Moxa Technologies C104P User manual

C104P and C168P
Universal 4/8 Port
Serial Boards
Standard multiport
serial boards family with
state-of-the-art ASIC technology
Feb. 1998 (6th edition)
All Rights Reserved

Copyright Notice
This documentation is copyrighted by Moxa Technologies Co., Ltd. All
rights are reserved. Moxa Technologies reserves the right to make
improvements to the products described in this manual at any time without
notice.
Information provided in this manual is intended to be accurate and reliable.
However, Moxa Technologies assumes no responsibility for its use, nor for
any infringements of rights of the fourth parties which may result from its
use.
MOXA is a registered trademark of Moxa Technologies Co. Ltd. The other
trademarks in this manual belong to their manufacturers individually.
Moxa Technologies Co., Ltd. Moxa Tech USA (CA)
Tel: [phone] Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone] Fax: [phone]
www.moxa.com.tw support @moxa.com.tw

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Customer’s satisfaction is always our number one concern. To ensure
customers get the full benefit of our services, Moxa Internet Services (MIS)
have been built for technical support, product inquiry, new driver upgrade,
etc.
The followings are the services we provide.
E-mail for technical support
address: [email protected]
Ftp site for free driver upgrade
address: ftp.moxa.com or ftp.moxa.com.tw
user ID: ftp
password: your_email_address
World Wide Web (WWW) for product info.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction............................................................................. 1
1.1 Overview ...................................................................................................1
1.2 C104P .......................................................................................................3
1.3 C168P .......................................................................................................5
Chapter 2 Quick Installation ................................................................. 11
Chapter 3 Installation ............................................................................ 13
3.1 Hardware Configuration - Io-irq.exe ........................................................13
Chapter 4 For Windows NT Users .......................................................... 17
4.1 Software Installation................................................................................17
4.2 Board and Port Configuration..................................................................18
4.3 Board Initialization Status Checking........................................................19
4.4 Driver Upgrade/Removal.........................................................................20
4.5 MOXA Serial Comm Tool: PComm ..........................................................20
4.6 Troubleshooting.......................................................................................20
Chapter 5 For Windows 95 Users.......................................................... 23
5.1 Driver Installation - Setup95.exe .............................................................23
5.2 Board and Port Configuration..................................................................23
5.3 Board Initialization Status Checking........................................................25
5.4 Driver Upgrade/Removal.........................................................................25
5.5 MOXA Serial Comm Tool: PComm ..........................................................25
5.6 Troubleshooting.......................................................................................26
Chapter 6 PComm ..................................................................................... 29

6.1 Installation ...............................................................................................29
6.2 Programming Library...............................................................................29
6.3 Utilities.....................................................................................................30
Chapter 7 For DOS Users......................................................................... 31
7.1 Driver Installation, Setup, Loading and Unloading...................................31
7.2 MOXA Serial Port Naming Convention....................................................34
7.3 DOS API-232 Library and Programming .................................................34
7.4 Data Scope..............................................................................................35
Chapter 8 For Windows 3.x Users ......................................................... 37
Appendix A Troubleshooting ................................................................... 41
Appendix B C104P Pinouts and Cable Wiring ............................................... 45
B.1 RS-232 Cable Wiring ............................................................................... 45
B. 2 DB62 Connector Pinouts.......................................................................... 47
Appendix C C168P Pinouts and Cable Wiring ............................................... 49
C.1 RS-232 Cable Wiring ............................................................................... 49
C.2 RS-422 Cable Wiring ............................................................................... 51
C.3 RS-485 Cable Wiring ............................................................................... 52
C.4 RS-422/485 Impedance Matching............................................................ 55
C.5 DB62 Connector Pinouts.......................................................................... 56
Appendix D RS-485 Programming ........................................................... 57
Appendix E PC I/O Port Address Map ............................................................ 59

1
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Overview
The Standard Multiport Async Solutions
The standard C104P/C168P multiport boards offer 4/8 serial ports for
connecting terminals, modems, printers, data acquisition equipment and any
other serial devices to the PC/AT/Pentium and its compatible systems.
The C104P/C168P is equipped with custom-designed ASIC chip which
replaces lots of conventional ICs and reduces the board to half-size. The whole
family supports 16 bit architecture. Full range of I/O addresses and IRQs are
available. In addition, with on-board EEPROM for storing the configuration
data, the family is designed without jumper or switch. These features make each
port on the board truly independent to any other port and thus compatible with
most existing multiport boards. The board is also available in PCI bus.
Please contact MOXA dealer/distributor or Web site for more details.
Hardware Configuration Method
C104P/C168P
JP1
Traditional
M ultipoort Board
Jumper
ON
1 2 3 4
Switch
.........
.........
New : set I/O address Traditional : set switch and
and IRQ via software and jumper manually for
Utility. I/O address and IRQ.
Instead of using traditional jumper or switch for IRQ and I/O address settings,

