SeaLevel VERSA COMM +4 User manual

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 3410 Manual | SL9148 12/2022
VERSA COMM +4
User Manual | 3410

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 3410 Manual | SL9148 12/2022
Contents
CONTENTS...........................................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................... 3
BEFORE YOU GET STARTED ...............................................................................................................................4
CARD SETUP ........................................................................................................................................................5
PHYSICAL INSTALLATION..................................................................................................................................9
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION..............................................................................................................................10
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION ...............................................................................................................................11
SPECIFICATIONS ...............................................................................................................................................12
APPENDIX A – TROUBLESHOOTING................................................................................................................13
APPENDIX B – HOW TO GET ASSISTANCE .....................................................................................................14
APPENDIX C – ELECTRICAL INTERFACE ........................................................................................................15
APPENDIX D – ASYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATIONS ..................................................................................16
APPENDIX E – SILK SCREEN ............................................................................................................................17
APPENDIX F - SCHEMATIC ...............................................................................................................................18
APPENDIX G – COMPLIANCE NOTICES ..........................................................................................................19
WARRANTY ........................................................................................................................................................20

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 3410 Manual | SL9148 12/2022
Introduction
Overview
The Sealevel Systems VERSA COMM+4 provides the PC with four RS-232 asynchronous ports. The VERSA
COMM+4 allows for connection to any device utilizing the RS-232 electrical interface, such as modems,
data-entry terminals, and plotters.
Factory Default Settings
The VERSA COMM+4 factory default settings are as follows:
Port #
Base Address
IRQ
Port 1
3F8
4
Port 2
2F8
3
Port 3
3E8
4
Port 4
2E8
3
To install the VERSA COMM+4 using factory default settings, refer to the Installation section of this
manual.
For your reference, record installed VERSA COMM+4 settings below:
Port #
Base Address
IRQ
Port 1
Port 2
Port 3
Port 4

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 3410 Manual | SL9148 12/2022
Before You Get Started
What’s Included
The VERSA COMM+4 is shipped with the following items. If any of these items are missing or damaged,
contact the supplier.
•VERSA COMM+4 Serial I/O Adapter
•“Spider” Cable providing 4 DB-25 connectors.
Advisory Conventions
Warning
The highest level of importance used to stress a condition where damage could result to the
product, or the user could suffer serious injury.
Important
The middle level of importance used to highlight information that might not seem obvious or a
situation that could cause the product to fail.
Note
The lowest level of importance used to provide background information, additional tips, or other
non-critical facts that will not affect the use of the product.

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 3410 Manual | SL9148 12/2022
Card Setup
The VERSA COMM+4 contains several jumper straps which must be set for proper operation.
Address Selection
Each port on the VERSA COMM+4 occupies 8 consecutive I/O locations. A DIP-switch is used to set the
base address for these locations. Be careful when selecting the base address as some selections conflict
with existing ports. The following table shows several examples that typically do not cause a conflict. SW4
sets the I/O address for port 1, SW3 sets the address for port 2, SW2 sets the address for port 3 and SW1
sets the address for port 4.
Address Binary Switch Position Setting
Hex A9 A0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
280-287 1010000XXX Off On Off On On On On
2A0-2A7 1010100XXX Off On Off On Off On On
2E8-2EF 1011101XXX Off On Off Off Off On Off
2F8-2FF 1011111XXX Off On Off Off Off Off Off
3E8-3EF 1111101XXX Off Off Off Off Off On Off
300-307 1100000XXX Off Off On On On On On
328-32F 1100101XXX Off Off On On Off On Off
3F8-3FF 1111111XXX Off Off Off Off Off Off Off
Figure 1 - 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 300 is selected as a base. Address 300 in
binary is XX11 0000 0XXX where X = a non-selectable address bit.
Figure 2 - DIP-Switch Illustration
Setting the switch “On” or “Closed” corresponds to a “0” in the address, while leaving it “Off” or
“Open” corresponds to a “1”.
Refer to Appendix A for common address contentions.
ON
1
3
8
7
6
5
4
2
EN
A3
A9

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 3410 Manual | SL9148 12/2022
Port Enable / Disable
Each port on the VERSA COMM+4 can be enabled or disabled with switch position 8 on the DIP-switch.
The port is enabled with the switch "On" or "Closed" and disabled when "Off" or "Open". If any port is
disabled, be sure to disable the interrupt request for that port by removing the IRQ jumper.
IRQ Selection
Headers E1, E2, E3 and E4 select the IRQ for each serial port. If COM1: is selected, this jumper must be on
the IRQ4 setting. If COM2: is selected, this jumper must be on IRQ3.
E4 - Port1
E3 - Port2
E2 - Port3
E1 - Port4
Figure 3 - Headers E1, E2, E3, and E4 (Factory Default)
Most 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
.

