1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCIe 32-Port Isolated RS422/485 Solution
Model: A2032I
Series: A320 Intelligent Multiport PCIe Series
Article Number: A2032I
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 A2032I is a high-density, industrial-grade PCI Express (PCIe) serial communication card designed to provide up to 32 isolated RS422/RS485 serial ports through a single PCIe slot. It is part of Rayon’s A320 intelligent multiport architecture, which supports scalable expansion from 8 to 64 ports per system. The A2032I integrates intelligent I/O processing, hardware isolation, and flexible interface configuration, making it ideal for industrial automation, data acquisition, and multi-terminal communication environments.

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2. Key Features

- High Port Density: Supports up to 32 isolated RS422/RS485 serial ports in one PCIe slot using four IF208 connector boxes.
- Scalable Architecture: Expandable up to 64 ports per system using multiple connector boxes and cards.
- Ground Isolation: Each port is galvanically isolated to prevent ground loops and electrical interference.
- Single IRQ Operation: All ports share one interrupt request (IRQ), minimizing system resource usage.
- Flexible Interface Configuration: Each port can be configured as RS422 or RS485 via DIP switch settings.
- Intelligent Processor Design: Built on the A320 intelligent multiport card platform with dedicated UART controllers and memory-mapped architecture.
- Wide OS Compatibility: Supports DOS, Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, and SCO OpenServer.
- High Reliability: Industrial-grade design with wide operating temperature and humidity range.
- Plug-and-Play PCIe Interface: Fully compliant with PCI Express bus standards for easy installation and configuration.
- Comprehensive Driver Support: Includes drivers for major operating systems with detailed installation utilities.
- Flexible Expansion: Compatible with NF and IF series connector boxes for RS232, RS422, and RS485 interfaces.
- Flow Control Options: Supports both software (XON/XOFF) and hardware (RTS/CTS) handshaking.
- High-Speed Communication: Each port supports baud rates from 110 to 115,200 bps.
- Compact Form Factor: Designed for space-constrained industrial PCs and servers.

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3. Technical Specifications

Card Specifications (A320 Base Card):
- Bus Interface: PCI Express (PCIe) 3.3V slot
- Bus Frequency: 33 MHz
- Voltage Support: 3.3V and 5V signaling
- Maximum Cards per System: 2
- Memory Map Model:
- 128 bytes for PCI controller
- Two 4 KB blocks for UART controller
- I/O Map Model:
- 128 bytes I/O for PCI controller
- 256 bytes I/O for UART controller
- 64 bytes I/O for status register
- IRQ Assignment: One free IRQ assigned by PCI BIOS
- Dimensions: 122 mm × 86 mm (approx. 10.0 × 9.5 cm)
- Material: Industrial-grade PCB with EMI shielding
- Connector Type: DB37 male connector (to A640 cable)
- Included Cable: A640 cable, 0.7 m length

Connector Box (IF208):
- Interface: Ground-isolated RS422/RS485 selectable via DIP switch
- Controller: FIFO type 16C554 UART chip
- Ports per Box: 8
- Connector Type: DB9 male connectors
- Isolation: Full ground isolation per port
- Baud Rate: 110–115,200 bps (configurable per port)
- Flow Control: XON/XOFF (software), RTS/CTS (hardware)
- Dimensions: 268 × 128 × 38 mm
- Material: Metal enclosure with EMI protection
- Operating Temperature: 5°C to 40°C
- Storage Temperature: 0°C to 65°C
- Operating Humidity: 10%–90% RH
- Storage Humidity: 5%–90% RH

System Expansion:
- Each A320 card supports up to four IF208 boxes (32 ports total).
- Each system supports up to two A320 cards (64 ports total).

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4. Functionality

The A2032I operates as an intelligent multiport serial communication controller. The A320 base card interfaces with the host system via PCIe and communicates with external connector boxes through the A640 cable. Each connector box (IF208) provides eight isolated RS422/RS485 serial ports, configurable via DIP switches.

Operation Principle:
- The A320 card’s onboard processor and UART controllers manage serial data flow independently of the host CPU, reducing system load.
- The PCI BIOS assigns memory and I/O resources automatically.
- Each port can be configured for RS422 (point-to-point) or RS485 (multi-drop) communication.
- Ground isolation ensures signal integrity and protection against electrical noise.
- The system uses a single IRQ for all ports, simplifying resource management.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial automation and control systems
- Data acquisition and SCADA networks
- Multi-terminal communication servers
- Serial device networking and monitoring
- Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication
- Industrial PC integration for serial expansion
- Laboratory instrumentation and test systems

Compatibility:
- Compatible with NF and IF series connector boxes (NF116, NF216, NF316, IF108, IF208, IF308).
- Supports both RS232 and RS422/RS485 configurations depending on the box used.
- Works with standard serial communication protocols and devices.

