Comtrol 485 User Manual

Introduction

RocketPort® 485

Hardware Installation

This Hardware Installation document discusses the
following RocketPort 485 serial controllers:

This Hardware Installation document discusses the
following information:

• Product overview

• RocketPort terminology

• Before installing the hardware

Installing the hardware

•

• Supplying power to external devices

• Interface overview

• Interface connectors and building loopback plugs

DB9

-

- DB25

- RJ45

• Setting ISA DIP switches

• Hardware specifications

• FCC notices

• Troubleshooting and creating diagnostics

• Contacting Technical Support

Product Overview

The RocketPort 485 series multiport serial card fits into
the ISA or EISA slot of a personal computer, and uses a 36
MHz processor specifically designed to process
asynchronous serial communications.

The RocketPort 485 series uses Application Specific
Integrated Circuits (ASICs) technology to replace most
hardware components, including:

• The processor

• Serial controller

• Bus interface logic and other miscellaneous logic

To eliminate memory mapping conflicts, the RocketPort
485 series is I/O mapped.

Name Ports Interface Type

Quadcable* 4
8** 8 Requires one 8-port interface box.

Octacable 8

* Quadcables have the capability to be 8-port cards with

an 8-port interface. Most drivers view the 4-port as an
8-port card.

** For interface information, see the RocketPort Interface

Overview discussion later in this Card.

All RocketPort 485 series interface boxes support RS-232.
RocketPort 485 can be configured on Ports 1 and 2 for RS­485 mode and Ports 3 through 8 can be configured to
supply +5V (±2%) at 0.5 amps.

Caution When using the RocketPort 485 with interfaces

other than the DB9 box, do not use the power pin
option. Using this option with Quad- or
Octacable interfaces may produce unacceptable
voltage loss under load.

You can install up to four RocketPort 485 cards in one PC,
for a total of 32 additional serial ports, and you can install
a combination of PCI-bus and ISA-bus RocketPort cards.

For driver installation, see the software installation and

configuration documentation or the driver readme file for

your operating system.

Includes a fanout cable with
standard DB25 or DB9 connectors.

Includes a fanout cable with
standard DB25, DB9, or RJ45
connectors.

RocketPort Terminology

For the purposes of the following discussions, these
products are referred to as “RocketPort ISA” cards:

• RocketPort ISA-bus boards (any interface type
including 4J, 8J, Quadcable, and Octacable)

• RocketPort 485

These products are referred to as “RocketPort PCI” cards:

• RocketPort PCI-bus boards (any interface type
including 4J, Quadcable, and Octacable)

• RocketPort Plus

• RocketPort PCI 422

RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation 1 of 8

Before Installing the Hardware

GND

RS-232 as the factory default.

Installing the RocketPort Hardware

Read this subsection:

• If you already have one or more RocketPort ISA cards
installed in your system.

• If you plan to install a combination of RocketPort ISA
and RocketPort PCI cards at this time.

Installing Both RocketPort ISA and PCI Cards:

You must complete installation of all RocketPort PCI cards
before beginning to install any RocketPort ISA cards.

Explanation:

I/O addressing for RocketPort PCI cards is handled
automatically by the computer’s BIOS when you first
power up the computer after installing the cards.

I/O addresses for RocketPort ISA cards are set manually
using DIP switches on the card. If you install an ISA card
before installing a RocketPort PCI card, the ISA card
addressing may interfere with the computer’s ability to
recognize the RocketPort PCI card which may prevent the
PCI card from functioning properly.

Additional Considerations:

If you are mixing RocketPort ISA and PCI cards, set the
DIP switches on the ISA cards so that the first ISA card
you install is the “first” card for I/O addressing purposes,
even if it is physically the second, third, or fourth card that
you install. See the Setting the DIP Switches discussion for
switch information.

Supplying Power to External Devices

The power connector on the RocketPort 485 card is a
standard hard drive-type power connector. You can use
this connector to provide voltage to peripheral devices on
Ports 3 through 8.

