ICS Advent COMM4AT/EX User manual

Model COMM4AT/EX
Product Manual
MANUAL NUMBER : 00750-123-1B

Page - iii
FOREWORD
This product manual provides information to install, operate and or program the referenced product(s)
manufactured or distributed by ICS Advent. The following pages contain information regarding the
warranty and repair policies.
Check our Web site (www.icsadvent.com) for technical information, manuals, and BIOS updates.
Technical assistance is also available at: 800-480-0044 (U.S.) or 858-677-0877 (international).
Customer Comments: If you experience any problems with this manual or just want to provide some
feedback, please send us a message using the online "Service Form" on our Web site (www.icsadvent.com)
under "Support." Detail any errors you find. We will correct the errors or problems as soon as possible and
post the revised manual in our online Support Library. Thank you.
The information in this document is provided for reference only. ICSAdvent does not assume any liability
arising from the application or use of the information or products described herein. This document may
contain or reference information and products protected by copyrights or patents and does not convey any
license under the patent rights of ICS Advent, nor the rights of others.
Copyright © 1997, a California Corporation, 6260 Sequence Drive, San Diego, CA92121-4371. ICSAdvent
is a Registered Trademark of ICS Advent. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of
their respective owners. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publi-
cation may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, elec-
tronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording , or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the pub-
lisher.

Page - iv
Guarantee
A thirty day money-back guarantee is provided on all standard products sold. Special order products are
covered by our Limited Warranty, however they may not be returned for refund or credit. EPROMs,
RAM, Flash EPROMs or other forms of solid electronic media are not returnable for credit - but for
replacement only. Extended Warranty available. Consult factory.
Refunds
In order to receive a refund on a product for the purchase price, the product must not have been
damaged by the customer or by the common carrier chosen by the customer to return the goods and
the product must be returned complete (meaning all manuals, software, cables, etc.) within 30 days of
receipt and in an as-new and resalable condition. The Return Procedure must be followed to assure
prompt refund.
Restocking Charges
Product returned after 30 days, and before 60 days, of the purchase will be subject to a minimum20%
restocking charge and charges for any damaged or missing parts. Products not returned within 60
days of purchase, or products which are not in an as-new and re-saleable condition, are not eligible
for credit return and will be returned to the customer.
Limited Warranty
Effective April 1, 1998, all products carry a 2-year limited warranty. Within two years of purchase,
ICS Advent will repair or replace, at our option, any defective product. ICS Advent will service the
warranty for all standard catalog products for the first two years from the date of shipment.
Please note: The 2-year warranty may not apply to special promotion items. Please consult the factory for
warranty verification.
The limited warranty is void if the product has been subjected to alteration, neglect, misuse, or abuse; if any
repairs have been attempted by anyone other than ICS Advent or its authorized agent; or if the failure is
caused by accident, acts of God, or other causes beyond the control of ICS Advent or the manufacturer.
Neglect, misuse, and abuse shall include any installation, operation, or maintenance of the product other than
in accordance with the user’s manual.
No agent, dealer, distributor, service company, or other party is authorized to change, modify, or extend the
terms of this Limited Warranty in any manner whatsoever. ICS Advent reserves the right to make changes
or improvements in any product without incurring any obligation to similarly alter products previously
purchased.
Shipments not in compliance with this Guarantee
and Limited Warranty Return Policy will not be ac-
cepted by ICS Advent.

Page - v
Return Procedure
For any Guarantee or Limited Warranty return, please contact ICS Advent's Customer Service at
800-480-0044 (U.S.) or 858-677-0877 (international) and obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA)
Number. All product(s) returned to ICS Advent for service or credit must be accompanied by a Return
MaterialAuthorization (RMA) Number. Freight on all returned items mustbe prepaid by the customer who
is responsible for any loss or damage caused by common carrier in transit. Returns for Warranty must
include a Failure Report for each unit, by serial number(s), as well as a copy of the original invoice showing
date of purchase.
To reduce risk of damage, returns of product must be in an ICS Advent shipping container. If the original
container has been lost or damaged, new shipping containers may be obtained from ICS Advent Customer
Service at a nominal cost.
ICS Advent owns all parts removed from repaired products. ICS Advent uses new and reconditioned parts
made by various manufacturers in performing warranty repairs and building replacement products.
If ICS Advent repairs or replaces a product, its warranty term is not extended.
ICSAdvent will normally return your replacement or repaired items via Second DayAir. Overnight delivery
or delivery via other carriers is available at an additional charge.
Limitation of Liability
In no event shall ICS Advent be liable for any defect in hardware, software, loss, or inadequacy of data of
any kind, or for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages in connection with or arising out of
the performance or use of any product furnished hereunder. ICSAdvent liability shall in no event exceed the
purchase price of the product purchased hereunder. The foregoing limitation of liability shall be equally
applicable to any service provided by ICSAdvent or its authorized agent.
Some Sales Items and Customized Systems are not subject to the guarantee and limited warranty.
However in these instances , any deviations will be disclosed prior to sales and noted in the original invoice.
ICS Advent reserves the right to refuse returns or credits on software or special order items.

