Product Overview
16-Port
Hardware Installation
This document discusses installing the RocketPort CompactPCI 16-port serial
controller and the DB25 connector interface box or the RM16-RJ45 Rack Mount
interface box.
Note: For interface information, see RocketPort Interfaces
The document also provides product specifications and agency notices.
The RocketPort CompactPCI 16 adapter meets the PCI Industrial Computers
Manufacturers Group (PICMG) 2.0, Revision 3.0, CompactPCI Specification. The
RocketPort CompactPCI 16 supports operation in PCI buses with either 5 volt or
3.3 volt bus interface signaling. The RocketPort CompactPCI uses a 36 MHz
processor that is specifically designed to process asynchronous serial
communications.
on Page 3.
The RocketPort CompactPCI uses Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs)
technology to replace most hardware components, including the processor and the
serial controller. You can install up to four RocketPort CompactPCI boards in one
PC, for a total of 64 additional serial ports.
Locating Drivers and Software Documentation
Hardware Installation 1
You can download the latest drivers and software installation documents from the
web site at http://support.comtrol.com/
download.asp.
Installing the RocketPort Hardware
Hardware installation consists of installing the board in the host system and
connecting the interface box.
Note: After installing the hardware, you must install the device driver for your
operating system.
Card Installation Use the following procedure to install the board.
1. Turn off your computer and remove the CompactPCI expansion slot front
panel cover.
Note: You may want to write down the model number and serial number of
the board before installation.
2. Insert the board into the slot, seating it securely.
3. Lift the front panel handle to lock the board into place.
4. Fasten the expansion slot retaining screws.
5. Attach the interface that came with your board using the appropriate
procedure.
• Installing a Standard Interface Box (below)
• Installing a Rack Mount Interface Box
on Page 3
Installing the RocketPort Hardware
Installing a Standard Interface Box
1. Attach the male end of the RocketPort cable to the board and the female end to
the connector labeled Host on the interface box.
Note: The male DB25 port labeled Host is reserved for connection to the
RocketPort controller and no user accessible signals are present at this
port.
2. Tighten the connector retaining screws.
3. If applicable, use the slide switches on the interface box to set each port to
either RS-232 or RS-422.
4. Use the software installation and configuration document for your operating
system, with the driver to complete your installation.
For the latest software and documentation, go to http://support.comtrol.com/
download.asp.
Note: After installing the hardware, you must install the device driver for your
operating system.
5. Verify that the ports are functioning properly and connect your peripheral
devices.
Hardware Installation 2
Installing a Rack Mount Interface Box
Installing a Rack
Mount Interface Box
The RM16-RJ45 design allows you to stack several units on a shelf, or you can
mount it directly into a rack.
1. Place the unit on a stable
surface, or attach the L
brackets to the interface
using the screws supplied
with the unit, and attach the L bracket into your rack.
Note: You can mount the unit
facing in either direction.
2. Attach the 3-foot cable or the 3foot and the 10-foot cables
together between the interface
and the board.
Note: The cables are interchangeable. You may connect either or both cables
depending upon the distance between the board and the rack. The
maximum distance permitted between the interface box and board is 15
feet.
3. Use the software installation and configuration document for your operating
system, with the driver to complete your installation.
For the latest software and documentation, go to http://support.comtrol.com/
download.asp.
Note: After installing the hardware, you must install the device driver for your
operating system.
4. Verify that the ports are functioning properly and connect your peripheral
devices.
RocketPort Interfaces
The RocketPort CompactPCI 16-port provides several interface options:
• Rack Mount models are available with RJ45 connectors (back panels shown).
• Standard interface boxes are available in several
- 16-Port RS-232 (with red
LEDs)
- 16-Port RS-422 (with red
LEDs)
- 16-Port RS-232 with
integrated status LEDs. The
yellow LEDs show receiving
activity. The green LEDs
show transmitting activity.
configurations:
- RS-232 mode-only or switch-selectable RS-232/
422; both models have female DB25 connectors.
- Surge interface box with enhanced surge
protection that is switch-selectable RS-232/422
with male DB25 connectors.
Note: RS-422 supports up to 10 multidrop devices.
Hardware Installation 3
DB25 Interfaces
DB25 Interfaces Use the following information for DB25 connectors.
Standard interface boxes use female connectors, while the
Surge interface boxes use male connectors.
This table shows connector information for connectors.
