COMM+232.PCI
USER MANUAL
TM
Sealevel Systems, Inc
P.O. Box 830
Liberty, SC 29657 USA
Part # 7202
Phone: (864) 843-4343
FAX: (864) 843-3067
www.sealevel.com
Contents
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................ 1
OVERVIEW......................................................................................1
WHAT’S INCLUDED.........................................................................1
FACTORY DEFAULT SETTINGS ........................................................1
CARD SETUP ............................................................................ 2
ADDRESS AND IRQ SELECTION.......................................................2
CLOCK MODES ...............................................................................2
BAUD RATES AND DIVISORS FOR THE ‘DIV1’ MODE ......................3
INSTALLATION ......................................................................... 4
OPERATING SYSTEM INSTALLATION ...............................................4
For Windows Users.....................................................................4
Other Operating Systems ............................................................4
SYSTEM INSTALLATION ..................................................................4
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION ...................................................... 5
INTERRUPTS....................................................................................5
WHY USE AN ISP? ..........................................................................5
CONNECTOR PIN ASSIGNMENTS......................................................6
RS-232 (DB-9 Male)...................................................................6
SPECIFICATIONS ...................................................................... 7
ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS .................................................7
MANUFACTURING...........................................................................7
POWER CONSUMPTION ...................................................................7
MEAN TIME BETWEEN FAILURES (MTBF) .....................................7
PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS...................................................................7
A
PPENDIX A - TROUBLESHOOTING ........................................ 8
PCI COM: NUMBER SELECTION IN WINDOWS 95/98 .....................9
APPENDIX B - HOW TO GET ASSISTANCE............................ 10
APPENDIX C - ELECTRICAL INTERFACE .............................. 11
RS-232.........................................................................................11
APPENDIX D - ASYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATIONS ............ 12
APPENDIX E - SILK-SCREEN ................................................. 13
APPENDIX F - COMPLIANCE NOTICES .................................. 14
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION STATEMENT...............14
CANADIAN RADIO INTERFERENCE REGULATIONS.........................14
EMC DIRECTIVE STATEMENT ......................................................15
W
ARRANTY............................................................................ 16
Figures
Figure 1 - Clocking Mode 'Divide By 4’...................................................2
Figure 2 - Clocking Mode 'Divide By 1’...................................................3
Figure 3 - Asynchronous Communications Bit Diagram......................12
© Sealevel Systems, Inc.
SL9059 Revision 7/2006
Sealevel Systems, Incorporated. All rights reserved.
Introduction
Introduction
Overview
The Sealevel COMM+232.PCI is a two channel PCI Bus serial I/O adapter for
the PC and compatibles. It provides two RS-232 serial ports supporting data
rates up to 460.8K bps.
The COMM+232.PCI works seamlessly with the standard operating system
serial driver. UART upgrades are available providing 32. 64 and 128 byte
FIFOs.
What’s Included
The COMM+232.PCI is shipped with the following items. If any of these items
are missing or damaged, contact the supplier.
• COMM+232.PCI Serial I/O Adapter
• Sealevel Software
Factory Default Settings
The COMM+232.PCI factory default settings are as follows:
Port # Clock Mode
Port 1 DIV4
Port 2 DIV4
To install the COMM+232.PCI using factory default settings, refer to
Installation on page 4.
For your reference, record installed COMM+232.PCI settings below:
Port # Clock Mode
Port 1
Port 2
Sealevel Systems COMM+232.PCI Page 1
Card Setup
Card Setup
Address and IRQ selection
The COMM+232.PCI is automatically assigned I/O addresses and IRQs by
your motherboard BIOS. Only the I/O address may be modified by the user.
Adding or removing other hardware may change the assignment of I/O addresses
and IRQs.
Clock Modes
The COMM+232.PCI employs a unique clocking option that allows the end
user to select from divide by 4 and divide by 1 clocking modes. These modes are
selected at Headers E1 and E2.
To select the Baud rates commonly associated with COM: ports (i.e. 2400,
4800, 9600, 19.2, … 115.2K Bps ) place the jumper in the divide by 4 mode
(silk-screen DIV4) position.
E1 E2
DIV1
DIV4
Figure 1 - Clocking Mode 'Divide By 4’
Sealevel Systems COMM+232.PCI Page 2
DIV4
DIV1
Card Setup
To select the maximum data rate (460.8K bps) place the jumper in the divide by
1 (silk-screen DIV1) position.
