Comprehensive Product Summary: Moxa C168H/PCI 8-Port RS-232 PCI Serial Board

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: Smartio C168H/PCI
Model: C168H/PCI
Series: Smartio Multiport Serial Boards
Article Number: C168H/PCI
Manufacturer: Moxa Technologies Co., Ltd.
Part Number: P/N 18020016822

The Moxa Smartio C168H/PCI is an industrial-grade, high-performance 8-port RS-232 PCI serial communication board designed to expand the serial connectivity of desktop or industrial PCs. It provides eight independent asynchronous serial ports through a single PCI slot, enabling simultaneous communication with multiple serial devices such as terminals, modems, printers, barcode readers, data acquisition systems, and other RS-232 peripherals.

This board is part of Moxa’s Smartio family of multiport serial adapters, known for their robust design, wide OS compatibility, and reliable performance in industrial and commercial environments.

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### 2. Key Features

- 8 Independent RS-232 Ports: Provides eight fully functional serial ports on a single PCI card, each capable of independent configuration and operation.
- High-Speed Data Transmission: Supports baud rates from 50 bps up to 921.6 Kbps, ensuring compatibility with both legacy and high-speed serial devices.
- Advanced UART Technology: Equipped with eight TI 16C550C-compatible UARTs, each featuring a 32-byte FIFO buffer for efficient data handling and reduced CPU load.
- Plug and Play PCI Interface: Fully compliant with PCI version 2.1 (32-bit), supporting automatic IRQ and I/O address assignment by the system BIOS—no manual jumper or switch configuration required.
- Hardware and Software Flow Control: Integrated on-chip hardware (RTS/CTS) and software (XON/XOFF) flow control mechanisms ensure reliable data transmission.
- Interrupt Sharing: Supports interrupt sharing across multiple ports, optimizing system resource usage.
- Versatile OS Support: Comprehensive driver support for Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003, Linux, DOS, and various UNIX variants (SCO, UnixWare, QNX, FreeBSD).
- Compact Design: Small PCI form factor (123 × 100 mm) suitable for space-constrained systems.
- Flexible Connection Options: Supports multiple connector types (DB25, DB9, RJ45) through optional connection boxes and cables.
- LED Indicators: TxD and RxD LEDs on connection boxes provide visual status of data transmission.
- Industrial Reliability: Designed for continuous operation in industrial environments with wide temperature and humidity tolerance.
- Long-Term Support: Backed by a 5-year manufacturer warranty and global technical support from Moxa.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

Hardware Interface:
- Bus Type: PCI Version 2.1, 32-bit
- I/O Controller: 16C550C or compatible UART × 8
- Maximum Number of Ports per System: 32 (up to 4 boards)

Serial Communication Parameters:
- Interface Type: RS-232 asynchronous serial communication
- Baud Rate: 50 bps to 921.6 Kbps
- Data Bits: 5, 6, 7, 8
- Stop Bits: 1, 1.5, 2
- Parity: None, Even, Odd, Space, Mark
- Flow Control: RTS/CTS (hardware), XON/XOFF (software)
- FIFO Buffer: 32-byte transmit/receive per port
- I/O Address & IRQ: Assigned automatically by BIOS

Physical Characteristics:
- Dimensions: 123 mm (W) × 100 mm (D)
- Connector Type: Onboard DB62 female connector (for breakout cable/box)
- Weight: Approx. 150 g (board only)
- Material: Multi-layer PCB with gold-plated edge connector

Power Requirements:
- +5 VDC: 260 mA
- +12 VDC: 100 mA
- –12 VDC: 60 mA

Environmental Limits:
- Operating Temperature: 0 to 55°C
- Storage Temperature: –20 to 85°C
- Relative Humidity: 5% to 95% RH (non-condensing)

Certifications:
- EMC Compliance: CE, FCC Class A

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### 4. Functionality

The C168H/PCI functions as a multiport serial expansion card that integrates seamlessly into a PCI-based computer system. Once installed, it provides eight independent RS-232 serial ports accessible through a single DB62 connector on the card. Each port can be configured individually for baud rate, parity, data bits, and stop bits, allowing simultaneous communication with multiple serial devices.

Typical Use Cases:
- Industrial automation systems requiring multiple serial device connections.
- Point-of-sale (POS) systems connecting barcode scanners, cash registers, and receipt printers.
- Data acquisition and control systems interfacing with sensors, PLCs, and instrumentation.
- Communication servers or terminal servers managing multiple modems or terminals.
- Laboratory and test environments requiring simultaneous serial data logging.

