Comprehensive Product Summary – Rayon Technology A2016I PCIe 16-Port Isolated RS422/485 Solution

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCIe 16-Port Isolated RS422/485 Solution
Model: A2016I
Article Number: A2016I
Series: A320 Intelligent Multiport PCIe Series
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 / info@rayontech.com.tw
- Web: [www.rayontech.com](http://www.rayontech.com)

The Rayon A2016I is a high-performance PCI Express (PCIe) serial communication interface card designed for industrial and multi-user environments requiring multiple isolated RS422/RS485 serial ports. It is part of Rayon’s A320 intelligent multiport card family, supporting up to 64 serial ports per system through modular expansion. The A2016I integrates advanced isolation, flexible configuration, and broad OS compatibility, making it ideal for data acquisition, industrial automation, and communication control systems.

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### 2. Key Features

- High-Density Serial Expansion: Supports up to 16 isolated RS422/RS485 ports per card; expandable to 64 ports using multiple connector boxes.
- Intelligent PCIe Architecture: Built on the A320 intelligent multiport platform with dedicated local processing and memory mapping for efficient data handling.
- Single IRQ Operation: All ports share one interrupt request (IRQ), minimizing system resource usage.
- Flexible Interface Configuration: Each port can be configured individually for RS422 or RS485 operation via DIP switches.
- Ground Isolation: Provides galvanic isolation between ports and system ground, ensuring signal integrity and protection against ground loops.
- High-Speed Communication: Supports baud rates from 110 bps to 115,200 bps, with software and hardware flow control.
- Cross-Platform Driver Support: Compatible with DOS, Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, and SCO OpenServer.
- Industrial-Grade Design: Rugged construction with wide operating temperature and humidity ranges.
- Plug-and-Play PCIe Interface: Fully compliant with PCI Express bus standards for easy installation and configuration.
- Included Accessories: Ships with A640 0.7 m cable and DB37 male connector for external box connection.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

Card Dimensions: 122 mm × 86 mm (approx. 10.0 × 9.5 cm)
Weight: Approx. 150 g (card only)
Material: Multi-layer PCB with industrial-grade components
Bus Interface: PCI Express (3.3V and 5V, 33 MHz)
Maximum Cards per System: 2
Connector Type: DB37 male on card; DB9 male on external boxes
Included Cable: A640 cable, 0.7 m length

Electrical Characteristics:
- Operating Voltage: 3.3V / 5V PCIe slot power
- Isolation: Ground-isolated per port (IF208/IF308 boxes)
- Power Consumption: <10 W typical

Environmental Conditions:
- Operating Temperature: 5°C to 40°C
- Storage Temperature: 0°C to 65°C
- Operating Humidity: 10%–90% RH (non-condensing)
- Storage Humidity: 5%–90% RH

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### 4. Functionality

The A2016I functions as an intelligent serial communication controller that offloads data handling from the host CPU. It uses a local intelligent processor and memory-mapped architecture to manage multiple UART channels efficiently. Each port can be configured for RS422 or RS485 signaling, supporting both point-to-point and multi-drop communication topologies.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial automation and process control
- SCADA and data acquisition systems
- Multi-terminal communication servers
- Embedded control systems
- Serial device networking and monitoring
- Laboratory instrumentation and test environments

Compatibility:
- Operating Systems: DOS, Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, SCO OpenServer
- Hardware: Standard PCIe slots on PC/AT-compatible systems
- External Boxes: Compatible with IF208 (RS422/RS485 isolated) and IF308 (RS232/RS422/RS485 isolated) connector boxes

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- A2016I PCIe card
- A640 0.7 m connection cable
- DB37 male connector interface

Compatible Connector Boxes:
- IF208 Box: 8-port ground-isolated RS422/RS485 interface
- IF308 Box: 8-port ground-isolated RS232/RS422/RS485 selectable interface
- NF216 Box: 16-port RS422/RS485 selectable interface (non-isolated)
- NF316 Box: 16-port RS232/RS422/RS485 selectable interface