Introductio l l Chapter 1
2
hardware configuration of each port is easily set by DOS utility, Io-irq.exe,
which read and write the on-board EEPROM for configuration information
through the CAP (Configuration Access Port) address. The CAP address is
the only channel via which the configuration utility Io-irq.exe can access the
board, which is identical to the first port's base I/O address.
The only jumper, JP1, is designed in case that users forget the CAP address.
Normally JP1 is left open. When JP1 is short, the CAP address is forced to a
fixed I/O address, 0xA700. However, to adopt quick installation (described
later), it is a must to keep JP1 always short.
Quick Installation
To ease the hardware configuration, users who install only one C104P/C168P
board under Windows NT/95 are recommended to adopt quick installation
described in Chapter 2. Other users please see Chapter 3 for installation details.
Because the board is so flexible in hardware configuration that they are
compatible virtually with all kinds of other manufacturer's multiport boards
using 16450 or 16550 UART.
Operating System Support
C104P/C168P is operational under most popular operating systems such as
Windows 95, SCO UNIX/XENIX/OpenServer, DOS, Linux, QNX, FreeBSD,
PICK OS, IMS Multiuser DOS, etc. However, MOXA device drivers for
Windows NT, Windows 95, Linux, SCO UNIX/OpenServer, UNIX SVR4.2,
DOS and Windows 3.x are provided for better installation, configuration and
performance. In this manual, chapters for MOXA Windows NT,Windows 95,
UNIX,DOS and Windows 3.x device drivers are included. For other
compatible systems not mentioned, please refer to the respective operating
system’s manual for how to install and configure the standard driver.

Chapter 1 l l Introduction
3
MOXA Serial Comm Tool
For easy application development, MOXA provides an easy-to-use serial
communication library under Windows NT/95 (PComm) and Windows 3.x/DOS
(API-232). Users can use this library to produce your own applications using
Microsoft C, Turbo C, Assembly, QuickBASIC, Turbo Pascal, Clipper, Visual
Basic, Visual C++, Borland Delphi, etc. Utilities, such as diagnostic and
monitor, are included for diagnosing the board/port or monitoring the
communication status.
1.2 C104P
Features
vCustom-designed ASIC, compact board size (half-size)
vNo switch no jumper, easily configured by software
vIndependent I/O address, IRQ setting for each of 4 serial ports
v16 bit AT bus architecture, more IRQs supported
vWindows NT/95/3.x and DOS device drivers
Specifications
vBus interface :ISA (EISA compatible)
vNumber of ports : 4
vI/O address :0x0000 ~ 0xFFFF
vIRQ :2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15
vData bits :5, 6, 7, 8
vStop bits :1, 1.5, 2
vParity :none, even, odd, space, mark
vUART : 4¡Ñ16550
vSpeed :50 ~ 115.2K bps
vConnectors : 4¡ÑDB25 male (DTE)
vData signals :TxD, RxD, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, DCD, GND
vOperating temp. :0 ~ 55 ¢J
vPower requirement: 90mA max. (+5V), 55mA max. (+12V), 75mA max. (-12V)
vDimensions :15.7cm¡Ñ8.3cm

Introductio l l Chapter 1
4
Check List
Upon unpacking the C104P, you should find the following items in the package,
1. C104P 4 port serial board
2. This User's Manual
3. Windows NT/95 driver diskette¡Ñ1, DOS/Windows 3.x (API-232)
driver diskette¡Ñ1, PComm diskette¡Ñ1
4. 30 cm cable (DB37 to 4¡ÑDB25 male connectors)
C104P
P1 P2
P3 P4
System Support
The C104P is compatible with various operating systems such as Windows NT,
Windows 95, SCO UNIX/XENIX, OS/2, QNX and Linux. However, Moxa
supports proprietary drivers for better performance. See the driver list below.
C104P
Windows NT 3
Windows 95 3
Windows 3.x 3
DOS 3
Linux R
QNX C
SCO UNIX/OpenServer C
SCO XENIX C
PICK OS C
OS/2 C
MUMPS C
Multiuser DOS C
FreeBSD C

