B&B Electronics 3PCIOSD1x User Manual

Optically Isolated Single Port PCI Bus CE

RS-232/422/485 Serial Card

with Send Data Control

MODELS: 3PCIOSD1A 3PCIOSD1B

Documentation Number 3PCIOSD1x3903m (pn4649-r003)

This manual applies to models 3PCIOSD1A and 3PCIOSD1B. The “1” suffix
designates the number of ports on the card. The “A” models are equipped with
16550A UARTs with 16 byte transmit and receive buffers. The “B” models come with
16850 UARTs with 128 byte transmit and receive buffers. The model number of each
card is printed on a sticker on the board.

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]

Home Page: www.bb-elec.com

Orders e-mail: [e-mail]

Technical Support e-mail: [e-mail]

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]

 2000 B&B Electronics -- Revised October 2003

-- Fax [phone]

-- Fax [phone]



2000 B&B Electronics . No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photography, recording, or any information storage and retrieval
system without written consent. Information in this manual is subject to change without notice, and does not
represent a commitment on the part of B&B Electronics.

B&B Electronics shall not be liable for incidental or consequential damages resulting from the furnishing,
performance, or use of this manual.

All brand names used in this manual are the registered trademarks of their respective owners. The use of
trademarks or other designations in this publication is for reference purposes only and does not constitute an
endorsement by the trademark holder.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

I

ESCRIPTION ..........................................................................................1

D

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

F

PECIFICATIONS ......................................................................................2

S

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

I

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

RS-232

MODE.........................................................................................7

MODE.........................................................................................8

RS-422

MODE.........................................................................................9

RS-485

NSTALLING THE CARD..........................................................................12

I

CHAPTER 3: WINDOWS INSTALLATION ...................................13

W

INDOWS 95 AND WINDOWS 98...........................................................13

INDOWS 2000 PROFESSIONAL ............................................................21

W

INDOWS NT 4.0 .................................................................................26

W

CHAPTER 4: TROUBLESHOOTING..............................................33

APPENDIX A: 3PCIOSDxx I/O SCHEMATIC........................... A-1

APPENDIX B: RS-232 & RS-422/485 PINOUTS ..........................B-1

APPENDIX C: JUMPER MODE TABLE ..................................... C-1

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

APPENDIX E: ISOLATION AND GROUND ................................E-1

APPENDIX F: RENAMING COM PORTS - WIN 95/98/ME .......F-1

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

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ii Table of Contents Documentation Number 3PCIOSD1x-3903m Manual

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Chapter 1: GENERAL INFORMATION
Introduction

• RS-485 Signal Lines: TD(A), TD(B), RD(A), RD(B) and Signal

Ground. (Data A & Data B lines when wired for 2-wire
operation.)

The B&B Electronics 3PCIOSD1x single port isolated serial interface
card is designed for IBM compatibles with a PCI Bus. The PCI
design is Plug and Play compatible which allows the driver and
Operating System to select the IRQ and addresses used by the
card.

The 3PCIOSD1x cards offer exceptional setup flexibility with a mix
of selectable operating modes. If you are writing your own
applications, be sure the communications routine used supports
Windows communication drivers and a wide range of COM ports.

Description

The isolated single port can be configured for RS-232, RS-422, or
RS-485 data protocols. The RS-485 mode automatic Send Data
Control feature transparently handles the enable and disable
functions of the RS-485 transceiver. Buffered, high spee d UARTs
(16550A or 16850) make it ideal for high speed (modem) and
multitasking applications.

Features

• IBM compatible, PCI Version 2.1 bus

• Supports baud rates to 460.8K baud with 4X clock option

enabled

• Provides 2000 VDC minimum isolation on all lines from the DB­25 male connector to the host computer

• High speed 16 byte FIFO 16550A UARTs (Model 3PCIOSD1A),
128 byte FIFO 16850 UARTs (Model 3PCIOSD1B)

• RS-485 Automatic Send Data Control or RTS control

• 2-wire or 4-wire RS-485 operation (half or full duplex)

• 120Ω Termination Select Jumper for RS-422/RS-485 Networks

• RS-232 Mode Signal lines: TD, RD, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, &

DCD, and Signal Ground.

• 2 Channel RS-422 Signal Lines: TD(A), TD(B), RD(A), RD(B)
and Signal Ground.