E1 E2
DIV1
DIV4
Figure 2 - Clocking Mode 'Divide By 1’
Baud Rates and Divisors for the ‘DIV1’ mode
The following table shows some common data rates and the rates you should
choose if using the adapter in the ‘DIV1’ mode.
For this Data Rate Choose this Data Rate
1200 bps 300 bps
2400 bps 600 bps
4800 bps 1200 bps
9600 bps 2400 bps
19.2K bps 4800 bps
57.6 K bps 14.4K bps
115.2 K bps 28.8K bps
230.4K bps 57.6 K bps
460.8K bps 115.2 K bps
If your communications package allows the use of Baud rate divisors, choose the
appropriate divisor from the following table:
For this Data Rate Choose this Divisor
1200 bps 384
2400 bps 192
4800 bps 96
9600 bps 48
19.2K bps 24
38.4K bps 12
57.6K bps 8
115.2K bps 4
230.4K bps 2
460.8K bps 1
DIV4
DIV1
Sealevel Systems COMM+232.PCI Page 3
Installation
Installation
Operating System Installation
For Windows Users
Start by choosing Install Software at the beginning of the CD. Choose
Asynchronous COM: Port Software, SeaCOM.
Other Operating Systems
Refer to the appropriate section of the Serial Utilities Software.
System Installation
The COMM+232.PCI can be installed in any of the PCI expansion slots and
contains several jumper straps for each port that must be set for proper
operation.
1. Turn off PC power. Disconnect the power cord.
2. Remove the PC case cover.
3. Locate an available PCI slot and remove the blank metal slot cover.
4. Gently insert the COMM+232.PCI into the slot. Make sure that the adapter
is seated properly.
5. Replace the screw.
6. Replace the cover.
7. Connect the power cord.
Installation is complete.
Sealevel Systems COMM+232.PCI Page 4
Technical Description
Technical Description
The Sealevel Systems COMM+232.PCI provides a PCI interface adapter with 2
asynchronous serial ports providing a versatile interface for modems, printers
and plotters.
The COMM+232.PCI utilizes the 16550 UART. This chip features
programmable baud rates, data format, interrupt control and a 16-byte input and
output FIFO. A full array of advanced UARTS is also available for this card.
Contact Sealevel Systems for more information.
Interrupts
A good description of an interrupt and its importance to the PC can be found in
the book ‘Peter Norton’s Inside the PC, Premier Edition’:
A good analogy of a PC interrupt would be the phone ringing. The phone ‘bell’
is a request for us to stop what we are currently doing and take up another task
(speak to the person on the other end of the line). This is the same process the
PC uses to alert the CPU that a task must be preformed. The CPU upon receiving
an interrupt makes a record of what the processor was doing at the time and
stores this information on the ‘stack’; this allows the processor to resume its
predefined duties after the interrupt is handled, exactly where it left off. Every
main sub-system in the PC has it’s own interrupt, frequently called an IRQ (short
for Interrupt ReQuest).
In these early days of PC’s Sealevel Systems decided that the ability to share
IRQs was an important feature for any add-in I/O card. Consider that in the IBM
XT the available IRQs were IRQ0 through IRQ7. Of these interrupts only IRQ25 and IRQ7 were actually available for use. This made the IRQ a very valuable
system resource. To make the maximum use of these system resources Sealevel
Systems devised an IRQ sharing circuit that allowed more than one port to use a
selected IRQ. This worked fine as a hardware solution but presented the software
designer with a challenge to identify the source of the interrupt. The software
designer frequently used a technique referred to as ‘round robin polling’. This
method required the interrupt service routine to ‘poll’ or interrogate each UART
as to its interrupt pending status. This method of polling was sufficient for use
with slower speed communications, but as modems increased their throughput
abilities this method of servicing shared IRQs became inefficient.
Why use an ISP?
The answer to the polling inefficiency is the Interrupt Status Port (ISP). The ISP
is a read only 8-bit register that sets a corresponding bit when an interrupt is
pending. Port 1 interrupt line corresponds with Bit D0 of the status port, Port 2
with D1 etc. The use of this port means that the software designer now only has
to poll a single port to determine if an interrupt is pending.
