Description
The Brainboxes 2 Port RS422/485 PCI Serial Card With Opto Isolation is a robust, universal PCI expansion card engineered for reliable, high-performance serial communications. Designed for demanding PC setups, industrial environments, and lab deployments, this two-port solution delivers opto-isolated RS422/485 connections, ensuring data integrity and protection against electrical noise and transient spikes. With fast data transfer capabilities, generous FIFO buffers, and a hardened driver set, it’s an ideal upgrade for systems requiring dependable serial connectivity without compromising CPU performance or system stability.
- Two opto-isolated RS422/485 serial ports provide dedicated, isolated channels for safe, long-distance, multi-drop communications. Isolation safeguards both your computer and connected devices from electrical faults and ground loops, making it perfect for industrial equipment networks, automation controllers, and point-of-care systems.
- High-speed data transfer up to 921,600 baud supports a wide range of legacy and modern serial devices. This capability ensures fast, real-time data exchange, enabling responsive control, monitoring, and data logging in time-sensitive applications.
- 128-byte deep transmit and 128-byte receive FIFOs minimize data loss during peak traffic and reduce CPU overhead. Large buffers help absorb bursts of data, improving reliability in noisy environments and ensuring smooth streaming of serial data.
- 1 Mbit/s line drivers deliver strong, stable signaling on RS422/RS485 networks even over longer cable runs. This translates to better noise immunity, longer reach, and consistent performance across devices in a multi-node configuration.
- Universal PCI form factor with transient spike protection combines broad compatibility with rugged protection. The card fits standard PCI slots, while built-in transient spike protection guards both the host system and connected peripherals from voltage spikes and power anomalies.
Technical Details of Brainboxes 2 Port RS422/485 PCI Serial Card With Opto Isolation
- Interface: Universal PCI bus, enabling straightforward installation in most desktop PCs and compatible workstations without special adapters.
- Ports: 2 RS422/485 serial ports with optical isolation for each channel, enhancing safety and data integrity in electrically challenging environments.
- Isolation: Optical isolation isolates each serial port from the host system to protect equipment and reduce ground-loop noise.
- Protection: Transient spike protection helps guard against voltage spikes and power disturbances that can occur in industrial settings.
- Baud rates: Supports data transfer rates up to 921,600 baud for rapid, responsive serial communication with compatible devices.
- FIFO buffers: 128-byte deep transmit FIFO and 128-byte deep receive FIFO to reduce data loss during bursts and improve throughput.
- Line drivers: 1 Mbit/s line drivers deliver robust signaling across RS422/RS485 networks, supporting longer cable lengths and noisier environments.
- Drivers: Includes drivers to facilitate quick installation and broad compatibility, enabling easy integration into a variety of operating environments.
How to install Brainboxes 2 Port RS422/485 PCI Serial Card With Opto Isolation
Installing this two-port RS422/485 PCI serial card is designed to be straightforward for most users. Follow these steps to ensure a clean, reliable integration into your PC:
- Power down and unplug your computer, then open the chassis to access the motherboard and available PCI slots.
- Insert the card into a compatible PCI slot, seating it firmly. If your case uses a metal bracket, secure the card with the PCI screw to prevent movement.
- Close the chassis and reconnect power. Turn on the computer and wait for the system to boot.
- Install drivers using the provided driver package or the manufacturer’s online repository. Install will typically guide you through detecting the new PCI card and configuring the COM ports.
- Connect your devices to the external RS422/RS485 ports. Ensure proper wiring and polarity for your networks, keeping in mind the need for proper termination and biasing on longer runs.
- Configure OS settings as needed. In your operating system’s device manager or serial console configuration, assign the appropriate COM port numbers, baud rates, and flow control parameters to match your application requirements.
- Test the setup with a loopback test or a simple data transfer utility to verify stability and communications across both ports before deploying in production.
Frequently asked questions
- What is RS422/RS485, and why would I choose this Brainboxes card? RS422 and RS485 are balanced serial communication standards designed for long-distance runs and multi-point networks. The Brainboxes card offers two opto-isolated ports, which protects equipment from noise and faults, making it ideal for industrial automation, data acquisition, and instrument control where reliability is critical.
- What does opto isolation mean for my system? Opto isolation uses optical coupling to electrically isolate the host PC from the serial network. This reduces the risk of ground loops, electrical transients, and potential damage to the computer, while preserving data integrity across challenging environments.
- What does 921,600 baud support imply for my application? A higher baud rate enables faster data transfer between the PC and serial devices. Up to 921,600 baud is well-suited for high-speed telemetry, real-time monitoring, and rapid command/control tasks on RS422/485 networks.
- What is the benefit of 128-byte TX/RX FIFOs? Deep FIFO buffers help absorb bursts of data, reduce overflow, and minimize CPU interrupts, resulting in smoother performance even when multiple devices transmit simultaneously or when the host is under heavy load.
- Are drivers included, and what platforms are supported? The card ships with drivers to facilitate installation. While specific OS support isn’t listed here, the inclusion of drivers generally indicates compatibility with common operating systems used in PC environments, such as Windows and Linux, enabling easier integration into a wide range of setups.
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