Product category:
PC-Compatible Boards and Assemblies
News Release from: Sealevel Systems | Subject: Ultra COMM+I.LPCI
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 29 October 2003
Low-profile PCI serial card has
standards covered
Ultra COMM+I.LPCI is the first low-profile optically isolated serial I/O adapter from Sealevel Systems capable of RS232/422/485 communications.
Ultra COMM+I.LPCI is the first low-profile optically isolated serial I/O adapter from Sealevel Systems capable of RS232/422/485 communications Isolation is important for eliminating ground loop problems commonly found in a variety of applications
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 5 Dec 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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Adapter adds serial comms options to PC/104
Sealevel Systems has expanded its PC/104 product line with the SIO.104+2, a dual-port RS232/422/485 interface adapter.
Serial adapter fits both PCI slots
The latest addition to the popular PCI product line from Sealevel Systems is the Ultra Comm+2.LPCI, a dual-port low-profile PCIbus serial I/O adapter.
Ground loops can cause latent failure or immediate destruction of serial cards and other system components.
The Ultra COMM+I.LPCI eliminates spikes and surges associated with ground loops by interrupting the electrical connection with an optic link.
For maximum versatility, the Ultra COMM+I.LPCI can be configured for RS232, RS422 or RS485 communications.
In RS485 mode, the board's auto-enable hardware automatically handles the RS485 driver enable allowing the RS485 ports to be treated as standard serial ports by the operating system.
This allows the standard COM driver to be used for RS485 communications.
The Ultra COMM+I.LPCI supports standard PC datarates up to 921.6Kbit/s.
It includes the 16C850 UART, providing a 128byte FIFO to allow datacomms applications to run error free.
A full array of enhanced UART options is also available, including the 16C950 UART, from Oxford Semiconductor, which features external clocking.
The Ultra COMM+I.LPCI meets the requirements for the MD1 "low-profile" specification as defined by PCISIG in PCI 2.2 "Low Profile Addendum." Sealevel Systems ships each adapter with both the low-profile bracket and the standard-profile PCI slot bracket, offering the customer versatility in installation.
The Ultra COMM+I.LPCI also features a Universal Bus (3.3 and 5.0V) as required by PCISIG specifications 2.3.
Included with the board is Sealevel Systems' SeaCOM suite of Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP drivers along with WinSSD - a full featured diagnostic application providing powerful testing and troubleshooting capabilities.
Developers can use WinSSD for BERT (bit error rate testing), throughput monitoring, loopback tests and to transmit test pattern messages.
In addition to Windows drivers and utilities, SeaCOM includes drivers, utilities, application notes, and technical details to simplify installations in DOS, QNX and Linux.
The Ultra COMM+I.LPCI, part number 7108, is priced at $229 in low volume quantities and is available from stock.
Like all Sealevel I/O products, the board includes a lifetime warranty.
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