B&B Electronics 3PCI2 User Manual

Dual-Port Multi-Interface

(RS-232/RS-422/RS-485)

PCI Bus Serial Card

with Send Data Control

Model: 3PCI2

Documentation Number 3PCI2-0903

This product designed and manufactured in Ottawa, Illinois USA

of domestic and imported parts by

International Headquarters

B&B Electronics Mfg. Co. Inc.

707 Dayton Road -- P.O. Box 1040 -- Ottawa, IL 61350 USA

Phone [phone] -- General Fax [phone]

Orders e-mail: [e-mail]

Technical Support e-mail: [e-mail]

Home Page: www.bb-elec.com

-- Fax [phone]

-- Fax [phone]

European Headquarters

B&B Electronics Ltd.

Westlink Commercial Park, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland

Phone [phone] -- Fax [phone]

Home Page: www.bb-europe.com

Orders e-mail: [e-mail]

Technical Support e-mail: [e-mail]

 2003 B&B Electronics

Documentation Number 3PCI2-0903 Manual Cover Page

B&B Electronics Mfg Co – 707 Dayton Rd - PO Box 1040 - Ottawa IL 61350 - Ph 815-433-5100 - Fax [phone]

B&B Electronics Ltd – Westlink Comm. Pk. – Oranmore, Galway, Ireland – Ph [phone] – Fax [phone]

 2003 B&B Electronics. No partof this publication may be reproduced ortransmitted in any form or by any

means, electronicor mechanical, including photography, recording, or anyinformation storage and retrieval
system withoutwritten consent. Informationin this manual is subject to changewithout notice, and does not
represent acommitment on the part of B&B Electronics.

B&B Electronicsshall not be liable for incidental orconsequential damages resulting from the furnishing,
performance, oruse of this manual.

All brandnames used in this manual are theregistered trademarks of their respective owners. The use of
trademarks orother designations in this publication is forreference purposes only and does not constitutean
endorsement bythe trademark holder.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: GENERAL INFORMATION......................................1

I

NTRODUCTION........................................................................................1

F

EATURES................................................................................................ 1

Q

UICK START ..........................................................................................2

S

PECIFICATIONS ......................................................................................3

CHAPTER 2: SETUP.......................................................................... 5

I

NSPECTION .............................................................................................5

B

EFORE STARTING… ..............................................................................5

S

ELECTION OF OPERATING MODE ..........................................................6

J

UMPER/MODE TABLES FOR RS-232/422/485 ........................................6

I

NSTALL THE CARD..................................................................................7

CHAPTER 3: SOFTWARE DRIVER INSTALLATION ..................9

W

INDOWS 95 OR 98 ................................................................................8

S

ET DTR OPERATION............................................................................ 13

C

HANGING COM PORT NUMBER............................................................14

R

EMOVAL OF DRIVERS/CARD ...............................................................17

W

INDOWS 2000 PROFESSIONAL............................................................19

W

INDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL ..............................................................25

S

YSTEM PROPERTIES/HARDWARE/DEVICE MANAGER..........................30

S

ET DTR OPERATION............................................................................ 32

C

HANGING COM PORT NUMBER............................................................33

R

EMOVAL OF DRIVERS/CARD ...............................................................35

S

HOW HIDDEN FILES AND FOLDERS......................................................37

CHAPTER 4: SETTING DRIVER OPTIONS................................. 39

DTR O

PERATION...................................................................................39

A

DVANCED - COM PORT RENAMING ..................................................... 40

D

ATA RATE 1X/4X CLOCK SPEED........................................................41

FIFO S

ETTINGS ..................................................................................... 41

CHAPTER 5: RS-232 CONNECTIONS/OPERATION...................45

RS-232 P
RS-232 O
DTR O

INOUTS ...................................................................................45

PERATION ..............................................................................45

PERATION IN RS-232 MODE ......................................................46

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CHAPTER 6: RS-422/RS-485 CONNECTIONS/OPERATION.....47