To use the power option, connect the jumpers before
installing the card. See the Installing the RocketPort
Hardware discussion for configuring this feature.

Note: Ports 3 through 8 are equipped with fuses. If an

The pinout for this connector is shown below:

Note: Power can be supplied only through DB9 or DB25

external device draws more than 0.5 amps, the fuse
for that port automatically breaks the circuit. The
fuse remains in the tripped condition until the short
or over current condition is corrected. At this time,
the fuse will reset and the circuit will be ready for
current to be applied again.

1 2 3 4

NC

connectors. It cannot be supplied through RJ45
connectors.

+5V

Hardware installation consists of:

• Configuring I/O addresses

• Configuring RS-485 mode usage on Ports 1 and 2

• Installing the card in the system

• Connecting the peripherals

Note: After installing the hardware, you must install the

Use the following procedure to install the card.

1. If required, change the DIP switches (default is 180

Note: If you are installing PCI and ISA RocketPort cards,

2. To use RS-485 on Ports 1 and 2, move all six pins on

Note: In addition, you must configure the ports for RS-485

3. To use the Power feature for Ports 3 through 8, connect

4. Turn off your computer.

5. Remove the system cover.

6. Select an ISA or EISA expansion slot.

device driver for your operating system.

hexadecimal) on the card to the desired settings. See
the Setting the DIP Switches discussion towards the
end of this Hardware Installation document.

install the PCI cards and driver before installing
and configuring the ISA cards. See the software

installation and configuration documentation or the

driver

the port you want to use RS-485 to the left and center
position. (When all six pins are in the center and right
positions, the port is configured for RS-232.)

Jumpers*
Ports 3 - 8

Power
Connector

DIP Switches

Jumpers

* The Power feature is disabled as the factory default

(jumpers NOT connected).

** Port 1 is labeled Port 0 on the card and Port 2 is

labeled Port 1 on the card. Ports 1 and 2 are set to

operation during the driver installation. For more
information, see the Software Installation and
Configuration documentation or the
the driver.

the jumper for each port.

Caution

readme file for information.

Port 2**

Port 1**

readme file with

When using this card with interfaces other than
the DB9 box, do not use the Power feature. Using
this feature with Quad/Octacable interfaces
may produce unacceptable voltage loss under
load.

RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation 2 of 8

Note: RocketPort 485 can be installed in an ISA or EISA

Caution

Note: The RJ45 cable is not displayed.

slot. They are available on the Comtrol Software and
Documentation CD or at the Comtrol web site ftp://

ftp.comtrol.com/rport/eisa_cfg/directory.

7. Remove the slot cover.

Note: You may want to write down the model number

and serial number of the card before
installation.

8. Insert the card into the slot, seating it securely.

9. If using the Power feature, connect a hard drive-type
power supply cord in your computer to the power
connector on the card.

When enabling the Power feature, Pin 9 (DB9) or
Pin 22 (DB25) carries +5 V (±2%) at 0.5 amp.

RocketPort Interface Overview

The RocketPort series provides several interface options:

• Quadcable and Octacable fanout cables, which are
available with the following configurations:

- Quadcable DB25 and DB9

- Octacable DB25, DB9, and RJ45

Octacable

DB9

10. Reinstall the expansion slot retaining screw.

Note: You may want to leave the system unit cover off until

11. Attach the interface that came with your card using

12. Connect your peripheral devices.

13. Use the software installation and configuration

Note: If installing on an EISA machine, you may need the

the driver is installed and running, in case you need
to experiment with DIP switch settings.

the appropriate procedure:

If installing a Quad/Octacable:

a. Attach the male end of the Quadcable or Octacable

to the card.

b. Tighten the retaining screws.

Note: Quad and Octacable models support RS-232

c. Go to Step 12 to complete the installation.

If installing a standard interface box:

a. Attach the interface box cable to the connector on

a. Attach the male end of the RocketPort cable to the

b. Tighten the retaining screws.

documentation or device driver
the driver to complete your installation.

exclusively.

the RocketPort card mounting bracket.

card and the female end to the connector labeled
Host on the interface box.

readme file to install

EISACFG files. They are available on the Comtrol
Software and Documentation CD or at the Comtrol
web site ftp://ftp.comtrol.com/rport/eisa_cfg/
directory.

