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PIA-3486

486SX-66 CPU PC/104 8MB module
  • Manufacturer not specified
  • Category: PC/104
  • The PIA-3486 is an embedded computing module built on the PC/104 standard, integrating an Intel 486SX-66 MHz CPU, 8 MB of EDO DRAM, and a comprehensive set of I/O and expansion interfaces. Designed for industrial, embedded, and legacy system applications, the module provides a compact, rugged, and power-efficient computing platform suitable for control systems, automation, and data acquisition environments.
- Processor: Intel 486SX running at 66 MHz, providing stable performance for embedded control and legacy computing tasks.
- Memory: 8 MB EDO DRAM onboard, ensuring sufficient memory for DOS, early Windows, or real-time operating systems.
- Chipset: 5ST86 / ALi M5113 chipset, offering integrated memory and I/O control optimized for 486-class CPUs.
- Display Support: Integrated LCD and CRT controller, enabling connection to flat-panel or VGA displays.
- Storage Interfaces:
- One IDE port supporting up to two hard drives (Mode 4 PIO transfer).
- One floppy disk drive (FDD) interface.
- Socket for DiskOnChip (DOC) solid-state storage device.
- Serial Communication:
- One RS-232 port.
- One configurable RS-232/RS-485 port for industrial communication.
- Parallel Port: One SPP/EPP/ECP-compatible parallel port for printers or general-purpose I/O.
- Watchdog Timer: Integrated hardware watchdog for system reliability and automatic recovery from software faults.
- Power Supply: +5 VDC input, 2 A maximum current consumption.
- Form Factor: PC/104 standard (90 × 96 mm), stackable and modular.
- Operating Environment: Designed for embedded and industrial use, supporting extended operation in controlled environments.

Country of origin: Taiwan R.O.C.

Customs tariff number: 8473 3020 000

1. Product Overview

Product Name: PIA-3486
Model: 486SX-66 CPU PC/104 8MB Module
Series: PIA Embedded PC/104 Series
Article Number: PIA-3486
Manufacturer: (Manufacturer not explicitly stated; typically produced by an industrial embedded computing vendor specializing in PC/104 architecture boards)

The PIA-3486 is an embedded computing module built on the PC/104 standard, integrating an Intel 486SX-66 MHz CPU, 8 MB of EDO DRAM, and a comprehensive set of I/O and expansion interfaces. Designed for industrial, embedded, and legacy system applications, the module provides a compact, rugged, and power-efficient computing platform suitable for control systems, automation, and data acquisition environments. With its 90 × 96 mm PC/104 form factor, the PIA-3486 offers compatibility with a wide range of PC/104 peripheral modules and supports both LCD and CRT display outputs, making it ideal for embedded display and control applications.




2. Key Features

- Processor: Intel 486SX running at 66 MHz, providing stable performance for embedded control and legacy computing tasks.
- Memory: 8 MB EDO DRAM onboard, ensuring sufficient memory for DOS, early Windows, or real-time operating systems.
- Chipset: 5ST86 / ALi M5113 chipset, offering integrated memory and I/O control optimized for 486-class CPUs.
- Display Support: Integrated LCD and CRT controller, enabling connection to flat-panel or VGA displays.
- Storage Interfaces:
- One IDE port supporting up to two hard drives (Mode 4 PIO transfer).
- One floppy disk drive (FDD) interface.
- Socket for DiskOnChip (DOC) solid-state storage device.
- Serial Communication:
- One RS-232 port.
- One configurable RS-232/RS-485 port for industrial communication.
- Parallel Port: One SPP/EPP/ECP-compatible parallel port for printers or general-purpose I/O.
- Watchdog Timer: Integrated hardware watchdog for system reliability and automatic recovery from software faults.
- Power Supply: +5 VDC input, 2 A maximum current consumption.
- Form Factor: PC/104 standard (90 × 96 mm), stackable and modular.
- Operating Environment: Designed for embedded and industrial use, supporting extended operation in controlled environments.




3. Technical Specifications

- CPU: Intel 486SX, 66 MHz clock frequency.
- Chipset: 5ST86 / ALi M5113.
- Memory: 8 MB EDO DRAM onboard (non-expandable).
- Storage Interfaces:
- IDE interface: 1 channel, supports up to 2 devices (Mode 4).
- FDD interface: 1 standard floppy drive connector.
- DiskOnChip socket: 32-pin socket for solid-state flash storage.
- Display Interfaces:
- LCD interface: Supports passive or active matrix LCD panels.
- CRT interface: Standard VGA output.
- Serial Ports:
- COM1: RS-232.
- COM2: RS-232/RS-485 selectable.
- Parallel Port: 1 × SPP/EPP/ECP mode, 25-pin compatible.
- Watchdog Timer: Programmable timeout interval, system reset on timeout.
- Power Requirements: +5 VDC ±5%, 2 A maximum.
- Dimensions: 90 mm × 96 mm (PC/104 standard).
- Weight: Approximately 120–150 g (typical for PC/104 modules).
- Operating Temperature: Typically 0°C to +60°C (industrial versions may support extended ranges).
- Storage Temperature: -40°C to +85°C.
- Humidity: 5%–95% non-condensing.
- MTBF: Estimated >100,000 hours under typical operating conditions.




4. Functionality

The PIA-3486 functions as a self-contained embedded computer module. It integrates CPU, memory, display controller, and I/O interfaces on a single PC/104 board. The module can operate as a standalone embedded controller or as part of a stacked PC/104 system with additional I/O, communication, or data acquisition modules.