Chapter 1 l l Introduction
5
3: Driver supported by Moxa and shipped with product
R : Driver supported by Moxa but shipped by request
C : Driver supported by OS
Note: MOXA FTP site is available for driver download
1.3 C168P
Features
vCustom-designed ASIC, compact board size (half-size)
vNo switch no jumper, easily configured by software
vIndependent I/O address, IRQ setting for each of 8 serial ports
v16 bit AT bus architecture, more IRQs supported
vWindows NT/95, DOS (API-232) device drivers
vSCO UNIX/OpenServer and UNIX SVR4.2 device drivers
vIsolation protection for RS-422 (optional connection box Opt8F)
Specifications
vBus interface :ISA (EISA compatible)
vNumber of ports : 8
vI/O address :0x0000 ~ 0xFFFF
vIRQ :2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15
vData bits :5, 6, 7, 8
vStop bits :1, 1.5, 2
vParity :none, even, odd, space, mark
vUART : 8¡Ñ16550
vSpeed (bps) : 50 ~ 115.2K
vConnectors : 8¡ÑDB25 male or female
vData signals :RS-232¡ÐTxD, RxD, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, DCD, GND
RS-422¡ÐTxD+(B), TxD-(A), RxD+(B), RxD-(A), GND
(Opt8J: RTS+(B), RTS-(A), CTS+(B), CTS-(A))
RS-485¡ÐTxD+(B), TxD-(A), RxD+(B), RxD-(A), GND
vOperating temp :0 ~ 55 ¢J
vPower requirement: 180mA max. (+5V), 110mA max. (+12V), 160mA, max. (-12V)
vDimensions :15.7cm¡Ñ9.3cm

Introductio l l Chapter 1
6
Check List
Upon unpacking the C168P, you should find the following items in the package,
1. C168P 8 port serial board
2. This User Manual
3. Windows NT/ 95 driver diskette¡Ñ1, DOS (API-232) driver diskette¡Ñ1,
and PComm diskette¡Ñ1
4. One of the following interface options:
Opt8A/Opt8B/Opt8S: RS-232 connection box with 8 DB25 female/male
ports (surge protection for Opt8S) and 1.5 meter DB62 to DB62 cable.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
TxRx
Opt8A/Opt8B/Opt8S
C168P

Chapter 1 l l Introduction
7
Opt8C/Opt8D: RS-232 octopus cable with 8 port male DB25 (or DB9 for
Opt8D) connectors (1 meter long).
P1 P2 P3 P4
P6P5 P7 P8
Opt8C/Opt8D
C168P
Opt8F/Opt8Z: RS-422 connection box with 8 port female DB25 connectors
(isolation protection for Opt8F). 1.5 meter DB62 to DB62 cable and 110V or
220V adapter included.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
TxRx
Opt8F/Opt8Z
C168P
Opt8J: RS-422/485 connection box with 8 port female DB25 connectors.
1.5 meter DB62 to DB62 cable and 110V or 220V adapter included.

Introductio l l Chapter 1
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
TxRx
Opt8J
C168P
RS-422/485 Port Switch of Opt8J
ON
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
ON
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
↓ ↓
ON
1 1 2 2 3344
Tx Rx TxRxTx Rx Tx Rx
ON
5 5 6 6 7788
Tx Rx TxRxTx Rx Tx Rx
Port Port
ON: Tx by RTS: If RTS is high, the port is in output state.
Rx by /RTS: If RTS is low, the port is in input state.
(normally for half-duplex RS-485 communication)
OFF: Tx/Rx Always On:The port is in both output and input state.
(normally for RS-422 communication)

Chapter 1 l l Introduction
9
System Support
The C168P is compatible with various operating systems such as SCO
UNIX/XENIX, QNX and Linux. However, Moxa supports proprietary drivers
for better performance. See the driver list below.
C168P
Windows NT 3
Windows 95 3
DOS 3
SCO UNIX/OpenServer C
UNIX SVR4.2 C
Linux R
QNX C
SCO XENIX C
PICK OS C
Multiuser DOS C
FreeBSD C
3: Driver supported by Moxa and shipped with product
R : Driver supported by Moxa but sent by request
C : Driver supported by OS
Note: MOXA FTP site is available for driver download

