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COM-2(CB)H

CardBus serial 2*RS232 Card 921,6kBd
185,00 EUR

including VAT 220.15 EUR

  • Manufacturer Contec
  • Category: CardBus
  • The CONTEC COM-2(CB)H is a compact, high-performance CardBus serial communication card designed to provide two independent RS-232C asynchronous serial ports for notebook and embedded systems. It supports data transfer rates up to 921.6 kbps per channel and is fully compatible with Windows and Linux operating systems. The card is part of CONTEC’s extensive COM series, which includes PCI, Low Profile PCI, USB, and PCMCIA variants for diverse industrial and commercial communication applications.
- Dual RS-232C Channels: Provides two independent asynchronous serial communication ports compliant with the RS-232C standard.
- High-Speed Data Transfer: Supports baud rates from 15 bps up to 921,600 bps, selectable via software.
- CardBus Interface: Fully compliant with the 32-bit CardBus (PC Card Type II) standard, ensuring high throughput and compatibility with modern notebook PCs.
- Compact and Portable: Type II PC Card form factor allows easy installation in laptops and compact embedded systems.
- Advanced UART Controller: Equipped with a 162850-compatible UART featuring a 128-byte FIFO buffer for both transmission and reception, ensuring stable high-speed communication.
- Single Interrupt Line: Utilizes one interrupt request signal (INTA) for efficient system resource management.
- Surge Protection: Built-in surge protection circuits safeguard communication lines against voltage spikes and transient currents.
- Cross-Platform Support: Includes standard COM drivers for Windows and Linux, enabling plug-and-play recognition as standard serial ports (COM1, COM2, etc.).
- Multiple Board Support: Up to two COM-2(CB)H cards can be installed in a single system (limited to one card under Windows Me/98/98SE and Linux).
- Industrial Reliability: Designed for industrial automation, measurement, and control applications requiring robust and stable serial communication.

Country of origin: Japan

1. Product Overview

Product Name: CardBus Serial 2-Port RS-232C Interface Card
Model: COM-2(CB)H
Series: COM Series – CardBus Communication Interface Boards
Article Number: COM-2(CB)H
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd. (Japan)
Product Type: High-speed dual-channel RS-232C serial communication interface card compliant with the CardBus (32-bit PC Card) standard, Type II form factor.

The CONTEC COM-2(CB)H is a compact, high-performance CardBus serial communication card designed to provide two independent RS-232C asynchronous serial ports for notebook and embedded systems. It supports data transfer rates up to 921.6 kbps per channel and is fully compatible with Windows and Linux operating systems. The card is part of CONTEC’s extensive COM series, which includes PCI, Low Profile PCI, USB, and PCMCIA variants for diverse industrial and commercial communication applications.




2. Key Features

- Dual RS-232C Channels: Provides two independent asynchronous serial communication ports compliant with the RS-232C standard.
- High-Speed Data Transfer: Supports baud rates from 15 bps up to 921,600 bps, selectable via software.
- CardBus Interface: Fully compliant with the 32-bit CardBus (PC Card Type II) standard, ensuring high throughput and compatibility with modern notebook PCs.
- Compact and Portable: Type II PC Card form factor allows easy installation in laptops and compact embedded systems.
- Advanced UART Controller: Equipped with a 162850-compatible UART featuring a 128-byte FIFO buffer for both transmission and reception, ensuring stable high-speed communication.
- Single Interrupt Line: Utilizes one interrupt request signal (INTA) for efficient system resource management.
- Surge Protection: Built-in surge protection circuits safeguard communication lines against voltage spikes and transient currents.
- Cross-Platform Support: Includes standard COM drivers for Windows and Linux, enabling plug-and-play recognition as standard serial ports (COM1, COM2, etc.).
- Multiple Board Support: Up to two COM-2(CB)H cards can be installed in a single system (limited to one card under Windows Me/98/98SE and Linux).
- Industrial Reliability: Designed for industrial automation, measurement, and control applications requiring robust and stable serial communication.




3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|-------------------|
| Interface Type | RS-232C (Asynchronous) |
| Number of Channels | 2 independent channels |
| Data Transfer Speed | 15 bps to 921,600 bps (software selectable) |
| Data Format | 5, 6, 7, or 8 data bits |
| Stop Bits | 1, 1.5, or 2 stop bits |
| Parity | Even, Odd, or None |
| Controller | 162850-compatible UART with 128-byte FIFO (Tx/Rx) |
| Interrupts | One interrupt request signal (INTA) |
| Maximum Cable Length | 15 meters (RS-232C standard) |
| I/O Address | Any 32-byte boundary |
| Power Supply | 3.3 VDC (supplied from CardBus slot) |
| Power Consumption | 200 mA (maximum) |
| Bus Interface | CardBus (32-bit PC Card Standard, Type II) |
| Connector Type | 9-pin D-sub male × 2 |
| Connector Model | DELC-J9PAF-20L9 [JAE] or equivalent |
| Dimensions | PC Card Type II standard (approx. 85.6 mm × 54.0 mm × 5.0 mm) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +50°C (typical for CONTEC communication cards) |
| Storage Temperature | -10°C to +60°C |
| Humidity | 10% to 90% RH (non-condensing) |
| Weight | Approx. 50 g (typical for CardBus cards) |




4. Functionality

The COM-2(CB)H functions as a dual-port serial communication interface card that allows a PC or embedded system to communicate with external RS-232C devices such as sensors, modems, barcode readers, PLCs, and other industrial instruments. Each port operates independently, supporting full-duplex asynchronous communication.

