SeaLevel DataShark User manual

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 3188 Manual | SL9129 1/2023
DataShark
User Manual | 3188

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 3188 Manual | SL9129 1/2023
Contents
CONTENTS...........................................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................... 3
BEFORE YOU GET STARTED ...............................................................................................................................4
CARD SETUP ........................................................................................................................................................5
INSTALLATION .................................................................................................................................................... 9
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 – COMPLIANCE NOTICES...........................................................................................................18
WARRANTY ........................................................................................................................................................19

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Introduction
Overview
The Sealevel Systems DataShark provides the PC with 2 Asynchronous serial ports. The DataShark also
provides a jumper to select clocking modes that allow much higher data rates than those typically
associated with RS-232. These data rates are accomplished by using high-speed drivers and receivers
designed to handle these higher rates, up to a maximum 460Kbps. The DataShark can be configured as
COM1: through COM4:, providing a versatile interface for common RS-232 needs (i.e. modem, mouse and
plotters) as well as higher speed applications ( i.e. ISDN, V.34 modems etc.).
Factory Default Settings
TheDataShark factory default settings are as follows:
Port #
Base Address
IRQ
Port 1
280
5
Port 2
288
10
To install the DataShark using factory default settings, refer to Installation on page 6.
For your reference, record installed DataShark settings below:
Port #
Base Address
IRQ
Electrical Specification

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Before You Get Started
What’s Included
The DataShark is shipped with the following items. If any of these items are missing or damaged, contact
the supplier.
•DataShark Serial I/O Adapter
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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Card Setup
The DataShark contains several jumper straps, which must be set for proper operation.
Address Selection
Each serial port on the DataShark occupies eight consecutive I/O locations and looks to the PC as a
standard serial port. A DIP switch (SW1) is used to set the port address options for the DataShark. Be
careful when selecting the port addresses as some selections may conflict with existing ports. The
following table shows the addressing options available with the standard PAL. If you do not see an address
option that suits your needs, please contact Sealevel Systems Technical Support about a custom PAL
option.
Port1 J2
Port2 J3
SW1
1
SW1
2
SW1
3
SW1
4
3F8
2F8
On
On
On
Off
3E8
2E8
On
On
Off
On
2F8
2E8
On
On
Off
Off
2F8
3E8
On
Off
On
On
3220
3228
On
Off
On
Off
4220
4228
On
Off
Off
On
5220
5228
On
Off
Off
Off
5220
4220
Off
On
On
On
280
290
Off
On
On
Off
300
308
Off
On
Off
On
310
318
Off
On
Off
Off
280
288
Off
Off
On
On
290
298
Off
Off
On
Off
300
280
Off
Off
Off
On
Disabled
Disabled
Off
Off
Off
Off
Figure 1 - Address Selection Table
Each COM: port in your system should have a unique address. Typically COM1: - COM4: addresses
are 3F8, 2F8, 3E8 & 2E8 Hex. If a COM1: & COM2: are already present, use the second addressing
option, this will provide the typical addresses for COM3: & COM4:.
Refer to Appendix A for common address contentions.

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Port Enable / Disable
Port 2 on the DataShark can be enabled or disabled with the jumper at E6 for applications requiring only
one port. The port is enabled with the jumper installed and disabled when removed. If Port 2 is disabled, be
sure to disable the interrupt request for that port by removing the IRQ jumper at E2. When the port is
disabled only the Port 1 address from the selection is valid (See Figure 1).
IRQ Selection
Headers E1 and E2 select the interrupt request for each serial port (E1 - Port 1, E2 - Port 2). If COM1: is
selected, the corresponding jumper must be on the IRQ4 setting. If COM2: is selected, the corresponding
jumper must be on IRQ3.
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.
Figure 2 - Header E1 and E2, 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 E3. Consult your particular software for IRQ selection. If no interrupt is desired,
remove the jumper.

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Interrupt Modes
Header E3 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 E1. Consult your
particular software for IRQ selection. If no interrupt is desired, remove the jumper. ‘R’ indicates the inclusion
of a 1K ohm pull-down resistor required on one port when sharing interrupts.
N SR
1
E3 2
Figure 3 - Header E3, 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 ‘S’ and ‘R’. This provides the pull-down resistor circuit that makes sharing of IRQs possible. If you are
using more than one DataShark or a compatible adapter in a bus, you should only have one port set to ‘R’.
The following example shows both ports sharing a single IRQ.
N S R
1
E3 2
Figure 4 - Header E3, Shared IRQ Mode