Quadcable

DB25

Note: RS-485 supports up to 32 multidrop.

• Interface box

RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation 3 of 8

DB25 Interface Connectors

Pin 14 Pin 25

RS-232 Only (Back View)

RS-485 (Back View)

Pin 6

Pin 9

Use the following subsections for DB25 interface
connectors. The Quad- and Octacable DB25 fanouts use
DB25 male connectors.

Note: Although the RocketPort 485 card supports eight

DB25 Pinouts

The following table and figure illustrates the DB25
connectors:

Depending on jumper configuration, the pins carry the
following values:

* Ports 1 and 2 can be either RS-232 or RS-485, while

ports, if you have a quadcable connected, you will
only have four port available for use.

Pin 1 Pin 13

Pin RS-232 Signal RS-485 Signal

1 Not used Not used
2 TxD TRX+
3 RxD TRX­4 RTS Not used*
5 CTS Not used*
6 DSR Not used*
7 Signal ground Signal ground
8 DCD Not used*

9-19 Not used Not used

20 DTR Not used*
21 Not used Not used
22 See Caution below

23-25 Not used Not used

Ports 3 through 8 are RS-232 only. All RS-232 modem
control signals are present in RS-485 mode, but not
used.

Although the RocketPort 485 is designed to
provide +5V on Ports 3 - 8, do not use the +5V
power option with the Quad/Octacable. Using

Caution

this feature with interfaces other than the DB9
box may result in unacceptable voltage loss.

Building DB25 Female Loopback Plugs or Cables

To perform loopback
testing of DB25 ports in

Pin 13Pin 1

RS-232 mode, obtain or
create a female DB25
connector with the

Pin 25Pin 14

following pins wired
together:

• Pins 2 to 3

• Pins 4 to 5 to 22

• Pins 6 to 8 to 20

Note: (The connector illustrated is the standard DB25F

supplied by Comtrol for use with RS-232/422
interfaces.)

To test DB25 ports in RS-485 mode, obtain two female
DB25 connectors and create the cable shown below:

Pin 2 (TRX+)

Pin 14 Pin 25

Pin 3 (TRX-)

Pin 13Pin 1

Pin 13Pin 1

Pin 14 Pin 25

DB9 Interfaces

The interface box, the Quadcable, and the Octacable all
feature DB9 ports, labeled from 1 to 8,which correspond to
the jumpers on the card.

Note: Although the RocketPort 485 card supports eight

ports, if you have a quadcable connected, you will
only have four port available for use.

DB9 Pinouts

Each connector is a DB9 male, with pins numbered as
shown below:

Pin 1 Pin 5

Depending on jumper configuration, the pins carry the
following values:

Pin RS-232 Signal RS-485 Signal

1 CD Not used*
2 RxD TRX­3 TxD TRX+
4 DTR Not used*
5 Signal ground Signal ground
6 DSR Not used*
7 RTS Not used*
8 CTS Not used*
9 ** **

RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation 4 of 8

* Ports 1 and 2 can be either RS-232 or RS-485, while

Caution

RS-232 (Back View)

RS-485 (Back View)

Caution

RS-232

Ports 3 through 8 are RS-232 only. All RS-232 control
signals are present in RS-485 mode, but not used.

** Ports 3 - 8 can be configured to carry +5V on Pin 9.

Do not use the +5V Power feature with the
Quad/Octacable Using Power feature with
interfaces other than the DB9 box may result in
unacceptable voltage loss.

Building DB9 Female Loopback Plugs or Cables

To perform loopback testing of DB9
ports in RS-232 mode, obtain or

Pin 1

Pin 5

create a female DB9 connector with
the following pins wired together:

Pin 6

Pin 9

• Pins 2 to 3

• Pins 7 to 8 to 9

• Pins 1 to 4 to 6

Note: If you use the +5V Power feature, either remove the

jumper or disconnect the power supply cable before
running the diagnostics. If you do not do so, the
diagnostics fail.