Pin
RS-232 Signal RS-422 Signal
1 Not used Not used
2 TxD Not used*
3 RxD Not used*
4 RTS Not used*
5 CTS Not used*
6 DSR Not used*
7 Signal ground Signal ground*
8 DCD Not used*
9 to 14 Not used Not used
15 Not used RxD+
16 Not used Not used
17 Not used RxD18 Not used Not used
19 Not used TxD+
20 DTR Not used*
21-24 Not used Not used
25 Not used TxD-
DB25 Female
Pin 13 Pin 1
Pin 25 Pin 14
DB25 Male
Pin 1 Pin 13
Pin 14 Pin 25
Building DB25 Female Loopback Plugs
Building DB25 Male Loopback Plugs
* All RS-232 signals are present in RS-422 mode.
Loopback plugs are used with the diagnostics to test serial ports.
Wire the following pins together for an RS-422
loopback plug (Surge interface box).
• Pins 15 to 19
• Pins 17 to 25
RS-422 Only (Back View)
Loopback plugs are used with the diagnostics to test
serial ports.
Pin 13 Pin 1
This loopback plug is used with the standard 8- and
16-port DB25 interface boxes.
•Pins 2 to 3
RS-232 Only (Back View)
• Pins 4 to 5 to 22
• Pins 6 to 8 to 20
Wire the following pins together for an RS-422
loopback plug.
• Pins 15 to 19
• Pins 17 to 25
Pin 25 Pin 14
RS-422 Only (Back View)
Pin 13Pin 1
Pin 25Pin 14
Pin 14Pin 25
Pin 1Pin 13
Hardware Installation 4
RJ45 Interfaces The Rack Mount interface boxes are available with RJ45 connectors.
RJ45 Interfaces
RJ45 Pinouts Use the following table and figures for pinout
information on the
RJ connectors used on the
Rack Mount interface boxes.
Pin RS-232 RS-422
1 RTS TxD+
2DTR Not used
3GND
Tied to ground on the card,
but it is not used in the cable.
4 TxD TxD-
5RxD RxD-
6DCD Not used
7DSR Not used
8CTS RxD+
Building RJ45 Loopback Plugs
Loopback plugs are used with the diagnostics to test serial
ports. This RJ45 loopback is used with the Rack Mount
interfaces.
•Pins 4 to 5
•Pins 1 to 8
• Pins 2 to 6 to 7
Pin 1
RJ45
Pin 8
Receptacle
Pin 1
18
Plug
Top View
Cable
Specifications
The following tables illustrate RocketPort CompactPCI conditions and
specifications.
Environmental Condition Value
Air temperature:
System on
System off
0 to 50
°c
-20 to 85°c
Humidity (non-condensing):
System on
System off
8% to 80%
20% to 80%
Altitude 0 to 10,000 feet
Hardware Installation 5
Electromagnetic Compliance Status
Emission:
Canadian EMC requirements ICES-003
CISPR-22/EN55022 Class A
FCC Part 15: Class A
Immunity:
EMC Directive 89/336/EEC
EN55024:
IEC 1000-4-2 Electro Static Discharge
IEC 1000-4-3 Radiant Electromagnetic Fields
IEC 1000-4-4 Fast Transient Burst
IEC 1000-4-5 Surge Transients
IEC 1000-4-6 Conducted Disturbance
IEC 1000-4-8 Power Frequency Magnetic Field
IEC 1000-4-11 Voltage Dips, Interruptions and Variations
EN60950; UL & CUL recognized. Yes
RocketPort CompactPCI Specification
Specifications
Yes
Yes
Baud rate 50 to 230.4K baud
Bus interface CompactPCI
Control by device driver:
Data bits
Parity
Stop bits
Current consumption
+5V
+12V -12V +3.3V
330 mA 220 mA 320 mA 340 mA
7 or 8
Odd, Even, None
1 or 2
Dimensions 100 mm x 160 mm
Heat output 32 BTU/HR
Serial ports/expansion slot 16
Interfaces (depending upon
model)
Mean time between failures
(MTBF)
RS-232 and/or RS-422
40.6 years
RocketPort boards/system 4
Surge protection:
Standard and rack mount
interface boxes
Surge interface box
Provides ESD surge protection for a minimum
of 10KV @ 200A for a duration of 1ns.
Provides ESD surge protection for a minimum
of 25KV @ 200A for a duration of 1ns.
Weight (board, only) 5.5 oz.
