Comtrol RocketPort 485 Series Parts list manual

RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation Card 1 of 8
Introduction
This Hardware Installation Card discusses the following
RocketPort 485 serial controllers:
*Quadcables have the capability to be 8-port cards with
an 8-port interface. Most drivers view the 4-port as an
8-port card.
** For interface information, see the RocketPort Interface
Overview discussion later in this Card.
For driver installation, see the RocketPort Software
Installation and Configuration Guide or the driver readme
file.
Product Overview
The RocketPort 485 series multiport serial card fits into
the ISA or EISA slot of a personal computer, and uses a 36
MHz processor specifically designed to process
asynchronous serial communications, thereby maximizing
performance and eliminating bottlenecks.
The RocketPort 485 series uses Application Specific
Integrated Circuits (ASICs) technology to replace most
hardware components, including:
• The processor
• Serial controller
• Bus interface logic and other miscellaneous logic
The RocketPort 485 series is I/O mapped, to eliminate
memory mapping conflicts.
All RocketPort 485 series interface boxes support RS-232.
RocketPort 485 can be configured on Ports 1 and 2 for RS-
485 mode and Ports 3 through 8 can be configured to
supply +5V (±2%) at 0.5 amps.
When using the RocketPort 485 with interfaces
other than the DB9 box, do not use the power pin
option. Using this option with Quad- or
Octacable interfaces may produce unacceptable
voltage loss under load.
You can install up to four RocketPort 485 cards in one PC,
for a total of 32 additional serial ports, and you can install
a combination of PCI-bus and ISA-bus RocketPort cards.
Terminology
For the purposes of the following discussions, these
products are referred to as “RocketPort ISA” cards:
• RocketPort ISA-bus boards (any interface type
including 4J, 8J, Quadcable, and Octacable)
• RocketPort 485
These products are referred to as “RocketPort PCI” cards:
• RocketPort PCI-bus boards (any interface type
including 4J, Quadcable, and Octacable)
• RocketPort Plus
• RocketPort PCI 422
Before Installing the Hardware
Read this subsection:
• If you already have one or more RocketPort ISA cards
installed in your system.
• If you plan to install a combination of RocketPort ISA
and RocketPort PCI cards at this time.
Installing Both RocketPort ISA and PCI Cards:
You must complete installation of all RocketPort PCI cards
before beginning to install any RocketPort ISA cards.
Explanation:
I/O addressing for RocketPort PCI cards is handled
automatically by the computer’s BIOS, when you first
power up the computer after installing the cards.
I/O addresses for RocketPort ISA cards are set manually,
using DIP switches on the card. If you install an ISA card
before installing a RocketPort PCI card, the ISA card
addressing may interfere with the computer’s ability to
recognize the RocketPort PCI card, which may prevent the
PCI card from functioning properly.
Additional Considerations:
If you are mixing RocketPort ISA and PCI cards, set the
DIP switches on the ISA cards so that the first ISA card
you install is the “first” card for I/O addressing purposes,
even if it’s physically the second, third, or fourth card you
install. See the Setting the DIP Switches discussion for
switch information.
Name Ports Interface Type
Quadcable* 4 Includes a fanout cable with
standard DB25 or DB9 connectors.
8** 8 Requires one 8-port interface box.
Octacable 8 Includes a fanout cable with standard DB25, DB9, or RJ45
connectors.
Caution
RocketPort® 485
Hardware Installation Card

RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation Card 2 of 8
Supplying Power to External Devices
The power connector on the RocketPort 485 card is a
standard hard drive-type power connector. You can use
this connector to provide voltage to peripheral devices on
Ports 3 through 8.
To use the power option, connect the jumpers before
installing the card. See the Installing the RocketPort
Hardware discussion for configuring this feature.