To test DB9 ports in RS-485 mode, obtain two female DB9
connectors and create a cable with the following wiring:

Pin 3 (TRX+)

Pin 2 (TRX-)

Pin 1 Pin 5

Pin 1

Pin 5

Depending on jumper configuration, the pins carry the
following values:

Pin RS-232 Signal RS-485 Signal

1 RTS Not used*
2 DTR Not used*
3 Signal ground Signal ground
4 TxD TRX+
5 RxD TRX­6 DCD Not used*
7 DSR Not used*
8 CTS Not used*

* Ports 1 and 2 can be either RS-232 or RS-485, while

Ports 3 through 8 are RS-232 only. All RS-232 modem
control signals are present in RS-485 mode, but not
used.

While the RocketPort 485 card can be configured
to supply +5V, this voltage is not accessible on
the RJ45 connector. Therefore this option should
not be used with the Octacable RJ45.

Building RJ45 Loopback Plugs or Cables

Pin 6 Pin 9

Pin 6 Pin 9

RJ45 Interfaces

The Octacable RJ45 fanouts use RJ45 connectors.

RJ45 Pinouts

The RocketPort 485 uses RJ45 connectors with the pins
numbered as shown below:

Pin 1

Receptacle

1 8

RJ45 Plug

Top View

Pin 1

Cable

To perform loopback testing of RJ45
ports in RS-232 mode, obtain or
create an RJ45 connector with the
following pins wired together:

• Pins 4 to 5

• Pins 1 to 8

• Pins 2 to 6 to 7

To test RJ45 ports in RS-485 mode,
obtain two RJ45 connectors and
create the cable shown below:

Pin 4 (TRX+)

Pin 5 (TRX-)

1 8

Plug

Top View

Cable

RS-485

1 8

Plug

Top View

Cable

1 8

Plug

Top View

Cable

RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation 5 of 8

Setting the DIP Switches

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8

ON

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8

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8

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8

ON

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8

ON

ON

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8

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8

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8

Specifications

The RocketPort ISA card uses a DIP switch to set the base
I/O address range. The default value is 180 (hex). If you
are installing more than one RocketPort card, or if you
experience an I/O address conflict with another device, use
the DIP switches to change the I/O address.

For example, if you install two RocketPort cards and are
using the default address range:

Sample DIP Switch Settings

1st RocketPort

180 (hex)

2nd RocketPort

(Software address can be

any unused I/O address)

ON

ON

87654321

2nd Card

87654321

1st Card

The following table lists possible DIP switch settings. We
recommend starting with the default settings and making
changes only if the default values produce conflicts.

First ISA Card DIP Switch Settings (see Notes)

100 - 143 hex

200 - 243 hex

300 - 343 hex

ON

140 - 183 hex

ON

240 - 283 hex 280 - 2C3 hex

340 - 383 hex 380 - 3C3 hex

ON

180 - 1C3 hex

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

ON

Notes:

1. If installing a single RocketPort ISA card, set the DIP
switches as shown in the table.

2. If installing two ISA cards, set the DIP switches on the
second card the same as the switches on the first card,
EXCEPT SWITCH 5 OFF.

3. If installing three ISA cards, follow Note 2 for the second
card, then set the DIP switches on the third card the
same as the switches on the first card, EXCEPT
SWITCH 6 OFF.

4. If installing four ISA cards, follow Notes 2 and 3 for the
second and third cards, then set the DIP switches on the
fourth card the same as on the first card, EXCEPT
SWITCHES 5 AND 6 OFF.

The following tables illustrate RocketPort conditions and
specifications.