RS-422/485 P
RS-422 & RS-485 D
RS-422 O
RS-485 O
DTR O
RS-485 N

INOUTS............................................................................47

IFFERENTIAL SIGNALS.......................................... 49

PERATION ..............................................................................49

PERATION ..............................................................................50

PERATION IN RS-485 MODE ......................................................50

ETWORK BIASING ..................................................................51

CHAPTER 7: TROUBLESHOOTING.............................................53

APPENDIX A: JUMPER/MODE TABLES...................................A-1

APPENDIX B: CONNECTOR PINOUTS.....................................B-1

APPENDIX C: TROUBLESHOOTING WITH COMTEST.........C-1

APPENDIX D: DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY ................. D-1

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CAUTION: ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVE DEVICE

Use ESD precautions for safe handling.

Before removing the card from the anti-static protective packaging:

• Discharge any static electricity buildup on your body by
touching a large grounded metal surface or the metal
chassis on equipment connected to earth ground by a 3-wire
power cord.

• Avoid touching the gold connectors or other parts on the
card except as necessary to set the configuration jumpers.

• Remove AC power from the computer before inserting the
card.

• Retain the ESD bag for handling the card.

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Chapter 1

: General Information

Introduction

The 3PCI2 Dual Port serial interface card is designed to work with
Windows based IBM compatible computers with a PCI bus. The card
is Plug and Play compatible which permits the Windows Operating
System and driver to set the addresses and IRQ used by the card.

If you are developing your own software, make sure that the
communications routines support Windows communication drivers
and a wide range of COM ports (Com1 to Com16 or higher).

Features

• Dual-Port Multiple Interface PC Serial Card

• Windows 95/98/2000/XP Compatible Drivers

• Buffered High Speed 16C950A UARTs (16C550 Compatible)

128 byte FIFOs for input/output with selectable trigger
thresholds

• Supports baud rates to 460.8K baud

• RS-232/422/485 mode independently selectable each port

• RS-232 Mode – All eight signals including DCD & RI

• RS-422 Mode – Supports Transmit & Receive signal pairs

• RS-485 Mode – Supports Transmit & Receive signal pairs for

half or full duplex connections.

• 2-wire or 4-wire RS-485 Operation (Half or Full Duplex)

• Automatic Send Data Control for RS-485 Operation

• Com Port Rename – Advanced Driver Function

• Standard DB9 Male Connectors

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Quick Start

CAUTION: ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVE DEVICE

1. Before removing the card from the anti-static protective
packaging, discharge any static electricity on yourself.

2. Set the Operating Mode Jumpers for each port to match the
mode desired.

3. Unplug the computer Power Cord to prevent accidentally
turning the computer on during installation.

4. Install the Card, replace the cover.

5. Reconnect the Power Cord.

6. While power is off, connect your cables (or wait Step 15).

7. Start the computer (as Administrator 2000/XP).

8. Insert the driver disc in your CD-ROM drive.

9. Wait until new hardware is detected.

10. Proceed with Installation according to your Operating
System. See Chapter 3.

11. Check for new Com ports in Device Manager.

12. Select Driver Settings for DTR Control.

Use the Jumper/Mode Table in Chapter 2.

13. Set Com number as needed.

14. Prepare your cable connections to match the connector
pinouts

. See Chapter 5 (RS-232) or 6 (RS-422 or RS-485).

15. Shut down your computer before connecting the cables.

16. Connect your RS-232 or RS-422/RS-485 cables.

17. Power up your computer.

18. Verify operation of each port with your hardware.

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Specifications

Bus: PCI bus (33MHz/32-bit) +5V bus power.
Slot: Requires one PCI slot
Dimensions: 4.79 x 3.77 in (12.16 x 9.57 cm) card edge

(Mounting bracket: 1.23 x 12.06 x 0.85 cm)
I/O Connections: Two 9-pin male D-sub (DB9M) connectors
OS Supported: Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP
Baud rates: 460.8K baud maximum - RS-232/422/485
UARTs: 16C950 (128-byte FIFO TX and RX buffers)