Note: Ports 3 through 8 are also equipped with fuses. If an
external device draws more than 0.5 amp, the fuse
for that port automatically breaks the circuit. When
the fuse cools, (approximately 10 seconds) it resets. If
the fault or short in the external device is not
corrected, the fuse will continue to break and reset
until the problem is corrected.
The pinout for this connector is shown below:
Note: Power can be supplied only through DB9 or DB25
connectors. It cannot be supplied through RJ45
connectors.
Installing the RocketPort Hardware
Hardware installation consists of:
• Configuring I/O addresses
• Configuring RS-485 mode usage on Ports 1 and 2
• Installing the card in the system.
• Running the diagnostics
• Connecting the peripherals
Note: After the hardware installation, you must install the
device driver.
Use the following procedure to install the card.
1. If required, change the DIP switches (default is 180
hexadecimal) on the card to the desired settings. See
the Setting the DIP Switches discussion towards the
end of this Hardware Installation Card.
Note: If installing PCI and ISA RocketPort cards, install
the PCI cards and driver before installing and
configuring the ISA cards. See the RocketPort
Software Installation and Configuration Guide or
driver readme file for information.
2. To use RS-485 on Ports 1 and 2, move all six pins on
the port you want to use RS-485 to the left and center
position. (When all six pins are in the center and right
positions, the port is configured for RS-232.)
Note: In addition, you must configure the ports for RS-485
operation during the driver installation. For more
information, see the Software Installation and
Configuration Guide or the readme file with the
driver.
3. To use the Power feature for Ports 3 through 8, connect
the jumper for each port.
When using this card with interfaces other than
the DB9 box, do not use the Power feature. Using
this feature with Quad/Octacable interfaces
may produce unacceptable voltage loss under
load.
4. Turn your computer off.
5. Remove the system cover.
6. Select an ISA or EISA expansion slot.
Note: RocketPort 485 can be installed in an ISA or EISA
slot. In EISA configurations, you may need to
update the EISA configuration files. EISACFG files
are located on the Diagnostic diskette.
7. Remove the slot cover.
8. Write down the model number and serial number of
the card. You can enter this in the Technical Support
table of this Installation Card.
9. Insert the card in the slot, seating securely.
10. If using the Power feature, connect a hard drive-type
power supply cord in your computer to the power
connector on the card.
When enabling the Power feature, Pin 9(DB9) or
Pin 22 (DB25) carries +5 V (±2%) at 0.5 amp.
11. Reinstall the expansion slot retaining screw.
Note: You may want to leave the system unit cover off until
the driver is installed and running, in case you need
to experiment with DIP switch settings.
NC
GND
+5V
1234

RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation Card 3 of 8
12. Attach the interface that came with your card using
the appropriate procedure:
If installing a Quad/Octacable:
a. Attach the male end of the Quadcable or Octacable
to the card.
b. Tighten the retaining screws.
Note: Quad and Octacable models support RS-232
exclusively.
c. Go to Step 13 to complete the installation.
If installing an interface box:
a. Attach the interface box cable to the connector on
the RocketPort card mounting bracket.
b. Tighten the retaining screws.
13. Run the Diagnostic diskette included with the card, to
verify hardware operation.
14. Connect your peripheral devices.
15. Use the Software Installation and Configuration Guide
or device driver readme file to install the driver to
complete your installation.
Using the Diagnostics
A bootable Diagnostic disk is shipped with the purchase of
a RocketPort series card. The driver is not required to run
the diagnostic. The Diagnostic diskette also contains
EISACFG files.
You can download the diagnostic program from the
Comtrol web or ftp sites, if necessary. Web and ftp site
addresses are listed in the Technical Support table of this
Installation Card.
Note: If you download the diagnostic, you must execute the
diagnostics by starting your system in a native DOS
environment. It will not work properly in Windows
MS-DOS(R) windows.
This diagnostic program:
• Helps confirm that the hardware is functioning.
• Helps determine resolutions to conflicts during
installation.
• Provides you with the ability to stress test the cards.