When installed, the card is recognized by the operating system as two standard COM ports. Applications that communicate via serial ports can use these interfaces without modification. The included driver software (Standard COM Driver and COM Setup Disk) simplifies installation and configuration, automatically assigning COM port numbers and enabling compatibility with commercial and custom serial communication software.

Typical Use Cases:
- Industrial automation and control systems
- Data acquisition and measurement equipment
- Serial communication with legacy devices
- Field service and maintenance tools for RS-232C-based systems
- Laboratory instrumentation and test setups
- Embedded system integration requiring portable serial connectivity

Compatibility:
- Operating Systems: Windows XP / 2000 / Me / 98 / 98SE, Linux
- Hardware: Any PC or notebook equipped with a CardBus (32-bit PC Card) slot




5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- COM-2(CB)H CardBus serial interface card
- Standard COM Driver / COM Setup Disk (Windows and Linux)
- Documentation (User Manual, Installation Guide)

Optional Accessories:
- Cables:
- RSS-9M/F (9-pin male to female RS-232C cable)
- RSC-9F (9-pin female RS-232C cable)
- RSS-25M/9F (25-pin male to 9-pin female conversion cable)
- RSC-25F/9F (25-pin female to 9-pin female conversion cable)
- CN5-D9F (9-pin D-sub connector assembly)

These accessories facilitate flexible connection to various RS-232C devices and configurations.




6. Installation & Setup

Requirements:
- PC or notebook with an available CardBus (32-bit PC Card) slot
- Supported operating system (Windows XP/2000/Me/98/98SE or Linux)
- Administrative privileges for driver installation

Installation Steps:
1. Insert the COM-2(CB)H card into the CardBus slot of the host computer.
2. The system automatically detects the new hardware.
3. Insert the provided COM Setup Disk when prompted.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Standard COM Driver.
5. After installation, the two serial ports appear as standard COM ports (e.g., COM3 and COM4).
6. Connect external RS-232C devices using the 9-pin D-sub connectors.

Configuration:
- Baud rate, parity, data bits, and stop bits can be configured via the operating system’s device manager or through application software.
- The card supports up to two units per system (one under older OS versions).

Mounting Options:
- Direct insertion into the CardBus slot; no external power supply required.
- Compact design allows use in portable and embedded systems without mechanical modification.




7. Performance & Capabilities

- Speed: Up to 921.6 kbps per channel, supporting high-speed serial communication with minimal latency.
- Buffering: 128-byte FIFO buffers for both transmission and reception per channel ensure smooth data flow and prevent data loss during high-speed operation.
- Efficiency: The 32-bit CardBus interface provides high data throughput and low CPU overhead compared to legacy 16-bit PCMCIA cards.
- Capacity: Two independent channels allow simultaneous communication with multiple devices.
- Reliability: Surge protection and stable power supply from the CardBus slot enhance durability in industrial environments.
- Limitations:
- Maximum cable length limited to 15 meters per RS-232C specifications.
- Only one card supported under Windows Me/98/98SE and Linux due to OS resource constraints.




8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Standard: CardBus (32-bit PC Card Standard, Type II)
- Communication Standard: RS-232C (EIA/TIA-232-E compliant)
- Controller Compatibility: 162850 UART standard
- Electrical Compliance: 3.3VDC operation per CardBus specification
- Software Compliance:
- Windows COM port driver model
- Linux serial driver compatibility
- Safety & Protection:
- Built-in surge protection circuits on communication lines
- Isolation between PC and communication lines (logical protection)
- Environmental Compliance: Designed for industrial-grade operation (temperature and humidity tolerance)
- Regulatory Compliance: CE marking and RoHS conformity (typical for CONTEC industrial communication products)




9. Additional Information

Warranty:
Standard CONTEC limited warranty (typically one year) covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.

Technical Support:
CONTEC provides comprehensive technical support through its global portal (www.contec.com), including driver downloads, software updates, and product documentation.

Maintenance:
- No periodic maintenance required.
- Keep connectors clean and free from dust.
- Avoid excessive mechanical stress on the CardBus connector.

Software Updates:
- Updated drivers and utilities are available from CONTEC’s website.
- API-PAC(W32) software package provides advanced configuration and programming interfaces for Windows environments.

Product Line Context:
The COM-2(CB)H belongs to CONTEC’s extensive COM series, which includes multiple interface types and configurations:
- PCI / Low Profile PCI: COM-1(LPCI)H, COM-2(LPCI)H, COM-4(LPCI)H
- USB: COM-1(USB)H, COM-1P(USB)H, COM-4(USB)
- PCMCIA: COM-1(PM), COM-2(PM)
- Media Converters: RP-COM(FIT)GY (RS-232C to Ethernet), RP-422(FIT)GY (RS-422/485 to Ethernet)

This modular lineup allows users to select the optimal communication interface for their system architecture, ensuring consistent driver support and operational behavior across platforms.




Summary

The CONTEC COM-2(CB)H is a robust, high-speed, dual-channel RS-232C CardBus interface card engineered for industrial and professional applications requiring reliable serial communication. With support for data rates up to 921.6 kbps, 128-byte FIFO buffering, and surge-protected communication lines, it delivers stable performance even in demanding environments. Its compatibility with both Windows and Linux, combined with easy installation and standard COM port emulation, makes it an ideal solution for expanding serial connectivity in portable and embedded systems.

By integrating advanced UART technology, comprehensive driver support, and industrial-grade protection, the COM-2(CB)H exemplifies CONTEC’s commitment to providing high-quality communication solutions for automation, measurement, and control systems.

No accessories available.