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 3410 Manual | SL9148 12/2022
Interrupt Mode Options
Header E5 selects the interrupt mode for each port. Each port must be set in the correct mode to insure
proper installation.
"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. 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 E5. Consult your
particular software for IRQ selection. If no interrupt is desired, remove the jumper. "M" indicates the
inclusion of a 1K ohm pulldown resistor required on one port when sharing interrupts.
E5
1 2
M
S
N
M
S
N
3 4
Figure 4 - Header E5, Normal IRQ Mode
Set 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 of IRQs possible. If you are using
more than one VERSA COMM+4 or a compatible card in a bus you should only have one port set to "M".
The following example shows all four ports sharing a single IRQ.
E5
1 2
M
S
N
M
S
N
3 4
Figure 5 - Header E5, Shared IRQ Mode

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 3410 Manual | SL9148 12/2022
Set jumper to "S" if you are using more than one VERSA COMM+4 in a bus or you wish to completely remove
the pull-down resistor for hardware compatibility. Setting the board in this configuration when it is not
accompanied by a pull-down resistor will prevent the ports from triggering an interrupt.
E5
1 2
M
S
N
M
S
N
3 4
Figure 6 - Header E5, Sharing IRQ’s with another adapter
E4 - Port1
E5
1 2 M
SE3 - Port2
N
M
S
N
3 4E2 - Port3
E1 - Port4
Figure 7 - IRQ Headers E1 - E5 (Factory Default)
The above example shows the correlation between jumper block E5 and the interrupt jumpers (E1-E4). This
example shows the VERSA COMM+4 shipping configuration with COM1: & COM3: sharing interrupt 4 and
COM2: & COM4: sharing interrupt 3.

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 3410 Manual | SL9148 12/2022
Physical Installation
The VERSA COMM+4 can be installed in any of the PC expansion slots, but to access the “AT” or (E)ISA
IRQ’s (10, 11, 12, 15) it must be installed in one of the 16 bit slots. The VERSA COMM+4 contains several
jumper straps for each port which must be set for proper operation prior to installing the card into the
computer.
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 VERSA COMM+4 into the slot. Make sure that the adapter is seated properly.
5. Replace the screw.
6. Install the “Spider” Cable
7. Replace the cover.
8. Connect the power cord.
Installation is complete.

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 3410 Manual | SL9148 12/2022
Software Installation
Windows Installation
Do not install the Adapter in the machine until the software has been fully installed.
Only users running Windows 7 or newer should utilize these instructions for accessing and installing
the appropriate driver via Sealevel’s website. If you are utilizing an operating system prior to
Windows 7, please contact Sealevel by calling 864.843.4343 or emailing [email protected] to
receive access to the legacy driver download and installation instructions.
1. Begin by locating, selecting, and installing the SeaCOM Asynchronous Serial Software
Suite from Sealevel’s website.
2. Select the “Download SeaCOM for Windows.”
3. The setup files will automatically detect the operating environment and install the proper
components. Follow the information presented on the screens that follow.
4. A screen may appear with text similar to: “The publisher cannot be determined due to the
problems below: Authenticode signature not found.” Please click the ‘Yes’ button and
proceed with the installation. This declaration simply means that the operating system
is not aware of the driver being loaded. It will not cause any harm to your system.
5. During setup, the user may specify installation directories and other preferred
configurations. This program also adds entries to the system registry that are necessary
for specifying the operating parameters for each driver. An uninstall option is also
included to remove all registry/INI file entries from the system.
6. The software is now installed, and you can proceed with the hardware installation.
Other Operating Systems
Refer to the appropriate section of the Serial Utilities Software.
For additional software support, please call Sealevel Systems’ Technical Support, [phone]. Our
technical support is free and available from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. For
email support contact: [e-mail].