16C550 compatible
Character length: 5, 6, 7 or 8 bits
Parity: Even, odd or none
Stop bits: 1, 1.5, or 2
RS-232 Data Lines Drivers/Receivers:

Transceiver Device: SP211H (or equivalent)
High level output voltage: 5.0 V minimum
Low level output voltage: −5.0 V minimum
Output current limited to: ±25 mA
Input high threshold voltage: 1.7 V maximum
Input low threshold voltage: 0.8 V minimum
Device will withstand: ±15 V

RS-422/485 Driver/Receiver:

Transceiver Device: SP491 (or equivalent)
Differential driver output voltage: 1.5 - 5 V
Differential input high-threshold voltage: 0.2 V maximum
Differential input low-threshold voltage: −0.2 V minimum

Automatic RS-485 Driver Control Timing:

Driver is enabled by Tx input buffer data. Driver remains
enabled until all data in Tx buffer is sent.

Receiver Biasing:

4.7K pull-up/pull-down for 32 standard (12-15K) nodes
Provision for custom biasing (R14, R13, R16, R17)

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Termination: none. Provision for custom termination (R15/18)
Max Power Consumption: All ports loaded

Voltage

(V)

+5

+12

-12

Current

(mA)

240

<1uA -

<1 uA -

Total 240 1.2

Typical Baud Rates

75
110
134
150
300
600
1200
1800
2400
4800
7200
9600

14.4K

19.2K

38.4K

57.6K

115.2K

230.4K

460.8K

Power

(W)

1.2

Any baud rate that is a common divisor of 460.8K can be used if the
application software supports it.

Accessories:

Software: Driver CD-ROM Disc for Windows 95/98/2000/XP
Manual: Instruction Manual (paper copy of this booklet)

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Chapter 2:

Setup

Inspection

Your 3PCI2 serial card was tested for proper operation before
packaging. It should be in perfect mechanical and electrical condition
upon receipt.

CAUTION: ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVE DEVICE

Use ESD precautions for safe handling.

Before removing the card from the anti-static protective packaging:

• Discharge any static electricity buildup on your body by touching

a large grounded metal surface or the metal chassis on
equipment connected to earth ground by a 3-wire power cord.

• Avoid touching the gold connectors or other parts on the card

except as necessary to set the configuration jumpers.

• Remove AC power from the computer before inserting the card.

• Retain the ESD bag for handling the card.

• Save the packaging for storage or shipping.

Before Starting…

The card is normally pre-configured for RS-232 operation.
Check/Set 3 operating Mode/Jumpers for each port.
Device Driver Setting for RS-485 Mode:
After driver installation, set DTR Operation to RS-485 Mode.
See Chapter 4,

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Setting Driver Options.

Selection of Operating Mode

The hardware address and IRQ is set by the Windows Operating
System using driver information files and the Plug and Play OS.

The Operating Mode is set using Jumpers, Device Manager Driver
Settings and by your cable connections and software.

Set the Jumpers

Set JP1 and JP2 Jumpers to match your Operating Mode.

Port 1 (bottom connector)

Port 1

Jumpers

JP1 Top 232
JP1 Middle

JP1 Bottom

Table1–Port1(nearbus)Jumper/ModeTable

RS-232 RS-422

4-Wire

422/485

(Right)

-----

No effect

-----

No effect

(left)

TX ENABLE

(right)

RX ENABLE

(right)

RS-485

4-Wire

422/485

(left)

TX SD

(left)

RX ENABLE

(right)

RS-485

2-Wire

422/485

(left)

TX SD

(left)

RX SD

(left)

Port 2 (top connector

Port 2

Jumpers

JP2 Top 232 422/485
JP2 Middle

JP2 Bottom

RS-232 RS-422

4-Wire

(left)

-----

No effect

-----

No effect

TX ENABLE

(right)

RX ENABLE

(right)

)

RS-485

4-Wire

422/485

(left)

TX SD

(left)

RX ENABLE

(right)

RS-485

2-Wire

422/485

(left)

TX SD

(left)

RX SD

(left)

Table2–Port2(neartopofcard)Jumper/ModeTable

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The top jumper sets DB9 connections for either 232 or 422/485.

