B&B Electronics QSPXP-100 User Manual

QSPXP-200/300

SSPXP/DSPXP/QSPXP-100/200/300

ExpressCard Serial Adapters

User’s Manual

SSPXP-100
DSPXP-100

QSPXP-100
SSPXP-200/300
DSPXP-200/300

User’s Manual P/N: 940-5000-100G
Rev. 1.00 – July 2007

International Headquarters:

707 Dayton Road

Ottawa, IL 61350 USA

Phone [phone]

Website: www.bb-elec.com

Sales e-mail: [e-mail]

Technical Support: [e-mail]

European Headquarters

B&B Electronics

Westlink Commercial Park

Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland

Phone [phone]

Website: www.bb-europe.com

Sales e-mail: [e-mail]

Technical Support: [e-mail]

©2011 No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitt ed 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.
B&B Electronics Manufacturing 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
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B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual Table of c

Table of contents

Table of contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ i

Figures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ii
Tables ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ii

Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1

System requirements ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1

Installing the Serial Adapter ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2

Installing under Windows XP ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2
Uninstalling under Windows XP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
Installing under Windows Vista --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
Uninstalling under Windows Vista ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

Making external connections ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12

RS-232 serial connections ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
RS-422/485 serial connections ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14
Testing serial ports in HyperTerminal ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15

Running Hyperterminal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15

Using Device Manager -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16

Accessing Device Manager --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16
Exploring Device Manager screens ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16

Windows XP / Vista ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16

Setting advanced options ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25

Operating Mode (RS-422/485 adapters only) ---------------------------------------------------------------- 25
Receiver Control (RS-422/485 adapters only) --------------------------------------------------------------- 27

Connector Set-up : AuxOut/AuxIn (RS-422/485 adapters only) ---------------------------------------- 27
Troubleshooting ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28
Appendix A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29

Specifications --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29

Appendix B ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32

Warranty information --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32

Page i Rev 1.00 (July 2007)

Table of Contents B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual

Figures

Figure 1 - Windows XP Found new hardware prompt .............................................................................. 2

Figure 2 - Windows XP Choose your installation options prompt ............................................................ 3

Figure 3 - Windows XP “software has not passed Windows logo testing” prompt ................................ 4

Figure 4 - Windows XP “please wait” message ......................................................................................... 5

Figure 5 - Windows XP Finished installing prompt .................................................................................. 5

Figure 6 - Device Manager .......................................................................................................................... 6

Figure 7 - Windows Vista "Found new hardware" prompt ....................................................................... 7

Figure 8 - "Windows needs your permission to use this program" prompt ............................................. 7

Figure 9 - Windows Vista "Insert the disc that came with your hardware" prompt ............................... 8

Figure 10 - Windows Vista “Windows can’t verify the publisher of the driver software” prompt ........ 9

Figure 11 - Windows Vista “Installing driver software” message ......................................................... 10

Figure 12 - Windows Vista "The software has been successfully installed" prompt ............................ 10

Figure 13 - Device Manager ...................................................................................................................... 11

Figure 14 - Use of DTEs and DCEs in a communication link ................................................................ 12

Figure 15 - Cabling requirements for RS-232 devices ............................................................................. 12

Figure 16 - RS-232 DB-9 pin designations ............................................................................................... 13

Figure 17 - RS-422/485 DB-9 pin designations ........................................................................................ 14

Figure 18 - Windows XP Device Manager - Adapter properties, General tab ....................................... 17

Figure 19 - Windows XP Device Manager - Adapter properties, Advanced tab .................................... 18

Figure 20 - Windows XP Device Manager - Serial Port, General Tab ................................................... 20

Figure 21 - Windows XP Device Manager - Serial Port, Port settings tab ............................................ 21

Figure 22 - Windows XP Device manager - Serial Port, Advanced settings box ................................... 22

Figure 23 - Windows XP Device Manager - Serial Port, Driver tab ....................................................... 23

Figure 24 - Windows XP Device manager - Serial Port, Driver file details box .................................... 24

Figure 25 - Windows XP Device Manager - Serial Port, RS-422/485 tab .............................................. 25

Tables

Table 1 - Device port and connection options ............................................................................................ 1

Table 2 - RS-232 DB-9 signal definitions ................................................................................................. 13

Table 3 - RS-422/485 DB-9 signal definitions .......................................................................................... 14

Page ii Rev 1.00 (July 2007)

B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual Introducti

Device

Ports

Connection

Device

Ports

Connection

Introduction

This User’s Manual describes how to setup and install your Serial
Adapter.

