Comprehensive Product Summary – Rayon Technology LP640NU and Associated Multi-Port Serial Solutions

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: UPCI Low Profile 8–64-Port 3.3V/5V CPU Card
Model: LP640NU
Series: UPCI Intelligent Multi-Port Serial Expansion Series
Article Number: LP640NU
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
Websites: [www.rayontech.com](http://www.rayontech.com), [www.computex.com.tw/rayon](http://www.computex.com.tw/rayon)

The LP640NU is a low-profile intelligent PCI CPU card designed to serve as the processing core for Rayon’s modular multi-port serial communication systems. It supports 8 to 64 serial ports through external connector boxes (NF116, NF216, NF316) and is compatible with both 3.3V and 5V PCI 33MHz slots. The card integrates an intelligent processor and advanced UART controllers to offload serial communication tasks from the host CPU, providing high-performance, scalable serial connectivity for industrial and enterprise applications.

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### 2. Key Features

- Intelligent Processor Architecture:
Built-in 3.3V intelligent processor for managing up to 64 serial ports, reducing host CPU load.

- Flexible Port Expansion:
Supports 8 to 64 serial ports via daisy-chained connector boxes (NF116, NF216, NF316).

- Multi-Voltage PCI Compatibility:
Operates in both 3.3V and 5V 33MHz PCI slots, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of systems.

- Advanced UART Control:
Integrated FIFO-type UART controller (16C554) for efficient serial data buffering and reduced latency.

- Configurable Interface Modes:
Each port can be independently configured as RS232, RS422, or RS485 via DIP switches on the connector boxes.

- High-Speed Communication:
Supports baud rates from 110 to 115,200 bps (up to 230,400 bps in some configurations).

- Operating System Support:
Compatible with DOS, Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux, and SCO OpenServer.

- Low Profile Design:
Compact 122 × 86 mm form factor suitable for space-constrained industrial PCs.

- Scalable System Integration:
Up to two LP640NU cards can be installed per system, supporting a total of 128 serial ports.

- Comprehensive Software Drivers:
Full driver support for major operating systems, including kernel-level integration for UNIX/Linux environments.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

Card Specifications:
- Dimensions: 122 mm × 86 mm (approx. 5.0 × 3.4 inches)
- Bus Interface: PCI 33MHz, 3.3V/5V compatible
- Maximum Cards per System: 2
- Connector: DB37 male (includes L640 DB44 male to DB37 male cable, 0.7 m)
- Memory Mapping: 2 × 4 KB memory map or 256B + 64B I/O space assigned by PCI BIOS
- Supported OS: DOS, Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP/7, Linux, SCO
- Material: Industrial-grade PCB with EMI shielding
- 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 Dimensions (NF116/NF216/NF316):
268 mm × 128 mm × 38 mm

Controller: FIFO type 16C554 UART
Port Count: 16 ports per box
Connector Type: DB9 male

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### 4. Functionality

The LP640NU functions as an intelligent PCI CPU card that interfaces with external connector boxes to provide multiple serial communication ports. Each connector box contains its own UART controllers and interface circuitry, allowing the system to scale from 8 to 64 ports per card.

Operation:
- The LP640NU card communicates with the host system via the PCI bus.
- External connector boxes (NF116, NF216, NF316) are linked using A640 cables.
- Each box supports 16 serial ports, and multiple boxes can be daisy-chained.
- DIP switches on each box configure individual ports for RS232, RS422, or RS485 operation.
- The card’s intelligent processor manages data flow, buffering, and interrupt handling, minimizing CPU overhead.

Use Cases:
- Industrial automation and control systems
- Multi-terminal server environments
- Data acquisition and monitoring systems
- Telecommunications and networking equipment
- POS and kiosk systems requiring multiple serial interfaces

Compatibility:
- Works with Rayon’s IOP3927F intelligent multiport card and other PCIIOP series products.
- Compatible with NF116 (RS232), NF216 (RS422/RS485), and NF316 (RS232/RS422/RS485) connector boxes.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included:
- LP640NU PCI CPU card
- L640 DB44 male to DB37 male cable (0.7 m)
- Driver and utility software package
- Documentation and installation guide