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Specifications

Bus: PCI bus version 2.1
Slot: Requires one PCI slot
Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 in (17.5 x 10.7 cm)
I/O Connections: One 25-pin male D-sub (DB25M) connector
OS Supported: Windows 95, 98, 2000 and NT 4.0

Baud rates: 460.8K baud maximum in RS-232/422/485 modes
UARTs: 16550A 16 byte TX and RX buffers (3PCIOSD1A), or
16850 128 byte TX and RX buffers (3PCIOSD1B)
Character length: 5, 6, 7, or 8 bits
Parity: Even, odd or none
Stop bits: 1, 1.5, or 2

RS-232 Control/Data Lines Drivers/Receivers:
Device: SP211H Transceiver
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: ±15V

RS-422/485 Driver/Receiver:
Device: 75ALS180 or MAX491
Differential driver output voltage: 1.5 - 6 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 when data is a logic “0” (start bit). Driver
remains enabled for one character transmission time (10 bits
of data at current baud rate). Each additional logic “0” resets the
timeout.

Termination: A 120Ω termination resistor is jumper selectable on the
422/485 receiver.

continued next page

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Optical Isolation:
Data Line Device: HCPL0600
Handshake Line Device: IL207

Max. Power Consumption: All ports loaded
+5 V @ 325.0 mA or 1.625 W

Accessories:

Software: Driver Disk (3.5) for Windows 95/98/2000/NT 4.0
PCI/USB COM Port Utility Disk (3.5)

Manual: Instruction Manual (this booklet)

Documentation Number 3PCIOSD1x-3903m Manual Chapter 1 3

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4 Chapter 1 Documentation Number 3PCIOSD1x-3903m Manual

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Chapter 2: SETUP
Inspection

Your 3PCIOSD1x serial card was tested for proper operation before
shipment. It should be in perfect mechanical and electrical condition
upon receipt.

The card is normally pre-configured for RS-232 operation.
The data clock speed is set by one jumper to x1 (normal) operation

or to x4 operation.
The operating mode of the card is set using 8 jumpers: 4 jumpers

select RS-232 operation or RS-422/485 operation, one jumper sets
RTS for RS-232 & RS-485 modes or Send Data for RS-485 mode, 2
jumpers select RS-422 or RS-485 operating modes for Receive and
Transmit, and the last jumper selects 120 ohm termination for the
RS-422 or RS-485 Receive.

Refer to Jumper Mode Table in Appendix C.

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. After
setting the jumpers, ground yourself to the computer chassis
before and while inserting the card.

• Remove AC power from the computer and unplug the power
cord before inserting the card.

• Retain the ESD bag for handling the card. Save the packaging
for storage or shipping.

Documentation Number 3PCIOSD1x-3903m Manual Chapter 2 5

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Figure 1. Silk Screen Plot of 3PCIOSD1x PCB

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RS-232 Mode

RS-422 Mode

To configure the port for RS-232 mode, 5 jumpers must be
set/checked. The following settings will configure the port as RS­232:

1. Set four jump ers of JP2 (A-D) t o the " 232" (left) position.

2. Set JP1 to the "RTS(232)" (right) position.

The remaining jumpers, JP4, are unused in the RS-232 mode and
may be in either position. Figure 2 shows the jumper configuration to
set the port for RS-232 mode with *1 clock enabled.

JP2

A 23 2
B 23 2
C 232
D 232

MODES

TX 422
RX 4 2 2

IN OUT

TERMINATI ON

422/ 485
422/ 485

422/ 485
422/ 485

485

JP4

485

CONTROL

SD

JP1

RTS( 2 32 )

*4

JP3

*1

CLOCK

Figure 2. RS-232 Mode Jumper Settings

RS-232 Pinouts

The DB-25 male connector on the 3PCIOSD1x cards is configured
as standard DTE RS-232 serial port. Table 1 lists pin numbers and
descriptors.