For example, you may want to run the diagnostics
overnight to evaluate a possible problem. You will need
loopback plugs for each port that you want to stress test. If
you need additional loopback plugs, you can use the
appropriate Building Loopback Plugs discussion later in
this Card to build additional loopback plugs.
Use the following procedure to run the diagnostics:
1. Insert the Diagnostics diskette.
2. Boot the machine. The diagnostic starts automatically.
OR
Boot into native DOS and execute rocket.exe.
3. Enter the appropriate letter for the base I/O range and
IRQ used for the first card.
Note: Only the first card requires that the I/O address
matches the physical DIP switch setting. For
each subsequent card, select any unused I/O
address available in your system.
4. Follow the remainder of the on-line instructions.
5. After the Diagnostics pass, connect your peripherals
and install the driver.
Resolving Failures
If the diagnostics could not find the card:
• Make sure that you have entered the correct I/O base
address and IRQ.
• Select a different unused I/O address (also reset the
DIP switch to the new selection).
• Turn the power off and reseat the card in the slot.
• Check for proper cable connections.
• Check for proper installation of the loopback plug.
Try re-running the diagnostics. If they fail again, you may
have a bad port. Call Technical Support using the
information on the back flap of this Card.
RocketPort Interface Overview
The RocketPort series provides several interface options:
• Quadcable and Octacable fanout cables, which are
available with the following configurations:
- Quadcable DB25 and DB9
- Octacable DB25, DB9, and RJ45
Note: RS-485 supports up to 32 multidrop.
Quadcable
Octacable
DB25
DB9
Note: The RJ45 cable is not displayed.

RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation Card 4 of 8
• Interface box
DB25 Interfaces
Use the following subsections for DB25 interface
connectors. The Quad- and Octacable DB25 fanouts use
DB25 male connectors.
Note: Although the RocketPort 485 card supports eight
ports, if you have a quadcable connected, you will
only have four ports available for use.
DB25 Pinouts
The following table and figure illustrates the DB25
connectors:
Depending on jumper configuration, the pins carry the
following values:
*Ports 1 and 2 can be either RS-232 or RS-485, while
Ports 3 through 8 are RS-232 only. All RS-232 modem
control signals are present in RS-485 mode, but not
used.
** Ports 3 - 8 can be configured to carry +5V on Pin 22.
Do not use the +5V power option with the Quad/
Octacable. Using this feature with interfaces
other than the DB9 box may result in
unacceptable voltage loss.
Building DB25 Female Loopback Plugs or Cables
To perform loopback
testing of DB25 ports in
RS-232 mode, obtain or
create a female DB25
connector with the
following pins wired
together:
• Pins 2 to 3
• Pins 4 to 5 to 22
• Pins 6 to 8 to 20
Note: (The connector illustrated is the standard DB25F
supplied by Comtrol for use with RS-232/422
interfaces.)
To test DB25 ports in RS-485 mode, obtain two female
DB25 connectors and create the cable shown below:
Pin RS-232 Signal RS-485 Signal
1 Not used Not used
2TxD TRX+
3RxD TRX-
4 RTS Not used*
5 CTS Not used*
6 DSR Not used*
7 Signal ground Signal ground
8 DCD Not used*
9-19 Not used Not used
20 DTR Not used*
21 Not used Not used
22 ** **
23-25 Not used Not used
Pin 14 Pin 25
Pin 1 Pin 13
Caution
Pin 13Pin 1
RS-232 Only (Back View)
Pin 25Pin 14
Pin 13Pin 1
Pin 14 Pin 25
RS-485 (Back View)
Pin 13Pin 1
Pin 14 Pin 25
Pin 2 (TRX+) Pin 3 (TRX-)

RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation Card 5 of 8
DB9 Interfaces
The interface box, the Quadcable, and the Octacable all
feature DB9 ports, labeled from 1 to 8,which correspond to
the jumpers on the card.