Page - vi
Advisories
Three types of advisories are used throughout the manual to stress important points or warn of potential
hazards to the user or the system. They are the Note, the Caution, and theWarning. Following is an example
of each type of advisory:
Note: The note is used to present special instruction, or to provide extra information which may
help to simplify the use of the product.
CAUTION!
A Caution is used to alert you to a situation which if ignored may cause injury or
damage equipment.
WARNING!
AWarningisusedtoalertyouofasituationwhichifignoredwillcauseseriousinjury.
Cautions and Warnings are accented with triangular symbols. The exclamation symbol is used in all cautions
and warnings to help alert you to the important instructions. The lightning flash symbol is used on the left
hand side of a caution or a warning if the advisory relates to the presence of voltage which may be of
sufficient magnitude to cause electrical shock.
Use caution when servicing any electrical component. We have tried to identify the areas which may pose
a Caution or Warning condition in this manual; however, ICS Advent does not claim to have covered all
situations which might require the use of a Caution or Warning.
You must refer to the documentation for any component you install into a computer system to ensure proper
precautions and procedures are followed.

Page - vii
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction................................................................................................ 1
Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 1
What’sIncluded ............................................................................................................................. 1
FactoryDefaultSettings ....................................................................................................................... 1
Chapter 2: Card Setup .................................................................................................3
AddressSelection ................................................................................................................................ 3
JumperSelections ......................................................................................................................... 5
IRQSelection ....................................................................................................................................... 5
InterruptModes..................................................................................................................................... 6
ClockModes ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Baud Ratesand Divisorsfor the ‘Div1’mode .................................................................................. 7
Baud Ratesand Divisorsfor the ‘Div2’mode .................................................................................. 8
Chapter 3: Installation .................................................................................................. 9
Operating SystemInstallation ........................................................................................................ 9
Windows3.1x/95/NT ......................................................................................................... 9
OS/2 ................................................................................................................................. 9
QNX .................................................................................................................................. 9
Chapter 4: Technical Description.............................................................................. 11
Features........................................................................................................................................11
InterruptStatusPort.............................................................................................................................11
Connector PinAssignments..........................................................................................................12
DB-25(RS-232DTE) ........................................................................................................12
DB-9(EIA-574 DTE) .........................................................................................................12
DB-37 ..................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................12
Chapter 5: Specifications ..........................................................................................13
EnvironmentalSpecifications.........................................................................................................13
TemperatureRange ..........................................................................................................13
HumidityRange................................................................................................................13
Appendix A: Troubleshooting ...................................................................................15
Appendix B: Electrical Interface................................................................................17
RS-232 .............................................................................................................................17
Appendix C: Asynchronous Communications ........................................................ 19
Appendix D: Silk-Screen............................................................................................21

Page - viii
CE Declaration of Conformity
List of Figures
Figure 1: Headers J1B – J4B, IRQ Selection .............................................................................................. 5
Figure2: HeaderJ1A,NormalIRQ Mode.................................................................................................... 6
Figure3: Header J1A&J2A, SharedIRQMode ......................................................................................... 6
Figure 4: Clocking Mode ‘Divide By 4 ......................................................................................................... 6
Figure 5: Clocking Mode ‘Divide By 2 ......................................................................................................... 7
Figure 6: Clocking Mode ‘Divide By 1 ......................................................................................................... 7
Figure7: Asynchronous CommunicationsBit Diagram ..............................................................................19
List of Tables
Table1: AvailableAddressCombinations.................................................................................................... 3
Table 2: Address Selection Table................................................................................................................ 4
Table 3: Port to Connector Table................................................................................................................. 4
Current Revision 1B
December 2000