Typical Use Cases:
- Industrial automation controllers.
- Human-machine interfaces (HMI) with LCD or CRT displays.
- Data acquisition and logging systems.
- Legacy equipment upgrades requiring 486-class computing.
- Transportation and mobile control systems.
- Embedded DOS or early Windows-based control applications.

Compatibility:
- Fully compliant with PC/104 mechanical and electrical standards.
- Compatible with PC/104 expansion modules for networking, I/O, or storage.
- Supports standard BIOS and DOS/Windows 3.x/9x operating systems.
- Compatible with DiskOnChip flash storage for solid-state operation.




5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- PIA-3486 main module (PC/104 form factor).
- Onboard 486SX-66 CPU.
- 8 MB EDO DRAM memory.
- Integrated LCD/CRT controller.
- IDE and FDD connectors.
- RS-232 and RS-232/485 serial ports.
- Parallel port connector.
- Watchdog timer circuit.
- DiskOnChip socket.

Optional Accessories:
- PC/104 expansion modules (Ethernet, additional serial ports, digital I/O, etc.).
- DiskOnChip flash memory modules (various capacities).
- LCD display cables and adapters.
- Power supply cables and connectors.
- Mounting hardware for stack integration.

Connectors:
- 40-pin IDE connector.
- 34-pin FDD connector.
- 10-pin serial port headers.
- 26-pin parallel port header.
- 32-pin DiskOnChip socket.
- 64-pin PC/104 bus connectors (ISA-compatible).




6. Installation & Setup

Requirements:
- +5 VDC regulated power supply capable of delivering up to 2 A.
- Compatible PC/104 backplane or stackable modules (if used in a system).
- Appropriate display (LCD or CRT) and interface cable.
- Storage device (HDD, FDD, or DiskOnChip).

Mounting Options:
- Standard PC/104 stacking using four corner mounting holes.
- Can be installed in custom enclosures or embedded chassis.
- Supports vertical or horizontal orientation.

Configuration:
- BIOS setup for boot device selection (HDD, FDD, or DOC).
- Jumper or DIP switch configuration for serial port mode (RS-232/RS-485).
- Watchdog timer enable/disable and timeout configuration.
- LCD panel type selection via BIOS or configuration utility.

Setup Procedure:
1. Mount the PIA-3486 on a PC/104 stack or baseboard.
2. Connect power, display, and storage interfaces.
3. Configure BIOS settings for desired boot and display options.
4. Install operating system and application software.
5. Test serial and parallel communication ports.
6. Enable watchdog timer for system reliability.




7. Performance & Capabilities

Processing Performance:
- 66 MHz 486SX CPU provides sufficient performance for control, monitoring, and data processing tasks.
- Optimized for low-power, deterministic embedded applications.

Memory Performance:
- 8 MB EDO DRAM offers improved access speed over standard DRAM, suitable for multitasking under DOS or lightweight OS environments.

Storage Performance:
- IDE interface supports PIO Mode 4, enabling data transfer rates up to 16.6 MB/s.
- DiskOnChip provides solid-state storage with faster access and improved reliability over mechanical drives.

Display Performance:
- Integrated LCD/CRT controller supports standard VGA resolutions and various LCD panel types.
- Capable of driving both monochrome and color displays.

Communication Performance:
- Dual serial ports allow simultaneous communication with multiple devices.
- RS-485 support enables long-distance, multi-drop industrial networking.

Power Efficiency:
- Low power consumption (approx. 10 W typical) due to 486SX architecture and efficient chipset design.

Limitations:
- Legacy 486 architecture limits compatibility with modern high-performance software.
- Memory capacity fixed at 8 MB.
- No integrated Ethernet or USB (requires PC/104 expansion).




8. Standards & Compliance

- Form Factor: PC/104 (ISA-compatible, 90 × 96 mm).
- Electrical Interface: Complies with PC/104 bus specifications (IEEE P996.1).
- EMC Compliance: Designed to meet industrial EMC standards (EN 55022/55024 or equivalent).
- Safety Compliance: Meets standard embedded computing safety requirements (CE, UL pending manufacturer).
- Environmental Compliance: RoHS compliance dependent on production date and manufacturer revision.
- Operating System Compatibility: DOS, Windows 3.x/9x, embedded Linux (with appropriate drivers).




9. Additional Information

Warranty:
Typically provided with a 1-year limited warranty covering manufacturing defects and component failures under normal operating conditions. Extended warranties may be available depending on supplier.

Technical Support:
Manufacturer or distributor support includes documentation, BIOS updates, and configuration assistance. Technical manuals typically include pinouts, jumper settings, and BIOS configuration details.

Maintenance:
- Periodic inspection of connectors and stack alignment recommended.
- Ensure adequate ventilation and dust protection in industrial environments.
- Firmware and BIOS updates can be applied via floppy or DiskOnChip.

Software & Updates:
- BIOS updates available for enhanced hardware compatibility.
- Supports standard DOS-based utilities for configuration and diagnostics.
- Compatible with embedded operating systems requiring 486-class CPU support.

Lifecycle & Availability:
- Designed for long-term embedded use with extended product lifecycle support.
- Replacement and compatible modules available for legacy system maintenance.




Summary

The PIA-3486 486SX-66 CPU PC/104 8MB Module is a compact, reliable embedded computing solution built on the PC/104 standard. It integrates a 66 MHz Intel 486SX processor, 8 MB of EDO DRAM, and a versatile set of I/O interfaces including IDE, FDD, serial, parallel, and display outputs. With its rugged design, low power consumption, and compatibility with PC/104 expansion modules, the PIA-3486 is ideally suited for industrial automation, control systems, and legacy equipment modernization. Its integrated watchdog timer, DiskOnChip support, and flexible communication options make it a dependable choice for embedded applications requiring stability, longevity, and modular expandability.

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