Note: Although the RocketPort 485 card supports eight
ports, if you have a quadcable connected, you will
only have four ports available for use.
DB9 Pinouts
Each connector is a DB9 male, with pins numbered as
shown below:
Depending on jumper configuration, the pins carry the
following values:
*Ports 1 and 2 can be either RS-232 or RS-485, while
Ports 3 through 8 are RS-232 only. All RS-232 control
signals are present in RS-485 mode, but not used.
** Ports 3 - 8 can be configured to carry +5V on Pin 9.
Do not use the +5V power option with the Quad/
Octacable. Using this feature with interfaces
other than the DB9 box may result in
unacceptable voltage loss.
Building DB9 Female Loopback Plugs or Cables
To perform loopback testing of DB9
ports in RS-232 mode, use a female
DB9 connector with the following
pins wired together:
• Pins 2 to 3
• Pins 7 to 8
• Pins 1 to 4 to 6
Note: If you use the +5V Power feature, either remove the
jumper or disconnect the power supply cable before
running the diagnostics. If you do not do so, the
diagnostics fail.
To test DB9 ports in RS-485 mode, obtain two female DB9
connectors and create a cable with the following wiring:
RJ45 Interfaces
The Octacable RJ45 fanouts use RJ45 connectors.
RJ45 Pinouts
The RocketPort 485 uses RJ45 connectors with the pins
numbered as shown below:
Depending on jumper configuration, the pins carry the
following values:
*Ports 1 and 2 can be either RS-232 or RS-485, while
Ports 3 through 8 are RS-232 only. All RS-232 modem
control signals are present in RS-485 mode, but not
used. While the RocketPort 485 card can be configured
to supply +5V, this voltage is not accessible on
the RJ45 connector. Therefore this option should
not be used with the Octacable RJ45.
Pin RS-232 Signal RS-485 Signal
1 CD Not used*
2RxD TRX-
3TxD TRX+
4 DTR Not used*
5 Signal ground Signal ground
6 DSR Not used*
7 RTS Not used*
8 CTS Not used*
9 ** **
Pin 1 Pin 5
Pin 6 Pin 9
Caution
Pin 1 Pin 5
Pin 6 Pin 9
RS-232 (Back View)
Pin RS-232 Signal RS-485 Signal
1 RTS Not used*
2 DTR Not used*
3 Signal ground Signal ground
4TxD TRX+
5RxD TRX-
6 DCD Not used*
7 DSR Not used*
8 CTS Not used*
Pin 1 Pin 5
Pin 6 Pin 9
Pin 1 Pin 5
Pin 6 Pin 9
Pin 2 (TRX-)
Pin 3 (TRX+)
RS-485 (Back View)
Pin 1
Receptacle
18
RJ45 Plug
Top View
Cable
Pin 1
Caution

RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation Card 6 of 8
Building RJ45 Loopback Plugs or Cables
To perform loopback testing of RJ45
ports in RS-232 mode, obtain or
create an RJ45 connector with the
following pins wired together:
• Pins 4 to 5
• Pins 1 to 8
• Pins 2 to 6 to 7
To test RJ45 ports in RS-485 mode,
obtain two RJ45 connectors and
create the cable shown below:
Setting the DIP Switches
The RocketPort ISA card uses a DIP switch to set the base
I/O address range. The default value is 180 (hex). If you
are installing more than one RocketPort card, or if you
experience an I/O address conflict with another device, use
the DIP switches to change the I/O address.
For example, if you install two RocketPort cards and are
using the default address range:
The following table lists possible DIP switch settings. We
recommend starting with the default settings and making
changes only if the default values produce conflicts.
Notes:
1. If installing a single RocketPort ISA card, set the DIP
switches as shown in the table.
2. If installing two ISA cards, set the DIP switches on the
second card the same as the switches on the first card,
EXCEPT SWITCH 5 OFF.
