Comprehensive Product Summary – SUNIX IPC‑E2004 PCI‑Express 4‑Port RS‑422/485 Serial Card

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCI‑Express 4‑Port RS‑422/485 Professional Serial Card
Model: IPC‑E2004
Series: Industrial Multi‑Port Serial Communication Boards (PCI‑Express Series)
Article Number: IPC‑E2004
Manufacturer: SUNIX Co., Ltd.

The SUNIX IPC‑E2004 is a professional‑grade, four‑port RS‑422/485 serial communication card designed for industrial and embedded computing environments. It connects via a single‑lane PCI‑Express (PCIe) interface compliant with PCI Express Bus Specification Revision 1.0a. The card provides four independent high‑speed serial ports supporting both RS‑422 full‑duplex and RS‑485 half‑duplex communication modes, with automatic detection and switching between modes. It is engineered for reliability, high data throughput, and compatibility with a wide range of operating systems and industrial applications.

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### 2. Key Features

- Four Independent Serial Ports: Supports four RS‑422/485 ports accessible through a DB‑44 female connector and breakout cable.
- High‑Speed Communication: Baud rates from 75 bps to 921.6 Kbps per port.
- Advanced UART Controller: Built‑in 64‑byte hardware FIFO buffer, 16C750‑compatible UART for efficient data handling and reduced CPU load.
- Auto RS‑422/485 Detection and Switching: Automatically detects and configures the port for RS‑422 full‑duplex or RS‑485 half‑duplex operation without jumpers or manual configuration.
- SUNIX AHDC/CS™ Technology: Proprietary Auto Hardware Direction Control / Carrier Sense mechanism for precise RS‑485 signal direction control, ensuring collision‑free bidirectional communication.
- Embedded 15 kV ESD Protection: Integrated electrostatic discharge protection on all signal lines for enhanced durability in harsh environments.
- Unlimited Scalability: Supports an unlimited number of cards per system (limited only by available PCIe slots).
- Flexible Mounting: Supplied with both standard (121 mm) and low‑profile (79.2 mm) brackets for installation in full‑height or compact chassis.
- Comprehensive OS Support: Compatible with Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista (32/64‑bit), Linux 2.4/2.6, SCO OpenServer 5.06/5.07, and DOS.
- Industrial‑Grade Reliability: Designed for continuous operation in environments from 0 °C to 70 °C, with storage tolerance from –40 °C to 85 °C.
- Long‑Term Warranty: Backed by a 5‑year manufacturer warranty.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|------------------|
| Interface | PCI Express Bus Specification Revision 1.0a |
| Bus Type | 1‑Lane PCI‑Express |
| Number of Ports | 4 independent RS‑422/485 serial ports |
| Connector Type | DB‑44 Female on card |
| Cable | DB‑44 Male → 4 × DB‑9 Male or DB‑25 Male (40 cm / 100 cm) |
| UART Controller | 16C750‑compatible, 64‑byte hardware FIFO |
| Baud Rate | 75 bps – 921.6 Kbps |
| Data Bits | 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Stop Bits | 1, 1.5, 2 |
| Parity | None, Even, Odd, Space, Mark |
| Flow Control | XON/XOFF (software) |
| RS‑422 Signals | TxD+, TxD–, RxD+, RxD–, GND |
| 4‑Wire RS‑485 Signals | TxD+, TxD–, RxD+, RxD–, GND |
| 2‑Wire RS‑485 Signals | Data+, Data–, GND |
| ESD Protection | 15 kV embedded ESD protection |
| RS‑485 Direction Control | SUNIX AHDC/CS™ Technology |
| Auto Mode Switching | RS‑422/485 Auto Detect and Switch |
| IRQ / I/O Address | Assigned automatically by system BIOS/OS |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to 70 °C |
| Storage Temperature | –40 °C to 85 °C |
| Operating Humidity | 5 % to 95 % RH (non‑condensing) |
| Dimensions | 64 mm × 105 mm (W × D) |
| Brackets Included | Standard 121 mm and Low‑Profile 79.2 mm |
| Regulatory Compliance | CE, FCC Class B |
| Warranty | 5 Years |

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### 4. Functionality

The IPC‑E2004 extends a host system’s serial communication capability by providing four high‑performance RS‑422/485 ports through a PCI‑Express interface. Each port can operate independently in either RS‑422 full‑duplex or RS‑485 half‑duplex mode. The card’s Auto Detect and Switching technology eliminates manual jumper configuration, automatically determining the correct mode based on connected devices.

The AHDC/CS™ hardware logic dynamically manages RS‑485 driver enable/disable timing, ensuring that the transmitter activates only when the bus is idle and data is ready to send. This prevents data collisions and guarantees reliable communication in multi‑drop RS‑485 networks.

Typical Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial automation and process control systems
- Building management and HVAC control
- SCADA and telemetry networks
- POS (Point‑of‑Sale) and kiosk systems
- Data acquisition and instrumentation
- Medical equipment communication interfaces
- Embedded systems requiring multiple serial channels

Compatibility:
The card is compatible with any system supporting PCI‑Express x1 slots and above. It integrates seamlessly with Windows and Linux operating systems, providing standard COM‑port interfaces recognized by most industrial and automation software.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included in Package:
1. IPC‑E2004 PCI‑Express Serial Card (DB‑44 female connector)
2. Connection Cable: DB‑44 male → 4 × DB‑9 male or DB‑25 male connectors (length 40 cm or 100 cm)
3. Mounting Brackets:
- Standard 121 mm bracket (pre‑installed)
- Low‑profile 79.2 mm bracket (for compact chassis)
4. Driver CD: Includes Windows, Linux, and DOS drivers
5. Quick Installation Guide and User Manual

Optional Accessories:
- Extended‑length DB‑44 to DB‑9/DB‑25 cables
- RS‑485 termination adapters
- Optical isolation or surge‑protected variants (IPC‑E2004SI)

Connectors and Pinouts:
- DB‑44 female connector on the card provides access to all four serial channels.
- Each channel supports RS‑422 (TxD±, RxD±, GND) and RS‑485 (2‑wire or 4‑wire) signal configurations.