RS-232 operation requires setting only the Top jumper.

The middle jumper sets the RS-422/RS-485 transmitter for RS-485
or RS-422 operation

. In RS-485 mode, the transmitter is tri-stated
when not sending data. In RS-422 mode, the transmitter is always
enabled.

The bottom jumper sets the RS-422/RS-485 receiver for half-duplex
RS-485 operation or full-duplex RS-422/RS-485 operation

. In half­duplex RS-485, the receiver is enabled when not transmitting. In
dull-duplex RS-422/485 operation, the receiver is always enabled

.

For more operating mode information, see the related chapter.

Install the Card

1. Shut down your computer.

2. Unplug the power cord to remove power to prevent accidentally

turning on the computer during installation.

3. Remove the cover of the computer.

4. Locate an empty PCI expansion slot.

5. Remove the expansion slot cover. Save the retaining screw.

6. Ground yourself to the computer chassis before and while

inserting the card.

7. Install the card into the unused slot. Be certain that the card is

inserted completely (fully seated) in the slot.

8. Secure the card with the mounting screw from step 5.

9. Replace the cover, plug in the power cord.

10. Connect your cables.

11. Power up the system.

12. Install the drivers as indicated in Chapter 3.

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Chapter 3:

Software Driver Installation

Windows 95 or 98

The 3PCI2 drivers are unique to this series of cards. If at some point
in the future, you want to update these drivers, remove these drivers
before installing the new version. See Removal at page 17.

Windows 98 screens are shown for this section. Windows 95 will
have other screen names and text shown. Windows Classic settings
used as standard.

1. Configure each port on card and install it – see Chapter 2.

2. Make sure PnP OS is set in the BIOS. Power up the computer.

3. Windows will detect the PCI card, start the Add New Hardware

Wizard, and begin driver installation

4. The driver installation goes through several steps after finding

the driver files. The first part installs the driver for the card, then
after Finish, the second part installs the serial driver each Com
port. Do not remove the disc until completed.

5. Click Next.

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6. Select Search, Click Next.

7. Insert Disc. Select CD-ROM Drive, Click Next.

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Windows will find “B&B 3PCI2 Dual-Port Serial Card” and the driver
BBPCI.inf file.

8. Click Next.

9. Click Finish. Installation will complete automatically.

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Another similar screen will be shown before the above, and after.
The second time the above is shown, installation will have
completed. Wait for the process to complete.

To verify the installation, open Start, Settings, Control Panel,
System.

Then select the Device Manager Tab.

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Click the Multifunction adapters view the card. If you want other
details, Select Properties.

Click Ports (COM & LPT) to view the COM numbers assigned by
Windows to the card.

You will have two new B&B com ports as shown (prior page).
Select Properties or double-click on one of the new com ports, to

set driver options.

Set DTR Operation

Set DTR Operation to Normal for RS-232.
Set DTR Operation to RS-485 Mode for2-wireor4-wireRS-485

operation.
Either setting can be used for RS-422.
The card jumpers must be set for the same mode. See Chapter 2.

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Changing Com Port Number

From the Device Manager, Select Properties, Settings, Advanced.

Available names for Com numbers are shown. Select a new number
from those not “in use”. Com numbers from Com1 to Com256 may
be available. Com numbers “in use” may be used by motherboard
ports, modems, virtual com ports for network serial server devices or
FAX modem. Formerly installed USB to serial adaptors, PCI cards or
other hardware may have reserved a com number. The device may
need to be added back to the system, or the registry may need to be
edited with Reg. Edit or a similar utility.

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After selecting a new com number, Click OK, then OK again on the
Settings page.

After returning to the Device Manager screen, select Refresh. Then
double-click Ports again.

You should see the two ports renamed as shown below:

Example – After renaming B&B Ports from Com5 and Com6
double-click or select each port to finish selecting other properties.

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