Manual Number: 00750-123-1 Page 1
Chapter 1: Introduction
Overview
The COMM4AT/EX provides the PC with four RS-232 asynchronous ports. The COMM4AT/
EX allows for connection to any device utilizing the RS-232 electrical interface, such as modems,
data-entry terminals, and plotters.
Whats Included
The COMM4AT/EX is shipped with the following items. If any of these items are missing or
damaged, contact the supplier.
COMM4AT/EX Serial I/O Adapter
 DB-37 to four DB-25 Spider Cable (DB-9 Spider Cable is available)
 3.5" Serial Utility Diskette
 User Manual
Factory Default Settings
The COMM4AT/EX factory default settings are as follows:
Port # Base Address IRQ IRQ Mode Clock Divisor
Port 1 280 5 M 4
Port 2 288 5 S 4
Port 3 290 5 S 4
Port 4 298 5 S 4
To install the COMM4AT/EX using factory default settings, refer to Installation on page 1.
For your reference, record installed COMM4AT/EX settings below:
Port # Base Address IRQ IRQ Mode Clock Divisor
Port 1
Port 2
Port 3
Port 4

Manual Number: 00750-123-1Page 2
COMM4AT/EX Manual
This page intentionally left blank

Manual Number: 00750-123-1 Page 3
Chapter 2: Card Setup
The COMM4AT/EX contains several jumper straps that must be set for proper operation.
Address Selection
Each port on the COMM4AT/EX occupies eight consecutive I/O locations. A DIP-switch is used
to set the base address for these locations.
The COMM4AT/EX has a unique addressing scheme that allows it to be completely compatible
with the Model COMM4AT and provides the ability to select specific non-linear address combina-
tions (i.e. 3F8, 2F8, 3E8, 2E8).
The first addressing scheme allows the user to select the addresses for its ports from a table of
available address combinations.
The following table shows the addressing combinations available. If different address combina-
tions are required, please contact Technical Support about custom PAL options.
6ZLWFK 6ZLWFK 6ZLWFK 3RUW 3RUW 3RUW 3RUW
2Q 2Q 2II ) ) ( (
2Q 2II 2Q ) ( ( (
2Q 2II 2II ( (  
2II 2Q 2Q    
2II 2Q 2II    
2II 2II 2Q    
2II 2II 2II    
2Q 2Q 2Q $GGUHVVHVVHWXSE\VZLWFKHV
Table 2: Available Address Combinations
Note: Each COM: port in the system should have a unique address. Typically COM1: - COM4:
addresses are 3F8, 2F8, 3E8 and 2E8 Hex.
Refer to Appendix A for common address contentions.

Manual Number: 00750-123-1Page 4
COMM4AT/EX Manual
The second mode of address selection provides the compatibility mode. In this mode the DIP-
switch sets the base address and the adapter occupies 32 consecutive I/O locations. The following
table illustrates the location of each port and its relationship to the other ports.
Note: For switches 1 - 5 to become active, switches 6, 7 & 8 must be set in the On or Up
position.
6ZLWFK6HWWLQJV
$GGUHVVOLQHV $ $ $ $ $
$GGUHVV6HOHFWHG     
) 2II 2Q 2II 2Q 2Q
$%) 2II 2Q 2II 2Q 2II
) 2II 2II 2II 2Q 2Q
$%) 2Q 2II 2II 2Q 2II
()) 2II 2Q 2II 2II 2II
Table 2: Address Selection Table
The following illustration shows the correlation between the DIP-switch setting and the address
bits used to determine the base address. In the example below, address 2E0 is selected as a base.
Address 2E0 in binary is XX 10 111X XXXX where X = a non-selectable address bit.
      
21
2))
$ $

3RUW &RQQHFWRU/RFDWLRQ $GGUHVV ([DPSOH%DVH (
  %DVH ((
  %DVH (()
  %DVH ))
  %DVH )))
Table 3: Port to Connector Table

Manual Number: 00750-123-1 Page 5
Jumper Selections
For ease of configuration, the headers are grouped by port. Port one headers have a J1 prefix, Port
two headers have the J2 prefix, etc. For example, the header that controls the Port one IRQ
selection is J1B, the header that controls the Port 2 IRQ selection is J2B. The silk-screen also
provides information for configuring the adapter without the use of the manual. This is particularly
useful in field re-configuration.
IRQ Selection
Headers J1B through J4B select the interrupt request for each serial port. If COM1: is selected, the
corresponding jumper must be on the IRQ4 setting. If COM2: is selected, the corresponding jumper
must be on IRQ3. (This only applies to the traditional DOS COM: port assignments, in Windows
COM1: can use I/O address 300 and IRQ15 if it is available!)
 