Compatibility:
The board is compatible with a wide range of operating systems and supports both legacy and modern PCI-based PCs. It integrates automatically via Plug and Play, with BIOS assigning IRQ and I/O addresses dynamically.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included in Package:
- 1 × C168H/PCI 8-port RS-232 PCI board
- Documentation and software CD (drivers, utilities, manuals)
- Printed Quick Installation Guide
- Warranty card

Optional Accessories (Connection Boxes and Cables):

| Model | Description | Connector Type | Cable Length |
|--------|--------------|----------------|---------------|
| OPT8A | 8-port DB25 female connection box (includes cable) | DB25 Female | 150 cm |
| OPT8B | 8-port DB25 male connection box (includes cable) | DB25 Male | 150 cm |
| OPT8S | 8-port DB25 female connection box with surge protection | DB25 Female | 150 cm |
| CBL-M62M25x8-100 (OPT8C) | 8-port DB25 male connection cable | DB25 Male | 100 cm |
| CBL-M62M9x8-100 (OPT8D) | 8-port DB9 male connection cable | DB9 Male | 100 cm |

Connector Pin Assignments (RS-232):
- DB25 Female (OPT8A/S):
Pin 2: RxD, Pin 3: TxD, Pin 4: CTS, Pin 5: RTS, Pin 6: DTR, Pin 7: GND, Pin 8: DCD, Pin 20: DSR
- DB25 Male (OPT8B):
Pin 2: TxD, Pin 3: RxD, Pin 4: RTS, Pin 5: CTS, Pin 6: DSR, Pin 7: GND, Pin 8: DCD, Pin 20: DTR
- DB9 Male (CBL-M62M9x8-100):
Pin 1: DCD, Pin 2: RxD, Pin 3: TxD, Pin 4: DTR, Pin 5: GND, Pin 6: DSR, Pin 7: RTS, Pin 8: CTS

Indicators:
- TxD and RxD LEDs on connection boxes for each port.

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### 6. Installation & Setup

Hardware Installation Procedure:
1. Power off the PC and remove the cover.
2. Insert the C168H/PCI board into an available PCI slot.
3. Secure the board with the mounting screw.
4. Connect the appropriate connection box or cable (DB25/DB9/RJ45).
5. Power on the PC; the BIOS will automatically assign IRQ and I/O addresses.

Software Installation:
- Windows 2000/XP/2003:
The OS automatically detects the board. Insert the software CD and install drivers from the `C168HPCI\Software\Win2K-XP-2003` directory.
- Windows 95/98:
Install drivers from `C168HPCI\Software\Win9x\Windows.95`.
- Windows NT:
Copy the driver folder to the hard drive, then install via Control Panel → Network → Adapters → Add → Have Disk.
- Linux:
Mount the CD-ROM, extract `mxser.tgz`, compile and install using `make install`, then load the driver module with `modprobe mxser`.
- UNIX Variants:
Supported for SCO OpenServer, UnixWare, QNX, and FreeBSD using Moxa’s ProCommLib API232.

Configuration:
- No DIP switches or jumpers required.
- All port parameters configured via software utilities or OS device manager.

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

- Maximum Baud Rate: 921.6 Kbps per port
- FIFO Buffer: 32-byte transmit/receive per UART
- Interrupt Sharing: Supported across multiple ports
- Maximum Boards per System: 4 (total 32 ports)
- Data Integrity: Hardware and software flow control prevent data loss under high-load conditions.
- Latency: Optimized driver architecture minimizes CPU overhead and ensures low-latency communication.
- Reliability: Designed for continuous 24/7 operation in industrial environments.

Limitations:
- No driver support for DOS/Windows 3.1x.
- RS-232 only (RS-422/485 requires optional converter accessories).

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

Bus Interface:
- PCI Local Bus Specification, Revision 2.1 (32-bit, 33 MHz)

Electrical & EMC Compliance:
- CE Mark: Conforms to European EMC Directive.
- FCC Class A: Meets U.S. Federal Communications Commission standards for industrial/commercial environments.

Environmental Compliance:
- Designed for operation within standard industrial temperature and humidity ranges.

Industry Standards:
- RS-232 (EIA/TIA-232-F) compliant signaling.
- UART compatible with 16C550C standard.

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- Period: 5 years limited warranty.
- Coverage: Manufacturing defects and hardware failures under normal use.
- Support: Global technical support via Moxa’s website and regional offices.
- Warranty Details: Available at [www.moxa.com/warranty](http://www.moxa.com/warranty).

Maintenance:
- No periodic maintenance required beyond standard PC care.
- Firmware and driver updates available from Moxa’s support site.

Documentation & Resources:
- Quick Installation Guide: Included in package.
- User’s Manual: Available online for detailed configuration and troubleshooting.
- Diagnostic Utilities: Moxa provides `msdiag` and `msterm` tools for port testing and verification.

Manufacturer Contact:
- Moxa Technologies Co., Ltd.
Tel: +886-2-8919-1230
Fax: +886-2-8919-1231
Email: support@moxa.com.tw
Website: [www.moxa.com](http://www.moxa.com)

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### Summary

The Moxa Smartio C168H/PCI is a robust, high-speed, and versatile 8-port RS-232 PCI serial communication board engineered for industrial and commercial applications requiring multiple serial connections. With its advanced UART architecture, broad OS compatibility, and flexible connection options, it provides a reliable and scalable solution for expanding serial communication capabilities in PC-based systems.

Its plug-and-play PCI interface, automatic resource allocation, and comprehensive driver support simplify installation and integration, while its industrial-grade design ensures long-term stability and performance. Backed by Moxa’s 5-year warranty and global support network, the C168H/PCI remains a trusted choice for system integrators, automation engineers, and IT professionals seeking dependable multiport serial connectivity.