Comtrol RPUSBSH User Manual

outside negative.

RocketPort™ USB Serial Hub

(RPUSBSH)

Hardware Documentation

Product Overview

The RocketPort USB Serial Hub (RPUSBSH)
connects to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port on a
PC and provides up to four ports serial interface
connections. The RPUSBSH series includes two
models:

• RS-232

• RS-422
RocketPort USB Serial Hub series supports the

following features:

• Four independent high-speed serial interfaces
(RS-232 or RS-422, depending upon model)

• Speeds up to 115.2 Kbps

• 128-byte FIFO, which relieves the CPU of
excessive interrupts

• The serial ports appear as COM ports that
support all standard RS-232 or RS-422 devices

• “Plug-and-Play” and “Hot Plug” capability

• Bus powered

• Compatible with USB specification 1.0/1.1

• Windows 98 compatible

The RocketPort USB Serial Hub series uses an
internally generated 48 MHz controller specifically
designed for a USB port to operate four serial port
communications ports. With the USB standard of
high-speed data transfers, this device is ideal for
connections to high-speed modems or ISDN terminal
adapters. This device and its software enable the
USB interface to be transparent to the peripheral
and requires no firmware changes. This makes it
possible for serial peripherals to easily interface with
a USB port. This feature is ideal for legacy
applications.

Installing the Hardware

Hardware installation is discussed in the Software

Installation document.

Using the Optional Power Supply
Feature

Use the optional power supply feature if you are
connecting to a USB hub with cables longer than the
5 meters, which is specified in the USB specification.
If connecting to a USB hub (not a PC USB port), the
USB hub must be self-powered (external power
supply).

If you want to connect a third­party power supply to the
RocketPort USB Serial Hub, it
must be a UL Listed Direct

Plug-In Power Unit identified
as Class 2 and rated 5V DC +/-

10% and 1 A +/- 20%. Polarity is illustrated in this
figure and marked on the back of the unit above the
connector.

Note: Failure to use the correct power supply may

damage the unit and void the warranty.

- +

.

o

Inside positive,

LED Description

The Power light (amber) on the front of the unit
indicates that there is power coming into the unit.

Note: This does not signify that the unit is working

properly. Use WCOM32 supplied with the
driver to diagnose possible problems with the
unit.

Building Cables

Use the following table for pinout information for the
DB9 serial port connectors on the RocketPort USB
Serial Hub.

Pin

Number

1 DCD Not used
2 RxD RxD­3 TxD TxD­4 DTR Not used
5 GND GND
6 DSR Not used
7 RTS TxD+
8 CTS RxD+
9 RI Not used

RS-232

Signals

RS-422

Signals

Building Additional Loopback Plugs

Loopback connectors are DB9 female serial port
plugs with pins wired together as shown, and are
used with WCOM to test serial ports. The RPUSBSH
is shipped with a single loopback plug. This
information can help you build additional plugs or
replace a missing loopback.

Product Overview 1 of 3

Wire the following pins

(Back View)

together for an RS-232/422
loopback plug.

• Pins 1 to 4 to 6

Pin 1

Pin 6

RS-232 Only

Pin 5

Pin 9

• Pins 2 to 3

• Pins 7 to 8 to 9

Operating Conditions

The following tables illustrate RocketPort USB
Serial Hub conditions and specifications.

Environmental

Condition

Air temperature:

System on
System off

Humidity (non-condensing):

System on
System off

Altitude 0 to 10,000 feet

Electromagnetic Compliance Status

Emission:

Canadian EMC requirements
CISPR-22/EN55022 Class A
FCC PART 15, Subpart J: Class A

Immunity:

EN50082: 801-2 ESD, 801-3 RF,
801-4 FT

UL Recognized Yes

Topic

Baud rate 115 Kbps
Bus interface USB
Control by device driver:

Data bits
Parity
Stop bits

Current consumption:

RS-232

RS-422
Dimensions 3” x 4.375” x 1.75”
Mean time between failure 70.2 years
Number of serial ports 4
Optional power supply

5V DC +/- 10% and

(max)
Output (voltage swing):

RS-232

RS-422

+5V min, +7.5V typical

+2.5 min, Max = VCC
Power consumption < 1 W
Surge protection 10 KV ESD
Weight 6.5oz

Value

0 to 40

-20 to 85

o

C

o

C

8% to 80%

20% to 80%

Yes

Yes

Hardware

Specification

7 or 8

Odd, Even, None

1 or 2

125 mA +/- 20%
136 mA +/- 20%

1 A

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.

Technical Support

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

• Model number

• Serial number

• Type of USB hub (if appropriate)

• Operating system type and release

• Device driver version

• PC make, model, and speed

Comtrol Headquarters Europe

Phone [phone] [phone]
FAX [phone] [phone]
Email
web site
ftp site

[e-mail] [e-mail]
www.comtrol.com www.comtrol.co.uk

ftp.comtrol.com

Operating Conditions 2 of 3

First Edition, January 24, 2000
Copyright © 1999 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.

Document Number: 2000113 Rev A

Technical Support 3 of 3