Figure 1: Headers J1B  J4B, IRQ Selection
Note: Most DOS communications software applications default COM3: to IRQ4 and COM4: to
IRQ3. This requires the sharing of interrupts between COM1: and COM3:, and between
COM2: and COM4:. While this is the default, it is not always the preferred setting. Check
your software configuration instructions to determine the most appropriate IRQ selection.
Any two or more ports can share a common IRQ by placing the jumpers on the same IRQ setting
and setting the appropriate selections at J1A through J4A. When sharing IRQs, many operating
systems (i.e. Windows NT) will require the location of the Interrupt Status Port (ISP).

Manual Number: 00750-123-1Page 6
COMM4AT/EX Manual
Interrupt Modes
Headers J1A through J4A select the interrupt modes for each port. Each port must be set in the
correct mode to insure proper operation.
N indicates the (N)ormal, single interrupt per port mode. S Indicates the (S)hared interrupt
mode, which allows more than one port to access a single IRQ. M indicates the inclusion of a 1K
ohm pull-down resistor required on one port when sharing interrupts.


160
(
(
Figure 2: Header J1A, Normal IRQ Mode
Set the jumpers to S for shared interrupt mode on all blocks sharing an IRQ except one. Set that
port block for M. This provides the pull-down resistor circuit that makes sharing IRQs possible.
If you are using more than one COMM4AT/EX or a compatible adapter in a bus you should only
have one port set to M. The following example shows two ports sharing a single IRQ.


160
(
(
Figure 3: Header J1A & J2A, Shared IRQ Mode
Set the jumper to S if you are using more than one COMM4AT/EX in a bus or to completely
remove the pull-down resistor for hardware compatibility. Setting the adapter in this configura-
tion when it is not accompanied by a pull-down resistor will prevent the ports from trigger-
ing an interrupt.
Clock Modes
The COMM4AT/EX employs a unique clocking option that allows the end user to select from
divide by 4, divide by 2 and divide by 1 clocking modes. This mode is selected at J5.
To select the Baud rates commonly associated with COM: ports (i.e. 2400, 4800, 9600, 19.2, 
115.2K Bps) place the jumper in the divide by 4 mode (silk-screen DIV4).
',9
',9
',9
Figure 4: Clocking Mode Divide By 4

Manual Number: 00750-123-1 Page 7
To double these rates up to a maximum rate for 230.4K bps place the jumper in the divide by 2
(silk-screen DIV2) position.
',9
',9
',9
Figure 5: Clocking Mode Divide By 2
To select the maximum data rate (460.8K bps) place the jumper in the divide by 1 (silk-screen
DIV1) position.
',9
',9
',9
Figure 6: Clocking Mode Divide By 1
Baud Rates and Divisors for the Div1 mode
The following table shows some common data rates and the rates you should choose to match them
if using the adapter in the Div1 mode.
For this Data Rate Choose this Data Rate
1200 bps 300 bps
2400 bps 600 bps
4800 bps 1200 bps
9600 bps 2400 bps
19.2K bps 4800 bps
57.6 K bps 9600 bps
115.2 K bps 19.2K bps
230.4K bps 57.6 K bps
460.8K bps 115.2 K bps

Manual Number: 00750-123-1Page 8
COMM4AT/EX Manual
If your communications package allows the use of Baud rate divisors, choose the appropriate divi-
sor from the following table:
For this Data Rate Choose this Divisor
1200 bps 384
2400 bps 192
4800 bps 96
9600 bps 48
19.2K bps 24
38.4K bps 12
57.6K bps 8
115.2K bps 4
230.4K bps 2
460.8K bps 1
Baud Rates and Divisors for the Div2 mode
The following table shows some common data rates and the rates you should choose to match them
if using the adapter in the Div2 mode.
For this Data Rate Choose this Data Rate
1200 bps 600 bps
2400 bps 1200 bps
4800 bps 2400bps
9600 bps 4800 bps
19.2K bps 9600 bps
38.4K bps 19.2K bps
57.6 K bps 38.4K bps
115.2 K bps 57.6 K bps
230.4 K bps 115.2 K bps
If your communications package allows the use of Baud rate divisors, choose the appropriate divi-
sor from the following table:
For this Data Rate Choose this Divisor
1200 bps 192
2400 bps 96
4800 bps 48
9600 bps 24
19.2K bps 12
38.4K bps 8
57.6K bps 4
115.2K bps 2
230.4K bps 1