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### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- Available PCI‑Express x1 slot (compatible with x4/x8/x16 slots)
- Supported operating system (Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista 32/64‑bit, Linux 2.4/2.6, SCO OpenServer 5.06/5.07, DOS)
- Administrator privileges for driver installation

Hardware Installation Steps:
1. Power off the computer and disconnect the power cord.
2. Remove the system cover and locate an available PCI‑Express slot.
3. Remove the slot’s metal cover plate.
4. Insert the IPC‑E2004 card firmly into the PCI‑Express slot.
5. Secure the bracket with a screw.
6. Replace the system cover and reconnect power.
7. Attach the DB‑44 to DB‑9/DB‑25 cable to the card’s connector.

Software Installation:
- Upon system boot, the OS detects the new hardware and prompts for driver installation.
- Insert the provided driver CD and follow the installation wizard.
- For Windows, select the appropriate driver folder (e.g., `\Windows\2K&XP&2003&Vista_32bit` or `\XP&2003_64bit`).
- For Linux, compile and install the driver module (`sunix_matrix.ko`) using standard `make install` procedures.
- After installation, configure COM‑port numbers and FIFO settings via Device Manager (Windows) or `/dev/ttySMX*` nodes (Linux).

Configuration Options:
- Enable/disable 64‑byte FIFO buffering.
- Re‑map COM‑port numbers to avoid conflicts.
- Adjust baud rate, parity, and stop bits per application requirements.

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

Data Throughput:
Each port supports up to 921.6 Kbps, ensuring fast and stable communication for industrial devices. The 64‑byte FIFO buffer minimizes CPU overhead and prevents data loss during high‑speed transfers.

Latency and Responsiveness:
The single‑chip Matrix UART controller architecture reduces latency and improves response time compared to multi‑chip designs. This makes the IPC‑E2004 suitable for real‑time control and low‑latency applications.

Scalability:
Multiple IPC‑E2004 cards can be installed in a single system, limited only by available PCIe slots. Each card is automatically assigned unique IRQ and I/O resources by the system BIOS.

Reliability and Protection:
- 15 kV ESD protection safeguards against electrostatic discharge.
- AHDC/CS™ ensures precise RS‑485 direction control, preventing bus contention.
- Auto Detect and Switching eliminates configuration errors and downtime.

Limitations:
- Does not include optical isolation or surge suppression (available in IPC‑E2004SI variant).
- Maximum baud rate limited to 921.6 Kbps per port.
- Software flow control only (no hardware RTS/CTS for RS‑422/485 mode).

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

Electrical and Interface Standards:
- PCI Express Bus Specification Revision 1.0a
- RS‑422 and RS‑485 TIA/EIA standards
- ESD Protection: 15 kV IEC 61000‑4‑2 compliant
- Surge Protection (SI version): 600 W peak per IEC 61000‑4‑5

Regulatory Certifications:
- CE Marking: Conforms to European EMC and safety requirements
- FCC Class B: Complies with U.S. Federal Communications Commission EMI standards

Environmental Compliance:
- Operating Temperature: 0 °C – 70 °C
- Storage Temperature: –40 °C – 85 °C
- Humidity: 5 % – 95 % RH (non‑condensing)

Industry Standards Supported:
- RS‑422 Full‑Duplex Point‑to‑Point Communication
- RS‑485 Half‑Duplex Multi‑Drop Bus Topology
- UART 16C750 Compatibility for legacy software support

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty and Support:
- Warranty Period: 5 years limited hardware warranty.
- Technical Support: Available via email (info@sunix‑ncci.com.tw) and official website (http://www.sunix‑ncci.com.tw).
- Driver Updates: Regular updates for Windows and Linux available online.
- Documentation: Comprehensive user manual and installation guide included on CD.

Maintenance:
- Keep the card free from dust and moisture.
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight or magnetic fields.
- Do not attempt to disassemble or repair the card to preserve warranty coverage.

Troubleshooting Highlights:
- Card not detected: Verify proper seating in PCIe slot and available IRQ resources.
- Driver issues: Ensure correct driver version for OS architecture (32/64‑bit).
- Communication errors: Check cable connections and verify baud rate and parity settings.
- FIFO overruns: Reduce buffer size or enable flow control to prevent data loss at high baud rates.

Product Variants:
- IPC‑E2004: Standard model with 15 kV ESD protection.
- IPC‑E2004SI: Enhanced model with 600 W surge protection and 2.5 kV isolation for signal and power lines.

Lifecycle and Reliability:
- Designed for continuous operation in industrial environments.
- Low power consumption ASIC design reduces heat generation and extends component life.
- Backed by SUNIX’s long‑term support and driver maintenance program.

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### Summary

The SUNIX IPC‑E2004 is a robust, high‑performance PCI‑Express 4‑port RS‑422/485 serial communication card engineered for industrial automation, data acquisition, and embedded control systems. Its combination of automatic RS‑422/485 mode detection, AHDC/CS™ direction control, and 64‑byte FIFO UART buffering ensures reliable, low‑latency serial communication across a wide range of applications. With comprehensive driver support, 15 kV ESD protection, and a 5‑year warranty, the IPC‑E2004 delivers industrial‑grade performance and longevity for mission‑critical serial network deployments.