The SSPXP-100, DSPXP-100, and QSPXP-100, respectively, provide
one, two, or four independent RS-232 serial ports.

The SSPXP-200/300, DSPXP-200/300, and QSPXP-200/300,
respectively, provide one, two or four independent RS-422/485 serial
ports. Each of these serial ports can be used as desired for RS-422 or
RS-485 communications.

Table 1 - Device port and connection options

SSPXP-100 1 RS-232 SSPXP-200/300 1 RS-422/485

DSPXP-100 2 RS-232 DSPXP-200/300 2 RS-422/485

QSPXP-100 4 RS-232 QSPXP-200/300 4 RS-422/485

System requirements

Each adapter uses high-speed UARTs and deep FIFOs, allowing each
channel to obtain data rates up to 921.6 kbps. The adapters are Plug­and-Play devices and require no hardware configuration.

The Serial Adapters are supported under the Windows XP (and later)
operating systems.

Rev 1.00 (July 2007) Page 1

Installing the software B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual

Step

Procedure

Description

Step

Procedure

Description

Figure 1 illustrates the
Windows XP Found new
hardware prompt. The Found

ardware Wizard

launches automatically when

Caution! Be sure to allow

ocess to

Installing the Serial Adapter

This section explains how to install the Serial Adapter under different
operating systems. Please locate and follow the procedure for your

the installation pr
finish without interruption.

Installing under Windows XP

computer’s operating system.

The Serial Adapter includes Windows device drivers that enable the
serial ports to appear to Windows as standard COM ports.

Follow these steps to install the adapter under Windows XP.

 Step 1 Turn on the power to your computer

system.

 Step 2 Plug the ExpressCard into an available

ExpressCard slot on the computer.

Figure 1 - Windows XP Found new hardware prompt

New H

you first plug in the Serial
Adapter.

This is the system in which the device is to
be installed.

Windows tells you that it has found new
hardware and launches the Found New
Hardware Wizard.

 Step 3 When the “welcome to the found new

 Step 4 Click the Next button Windows will continue to the next step.

Page 2 Rev 1.00 (July 2007)

hardware wizard” appears, select the “No,
not this time” option

Please do NOT allow Windows Update
to search for the software on the internet.

B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual Installing

Procedure

Description

Figure 2 - Windows XP Choose your installation options prompt

 Step 5 Insert the installation CD into your CD-

ROM drive.

 Step 6 Select the “install automatically

(Recommended)” option.

 Step 7 Click the Next button. Windows searches for drivers for the

This is the CD that shipped with the
product.

The installation options prompt
displays.

adapter.

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Step

Procedure

Description

Figure 3 illustrates the
“software has not passed

This prompt will only appear
in the case of a new unsigned

Figure 3 - Windows XP “software has not passed Windows logo testing” prompt

Windows logo testing” prompt.

driver.

 Step 8 In the case of a new unsigned driver, the

“software has not passed Windows logo
testing” prompt will appear. Please click
the [Continue Anyway] button to continue
with the installation.

 Step 9 The Wizard locates and starts to install

the necessary software.

Windows displays a warning prompt if
the software drivers are not signed with
the Windows logo. New drivers have
been tested at our lab facilities, but may
not yet have received the official logo
from Microsoft.

The “wait while the Wizard installs the
software” prompt displays (fig.4),
followed by the “Finished installing”
prompt (fig.5).

Page 4 Rev 1.00 (July 2007)

B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual Installing

Step

Procedure

Description

Figure 4 - Windows XP “please wait” message

Figure 5 - Windows XP Finished installing prompt

 Step 10 Press the Finish button to continue. The ExpressCard Adapter installation is

complete.

Rev 1.00 (July 2007) Page 5

Installing the software B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual

Uninstalling under Windows XP

Follow these steps in the event that you need to uninstall or reinstall
the Serial software.

1. From the Control Panel, select System.

2. Press the Hardware tab.

3. Click on Device Manager.

Figure 6 - Device Manager

4. Scroll down to Multi-port serial adapters and expand.

5. Highlight your Serial Adapter; for example, SSPXP-100

ExpressCard RS-232 Serial Adapter.