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Set the jumper to ‘S’ if you are using more than one DataShark in a bus or you wish to completely remove
the pull-down resistor for hardware compatibility. Setting the adapter in this configuration when it is not
accompanied by a pull-down resistor will prevent the ports from triggering an interrupt.
N S R
1
E3 2
Figure 5 - Header E3, Sharing IRQ’s with another adapter
Clock Modes
The DataShark 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. These modes are selected at Headers E4 and E5. To select the Baud
rates commonly associated with RS-232 (i.e. 2400, 4800, 9600, 19.2, … 115.2K Bps ) place the jumper in
the divide by 4 mode. To double these rates up to a maximum rate for 230.4K bps place the jumper in the
divide by 2 position. To select the maximum data rate (460.8K bps) place the jumper in the divide by 1
position. In the example below, Port 1 (E4) is selected for the divide by 4 rate to support a common RS-232
application (i.e. serial mouse) and Port 2 (E5) is selected to support a high speed application in the divide
by 1 mode (i.e. ISDN or digital link).
Figure 6 - Headers E4 and E5, Clocking Modes
E4
E5
4
2
1
4
2
1

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© Sealevel Systems, Inc. 3188 Manual | SL9129 1/2023
Installation
Do not install the hardware until the software has been fully installed.
The DataShark can be installed in any PC expansion slots, but to access the ‘AT’ or (E)ISA IRQs (10, 11, 12,
15) it must be installed in one of the 16 bit slots. The DataShark contains several jumper straps for each
port which must be set for proper operation prior to installing the adapter 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 COMM+2 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.
Operating System Installation
For Windows Users
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 proper driver download and installation
instructions.
1. Begin by locating, selecting, and installing the correct software: SeaCOM Asynchronous
Serial Software.
2. Select “Download Now” for 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.

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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.
To avoid accidental damage, be sure to follow the proper ESD procedures by grounding yourself
and the board.
Other Operating Systems
Refer to the appropriate section of the Serial Utilities Software.

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Technical Description
The DataShark utilizes the 16C650 UART. This chip features programmable baud rate, data format,
interrupt control and has a 32 byte input and output FIFO.
Features
• Addressable as COM1: - COM4: and other selectable address combinations.
• Speeds up to 460.8 K bps available via enhanced hardware drivers and receivers.
• Multiple clocking modes insuring compatibility with existing software products.
• ‘Shareable’ IRQs allow more than one port to share a single IRQ
• IRQs 2-5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15 supported
Connector Pin Assignments
Name
Pin #
Mode
TD
Transmit Data
3
Output
RTS
Request To Send
7
Output
DTR
Data Term Ready
4
Output
GND
Ground
5
RD
Receive Data
2
Input
DCD
Data Carrier Detect
1
Input
DSR
Data Set Ready
6
Input
CTS
Clear To Send
8
Input
RI
Ring Indicator
9
Input
These assignments meet EIA/TIA/ANSI-574 DTE for DB-9 type connectors.
Please terminate any control signals that are not going to be used. The most common way to do
this is connect RTS to CTS and RI. Also, connect DCD to DTR and DSR. Terminating these pins, if
not used, will help insure you get the best performance from your adapter.

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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
Manufacturing
All Sealevel Systems Printed Circuit boards are built to UL 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
50 mA
50 mA
195 mA
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
Greater than 150,000 hours. (Calculated)
Physical Dimensions
Board length
5.4 inches
(13.72 cm)
Board Height including Goldfingers
3.5 inches
(8.89 cm)
Board Height excluding Goldfingers
3.2 inches
(8.13 cm)

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Appendix A – Troubleshooting
The adapter should provide years of trouble-free service. However, in the event that device appears to not
be functioning incorrectly, the following tips can eliminate most common problems 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 Sealevel Systems 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 Sealevel Systems adapter is using a unique IRQ 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 Sealevel Systems adapter is securely installed in a motherboard slot.
5. If you are utilizing an operating system prior to Windows 7, please contact Sealevel‘s Technical
support as directed below to receive more information regarding the utility software which will
determine if your product is functioning properly.
6. Only users running Windows 7 or newer should utilize the diagnostic tool ‘WinSSD’ installed in the
SeaCOM 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.
7. Always use the Sealevel Systems diagnostic software when troubleshooting a problem. This will
help eliminate any software issues and identify any hardware conflicts.
8. The following are known I/O conflicts: The 278 and 378 settings may conflict with your printer I/O
adapter.
•3B0 cannot be used if a Monochrome adapter is installed.
3F8-3FF is typically reserved for COM1:
2F8-2FF is typically reserved for COM2:
3E8-3EF is typically reserved for COM3:
2E8-2EF is typically reserved for COM4:
If these steps do not solve your problem, please call Sealevel Systems’ Technical Support, [phone].
Our technical support is free and available from 8:00 A.M.- 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time Monday through Friday.
For email support contact [e-mail].