Name Description Direction DB25M Pin

Shield Shield ------ 1

TD Transmit Data Output 2

RD Receive Data Input 3
RTS Request to Send Output 4
CTS Clear to Send Input 5
DSR Data Set Ready Input 6
GND Signal Ground ------ 7
DCD Data Carrier Detect Input 8
DTR Data Terminal Ready Output 20

Table 1: RS-232 Pinouts

To configure the port for RS-422 mode, 7 jumpers must be
set/checked. The following settings configure the port as RS-422:

1. Set the fo ur jumpe rs of JP 2 (A-D) to the "4 22/485" (right)
position.

2. Set the top jumper " TX " of JP4 to the “422” (left) position.

3. Set the second jumper "RX" of JP 4 to t he “422 ” (l ef t) po sit ion .

4. The JP1 Control (SD/RTS) jumper is unused in the RS-422
mode and may be in either position.

5. The bottom jumper "Termination" of JP4 switche s the 120Ω
receiver termination resistor IN or OUT. Typically this resistor is
not used. In some cases using high baud rates and very long
cables, termination is needed. See B&B’s free RS-422/485

Application Note, Termination section, page 16, for more
information (available on our websites). Figure 3 shows the

jumper configuration to set the port for RS-422 mode with *1
clock enabled.

JP2
A 23 2
B 23 2

C 232
D 232

MODES

TX 422

RX 42 2

IN OUT

TERMINAT I ON

422/ 485
422/ 485

422/ 485
422/ 485

485

JP4

485

CONTROL

SD

JP1

*4

RTS( 232)

JP3

*1

CLOCK

Figure 3. RS-422 Mode Jumper Settings

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RS-422 Pinouts

The RS-422 mode supports 2 channels (transmit and receive).

Name Description Direction DB25M

Pin

Shield Shield ------ 1

TD (A) −
RD (A) −

Transmit Data A Output 2

Receive Data A Input 3

GND Signal Ground ------ 7

TD (B) + Transmit Data B Output 14

RD (B) + Receive Data B Input 16

Table 2: RS-422/485 Pinouts

With 2-wire RS-485 mode operation, your connection cable must
jumper TD(A) to RD(A) and TD(B) to RD(B). Connect from TD(A)
and TD(B) to the Data A(−) and Data B(+) wires of your RS-485
network.

Note that the EIA RS-422 Specification labels data lines with an "A"
and "B" designator. Some RS-422 equipment uses a "−" and "+"
designator. In almost all cases, the "A" line is the equivalent of the
"−" line and the "B" line is the equivalent of the "+" line. More

information on RS-422 communications can be found in B&B’s free
RS-422/485 Application Note (available on our websites).

RS-485 Mode

To configure the port for RS-485 mode, 8 jumpers must be
set/checked. The following settings configure the port as RS-485:

1. Set four jump ers of JP2 (A-D) t o the "422/ 485" (right) position.

2. Set the top jumper " TX " of JP4 to the “485” (right) position.

3. For 2-wire operation, set the second jumper "RX " of JP4 t o the
"485" (right) position (half duplex). For 4-wire operation, set it t o
the "422" position (full duplex, Receive enabled)

4. Set the JP1 Control jumpe r to select the type of RS-485 tr ansmit
driver control, automatic Send Data (SD) or RTS . Select SD
control unless you are sure that your software requires RTS
control.

5. The bottom jumper "Termination" of JP4 switche s the 120 Ω
Termination resistor IN or OUT. Typically this resistor is not
used. In some cases, using high baud rates and very long
cables, termination is needed. See B&B’s free RS-422/485

Application Note, Termination section, page 16, for more
information (available on our websites).

Figure 4 shows the jumper configuration to set the port for 2-wire
RS-485 mode with *1 clock enabled.

JP2
A 23 2
B 23 2
C 232
D 232

MODES
TX 422
RX 422

IN OUT

TERMINATI ON

422/ 485
422/ 485
422/ 485
422/ 485

485

JP4

485

CONTROL

SD

JP1

*4

RTS( 232)

JP3

*1

CLOCK

Figure 4. RS-485 Mode Jumper Settings

RS-485 Pinouts
The pinouts in RS-485 mode are the same as those listed in Table

2: RS-422/485 Pinouts on the previous page.

Explanation of RS-485 Operation

In RS-485 mode, the transmit driver must be enabled to transmit,
and set to a high impedance (tri-state) mode at the end of
transmission. In two wire (half duplex) mode, the receiver is disabled
during transmit, and enabled when not transmitting.

The 3PCIOSD1x card provides two methods of enabling/disabling
the transmit driver, automatic Send Data (SD) control and Request
To Send (RTS) control. With automatic SD control, the driver is
enabled when data is sent. The driver remains enabled for the
transmission time and ten data bits after data transfer is complete.
The SD circuit automatically adjusts its timing to the baud rate of the
data. With RTS control, software must assert the RTS line to enable
the driver and de-assert to disable the driver. To select SD control
for the port, place JP1 jumper in the “Send Data” (left) posit i on .
Place this jumper in the “RTS(232)” (right) position for RTS control.

