOS
- Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP
- Linux (kernel 2.4.x and later, source-based driver installation)
- SCO OpenServer

Regulatory Compliance:
- CE compliant (EMC and safety)
- RoHS compliant (lead-free manufacturing)

Industry Standards:
- 16550A UART compatibility ensures interoperability with standard serial communication software.




### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- One-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
- Excludes damage from misuse, electrical surges, or unauthorized modifications.

Repair & RMA Procedure:
- Obtain RMA number from Rayon or authorized distributor before returning.
- Provide model number, serial number, and problem description.
- Warranty repairs are free of charge; out-of-warranty repairs subject to flat-rate service fee.

Technical Support:
- Taiwan: rayon@ms1.hinet.net
- Europe: rayon@acceed.com
- Online resources: [www.acceed.com/rayon](http://www.acceed.com/rayon)

Maintenance:
- Keep connectors clean and free from dust.
- Avoid hot-swapping; always power down before inserting/removing the card.
- Periodically verify DIP switch and jumper settings for correct configuration.

Software Updates:
- Updated drivers and installation utilities available from Rayon or Acceed support websites.
- Linux driver source code provided for kernel integration.

Troubleshooting Highlights:
- If the card is not detected, verify PCI slot seating and BIOS resource allocation.
- For communication issues, check DIP switch settings, termination resistors, and cable wiring.
- Use the included “RAYONTTY.EXE” terminal utility under DOS to test COM port functionality.




### Summary

The Rayon P422I PCI 2-Port Ground-Isolated RS422/RS485 Card is a robust, industrial-grade communication interface designed for reliable serial data exchange in electrically noisy environments. Its dual isolated ports, flexible configuration, and broad OS support make it ideal for industrial automation, SCADA, and embedded control systems requiring stable, high-speed, and isolated serial communication. With plug-and-play PCI integration, intelligent buffering, and comprehensive driver support, the P422I delivers both performance and reliability for mission-critical applications.

No accessories available.