Environmental Condition Value

Air temperature:

System on
System off

0 to 40

-20 to 85

o

C

o

C

Humidity (non-condensing):

System on
System off

8% to 80%

20% to 80%

Altitude 0 to 10,000 feet

Electromagnetic Compliance Status

Emission:

Canadian EMC requirements
CISPR-22/EN55022 Class A

Yes

FCC PART 15: Class A

Immunity:

EN50082: 801-2 ESD, 801-3 RF,

Yes

801-4 FT

UL Recognized

Yes

RocketPort 485 Card Specification

Baud Rate:

50 to 460.8K bps

Note: Baud rate is dependent upon hardware and

operating system configuration.

Bus interface ISA
Note: EISA files are on the Diagnostics diskette.
Control by device driver:

Data bits
Parity
Stop bits

7 or 8

Odd, Even, None

1 or 2

Current Consumption

(Values do not include

the power supplied to
external devices on

+5V

350 mA 110 mA 160 mA

+12V -12V

Ports 3 through 8.)

Dimensions 6.25” by 4.2”
Heat output 16.6 BTU/Hr
Interfaces:

All models

RS-232

With optional RS-485
feature enabled on

RS-485

Ports 1 and 2

Interrupt (software

selectable)

Mean time between

failures (MTBF)

None, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15

20.5 Years

Power consumption 4.87 W

RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation 6 of 8

RocketPort 485 Card Specification

RocketPort cards/system 4
Surge protection

with standard interface
box

Interface Box

Type

RS-232/485,

8-Port

Provides ESD surge
protection exceeding 10 KV.

Mounting

Dimensions

Overall

Dimensions

3.37” x 2.69” 3.68” x 3.6” x 1.6”

FCC Notices

Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) (FCC 15.105)

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 separation between the equipment and the

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.

Labeling Requirements (FCC 15.19)

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)

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)

This equipment is certified for Class A operation when used with
shielded cables.

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.

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 or download
Note: If you have the Comtrol Software and

Documentation CD, you can use the Quick Start
Card for procedures for your operating system.

Creating a Bootable Diagnostics Diskette

This discussion outlines how to create a bootable
diagnostics diskette. You can use this file
to:

• Download the necessary files.

• Easily find specific procedures for your operating
system to create the bootable diskette.

Diagnostics Overview

After you create a bootable diagnostic 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 cards.

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.

Running the Diagnostics

You can run the diagnostics using one of the following
methods:

• Execute the rocket.exe file on the diskette in a native
DOS environment.

Note: The diagnostic occasionally fails when running in

Windows MS-DOS(R) windows.

• Boot the system from diagnostics diskette you created.

Use the following procedure to run the diagnostics:

1. Restart your machine in DOS mode or insert the
diagnostics diskette.

2. Execute

rocket.exe or start the machine.

The diagnostic starts automatically,

3. Enter the appropriate letter for the base I/O range and
IRQ used for the first card.

them from the ftp site.

on our web site

RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation 7 of 8

Note: Only the first card requires that the I/O address

matches the physical DIP switch setting. For
each subsequent card, select any unused I/O
address available in your system.

4. 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 card:

• Make sure that you have entered the correct I/O base
address and IRQ.

• Select a different unused I/O address (also reset the
DIP switch to the new selection).

• Turn off the power and reseat the card 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

.

Technical Support

Comtrol has a staff of support technicians available to help
you. Before you call, please have the following information
available:

Comtrol Headquarters Europe

Phone [phone] [phone]

FAX [phone] [phone]

Email [e-mail] [e-mail]

Web

support
Web site www.comtrol.com www.comtrol.co.uk
FTP site ftp.comtrol.com

Second Edition, January 10, 2000
Copyright © 1999, 2000 Comtrol Corporation
All Rights Reserved.

RocketPort is a registered trademark of the Comtrol
Corporation. Other product and company names
mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their
respective owners.

Comtrol Corporation makes no representations or
warranties with regard to the contents of this reference
card or to the suitability of any 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.

Searchable Solution Database and FAQs

Item Your System Information

Model number
Serial number
Interface type
I/O address and IRQ
Operating system

type and release
Device driver version
PC make, model, and

speed
List other devices in

the PC and their
addresses

2000048 Rev. B

RocketPort® 485 Hardware Installation 8 of 8