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The receiver can also be enabled and disabled, a useful feature in
two-wire communications to prevent the transmitted data from
"echoing back" on its own receiver. The second jumper "RX" of JP4
determines the receiver mode. When the jumpers are placed in the
“485” position, the "echo" is turned off. This is achieved by disabling
the receiver when the transmit driver is enabled. Placing this jumper
in the “422” position will hold the receiver enabled at all times. More

information on RS-422 communications can be found in B&B’s free
RS-422/485 Application Note (available on our websites).

RS-422 and RS-485 Termination

A 120Ω termination resistor has been provided for the RS-422/485
receiver. Note that termination should only be used in systems with
both high baud rates (>19200) and over several thousand feet of
cable. If a value other than 120 Ω is desired, space for a through­hole resistor has been provided on the board adjacent to the surface
mount termination resistor. This through-hole termination resistor is
labeled as RTAB while the surface mount termination resistor is
labeled as RTAA. See B&B’s free RS-422/485 Application Note,

Termination section, page 16, for more information (available on our
websites).

RS-485 Network Biasing

Biasing is required on an RS-485 network to hold the network in the
marking state between transmissions. The 3PCIOSD1x RS-485
receiver is biased with a 4.7 KΩ pull-up resistor (R28A) on the
Receive Data B line and a 4.7 KΩ pull-down resistor (R29A) on the
Receive Data A line. These values are usually adequate for
networks without termination and small numbers of nodes. For more
complex networks, the user must calculate the required value and
replace these resistors. Space for through-hole resistors has been
provided over the top of the surface mount components placed at
the factory. The through-hole resistor for the pull-up is marked as
R28B and the pull-down is marked as R29B.

4 X Baud Rate Option

Baud rates higher than 115,200 are possible with the 3PCIOSD1x
card in RS-232, 422, or 485 mode. Jumper JP3 controls the clock
frequency supplied to the UART. By moving this jumper to the “*4”
(left) position, the clock frequency is increased from 1.8432 to

7.3728 MHz. This multiplies all UART baud rates by 4 times. For
example, if the software is set for 57.6K baud, the actual baud rate
will be increased by a factor of four to 230.4K baud. In many
systems, these higher baud rates can improve throughput
significantly. However, remember that baud rates and actual
throughput are only proportional if the system can keep up with the
communications, otherwise increasing the baud rate effectively only
increases the idle time between characters.

Installing the Card

1. Ground yourself by touching the metal chassis of the computer
to discharge any static electricity.

2. Turn the power to your computer off and unplug the power cord.

3. Remove the cover of the computer.

4. Locate a free PCI expansion slot.

5. Remove the expansion slot cover. Save the screw f or
installation of the 3PCIOSD1x card.

6. Install the card into the unused slot. Be certain that the card is
inserted completely (fully seated) in the slot.

7. Secure the card with the moun tin g screw from step 5.

8. Replace the cover, plug in the power cord, and power up the
system.

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Chapter 3: WINDOWS INSTALLATION
Windows 95 and Windows 98

Any prior installation using previous B&B serial drivers must be
removed before installing the new drivers. (Refer to page 20.)

Windows 98 screens are shown for this section. Windows 95 is a bit
different with fewer steps and the screen names and text shown
differs. Windows 95 differences are noted (W95:…)

1. Configure the port on th e PCI card to the desired RS­232/422/485 mode using the jumpers.

2. Install the card in the slot. Start the computer.

3. Windows will detect the PCI card, start the Add New Hardware
Wizard, and begin driver installation. When installation is
complete, Windows will set the hardware addressing & interrupt
using the drivers and the Plug and Play function of the
Operating System.

4. The driver installation proceeds in two par ts. The fi rst pa rt
installs the driver for the PCI Serial card. The second part
installs the serial driver for the Com Port A (Port A=Port 1).

NOTE: The Optically Isolated 3PCIOSD1 PCI Serial Adapter card
will be identified as the 3PCISD1 PCI Serial Adapter, both cards use
the same drivers and are functionally the same to the Operating
System.

5. After new hardware is det ecte d, this screen will appear. (W95:
This screen is named Update Device Driver Wizard).

6. Click Next to continue. (W95: Insert the Driver Disk in Drive,
then click Next - skip to step 9)

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7. Click Next.

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