Panacom PMS8232 User manual

PMS8232/PMS4232
921,600 bps Highspeed RS-232
Multip-IO Card
User’s Guide
First Edition

Contents
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................ 1
OVERVIEW .....................................................................................1
WHAT’S INCLUDED ........................................................................1
CARD SETUP............................................................................. 2
CLOCK MODES ............................................................................... 2
BAUD RATES AND DIVISORS FOR THE ‘DIV1’ MODE .......................3
ADDRESS AND IRQ SELECTION ......................................................3
INSTALLATION ......................................................................... 4
OPERATING SYSTEM INSTALLATION ...............................................4
Windows 95/98/NT .................................................................... 4
Windows 3.1x.............................................................................4
DOS ............................................................................................ 4
Other Operating Systems ............................................................4
SYSTEM INSTALLATION ..................................................................4
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION....................................................... 5
Connector Pin Assignments ........................................................ 5
DB-9 (EIA-574 DTE)................................................................. 5
DB-68 CONNECTOR PIN ASSIGNMENTS .........................................6
SPECIFICATIONS ...................................................................... 7
ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS .................................................7
POWER CONSUMPTION ...................................................................7
MEAN TIME BETWEEN FAILURES (MTBF)..................................... 7
PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS ..................................................................7
APPENDIX A - TROUBLESHOOTING......................................... 8
APPENDIX B - HOW TO GET ASSISTANCE .............................. 9
APPENDIX C - ELECTRICAL INTERFACE............................... 10
RS-232.........................................................................................10
APPENDIX D - ASYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATIONS ............ 11
APPENDIX E - SILK-SCREEN ................................................. 12
WARRANTY ............................................................................ 13

Figures
Figure 1 - Clocking Mode ‘Divide By 4’ ..................................................2
Figure 2 - Clocking Mode ‘Divide By 1’ ..................................................2
Figure 3 - Asynchronous Communications Bit Diagram......................11
© 1999f PANACOM Technology, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

Introduction
PMS8232 / PMS4232 Page 1
Introduction
Overview
The PANACOM PMS8232 provides the PC with eight RS-232 asynchronous ports. The PMS8232 allows
for connection to any device utilizing the RS-232 electrical interface, such as modems, data-entry
terminals, and plotters.
What’s Included
The PMS8232 is shipped with the following items. If any of these items is missing or damaged, contact the
supplier.
•PMS8232 Serial I/O Adapter
•DB-68 to eight DB-9 ‘Spider Cable’
•Serial Utility Software
•User Manual

Card Setup
PMS8232 / PMS4232 Page 2
Card Setup
Clock Modes
The PMS8232 employs a unique clocking option that allows the end user to select from divide by 4 and
divide by 1 clocking modes. This mode is selected at J2,J3.
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).
Figure 1 - Clocking Mode ‘Divide By 4’
To select the maximum data rate (921.6K bps) place the jumper in the divide by 1 (silk-screen DIV1)
position.
Figure 2 - Clocking Mode ‘Divide By 1’

Card Setup
PMS8232 / PMS4232 Page 3
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
9600 bps 150 bps
19.2K bps 300 bps
38.4K bps 600 bps
57.6 K bps 1200 bps
115.2 K bps 2400 bps
230.4K bps 4800 bps
460.8K bps 9600 bps
921.6K bps 115.2K bps
If your communications package allows the use of Baud rate divisors, choose the appropriate divisor from
the following table:
For this Data Rate Choose this Divisor
9600 bps 96
19.2K bps 48
38.4K bps 24
57.6K bps 12
115.2K bps 8
230.4K bps 4
460.8K bps 2
921.6K bps 1
Address and IRQ selection
The PMS8232 is automatically assigned I/O addresses and IRQs by your motherboard BIOS. Only the I/O
address may be modified by the user.
Adding or removing other hardware may change the assignment of I/O addresses and IRQs.

Installation
PMS8232 / PMS4232 Page 4
Installation
Operating System Installation
Windows 95/98/NT
Run Setup on Disk 2 of the Serial Utilities Software.
Windows 3.1x
Refer to the Win3x.hlp file in the \Win31 directory on Disk 1 of the Serial Utilities Software.
DOS
Refer to the Readme.txt file found in the \DOS directory on Disk 1 of the Serial Utilities Software.
Other Operating Systems
Refer to the appropriate directory on Disk 1 of the Serial Utilities Software.
System Installation
The PMS8232 can be installed in any of the PCI expansion slots and contains a single jumper strap that
must be set for proper operation. Please see the Card Setup section of the manual for information on this
jumper.
1. Turn off PC power. Disconnect the power cord.
2. Remove the PC case cover.
3. Locate an available PCI slot and remove the blank metal slot cover.
4. Gently insert the PMS8232 into the slot. Make sure that the adapter is seated properly.
5. Replace the screw.
6. Replace the cover.
7. Connect the power cord.
Installation is complete.