Connector Box Specifications:
- Built-in FIFO type 16C554 UART controller
- DB9 male connectors per port
- DIP switch configuration for interface type and output enable timing
- Dimensions: 268 × 128 × 38 mm
- Daisy-chain capability up to 8 boxes (64 ports total)

Optional Accessories:
- P640NU PCI card (compatible with same connector boxes)
- P990F card (with Intel 80960JF local processor)
- IOP3927F card (with 133 MHz MIPS processor)

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### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- PC/AT-compatible system with available PCIe slot
- Supported OS (Windows, Linux, or SCO UNIX)
- Administrative privileges for driver installation

Installation Steps:
1. Power off the system and insert the A2016I card into an available PCIe slot.
2. Connect the A640 cable between the card’s DB37 connector and the external IF208/IF308 box.
3. Secure the connector box and ensure proper grounding.
4. Power on the system; the PCI BIOS assigns memory and I/O resources automatically.
5. Install the appropriate driver for your operating system.
6. Configure port parameters (baud rate, parity, flow control) via software or DIP switches.

Mounting Options:
- Internal PCIe slot mounting for the card
- External rack or panel mounting for connector boxes (daisy-chain capable)

Configuration:
- Memory Map Mode: 128 bytes for PCI controller, two 4 KB blocks for UART controllers
- I/O Map Mode: 128 bytes for PCI controller, 256 bytes for UART, 64 bytes for status registers
- One IRQ assigned by PCI BIOS

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

Port Capacity:
- 16 isolated RS422/RS485 ports per card
- Expandable to 64 ports using multiple boxes

Baud Rate:
- 110 bps to 115,200 bps (standard)
- UNIX systems support 50, 75, 150 bps mappings for 57,600, 76,800, and 115,200 bps

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

Data Handling:
- FIFO buffering via 16C554 UARTs
- Intelligent local processor for efficient data transfer
- Single IRQ for all ports reduces CPU overhead

Throughput & Efficiency:
- High-speed serial communication with minimal latency
- Optimized for multi-user and multi-device environments
- Supports simultaneous full-duplex communication on all ports

Limitations:
- Maximum of two cards per system (up to 128 ports total)
- Operating temperature limited to 40°C for optimal performance

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

Bus Interface Standards:
- PCI Express (3.3V/5V, 33 MHz)
- Fully compliant with PCI BIOS resource allocation

Communication Standards:
- RS422 (balanced differential signaling)
- RS485 (multi-drop differential signaling)
- RS232 (optional via IF308 box)

Electrical Isolation:
- Ground isolation per port (IF208/IF308)
- Protection against ground loops and electrical noise

Regulatory Compliance:
- CE and FCC Class A (industrial environments)
- RoHS-compliant manufacturing process

Industry Standards:
- EIA/TIA-422 and EIA/TIA-485 electrical interface standards
- Compatible with standard UART-based serial communication protocols

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- One-year limited hardware warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship
- Excludes damage from misuse, unauthorized servicing, or electrical faults

Support & Maintenance:
- Technical support via email and phone
- Driver updates and documentation available from Rayon’s website
- RMA (Return Material Authorization) procedure available for repairs

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Ensure proper grounding and shielding of cables
- Avoid hot-swapping connector boxes while powered
- Periodically inspect connectors and cables for wear

Software Updates:
- Regular driver updates for new OS versions (Windows 7, Linux kernel 2.6+)
- Source-level Linux drivers for custom kernel compilation

Repair Policy:
- Warranty repairs free of charge for verified defects
- Out-of-warranty repairs available at flat-rate service charge

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### Summary

The Rayon A2016I PCIe 16-Port Isolated RS422/485 Solution is a robust, intelligent, and scalable serial communication interface designed for industrial and multi-user computing environments. Built on the A320 intelligent multiport architecture, it offers high-density serial connectivity with full electrical isolation, flexible configuration, and broad OS support. Its modular design allows expansion up to 64 ports per card and 128 ports per system, making it ideal for demanding applications in automation, data acquisition, and communication control.

With its combination of intelligent processing, single-IRQ efficiency, and industrial-grade reliability, the A2016I delivers a powerful and flexible platform for serial communication integration in modern industrial systems.