6. Select the Action menu option.

7. Select Uninstall from the drop down menu.

8. Click OK at the Confirmation screen. Note that this also removes

all the serial ports associated with your Serial Adapter.

Page 6 Rev 1.00 (July 2007)

B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual Installing

Step

Procedure

Description

Step

Procedure

Description

Figure 7 illustrates the
Windows Vista Found new
hardware prompt. The Found
New Hardware Wizard
launches automatically when

Installing under Windows Vista

Follow these steps to install the adapter under Windows Vista.

 Step 1 Turn on the power to your computer

system.

 Step 2 Plug the ExpressCard into an available

ExpressCard slot on the computer.

Figure 7 - Windows Vista "Found new hardware" prompt

you first plug in the Serial
Adapter.

This is the system in which the device is to
be installed.

Windows tells you that it has found new
hardware and launches the Found New
Hardware Wizard.

Rev 1.00 (July 2007) Page 7

Figure 8 - "Windows needs your permission to use this program" prompt

Installing the software B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual

Procedure

Description

 Step 3 When the “welcome to the found new

hardware wizard” appears, select the
“Locate and install driver software
(recommended)” option

 Step 4 When the “Windows needs your

permission to use this program” prompt
appears, select [allow] to continue with
the install ation.

Figure 9 - Windows Vista "Insert the disc that came with your hardware" prompt

Windows will pop-up the next prompt.

Windows will continue to the next step.

 Step 5 Insert the installation CD into your CD-

ROM drive.

 Step 6 Click the Next button Windows searches for drivers for the

This is the CD that shipped with the
product.

adapter.

Page 8 Rev 1.00 (July 2007)

B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual Installing

Step

Procedure

Description

Figure 10 illustrates the
“Windows can’t verify the
publisher of the driver

This prompt will only appear
in the case of a new unsigned

Figure 10 - Windows Vista “Windows can’t verify the publisher of the driver software” prompt

software” prompt.

driver.

 Step 7 In the case of a new unsigned driver, the

“Windows can’t verify the publisher of the
driver software” prompt will appear.
Please click on [Install this driver
software anyway] to continue with the
installation.

 Step 8 The Wizard locates and starts to install

the necessary software.

Windows displays a warning prompt if
the software drivers are not signed with
the Windows logo. New drivers have
been tested at our lab facilities, but may
not yet have received the official logo
from Microsoft.

The “wait while the Wizard installs the
software” prompt displays (fig.11),
followed by the “Finished installing”
prompt (fig.12).

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Step

Procedure

Description

Figure 11 - Windows Vista “Installing driver software” message

Figure 12 - Windows Vista "The software has been successfully installed" prompt

 Step 9 Press the Close button to continue. The ExpressCard Adapter installation is

complete.

Page 10 Rev 1.00 (July 2007)

B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual Installing

Uninstalling under Windows Vista

Follow these steps in the event that you need to uninstall or reinstall
the Serial software.

1. From the Control Panel, select System.

2. Select “Classic view”.

3. Click on Device Manager.

4. When the security prompt appears, click [allow] to continue.

Figure 13 - Device Manager

5. Scroll down to Multi-port serial adapters and expand.

6. Highlight your Serial Adapter; for example, SSPXP-100

ExpressCard RS-232 Serial Adapter.

7. Select the Action menu option.

8. Select Uninstall from the drop down menu.

9. Click OK at the Confirmation screen. Also click the check-box to

remove the driver software. Note that this also removes all the
serial ports associated with your Serial Adapter.

Rev 1.00 (July 2007) Page 11

Making external connections B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual

Note: A DTE device is the
communication source. A DCE

Figure 15 illustrates the RS-

Note: In many applications,
DCEs are unnecessary. This

Making external connections

The Serial Adapters are equipped with male DB-9 connectors for RS­232 and with female DB-9 connectors for RS-422/485. The following
figures and tables show the serial port pinouts for RS-232 and RS­422/485 applications.

RS-232 serial connections

RS-232 devices are classified by their function as either Data
Terminal Equipment (DTE) or Data Communication Equipment
(DCE).

Figure 14 - Use of DTEs and DCEs in a communication link

device provides a communication
channel between two DTE-type
devices.

allows you to use a null modem
cable (modem eliminator cable)
to directly connect two DTE­type devices.

232 pinouts for typical DTE­to-DCE and DTE-to-DTE
cables with 9-pin connectors.

