Comprehensive Product Summary – Rayon P640N PCI 8..64-Port CPU Card and Associated Multi-Port Serial Solutions

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCI 8..64-Port CPU Card
Model: P640N
Series: PCI Intelligent Multi-Port Serial Communication Series
Article Number: P640N
Manufacturer: Rayon Technology Co., Ltd.
Manufacturer Address: 2F, No. 177, Chung Shan 2 Rd., Lu Chou City, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan
Contact:
TEL: +886-2-82858362 FAX: +886-2-82857065
Email: rayon@ms1.hinet.net Web: [www.rayontech.com](http://www.rayontech.com)

The Rayon P640N is a high-performance PCI-based intelligent processor card designed to support 8 to 64 serial communication ports through modular connector boxes. It serves as the core processing unit for a scalable multi-port serial communication system, suitable for industrial automation, data acquisition, and multi-user environments. The card integrates advanced UART controllers, supports multiple interface standards (RS232, RS422, RS485), and is compatible with a wide range of operating systems.

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### 2. Key Features

- Intelligent PCI Processor Architecture:
The P640N incorporates an onboard intelligent processor that offloads serial communication tasks from the host CPU, improving system performance and reducing latency.

- Scalable Port Configuration:
Supports configurations from 8 up to 64 serial ports via daisy-chained connector boxes (NF116, NF216, NF316). Each box provides 16 ports.

- Flexible Interface Support:
Each serial port can be configured individually as RS232, RS422, or RS485 using DIP switches, allowing mixed interface environments on a single card.

- Advanced FIFO UART Control:
Built-in FIFO-type 16C554 UART controllers ensure efficient data buffering and high-speed communication with minimal CPU overhead.

- PCI Bus Compatibility:
Designed for 5V 33MHz PCI slots, with BIOS-assigned memory or I/O mapping. Supports both 2×4KB memory map or 256B/64B I/O map configurations.

- Operating System Support:
Comprehensive driver support for DOS, Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, and SCO OpenServer.

- High-Speed Communication:
Each port supports baud rates from 110 to 115,200 bps, with software and hardware flow control options.

- Expandable System Architecture:
Up to two P640N cards per system, each supporting up to four connector boxes for a total of 64 ports per card.

- Industrial-Grade Design:
Rugged construction with wide environmental tolerance, suitable for continuous operation in industrial and commercial environments.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

Card Specifications (P640N):
- Bus Interface: PCI 5V, 33MHz
- Mapping Options:
- Memory Map: 2 × 4KB memory regions
- I/O Map: 256B + 64B I/O regions
- Assigned dynamically by PCI BIOS
- Maximum Cards per System: 2
- Connector: DB37 male (to external connector boxes)
- Dimensions: 121 × 87 mm (approx. 5.0 × 3.4 inches)
- Material: Multi-layer PCB with gold-plated edge connector
- Power Requirements: 5V PCI bus power
- Operating Temperature: 5°C to 40°C
- Storage Temperature: 0°C to 65°C
- Operating Humidity: 10%–90% RH
- Storage Humidity: 5%–90% RH

Connector Box Specifications:

| Model | Interface | Ports | Controller | Connector | Dimensions |
|--------|------------|--------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
| NF116 | RS232C | 16 | FIFO 16C554 | DB9 male | 268 × 128 × 38 mm |
| NF216 | RS422/RS485 | 16 | FIFO 16C554 | DB9 male | 268 × 128 × 38 mm |
| NF316 | RS232/RS422/RS485 | 16 | FIFO 16C554 | DB9 male | 268 × 128 × 38 mm |

Environmental Ratings (Boxes):
- Operating Temperature: 5–40°C
- Storage Temperature: 0–65°C
- Operating Humidity: 10–90% RH
- Storage Humidity: 5–90% RH

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### 4. Functionality

The P640N functions as an intelligent serial communication controller that interfaces with external connector boxes via a 37-pin cable. Each connector box houses UART controllers and provides 16 serial ports. The system can be expanded by daisy-chaining multiple boxes, allowing flexible port scaling.

Operation Principle:
- The P640N card communicates with the host system through the PCI bus.
- The onboard processor manages data flow between the host and serial ports.
- Each port’s interface type (RS232/RS422/RS485) is selectable via DIP switches.
- The card’s BIOS assigns memory or I/O resources automatically.
- The system supports both interrupt-driven and memory-mapped communication.