Manual Number: 00750-123-1 Page 9
Chapter 3: Installation
The COMM4AT/EX can be installed in any of the PC expansion slots. The COMM4AT/EX
contains several jumper straps for each port that must be set for proper operation.
1. Turn off PC power. Disconnect the power cord.
2. Remove the PC case cover.
3. Locate an available slot and remove the blank metal slot cover.
4. Gently insert the COMM4AT/EX into the slot. Make sure that the adapter is seated
properly.
5. Replace the screw.
6. Replace the cover.
7. Install the Spider Cable.
8. Connect the power cord.
Installation is complete.
Operating System Installation
Windows 3.1x/95/NT
Please refer to the /WINDOWS sub-directory on the Serial Utilities Diskette for help files and
current information on the installation of the COMM4AT/EX in these operating environments.
OS/2
Please refer to the /OS2 sub-directory on the Serial Utilities Diskette for application notes on the
installation of the COMM4AT/EX in this operating system.
QNX
Please refer to the /QNX sub-directory on the Serial Utilities Diskette for application notes on the
installation of the COMM4AT/EX in this operating system.

Manual Number: 00750-123-1Page 10
COMM4AT/EX Manual
This page intentionally left blank

Manual Number: 00750-123-1 Page 11
Chapter 4: Technical Description
The COMM4AT/EX utilizes the 16C554 UART. This chip features programmable baud rate, data
format, interrupt control and a 16-byte input and output FIFO, and is functionally 4 16C550 UARTs.
The 16C654 UART is also available on this card, which has a 64-byte FIFO as opposed to the 16-
byte FIFO available in the 16C554.
Features
 Shareable IRQs allow more than one port to share a single IRQ
 IRQs 3-7, 9-12, 15 supported
 16C554 buffered Quad UART Standard
 16 Bit address decode allows for easier integration
 Speeds up to 460.8 K bps
 Multiple clocking modes insuring compatibility with existing software products
Interrupt Status Port
The COMM4AT/EX provides the user with an Interrupt Status Port (ISP) for greater throughput
when servicing multiple ports on a single interrupt line. The ISP is a read only 8-bit register that
sets a corresponding bit when an interrupt is pending. Port 1 interrupt line corresponds with Bit D0
of the status port, Port 2 with D1 etc.
The ISP is located at Base+7 on each port (Example: Base = 280 Hex, Status Port = 287, 28F
etc.). This allows any one of eight locations to be read to obtain the value in the status register. All
four status ports on the COMM4AT/EX are identical, so any one of the four can be read to deter-
mine which interrupt is pending. In the following example Channel 2 has an interrupt pending.
Bit Position: 76543210
Value Read: 00000010

Manual Number: 00750-123-1Page 12
COMM4AT/EX Manual
Connector Pin Assignments
DB-25 (RS-232 DTE)
Signal Name Pin # Mode
GND Ground 7
TD Transmit Data 2 Output
RTS Request To Send 4 Output
DTR Data Terminal Ready 20 Output
RD Receive Data 3 Input
CTS Clear To Send 5 Input
DSR Data Set Ready 6 Input
DCD Data Carrier Detect 8 Input
RI Ring Indicator 22 Input
DB-9 (EIA-574 DTE)
Signal Name Pin # Mode
GND Ground 5
TD Transmit Data 3 Output
RTS Request To Send 7 Output
DTR Data Terminal Ready 4 Output
RD Receive Data 2 Input
CTS Clear To Send 8 Input
DSR Data Set Ready 6 Input
DCD Data Carrier Detect 1 Input
RI Ring Indicator 9 Input
DB-37
Port # 1234
GND 33 14 24 5
TD 35 12 26 3
RTS 17 30 8 21
DTR 34 13 25 4
RD 36 11 27 2
CTS 16 31 7 22
DSR 18 29 9 20
DCD 37 10 28 1
RI 15 32 6 23

Manual Number: 00750-123-1 Page 13
Chapter 5: Specifications
Environmental Specifications
Temperature Range
Operating
0º to 50º C
(32º to 122º F )
Storage
-20º to 70º C
(-4º to 158º F)
Humidity Range
Operating
10 to 90% R.H. Non-Condensing
Storage
10 to 90% R.H. Non-Condensing
Manufacturing
 IPC 610-A Class-III standards are adhered to with a 0.1 visual A.Q.L. and 100% Functional
Testing.
 All printed circuit boards are built to U.L. 94V0 rating and are 100% electrically tested. These
printed circuit boards are solder mask over bare copper or solder mask over tin nickel.
Power Consumption
Supply line +12 VDC -12 VDC +5 VDC
Rating 60 mA 80 mA 210 mA
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
Greater than 150,000 hours. (Calculated)
Physical Dimensions
Board length 5.2 inches (13.208 cm.)
Board Height including Goldfingers 3.4 inches (8.636 cm.)
Board Height excluding Goldfingers 3.1 inches (7.874 cm.)