DTE- and DCE-type devices have complementary pinouts that allow
terminals and modems to connect directly using a one-to-one cable as
shown in Figure 15. Two DTE-type devices can be connected by a
null modem cable. A typical null modem cable is also shown in the
figure.

Figure 15 - Cabling requirements for RS-232 devices

Page 12 Rev 1.00 (July 2007)

B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual l Making ex

The Serial Adapters are DTE devices that connect to peripheral
equipment through a male DB-9 connector. The following table lists
the serial port connector definitions.

Figure 16 - RS-232 DB-9 pin designations

Table 2 - RS-232 DB-9 signal definitions

RS-232 signal description DB-9 pin

Data Carrier Detect (DCD) 1

Receive Data (RxD) 2

Transmit Data (TxD) 3

Data Terminal Ready (DTR) 4

Signal Ground 5

Data Set Ready (DSR) 6

Request To Send (RTS) 7

Clear To Send (CTS) 8

Ring Indicate (RI) 9

Rev 1.00 (July 2007) Page 13

Making external connections B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual

Receive Data (RxD+)

4

Auxiliary Output (AuxOut–)

6

Transmit Data (TxD–)

7

Receive Data (RxD–)

8

Auxiliary Input (AuxIn–)

9

Note: Please refer to Setting
Advanced Options in the
section on Using Device
Manager for details on

selectable advanced

RS-422/485 serial connections

The Serial Adapters provide four differential communication signals
(either RS-422 or RS-485) per channel. Transmit Data (TxD) and
Auxiliary Output (AuxOut) are the two output signals. Receive Data
(RxD) and Auxiliary Input (AuxIn) are the two input signals. The

software­options for RS-422/485.

adapters also provide a ground signal.

The AuxOut pair can carry the UART’s RTS signal. The AuxIn pair
can carry the UART’s CTS signal. Alternatively, the AuxOut pair can
be configured to internally loopback to the AuxIn pair, with the
UART’s RTS signal also looped back to its CTS signal. The signals
are available to connect to peripheral devices through a female DB-9
connector. The following table shows the RS-422/485 connector
definitions.

Figure 17 - RS-422/485 DB-9 pin designations

Table 3 - RS-422/485 DB-9 signal definitions

RS-422/485 signal description DB-9 pin

Auxiliary Output (AuxOut+) 1

Transmit Data (TxD+) 2

Signal Ground 3

Auxiliary Input (AuxIn+) 5

Page 14 Rev 1.00 (July 2007)

B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual l Making ex

Step

Procedure

Description

Testing serial ports in HyperTerminal

This section explains how to test the functionality of your Serial
Adapter using HyperTerminal.

An RS-232 loopback connector is included with adapters with a model
number ending in “100”. An RS-422/485 loopback is included with
adapters with a model number ending in “200/300”.

Running Hyperterminal

 Step 1 Attach the loopback connector to the DB-9

connector.

 Step 2 Launch HyperTerminal. In Windows, select Programs/

Be sure to use the correct loopback
connector for RS-232 or RS-422/485.

Accessories/ Communications/
HyperTerminal.

 Step 3 Create a new session. When prompted, give the session any

name you wish.

 Step 4 Select the COM # associated with port 1

from the drop down list.

 Step 5 With the session open, type any text. If the text you type is echoed on the

You are now set up to test the first serial
port.

Note: Leave all settings at default.

screen, the port is functioning properly.

 Step 6 Close the session.
 Step 7 Repeat steps 3 through 6 for each serial

port.

If the text you type is echoed on the
screen, the port is functioning properly.

Rev 1.00 (July 2007) Page 15

Using configuration utilities B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual

Step

Procedure

Description

Step

Procedure

Description

Using Device Manager

This section explains how to use Device Manager to view the
properties of the serial ports enumerated by the Serial Adapter.

Accessing Device Manager

 Step 1 Select Start – Control Panel.
 Step 2 Double click the System icon. The System Properties dialog box opens.
 Step 3 Click the Hardware tab, and then press

the Device Manager button.

Exploring Device Manager screens

Windows XP / Vista

Device Manager provides two property dialogs that apply to the
Serial Adapter.

 Ports (COM & LPT) device group property box
 Multi-port serial adapters device group property box

Use the Ports (COM & LPT) device group property box to view and
set the port settings and to view device usage and driver information
for the serial ports. Use the Multi-port serial adapters device group
property box to view and set the advanced options and to view device
usage and driver information for the Serial Adapter.