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5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- A320 PCIe intelligent multiport card
- Four IF208 ground-isolated RS422/RS485 connector boxes
- One A640 0.7 m connection cable
- Driver and installation media (Windows/Linux/SCO)
- User manual and installation guide

Optional Accessories:
- Additional IF108/IF308 boxes for RS232 or mixed interfaces
- NF216/NF316 boxes for 16-port configurations
- P640NU PCI card (compatible with same connector boxes)
- P990F card with built-in Intel 80960JF processor
- IOP3927F card with 133 MHz MIPS processor for advanced applications
- Daisy-chain brackets for multi-box mounting

Connectors:
- Card-to-box: 37-pin D-type male connector
- Box-to-box: 37-pin D-type male/female connectors for daisy chaining
- Serial ports: DB9 male connectors per port

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6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- PCI Express slot (3.3V or 5V compatible)
- Supported operating systems: DOS, Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, SCO OpenServer
- Available IRQ and memory resources assigned by BIOS

Installation Steps:
1. Power off the system and insert the A320 card into an available PCIe slot.
2. Connect the A640 cable from the card’s DB37 connector to the first IF208 box.
3. Daisy-chain additional IF208 boxes if required (up to four per card).
4. Secure boxes using provided brackets for stable installation.
5. Power on the system; the BIOS will detect the card and assign resources.
6. Install the appropriate driver for your operating system.
7. Configure port parameters (COM numbering, baud rate, flow control) via driver setup utility.
8. Verify installation using diagnostic tools (e.g., HyperTerminal, etty, or om utilities).

Configuration Notes:
- DIP switches on each IF208 box select RS422 or RS485 mode per port.
- In RS485 mode, automatic data direction control is supported.
- Ensure correct grounding and shielding for industrial environments.
- For Linux and UNIX systems, device names follow the pattern `/dev/tty6[1–8][a–h]` or `/dev/tty7[1–8][a–h]` depending on card mode.

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7. Performance & Capabilities

- Port Count: 32 isolated RS422/RS485 ports per card
- Maximum System Ports: 64 (two cards per system)
- Baud Rate Range: 110–115,200 bps per port
- Flow Control: Software (XON/XOFF) and hardware (RTS/CTS)
- Data Integrity: Ground isolation prevents signal interference and cross-talk
- Latency: Minimal due to intelligent local processing
- Throughput: Optimized via FIFO UART buffering (16C554 controller)
- Efficiency: Single IRQ for all ports reduces CPU overhead
- Limitations:
- Maximum of two cards per system
- RS485 mode requires proper termination and biasing
- Operating temperature limited to 5–40°C

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8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Interface: PCI Express 3.3V, 33 MHz
- Electrical Isolation: Ground-isolated per port (IF208)
- UART Compliance: FIFO type 16C554 compatible
- Serial Standards: RS422, RS485 (EIA/TIA compliant)
- Operating System Drivers:
- Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7
- Linux (RedHat, Slackware, kernel 2.2–2.6)
- SCO OpenServer 5.0.x
- DOS (I/O map mode only)
- Environmental Compliance: Designed for industrial environments (10–90% RH, 5–40°C)
- Safety & EMC: Meets industrial EMI/EMC shielding requirements
- Manufacturer Certifications: Rayon internal quality assurance and ISO-compliant production

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9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- One-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
- Excludes damage from misuse, electrical surges, or unauthorized servicing.
- Out-of-warranty repairs available at a flat-rate service charge.

Support & Maintenance:
- Technical support via email (rayon@ms1.hinet.net / info@rayontech.com.tw).
- Firmware and driver updates available from [www.rayontech.com](http://www.rayontech.com).
- RMA (Return Material Authorization) required for repairs; contact Rayon Service Center for authorization number and return instructions.

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Ensure proper ventilation and stable power supply.
- Avoid hot-swapping connector boxes while powered.
- Periodically check cable connections and DIP switch settings.
- Use shielded cables for long-distance RS422/RS485 communication.

Software Utilities:
- etty: Transmit/receive test utility for verifying port operation.
- om: Real-time monitoring tool for data transmission across multiple ports.
- Setup Utility: Windows-based configuration tool for COM port numbering and parameters.

Expansion Options:
- Daisy-chain up to eight connector boxes using 37-pin cables.
- Combine with other Rayon intelligent cards (P640NU, IOP3927F) for hybrid RS232/RS422/RS485 systems.

Typical Deployment Example:
- One A2032I card connected to four IF208 boxes provides 32 isolated RS422/RS485 ports.
- Two A2032I cards in one system yield 64 total ports, each with independent isolation and configurable interface modes.

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Summary

The Rayon A2032I PCIe 32-Port Isolated RS422/RS485 Solution is a robust, scalable, and intelligent serial communication platform engineered for industrial and enterprise environments requiring high-density, isolated serial connectivity. Built on the proven A320 intelligent multiport architecture, it combines advanced UART control, flexible interface configuration, and comprehensive OS support. With its ground-isolated design, single-IRQ efficiency, and modular expansion capability, the A2032I delivers reliable, high-performance serial communication for automation, control, and data acquisition systems.