Technical Description
PMS8232 / PMS4232 Page 5
Technical Description
The PMS8232 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 and the 16C854 which has a 128-byte FIFO.
Connector Pin Assignments
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

Technical Description
PMS8232 / PMS4232 Page 6
DB-68 Connector Pin Assignments
Port # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
TD 60 52 26 18 44 36 10 2
RD 61 53 27 19 45 37 11 3
RTS 62 54 28 20 46 38 12 4
CTS 63 55 29 21 47 39 13 5
DTR 64 56 30 22 48 40 14 6
DSR 65 57 31 23 49 41 15 7
DCD 66 58 32 24 50 42 16 8
RI 67 59 33 25 51 43 17 9
GND 68 68 34 34 35 35 1 1

Specifications
PMS8232 / PMS4232 Page 7
Specifications
Environmental Specifications
Specification Operating Storage
Temperature
Range
0º to 50º C
(32º to 122º F)
-20º to 70º C
(-4º to 158º F)
Humidity Range 10 to 90% R.H.
Non-Condensing
10 to 90% R.H.
Non-Condensing
Power Consumption
Supply line +12 VDC -12 VDC +5 VDC
Rating 60 mA 100 mA 295 mA
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
Greater than 150,000 hours. (Calculated)
Physical Dimensions
Board length 5.300 inches (13.460 cm.)
Board Height including Goldfingers 3.8 inches (9.652 cm.)
Board Height excluding Goldfingers 3.475 inches (8.827 cm.)

Appendix A - Troubleshooting
PMS8232 / PMS4232 Page 8
Appendix A - Troubleshooting
A Serial Utility Diskette is supplied with the PANACOM Technology adapter and will be used in the
troubleshooting procedures. By using this diskette and following these simple steps, most common
problems can be eliminated without the need to call Technical Support.
1. Identify all I/O adapters currently installed in your system. This includes your on-board serial ports,
controller cards, sound cards etc. The I/O addresses used by these adapters, as well as the IRQ (if any)
should be identified.
2. Configure your PANACOM Technology adapter so that there is no conflict with currently installed
adapters. No two adapters can occupy the same I/O address.
3. Make sure the PANACOM Technology adapter is using a unique IRQ. While the PANACOM
Technology adapter does allow the sharing of IRQs, many other adapters (i.e. SCSI adapters & on-board
serial ports) do not. The IRQ is typically selected via an on-board header block. Refer to the section on
Card Setup for help in choosing an I/O address and IRQ.
4. Make sure the PANACOM Technology adapter is securely installed in a motherboard slot.
5. When running DOS, Windows 3.x or other operating systems refer to the Serial Utilities Disk 1 and the
User Manual to verify that the PANACOM Technology adapter is configured correctly. The supplied
software contains a diagnostic program 'SDOS' that runs under DOS and will verify if an adapter is
configured properly. This diagnostic program is written with the user in mind and is easy to use. Refer to
the README.txt file on the supplied diskette for detailed instructions on using 'SDOS'.
6. For Windows 95/98 and Windows NT, the diagnostic tool 'WinSSD' is installed in the PANACOM
folder on the Start Menu during the setup process. First find the ports using the Device Manager, then use
'WinSSD' to verify that the ports are functional.
Always use the PANACOM Technology diagnostic software when troubleshooting a problem. This will
help eliminate any software issues and identify any hardware conflicts

Appendix B - How To Get Assistance
PMS8232 / PMS4232 Page 9
Appendix B - How To Get Assistance
Please refer to Troubleshooting Guide prior to calling Technical Support.
1. Read this manual thoroughly before attempting to install the adapter in your system.
2. When calling for technical assistance, please have your user manual and current adapter settings. If
possible, please have the adapter installed in a computer ready to run diagnostics.
3. PANACOM Technology maintains a Home page on the Internet. Our home page address is
www.panacom.com.tw The latest software updates, and newest manuals are available via our FTP site
that can be accessed from our home page.
4. Technical support is available Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time. Technical
support can be reached at (886)-2-25310678.
RETURN AUTHORIZATION MUST BE OBTAINED FROM PANACOM TECHNOLOGY
BEFORE RETURNED MERCHANDISE WILL BE ACCEPTED. AUTHORIZATION CAN BE
OBTAINED BY CALLING PANACOM TECHNOLOGY AND REQUESTING A RETURN
MERCHANDISE AUTHORIZATION (RMA) NUMBER.