Optional Accessories:
- NF116 Connector Box: 16-port RS232C interface
- NF216 Connector Box: 16-port RS422/RS485 interface
- NF316 Connector Box: 16-port RS232/RS422/RS485 configurable interface
- A640 Cable: Interconnect cable between card and connector boxes
- Mounting Brackets: For daisy-chained box installations

Connector Box Details:

| Model | Interface | Ports | Configuration | Connector | Controller |
|--------|------------|--------|----------------|-------------|-------------|
| NF116 | RS232C | 16 | Fixed RS232 | DB9 male | 16C554 FIFO |
| NF216 | RS422/RS485 | 16 | DIP switch selectable | DB9 male | 16C554 FIFO |
| NF316 | RS232/RS422/RS485 | 16 | Per-port DIP switch | DB9 male | 16C554 FIFO |

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### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- IBM PC/AT or compatible system
- Available PCI 33MHz slot (3.3V or 5V)
- Supported operating system (DOS, Windows, Linux, SCO)

Installation Steps:
1. Power off the system and insert the LP640NU 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 for 64 ports).
4. Secure boxes using provided brackets for stable installation.
5. Power on the system and install the appropriate driver:
- DOS/Windows 95/98: I/O map mode only
- Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7: Memory map mode recommended
- Linux/SCO: Source-level driver installation via provided scripts
6. Configure COM port numbering and interface modes using DIP switches and driver setup utilities.

Configuration Options:
- I/O Map Mode: 128B I/O for PCI controller, 256B for UART, 64B for status register
- Memory Map Mode: Two 4KB memory blocks for UART controller, 128B for PCI controller

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

- Port Capacity: 8–64 serial ports per card (up to 128 ports per system)
- Baud Rate: 110–115,200 bps (supports 50, 75, 150 bps mapping for UNIX compatibility)
- Flow Control: XON/XOFF (software), RTS/CTS (hardware)
- IRQ Usage: Single IRQ per card, assigned automatically by PCI BIOS
- Data Handling: FIFO buffering per port for efficient throughput
- Latency: Optimized via intelligent processor and local memory mapping
- Efficiency: Offloads serial communication tasks from host CPU, improving system performance
- Limitations:
- I/O map mode limited to 32 ports (256B I/O space)
- Memory map mode required for >32 ports or advanced OS support

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

- Electrical Standards:
- RS232C (EIA/TIA-232)
- RS422 (EIA/TIA-422)
- RS485 (EIA/TIA-485)

- Bus Interface: PCI 2.2 compliant (33MHz, 3.3V/5V signaling)
- Controller Compliance: 16C554 UART FIFO standard
- Environmental Compliance:
- Operating temperature: 5–40°C
- Humidity: 10–90% RH non-condensing
- Regulatory: Designed for industrial-grade EMI/EMC compliance
- Software Standards: Compatible with major OS kernel driver models (Windows WDM, Linux kernel modules, SCO UNIX kernel integration)

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### 9. Additional Information

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

Support & Maintenance:
- Technical support via email (rayon@ms1.hinet.net)
- Firmware and driver updates available through Rayon’s website
- RMA (Return Material Authorization) process for repairs:
- Provide model, serial number, and issue description
- Obtain RMA number before returning products

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Ensure proper grounding and shielding for RS422/RS485 installations.
- Avoid hot-swapping connector boxes; always power down before connecting/disconnecting.
- Periodically inspect cables and connectors for wear or damage.

Upgrade Path:
- LP640NU can be upgraded to Rayon’s PCIIOP series intelligent cards (e.g., IOP3927F with 133MHz MIPS processor).
- Compatible with existing NF-series connector boxes, preserving investment in infrastructure.

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### Summary

The Rayon LP640NU is a robust, intelligent PCI CPU card engineered for high-density serial communication environments. Its modular design, supporting up to 64 ports per card, makes it ideal for industrial automation, data acquisition, and multi-terminal systems. With comprehensive OS driver support, flexible interface configuration, and reliable performance, the LP640NU provides a scalable and cost-effective solution for expanding serial connectivity in modern computing platforms. Its compatibility with both 3.3V and 5V PCI slots, combined with intelligent UART management and extensive environmental tolerance, ensures dependable operation across diverse industrial and enterprise applications.