Introductio l l Chapter 1
10

11
Chapter 2 Quick Installation
To fully utilize the superior feature of flexible hardware configuration design of
the C104P/C168P, a quick and easy method of installation is designed for users,
which absolutely free the users from hardware configuration effort, i.e.,
installation without running configuration program: Io-irq.exe. Simply
always short the jumper JP1. The software and hardware configuration will be
completed at the same time while doing the software configuration.
However, the method is valid under the circumstances that:
uOnly one C104P/C168P board is allowed to be installed in a system.
uWindows NT/95 are the only operating systems supported.
uI/O address 0xA700 must be free.
Besides, the speed range will be set to from 50 to 921.6K bps by default,
which is called High Speed Spectrum and detailed in Chapter 3 Section 3.1
Hardware Configuration - Io-irq.exe.
Users who install only one C104P/C168P board under Windows NT/95 are
strongly recommended to do the quick installation as follows:
1. Short the jumper JP1 on the upper-left corner of the board.
2. Plug the board in PC with the desired system installed, which is powered off
in advance.
3. Do driver installation. See "For Windows NT Users" or "For Windows 95
Users" or corresponding chapters for details.
This is to specify the desired I/O address, IRQ and INT Vector in the
software configuration panel, no matter what hardware settings are on the
board. The software configuration program will automatically update the
hardware settings.
After this, users already complete the whole installation.

Chapter 2 l l Quick Installation
12
4. Shutdown System (Windows NT/95).
5. DO power OFF and then ON (or Reset) the PC. (Please cold start.)
6. Restart System (Windows NT/95).
It is very important to keep the JP1 always short in this case. Without running
the hardware configuration program, Io-irq.exe under DOS prompt, the software
configuration program will automatically update the hardware settings of the
board while updating the software settings. This save the trouble doing
hardware configuration. However, remember to cold start the system every
time the configuration changed. Should any problem occurs, see Section
"Troubleshooting" within each chapter.

13
Chapter 3 Installation
This chapter is for users in the following cases, who can not use quick
installation:
uInstall two or more C104P/C168P boards in a system.
uFail to install due to the I/O address 0xA700 is not available or has
conflict in the system.
uUse operating systems other than Windows NT/95.
The installation of C104P/C168P is as follows:
1. Start with hardware configuration. See next Section for Io-irq.exe.
2. Continue with the software (driver)installation according to the
corresponding operating system chapters for details.
In this manual, chapters for MOXA Windows NT,Windows 95,UNIX,
DOS and Windows 3.x device drivers are included. For other compatible
systems not mentioned, please refer to system’s manual for how to install
and configure the standard driver.
Remember to keep the hardware settings in mind for the software
installation.
After this, users already complete the whole installation.
3.1 Hardware Configuration - Io-irq.exe
Because the ASIC-designed C104P/C168P has no switch no jumper, users must
configure the I/O address, IRQ, INT Vector, etc. of the boards via utility, Io-
irq.exe, before proceed to install. To set up the hardware configuration for
C104P/C168P, please run Io-irq.exe in the driver diskette under DOS system.

Chapter 3 l l Installation
14
1. Choose a PC that has DOS system inside.
2. Power off the PC
3. Make sure no hardware conflict and plug the board in a free 16-bit slot of the
PC, one board at a time with JP1 open.
+If you are installing multiple boards, insert one board at a time and
configure it using the Io-irq program before inserting the next board.
This is to prevent conflict between two boards with same default
hardware settings.
The C104P/C168P has the following default (factory) settings, I/O
address: 0x180 (1st port), 0x188 (2nd port)
0x190 (3rd port), 0x198 (4th port)
0x1A0 (5th port), 0x1A8 (6th port) C168P Only
0x1B0 (7th port), 0x1B8 (8th port) C168P Only
IRQ: 10 (shared by 4/8 ports)
INT Vector: 0x1C0
Configuration Access Port (CAP): 0x180
4. Power on the PC and enter into DOS system.
5. Run the utility "Io-irq.exe" contained in the driver diskette to set up I/O
address, IRQ and INT vector of the board. Follow the on-line help to
configure the C104P/C168P board.
After completing the hardware configuration, the board is ready for use
under operating systems such as Windows NT/95, SCO UNIX, DOS, etc.
Note that the CAP address is identical to the first port's I/O address except
in one case that the JP1 jumper is installed before powering on the PC. In
this case, the CAP address will be forced to 0xA700. The CAP address must
be typed correctly. With the correct CAP address, the utility can find the
configuration stored in the on-board EEPROM and display it on the
configuration panel. The CAP address is the only channel via which the