Hardware Installation 6
FCC Notices
Standard Interface Box Type
Mounting
Dimensions
Overall
Dimensions
RS-232 only: 16-Port 3.0” x 6.17” 5.8” x 8.5” x 0.65”
RS-422: 16-Port (Rack Mount
with red LEDs)
RS-232: 16-Port (Rack Mount
with integrated yellow and
green LEDs)
19” x 8.0” x 1.74”
(with brackets)
19” x 8.0” x 1.74”
(with brackets)
17.25” x 8.0” x 1.74”
(without brackets)
17.25” x 8.0” x 1.74”
(without brackets)
RS-232/422: 16-Port (All models) 3.0” x 6.48” 5.8” x 8.5” x 0.65”
Surge Interface Box Operating
Specifications
Limit
Maximum surge current (8x20uS) 100 amps (total)
Capacitance <350pf
Clamping voltage 30 volts
Clamping response time <5 nanoseconds
Transient energy (10/1000 MS) 300 mJ
Inductance <1.5 nh
ESD withstand (surge-protection) 25KV
FCC Notices
Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) (FCC 15.105)
Labeling
Requirements (FCC
15.19)
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class A
digital devices pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
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. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try and
correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the distance between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
This equipment complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
• This device may not cause harmful interference, and
• This device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
Modifications (FCC
15.21)
Hardware Installation 7
Changes or modifications to this equipment not expressly approved by Comtrol
Corporation may void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.
Serial Cables (FCC 15.27)
Serial Cables (FCC
This equipment is certified for Class A operation when used with shielded cables.
15.27)
Troubleshooting and Running Diagnostics
The first step to troubleshooting a problem is to determine that your RocketPort is
functioning properly. To do so, you can create a bootable diskette.
Creating a Bootable Diskette
Diagnostics Overview
You need two files to create a bootable floppy diagnostic diskette:
•The Rawrite utility that creates a bootable diagnostics diskette
• The diskette image file (*.i).
You can find both files on the Comtrol Software and Documentation CD
(/RPort/Diag/BOOT) or from ftp://ftp.comtrol.com/RPort
This discussion outlines how to create a bootable diagnostics diskette. You can use
our Web site http://support.comtrol.com/bootdiag.asp
• Download the necessary files (Rawrite and diskette image file).
• Easily find specific procedures for your operating system to create the bootable
diskette.
After you create a bootable diskette, you can use the diagnostic program to:
• Confirm that the hardware is functioning.
• Determine resolutions to conflicts during installation.
• Provide you with the ability to stress test the boards.
For example, you may want to run the diagnostics overnight to evaluate a possible
problem. You will need loopback plugs for each port that you want to stress test. If
you need additional loopback plugs, you can use the appropriate Building
Loopback Plugs discussion in this document to build additional loopback plugs.
/Diag/BOOT/.
to:
Running the Diagnostics
Use the following procedure to run the diagnostics:
1. Turn off your machine.
2. Insert the diskette that you created inserted.
3. Start the machine (the diagnostic starts automatically).
4. Verify that the system locates the RocketPort CompactPCI board.
5. Follow the remainder of the on-line instructions.
If the diagnostics did not pass you may want to use the following discussion to
diagnose your problem.
Resolving Failures If the diagnostics could not find the board:
• Turn off the power and reseat the board into the slot.
• Check for proper cable connections.
• Check for proper installation of the loopback plug.
Try running the diagnostics again. If they fail again, you may have a bad port,
contact Technical Support.
Hardware Installation 8
Contact Center (Technical Support)
Comtrol Contact Center has a staff of support technicians available to help you.
Before you call, please have the following information available:
Model number
Serial number
Interface type
Operating system type and release
Device driver version
PC make, model, and speed
List other devices in the PC and
their addresses
Comtrol Headquarters Europe
Phone (763) 494-4100 +44 (0)1869 323220
FAX (763) 494-4199 +44 (0)1869 323211
E-mail support@comtrol.com
Online support http://support.comtrol.com/support.asp/
Downloads http://www.support.comtrol.com/download.asp
Web site www.comtrol.com www.comtrol.co.uk
FTP site ftp.comtrol.com
Contact Center (Technical Support)
Item Your System Information
support@comtrol.co.uk
Trademark Notices
Comtrol and RocketPort are trademarks of Comtrol Corporation.
Other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered
trademarks of their respective owners.
Second Edition, November 6, 2003
Copyright © 2003. Comtrol Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
Comtrol Corporation makes no representations or warranties with regard to the
contents of this document or to the suitability of the Comtrol product for any
particular purpose. Specifications subject to change without notice. Some software
or features may not be available at the time of publication. Contact your reseller
for current product information.
Document Number: 2000301 Rev. B
Hardware Installation 9
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