Appendix C - Electrical Interface
PMS8232 / PMS4232 Page 10
Appendix C - Electrical Interface
RS-232
Quite possibly the most widely used communication standard is RS-232. This implementation has been
defined and revised several times and is often referred to as RS-232-C/D/E or EIA/TIA-232-C/D/E. It is
defined as “Interface between Data Terminal Equipment and Data Circuit- Terminating Equipment
Employing Serial Binary Data Interchange”. The mechanical implementation of RS-232 is on a 25-pin D
sub connector. The IBM PC computer defined the RS-232 port on a 9 pin D sub connector and
subsequently the EIA/TIA approved this implementation as the EIA/TIA-574 standard. This standard has
defined as the “9-Position Non-Synchronous Interface between Data Terminal Equipment and Data
Circuit-Terminating Equipment Employing Serial Binary Data Interchange”. Both implementations are
in wide spread use and will be referred to as RS-232 in this document. RS-232 is capable of operating at
data rates up to 20K bps / 50 ft. The absolute maximum data rate may vary due to line conditions and
cable lengths. RS-232 often operates at 38.4K bps over very short distances. The voltage levels defined
by RS-232 range from -12 to +12 volts. RS-232 is a single ended or unbalanced interface, meaning that a
single electrical signal is compared to a common signal (ground) to determine binary logic states. A
voltage of +12 volts (usually +3 to +10 volts) represents a binary 0 (space) and -12 volts (-3 to -10 volts)
denote a binary 1 (mark). The RS-232 and the EIA/TIA-574 specification define two types of interface
circuits Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) and Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment (DCE). The
PANACOM Technology Adapter is a DTE interface.

Appendix D - Asynchronous Communications
PMS8232 / PMS4232 Page 11
Appendix D - Asynchronous Communications
Serial data communications implies that individual bits of a character are transmitted consecutively to a
receiver that assembles the bits back into a character. Data rate, error checking, handshaking, and
character framing (start/stop bits) are pre-defined and must correspond at both the transmitting and
receiving ends.
Asynchronous communications is the standard means of serial data communication for PC compatibles and
PS/2 computers. The original PC was equipped with a communication or COM: port that was designed
around an 8250 Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART). This device allows asynchronous
serial data to be transferred through a simple and straightforward programming interface. A starting bit
followed by a pre-defined number of data bits (5, 6, 7, or 8) defines character boundaries for
asynchronous communications. The end of the character is defined by the transmission of a pre-defined
number of stop bits (usual 1, 1.5 or 2). An extra bit used for error detection is often appended before the
stop bits.
Remain Idle or
next start bit
Odd, Even
or
Unused
STOP
P
BIT
5 to 8 Data Bits
Idle state of
line
1
0
1
1.5
2
Figure 3 - Asynchronous Communications Bit Diagram
This special bit is called the parity bit. Parity is a simple method of determining if a data bit has been lost or
corrupted during transmission. There are several methods for implementing a parity check to guard
against data corruption. Common methods are called (E)ven Parity or (O)dd Parity. Sometimes parity is
not used to detect errors on the data stream. This is refereed to as (N)o parity. Because each bit in
asynchronous communications is sent consecutively, it is easy to generalize asynchronous
communications by stating that each character is wrapped (framed) by pre-defined bits to mark the
beginning and end of the serial transmission of the character. The data rate and communication
parameters for asynchronous communications have to be the same at both the transmitting and receiving
ends. The communication parameters are baud rate, parity, number of data bits per character, and stop bits
(i.e. 9600,N,8,1).

Appendix E - Silk-Screen
PMS8232 / PMS4232 Page 12
Appendix E - Silk-Screen

Warranty
PMS8232 / PMS4232 Page 13
Warranty
PANACOM Techonoly, Inc. warrants this product to be in good working order for a period of one year
from the date of purchase. Should this product fail to be in good working order at any time during this
period, PANACOM Techonoly will, at it’s option, replace or repair it at no additional charge except as
set forth in the following terms. This warranty does not apply to products damaged by misuse,
modifications, accident or disaster.
PANACOM Techonoly assumes no liability for any damages, lost profits, lost savings or any other
incidental or consequential damage resulting from the use, misuse of, or inability to use this product.
PANACOM Techonoly will not be liable for any claim made by any other related party.
RETURN AUTHORIZATION MUST BE OBTAINED FROM PANACOM TECHONOLY
BEFORE RETURNED MERCHANDISE WILL BE ACCEPTED. AUTHORIZATION CAN BE
OBTAINED BY CALLING PANACOM TECHONOLY AND REQUESTING A RETURN
MERCHANDISE AUTHORIZATION (RMA) NUMBER.
PANACOM Techonoly Co. Ltd.
13F.,No. 11,Chung Shan N. Rd. ,Sec. 1,
Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
(886)-2- 2531-0678 FAX: [phone]
www.panacom.com.tw
email: [e-mail]
Technical Support is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.
Monday - Friday
Trademarks
PANACOM Technology, Incorporated acknowledges that all trademarks referenced in this manual are the
service mark, trademark, or registered trademark of the respective company.
COMM+8.PCI is a trademark of PANACOM Techonoly Co. Ltd.