Vista Users, please note that aside from some aesthetic changes, the
on-screen displays are virtually identical to the ones shown from XP.

Device Manager lists all the hardware
devices that are registered inside the
Windows registry.

 Step 1 With Device Manager open, expand the

Multi-port serial adapters device group.

 Step 2 Double click the Serial Adapter. The Properties dialog box opens and

Page 16 Rev 1.00 (July 2007)

Your Serial Adapter should appear in
the list – for example, SSPXP-100
ExpressCard Adapter (see fig.6)

displays the General tab.

B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual Using configuration utilities

Step

Procedure

Description

Figure 18 illustrates the
Adapter Properties, General
Tab which tells you whether
the Adapter is working

Figure 18 - Windows XP Device Manager - Adapter properties, General tab

 Step 3 Click the ExpressCard Serial Ports

Rev 1.00 (July 2007) Page 17

Advanced Options tab to view the port
setting properties.

The Advanced Options dialog box
displays.

Using configuration utilities B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual

Figure 19 - Windows XP Device Manager - Adapter properties, Advanced tab

Figure 19 illustrates the
Serial Adapter, Advanced
Options Tab for RS-232
devices.

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B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual Using configuration utilities

Step

Procedure

Description

 Step 4 The ExpressCard Serial Port Advanced

Options Tab allows you to force a clock
multiplier to increase the effective
maximum data rate with some legacy
applications. The clock rate will be
applied to all serial ports on the card

Additional RS-422/485 Advanced Option
Settings are available for each individual

See the Setting advanced options section
for details.

port and will allow you to set the
connector signals selection and the duplex
mode, and receiver control.

 Step 5 Click Cancel to close the property box.
 Step 6 With Device Manager open, expand the

Ports (COM & LPT) device group.

The ports associated with the Serial
Adapter should appear in the list of
ports.

 Step 7 Double click the desired port. The ExpressCard Serial Port Properties

dialog box opens and displays the
General tab.

 Step 8 Click the Port settings tab. The Port Settings dialog box displays.

Rev 1.00 (July 2007) Page 19

Using configuration utilities B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual

Figure 20 - Windows XP Device Manager - Serial Port, General Tab

Figure 20 illustrates the
Serial Port, General Tab,
which tells you whether
the selected port is
working properly.

Page 20 Rev 1.00 (July 2007)

B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual Using configuration utilities

Step

Procedure

Description

Figure 21 illustrates the Serial

Figure 21 - Windows XP Device Manager - Serial Port, Port settings tab

Port, Port Settings Tab.

 Step 9 This Port Settings tab allows you to set

default values for the following:

 Bits per second
 Data bits
 Parity

Most applications do not make use of
these default settings, but prefer to make
their own settings.

See the Setting advanced options section
for details.

 Stop bits

 Flow control

 Step 10 Press the Advanced button. The Advanced Options dialog box opens.

Rev 1.00 (July 2007) Page 21

Using configuration utilities B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual

Step

Procedure

Description

Figure 22 - Windows XP Device manager - Serial Port, Advanced settings box

 Step 11 Use the drop down box to select the port

whose settings you wish to change.

Click OK or Cancel to return to the Port
Settings tab.

 Step 12 Click the Driver tab to view the driver

information and update the driver.

The ExpressCard Serial Driver
properties dialog box displays.

Page 22 Rev 1.00 (July 2007)

B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual Using configuration utilities

Step7,l/.

Procedure

Description

the Device Manager.

Figure 23 illustrates the Serial
Port, Driver Tab, which lets
you view the driver details and
update, roll back, or uninstall

Figure 23 - Windows XP Device Manager - Serial Port, Driver tab

the driver.

 Step 13 You have several options:

 View detailed driver information
 Update the device drivers
 Uninstall your Serial Adapter.
 Return to the previously installed

driver. (XP only)

 Save your changes and exit.
 Abandon your changes and return to

 Step 14 Click the Driver Details button to view

detailed driver information.

See below.

Don’t use this option. Uninstall the
entire device instead by using the Driver
dialog for the multiport serial adapter.

The Driver File Details dialog box opens.
See the following figure.

Rev 1.00 (July 2007) Page 23

Using configuration utilities B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual

Step

Procedure

Description

Figure 24 illustrates the
Driver Details dialog, which
tells you the name and location
of the driver files, the provider,
file version, copyright date,

Figure 24 - Windows XP Device manager - Serial Port, Driver file details box

and the digital signature
status of the driver.

