3
Fastcom®: 422/4-PCI-335
INTRODUCTION
The new Fastcom Universal PCI Bus, Asynchronous RS422/485 adapter utilizes the latest technology to live up to
today’s requirements for high bandwidth requirements in communication systems. The new Fastcom: 422/4-PCI-
335 is capable of operating at virtually any baud rate up to an astounding maximum serial data rate of 6.25 Mbps.
There is no fine print or asterisks pointing to notes; this card is capable of running at the maximum data rate,
without any jumpers or hardware changes, right out of the box.
Designed to comply with the latest PCI specifications, the Universal PCI adapter will operate in both 5V and 3.3V
PCI slots. This means the card will work in the high speed PCI-X slots that commonly found in most new servers
as well as the standard PCI slots in desktop PC’s. This flexibility allows for a single serial interface board to be
used across a wide range of different types of computers including both current and future computing systems.
The Fastcom: 422/4-PCI-335 adapter utilizes an advanced quad Universal Asynchronous Receiver and
Transmitter (UART). Each channel of the 17D154 UART is independently controlled and has its own 16C550
compatible register set. Each UART contains its own receive and transmit FIFOs of 64 bytes with programmable
trigger levels.
Each of the four UART channels on the board can be independently configured as either RS-422 or RS-485 for
full or half-duplex communication. This is implemented using an automatic RS-485 transmitter enable/disable
function that permits the hardware itself to regulate data flow by only driving lines while actively transmitting. This
provides increased speed and convenience over the older software controlled method, while still allowing the use
of the software method of flow control. Optionally, in automatic RS-485 mode, the receiver can be disabled
during transmits to avoid a receive echo, common in 2-wire 485 networks.
Additionally, each board utilizes a programmable clock generator to create the UARTs input frequency. The clock
generator is capable of generating frequencies between 6 and 50 MHz. Utilizing this feature, it is possible to
configure the board to operate at virtually any serial data rate that the user desires (up to 6.25 Mbits/second
maximum).
With the supplied software driver, the ports on the Fastcom: 422/4-PCI-335 will be seen as standard COM ports
and can utilize all the same functions as a standard serial device. With the addition of a few simple IO commands
to control the unique features of the board, the standard software interface to a serial port can be used to simplify
program design. Example C programs are provided to demonstrate how to effectively use serial interface as well
as control the board specific features.
Overall, the new Fastcom: 422/4-PCI-335 Universal PCI Bus RS-422/485 adapter is the ideal board for
commercial and industrial applications demanding high data rates, reliability and ease of use.
Software drivers for Windows 2000/XP and Linux are supplied. Multiple Fastcom: 422/4-PCI-335 adapters can be
installed in all operating systems.
Artisan Technology Group - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisantg.com