Use Cases:
- Industrial automation and control systems
- Data acquisition and instrumentation
- Multi-terminal server environments
- Point-of-sale (POS) and kiosk systems
- Communication hubs for embedded or legacy serial devices

Compatibility:
- Works with Rayon connector boxes (NF116, NF216, NF316)
- Compatible with intelligent IOP3927F multi-port cards
- Supports A640 interconnect cable for box connection
- Backward compatible with P640NU and PCIIOP series

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- P640N PCI CPU Card
- DB37 male connector interface
- Driver and utility software package

Optional Accessories:
- NF116 Connector Box: 16-port RS232C interface
- NF216 Connector Box: 16-port RS422/RS485 interface
- NF316 Connector Box: 16-port configurable RS232/RS422/RS485 interface
- A640 Cable: High-density interconnect cable between card and boxes
- Mounting Brackets: For daisy-chained box installation (supports up to 8 boxes)

Connector Details:
- DB9 male connectors per port
- DIP switch configuration for interface selection
- Daisy-chain connectors (37-pin D-type) between boxes

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### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- IBM PC/AT or compatible system
- Available 5V PCI slot (33MHz)
- Supported OS (DOS, Windows, Linux, SCO)

Installation Steps:
1. Power off the system and insert the P640N card into an available PCI slot.
2. Connect the A640 cable from the card’s DB37 connector to the first connector box.
3. Daisy-chain additional boxes as needed (up to four per card).
4. Configure each port’s interface type using DIP switches on the boxes.
5. Power on the system and install the appropriate driver for the operating system.
6. Verify installation via device manager or system log (e.g., `dmesg` in Linux).

Mounting Options:
- Single-box standalone installation
- Multi-box daisy-chain configuration (up to 8 boxes)
- Bracket-based mounting for stable multi-box assemblies

Configuration:
- Memory or I/O mapping selectable via BIOS
- IRQ automatically assigned by PCI BIOS
- COM port numbering configurable during driver installation

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

- Port Capacity: 8–64 serial ports per card (16 ports per box)
- Baud Rate Range: 110–115,200 bps (supports 50, 75, 150 bps mapping for UNIX)
- Flow Control:
- Software: XON/XOFF
- Hardware: RTS/CTS
- Data Integrity: FIFO buffering minimizes data loss at high speeds.
- System Load Reduction: Intelligent processor offloads serial communication from host CPU.
- Latency: Low-latency communication suitable for real-time applications.
- Scalability: Supports up to two cards per system (128 ports total).
- Limitations:
- Maximum of four connector boxes per card
- Requires 5V PCI slot (P640NU variant supports 3.3V and 5V)

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

- Electrical Interface Standards:
- RS232C (EIA/TIA-232)
- RS422 (EIA/TIA-422)
- RS485 (EIA/TIA-485)
- Bus Interface: PCI 2.1 compliant, 33MHz, 5V signaling
- UART Controller: 16C554 FIFO type
- Operating System Drivers:
- DOS (I/O map mode only)
- Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7
- Linux (source-level driver)
- SCO OpenServer
- Regulatory Compliance:
- CE and FCC Class A (industrial/commercial use)
- Industry Standards:
- Compatible with standard DB9/DB37 connectors
- Supports standard COM port addressing conventions

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty & Support:
- Warranty Period: 1 year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
- Exclusions: Damage due to misuse, unauthorized servicing, or electrical faults.
- Repair Procedure:
- Obtain Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Rayon Service Center.
- Provide model, serial number, and fault description.
- Products under warranty repaired free of charge; out-of-warranty repairs subject to flat-rate service fee.

Maintenance:
- Periodic inspection of connectors and cables recommended.
- Ensure adequate ventilation and stable power supply.
- Firmware and driver updates available via Rayon’s website.

Software & Driver Updates:
- Drivers provided for all major OS platforms.
- Linux drivers supplied as source code for kernel integration.
- Windows drivers support Plug & Play installation and COM port configuration.

Upgrade Path:
- P640N users can upgrade to PCIIOP series intelligent cards (e.g., IOP3927F) using the same connector boxes.
- Higher-end models (P990F, IOP3927F) include onboard RISC processors for enhanced performance.

Related Products:
- P1016 / P1032 / P1048 / P1064: RS232-only configurations (16–64 ports)
- P2016 / P2032 / P2048 / P2064: RS422/RS485 configurations
- P3016 / P3032 / P3048 / P3064: Mixed RS232/RS422/RS485 configurations
- P1232 / P1332 / P2332: Hybrid models combining multiple interface types

Manufacturer Information:
Rayon Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in industrial communication hardware, offering a full range of multi-port serial communication solutions for PCI and intelligent I/O systems. Their modular architecture allows flexible scaling and interface customization for diverse industrial and commercial applications.

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### Summary

The Rayon P640N PCI 8..64-Port CPU Card is a robust, scalable, and intelligent serial communication solution designed for high-density multi-port applications. Its modular architecture, broad OS compatibility, and flexible interface configuration make it ideal for system integrators and industrial automation developers. With support for up to 64 ports per card, advanced UART control, and intelligent resource management, the P640N delivers reliable, high-performance serial connectivity in demanding environments.