 Step 15 The Driver File Details dialog box

displays the following information

 Provider
 File version

 Copyright
 Digital Signer (Windows XP only)

Click OK to return to the Driver tab.

 Step 16 Click Cancel to close the dialog.

B&B Electronics is the provider of the
driver.

This is the version number of the
installed software.
Copyright date and holder

Indicates whether Microsoft has
approved this version.

Page 24 Rev 1.00 (July 2007)

B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual Using configuration utilities

Setting advanced options

The Serial port advanced properties can be altered from the Device
Manager window. Options for each serial port can be individually
controlled.

Changes are applied:

• To all serial ports when the Serial Adapter is unplugged from

the ExpressCard slot and plugged back in,

OR

• To a single port the next time an application opens the serial

port.

• If an application already has a port open, it must be closed

and re-opened for the changes to take affect.

Operating Mode (RS-422/485 adapters only)

Figure 25 - Windows XP Device Manager - Serial Port, RS-422/485 tab

Rev 1.00 (July 2007) Page 25

Using configuration utilities B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual

Toggle mode is

duplex scenarios. It offers the
best performance and the best

RS-422/485 Full Duplex (4-wire)

This mode allows simultaneous transmit and receive operation.
Transmit and receive data move over separate dedicated pairs of
conductors in the attached cable. Each UART's transmit drivers are
always active in this mode. The AuxOut/AuxIn signals are also
available in 4-wire mode.

RS-422/485 Half Duplex (2-wire) Auto-Toggle

Note: The Auto­the best choice for most half-

This mode only permits data to flow in one direction at a time.
Transmit and receive operations share a single pair of conductors in
the attached cable. This configuration is often referred to as
“multidrop.”

ease-of-use.

The transmit drivers are automatically enabled before data is
transmitted, then disabled immediately after all data has been
transmitted. This feature is implemented in hardware for near­instantaneous response.

RS-422/485 Half Duplex (2-wire) RTS control

The half-duplex operation is the same as in the Auto-Toggle mode,
except that the RTS signal is used to control the transmit drivers
instead of the automatic control.

The software application can disable the port's transmit drivers by
deasserting the UART's RTS output. To allow transmission again, the
software application must assert the RTS output.

RS-422/485 Half Duplex (2-wire) DTR control

This mode operates the same as Half Duplex using RTS, except that
the UART's DTR output is used.

Page 26 Rev 1.00 (July 2007)

B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual Using configuration utilities

Receiver Control (RS-422/485 adapters only)

In RS-422/485 half-duplex operating modes, the serial port’s receivers
can be set to be active all the time or to be active only when the port
is not transmitting. The desired choice is selected from the dropdown
box.

Always (default)

Select this option to force the receivers to be active all the time. This
selection will cause the receiver to hear the echo of whatever the
serial port transmits.

Only when not transmitting

This selection is useful for scenarios where the serial port should not
hear the echo of its own transmissions. The receivers will be disabled
whenever the serial port transmits data.

Connector Set-up : AuxOut/AuxIn (RS-422/485 adapters only)

This setting determines which signals are routed to the AuxIn and
AuxOut pins of the serial port connectors. Regardless of which setting
is chosen, each UART's DTR output is internally looped back to its
own DSR, DCD, and RI inputs.

Loopback (default)

Select this choice when only transmit and receive data signaling is
required.

 Each UART's RTS output is internally looped back to its CTS

input.

 Each port's AuxIn signal pair is looped back to its AuxOut

signal pair at the connector.

Modem Control

Select this choice when hardware flow control is required.

 Each UART's RTS output and CTS input are routed to the

AuxOut and AuxIn signal pairs, respectively.

Clocks

Select this choice when it is necessary to connect together two ports
at different baud rates. In order to properly function, both ports must
support and have the feature enabled.

 Each UART's RTS output and CTS input are looped back

together.

 The UART’s transmit clock (TClk) is fed out to the AuxOut

line.

 The UART’s receive clock (RClk) is fed in from the AuxIn line.

Rev 1.00 (July 2007) Page 27

Using configuration utilities B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual

The device driver is not

Double check the Device Manager per the

modifications will void the

Troubleshooting

Note: Any unauthorized repairs
or
adapter’s warranty.

This section lists some common problems and their causes. If the
information below does not provide a solution, contact B&B
Electronics technical support.