Sealevel Systems COMM+232.PCI Page 5
Technical Description
The ISP is at Base+7 on each port (Example: Base = 280 Hex, Status Port = 287,
28F… etc.). The COMM+232.PCI will allow any one of the available locations
to be read to obtain the value in the status register. Both status ports on the
COMM+232.PCI are identical, so any one can be read.
Example: This indicates that Channel 2 has an interrupt pending.
Bit Position: 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Value Read: X X X X X X
Note: Bit positions D7-D2 are not biased in anyway and may report back as
either a 1 or a 0. When checking the ISP, these bits should be masked.
0
1
Connector Pin Assignments
RS-232 (DB-9 Male)
Name Pin # Mode
TD Transmit Data 3 Output
RTS Request To Send 7 Output
DTR Data Term Ready 4 Output
GND Ground 5
RD Receive Data 2 Input
DCD Data Carrier Detect 1 Input
DSR Data Set Ready 6 Input
CTS Clear To Send 8 Input
RI Ring Indicator 9 Input
Note: These assignments meet EIA/TIA/ANSI-574 DTE for DB-9 type
connectors.
Sealevel Systems COMM+232.PCI Page 6
Specifications
Specifications
Environmental Specifications
Specification Operating Storage
Temperature
Range
Humidity Range
0º to 50º C
(32º to 122º F)
10 to 90% R.H.
Non-Condensing
Manufacturing
All Sealevel Systems Printed Circuit boards are built to U. L. 94V0 rating and
are 100% electrically tested. These printed circuit boards are solder mask over
bare copper or solder mask over tin nickel.
Power Consumption
-20º to 70º C
(-4º to 158º F)
10 to 90% R.H.
Non-Condensing
Supply line
Rating
+12VDC -12VDC +5 VDC
50 mA 50 mA 480 mA
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
Greater than 150,000 hours. (Calculated)
Physical Dimensions
Board length 5.0 inches (12.7 cm)
Board Height including Goldfingers 3.5 inches (8.89 cm)
Board Height excluding Goldfingers 3.175 inches (8.07 cm)
Sealevel Systems COMM+232.PCI Page 7
Error! Reference source not found.
Appendix A - Troubleshooting
Serial Utility test software is supplied with the Sealevel Systems adapter and will
be used in the troubleshooting procedures. By using this software and following
these simple steps, most common problems can be eliminated without the need
to call Technical Support.
1. Identify all I/O adapters currently installed in your system. This includes
your on-board serial ports, controller cards, sound cards etc. The I/O
addresses used by these adapters, as well as the IRQ (if any) should be
identified.
2. Configure your Sealevel Systems adapter so that there is no conflict with
currently installed adapters. No two adapters can occupy the same I/O
address.
3. Make sure the Sealevel Systems adapter is securely installed in a
motherboard slot.
4. When running DOS, Windows 3.x or other operating systems refer to the
Serial Utilities software for that operating system and the User Manual to
verify that the Sealevel Systems adapter is configured correctly. The
supplied software contains a diagnostic program 'SSD' that runs under DOS
and will verify if an adapter is configured properly. This diagnostic program
is written with the user in mind and is easy to use. Refer to the DIAG.txt file
in the dos\diag directory for detailed instructions on using 'SSD'.
5. For Windows 95/98 and Windows NT, the diagnostic tool 'WinSSD' is
installed in the Sealevel folder on the Start Menu during the setup process.
First find the ports using the Device Manager, then use 'WinSSD' to verify
that the ports are functional.
6. Always use the Sealevel Systems diagnostic software when troubleshooting
a problem. This will help eliminate any software issues and identify any
hardware conflicts.
Sealevel Systems COMM+232.PCI Page 8
Error! Reference source not found.
PCI COM: Number Selection in Windows 95/98
When installing a multi-port PCI card in Windows 95 the default starting COM:
number assigned to the first port will be COM:5 if no COM:5 exists. If there is a
COM: 5, 6, etc., the next available COM: number will be assigned to the first
port with all additional ports following in ascending order.
To change the first two ports so that Windows assigns them COM: 3 and COM:
4 port enumeration double click the Systems icon in control panel or right click
on My Computer and choose properties which will bring you to System
Properties. Choose the Device Manager tab and double click on the MultiFunction Adapter heading. This will show all the information concerning the
Sealevel adapter. Choose the Resources tab, which will show all resources
assigned to the multi-function adapter. Uncheck the Use Automatic Settings box.