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Appendix B – How To Get Assistance
Please refer to Appendix A- Troubleshooting 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. Sealevel Systems maintains a Home page on the Internet. Our home page address is
www.sealevel.com. 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 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time.
Technical support can be reached at [phone].
RETURN AUTHORIZATION MUST BE OBTAINED FROM SEALEVEL SYSTEMS BEFORE RETURNED
MERCHANDISE WILL BE ACCEPTED. AUTHORIZATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING SEALEVEL
SYSTEMS AND REQUESTING A RETURN MERCHANDISE AUTHORIZATION (RMA) NUMBER.

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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 or EIA/TIA-232. 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 is 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
widespread use and will be referred to as RS-232 in this document. RS-232 is capable of operating at data rates up to
20 Kbps at distances less than 50 ft. The absolute maximum data rate may vary due to line conditions and cable
lengths. RS-232 often operates at 38.4 Kbps 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 a -12 volt (-3 to -10 volts) denotes 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 Sealevel Systems adapter is a DTE interface.

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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. Character
boundaries for asynchronous communications are defined by a starting bit followed by a pre-defined
number of data bits (5, 6, 7, or 8). The end of the character is defined by the transmission of a pre-defined
number of stop bits (usually 1, 1.5 or 2). An extra bit used for error detection is often appended before the
stop bits.
Figure 7 - 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 referred 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).
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

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Appendix E – Silk Screen

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Appendix F – Compliance Notices
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class A digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. 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. Operation of this equipment in a residential
area is likely to cause harmful interference in such case the user will be required to correct
the interference at the user’s expense.
EMC Directive Statement
Products bearing the CE Label fulfill the requirements of the EMC directive (89/336/EEC)
and of the low-voltage directive (73/23/EEC) issued by the European Commission. To obey
these directives, the following European standards must be met:
•EN55022 Class A - “Limits and methods of measurement of radio interference
characteristics of information technology equipment”
•EN55024 – “Information technology equipment Immunity characteristics Limits
and methods of measurement”.
This is a Class A Product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference in
which case the user may be required to take adequate measures to prevent or correct the
interference.
Always use cabling provided with this product if possible. If no cable is provided or if an alternate
cable is required, use high quality shielded cabling to maintain compliance with FCC/EMC
directives.

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Warranty
Sealevel's commitment to providing the best I/O solutions is reflected in the Lifetime Warranty that is
standard on all Sealevel manufactured I/O products. W Relio™ industrial computers are warranted for a
period of two years and the Relio™/SeaPAC™ /SBC R9 family is warranted for a five year period from date
of purchase. We are able to offer this warranty due to our control of manufacturing quality and the
historically high reliability of our products in the field. Sealevel products are designed and manufactured at
its Liberty, South Carolina facility, allowing direct control over product development, production, burn-in and
testing. Sealevel achieved ISO-9001:2015 certification in 2018.
Warranty Policy
Sealevel Systems, Inc. (hereafter "Sealevel") warrants that the Product shall conform to and perform in
accordance with published technical specifications and shall be free of defects in materials and
workmanship for the warranty period. In the event of failure, Sealevel will repair or replace the product at
Sealevel's sole discretion. Failures resulting from misapplication or misuse of the Product, failure to adhere
to any specifications or instructions, or failure resulting from neglect, abuse, accidents, or acts of nature
are not covered under this warranty.
Warranty service may be obtained by delivering the Product to Sealevel and providing proof of purchase.
Customer agrees to ensure the Product or assume the risk of loss or damage in transit, to prepay shipping
charges to Sealevel, and to use the original shipping container or equivalent. Warranty is valid only for
original purchaser and is not transferable.
This warranty applies to Sealevel manufactured Product. Product purchased through Sealevel but
manufactured by a third party will retain the original manufacturer's warranty.
Non-Warranty Repair/Retest
Products returned due to damage or misuse and Products retested with no problem found are subject to
repair/retest charges. A purchase order or credit card number and authorization must be provided in order
to obtain an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) number prior to returning Product.
How to obtain an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization)
If you need to return a product for warranty or non-warranty repair, you must first obtain an RMA number.
Please contact Sealevel Systems, Inc. Technical Support for assistance:
Available Monday – Friday, 8:00AM to 5:00PM EST
Phone [phone]
Email [e-mail]
Trademarks
Sealevel Systems, Incorporated acknowledges that all trademarks referenced in this manual are the service
mark, trademark, or registered trademark of the respective company.