Problem Cause Solution

The Serial Adapter
cannot communicate

 The card is not seated

properly.

1. Check the card to make sure that it is

firmly seated in the card slot.
with other
equipment.



installed.

1.

instructions in Using Device Manager to

ensure that drivers are installed

correctly and that all devices are working

properly.

2. Try uninstalling the ExpressCard

Adapter from the Device Manager

window and then repeat the hardware

installation instructions.

 The ExpressCard port is

faulty.

1. If possible, connect a known good

ExpressCard device to the PC and see if

it operates properly.

Page 28 Rev 1.00 (July 2007)

B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual Appendix

Appendix A

Specifications

Bus interface PCI Express, revision 1.1

Baud rates Up to 921,600 bps.

Factors impacting performance include:

 Hardware flow control
 Horsepower of the host computer
 Quality of and length of cables

 Continuous or “bursty” data

Ports SSPXP-100: 1

DSPXP-100: 2
QSPXP-100: 4
SSPXP-200/300: 1
DSPXP-200/300: 2
QSPXP-200/300: 4

UARTs Custom high-speed UARTs with 1024-byte FIFOs

for both transmit and receive.
Automatic hardware and software flow control.

Transceivers:
SSPXP-100
DSPXP-100
QSPXP-100

Transceivers:
SSPXP-200/300
DSPXP-200/300
QSPXP-200/300

RS-232 Output
Voltage Swing: +/–5V min, +/–5.4V typical
RS-232 Input
Voltage Range: –15V min, +15V max
Input Threshold Low: 0.6V max, 1.0V typical
Input Threshold High: 2.4V min, 1.5V typical

RS-422/485:
Differential Driver Output (50Ω Load): +2V min
+3.3V max
Differential Driver Output (27Ω Load): +1.5V min
+3.3V max
High Input: +2V min
Low Input: +0.8V max
Driver Rise or Fall Time:

5 ns typ, 20.5 ns max
Driver Input to Output Delay:

20 ns min, 40 ns typ, 60ns max
Receiver Input to Output Delay:

40 ns min, 70 ns typ, 100 ns max

Rev 1.00 (July 2007) Page 29

Appendix A B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual

Connectors:

-100

-200/300

Dimensions See drawings

Power Requirements

Temperature: Operating: 0 to 70 C

Humidity 10 to 90%

OS Support Windows XP, Windows Vista

DB-9 Male
DB-9 Female

+3.3v = <1000 mA
+3.3v aux = 0 mA
+1.5v = 0 mA

Storage: –50 to 80 C

Page 30 Rev 1.00 (July 2007)

B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual Appendix

Rev 1.00 (July 2007) Page 31

Appendix A B&B Electronics ExpressCard Serial Adapter User’s Manual

Appendix B

Warranty information

B&B Electronics warrants the SSPXP/DSPXP/QSPXP/-100/200/300 to be free of defects for five (5)
years from the date of purchase. B&B Electronics will repair or replace any board that fails to
perform under normal operating conditions and in accordance with the procedures outlined in this
document during the warranty period. Any damage that results from improper installation,
operation, or general misuse voids all warranty rights. No representation is made regarding the
suitability of this product for any particular purpose.

Please complete the following information and retain for your records.

DATE OF PURCHASE: ____________________________

MODEL NUMBER: SSPXP/DSPXP/QSPXP/-100/200/300

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Serial Adapter

SERIAL NUMBER: ____________________________

All products returned to B&B Electronics for either warranty or non-warranty repair MUST be
assigned a Returned Material Authorization (RMA) number prior to shipment. This RMA number
must be clearly marked on the exterior of the product’s return packaging and in any correspondence
to ensure proper routing and prompt attention. To obtain an RMA number, contact B&B Electronics
Technical Support Department at 1-800-553-1170 or [phone]. In order to prevent damage to
returned merchandise during shipment, please package electronic components in anti-static/shock
proof materials.

For warranty repair/returns, please have the following information available when contacting the
Technical Support department:

1. Model number and serial number of the product under warranty

2. Repair instructions and/or specific description of the problem

For non-warranty repairs or upgrades, contact the Technical Support department for current
repair charges and please have the following information available:

1. Purchase order number to cover the cost of the service

2. Model number and serial number of the product

3. Repair or upgrade instructions relative to the product

Page 32 Rev 1.00 (July 2007)