3. If installing three ISA cards, follow Note 2 for the second
card, then set the DIP switches on the third card the
same as the switches on the first card, EXCEPT
SWITCH 6 OFF.
4. If installing four ISA cards, follow Notes 2 and 3 for the
second and third cards, then set the DIP switches on the
fourth card the same as on the first card, EXCEPT
SWITCHES 5 AND 6 OFF.
Specifications
The following tables illustrate RocketPort conditions and
specifications.
Sample DIP Switch Settings
1st RocketPort
180 (hex)
2nd RocketPort
(Software address can be
any unused I/O address)
18
Plug
Top View
Cable
RS-232
18
Plug
Top View
Cable
18
Plug
Top View
Cable
Pin 5 (TRX-)
Pin 4 (TRX+)
RS-485
1st Card
87654321
ON
2nd Card
87654321
ON
First ISA Card DIP Switch Settings (see Notes)
100 - 143 hex 140 - 183 hex
180 - 1C3 hex
200 - 243 hex 240 - 283 hex 280 - 2C3 hex
300 - 343 hex 340 - 383 hex 380 - 3C3 hex
Environmental Condition Value
Air temperature:
System on
System off 0 to 40oC
-20 to 85oC
Humidity (non-condensing):
System on
System off 8% to 80% 20% to 80%
Altitude 0 to 10,000 feet
Electromagnetic Compliance Status
Emission:
Canadian EMC requirements
CISPR-22/EN55022 Class A
FCC PART 15: Class A Yes
Immunity:
EN50082: 801-2 ESD, 801-3 RF,
801-4 FT Yes
UL Recognized Yes
12345678
ON
12345678
ON
12345678
ON
12345678
ON
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
ON
12345678
ON
12345678
ON
12345678
ON
12345678
ON

RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation Card 7 of 8
FCC Notices
Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) (FCC 15.105)
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for Class A digital devices pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
Rules.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try and correct the interference
by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the
receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different
from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for
help.
Labeling Requirements (FCC 15.19)
This equipment complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
• This device may not cause harmful interference, and
• This device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
Modifications (FCC 15.21)
Changes or modifications to this equipment not expressly
approved by Comtrol Corporation may void the user’s authority to
operate this equipment.
Serial Cables (FCC 15.27)
This equipment is certified for Class A operation when used with
shielded cables.
RocketPort 485 Card Specification
Baud Rate:
RS-232 DTE (4J, 8J,
Quad/Octacable
models)
RS-232/485 (models
with interface box)
50 to 460.8K bps
(without interface box)
50 to 460.8K bps
(with interface box)
Note: Baud rate is dependent upon hardware and
operating system configuration.
Bus interface ISA
Note: EISA files are on the Diagnostics diskette.
Control by device driver:
Data bits
Parity
Stop bits
7 or 8
Odd, Even, None
1 or 2
Current Consumption
(Values do not include
the power supplied to
external devices on
Ports 3 through 8.)
+5V +12V -12V
350 mA 110 mA 160 mA
Dimensions 6.25” by 4.2”
Heat output 16.6 BTU/Hr
Interfaces:
All models
With optional RS-485
feature enabled on
Ports 1 and 2
RS-232
RS-458
Interrupt (software
selectable)None, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15
Mean time between
failures (MTBF) 20.5 Years
Power consumption 4.87 W
RocketPort cards/system 4
Surge protection
with standard interface
box Provides ESD surge
protection exceeding 10 KV.
Interface Box
Type Mounting Dimensions Overall Dimensions
RS-232/485,
8-Port 3.37” x 2.69” 3.68” x 3.6” x 1.6”

RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation Card 8 of 8
Technical Support
Comtrol has a staff of support technicians available to help
you. Before you call, please have the following information
available:
First Edition, August 17, 1999
Copyright © 1999 Comtrol Corporation
All Rights Reserved.
RocketPort is a registered trademark of the Comtrol
Corporation. Other product and company names
mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their