Notice that with a two port card there will be three input/output, (I/O), ranges
listed. With a four port card there will be five input/output, (I/O), ranges listed.
The first I/O range is for the PCI bus and should not be changed. The second and
third I/O ranges are the ones that need to be changed in order to have those ports
enumerated as COM: 3 and COM: 4. Double click on the second I/O range
which will allow you to change the address. Highlight the entire I/O range and
type: 03e8–03ef for COM: 3. Click OK. Windows will inform you that you have
made modifications that may affect other devices. Click OK. Next double click
on the third I/O range. Highlight the entire I/O range and type: 02e8–02ef for
COM: 4. Again Windows will inform you that you have made modifications
that may affect other devices. Click OK.
Following these steps will change the COM: number assignments on the first two
ports to
COM: 3 and 4.
Sealevel Systems COMM+232.PCI Page 9
Appendix B - How To Get Assistance
Appendix B - How To Get Assistance
Please refer to Appendix A – Troubleshooting prior to calling Technical
Support.
1. Read this manual thoroughly before attempting to install the
adapter in your system.
2. When calling for technical assistance, please have your user
manual and current adapter settings. If possible, please have the
adapter installed in a computer ready to run diagnostics.
3. Sealevel Systems maintains a Home page on the Internet. Our
home page address is www.sealevel.com
updates, and newest manuals are available via our FTP site that can
be accessed from our home page.
4. Technical support is available Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. eastern time. Technical support can be reached at (864)
843-4343.
RETURN AUTHORIZATION MUST BE OBTAINED FROM SEALEVEL
SYSTEMS BEFORE RETURNED MERCHANDISE WILL BE
ACCEPTED. AUTHORIZATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING
SEALEVEL SYSTEMS AND REQUESTING A RETURN
MERCHANDISE AUTHORIZATION (RMA) NUMBER.
. The latest software
Sealevel Systems COMM+232.PCI Page 10
Appendix C – Electrical Interface
Appendix C - Electrical Interface
RS-232
Quite possibly the most widely used communication standard is RS-232. This
implementation has been defined and revised several times and is often referred
to as RS-232 or EIA/TIA-232. The IBM PC computer defined the RS-232 port
on a 9 pin D sub connector and subsequently the EIA/TIA approved this
implementation as the EIA/TIA-574 standard. This standard is defined as the
9-Position Non-Synchronous Interface between Data Terminal Equipment and
Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment Employing Serial Binary Data
Interchange. Both implementations are in wide spread use and will be referred to
as RS-232 in this document. RS-232 is capable of operating at data rates up to
20 Kbps at distances less than 50 ft. The absolute maximum data rate may vary
due to line conditions and cable lengths. RS-232 is a single ended or unbalanced
interface, meaning that a single electrical signal is compared to a common signal
(ground) to determine binary logic states. The RS-232 and the EIA/TIA-574
specification define two types of interface circuits, Data Terminal Equipment
(DTE) and Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment (DCE). The COMM+232.PCI
is a DTE device.
Sealevel Systems COMM+232.PCI Page 11
Appendix D - Asynchronous Communications
r
Appendix D - Asynchronous Communications
Serial data communications implies that individual bits of a character are
transmitted consecutively to a receiver that assembles the bits back into a
character. Data rate, error checking, handshaking, and character framing
(start/stop bits) are pre-defined and must correspond at both the transmitting and
receiving ends.
Asynchronous communications is the standard means of serial data
communication for PC compatibles and PS/2 computers. The original PC was
equipped with a communication or COM: port that was designed around an 8250
Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART). This device allows
asynchronous serial data to be transferred through a simple and straightforward
programming interface. A start bit, followed by a pre-defined number of data bits
(5, 6, 7, or 8) defines character boundaries for asynchronous communications.
The end of the character is defined by the transmission of a pre-defined number
of stop bits (usually 1, 1.5 or 2). An extra bit used for error detection is often
appended before the stop bits.
Idle state of
line
1
0
5 to 8 Data Bits
Figure 3 - Asynchronous Communications Bit Diagram
Odd, Even
or
Unused
P
BIT
STOP
Remain Idle o
next start bit
1
1.5
2
This special bit is called the parity bit. Parity is a simple method of determining
if a data bit has been lost or corrupted during transmission. There are several
methods for implementing a parity check to guard against data corruption.
Common methods are called (E)ven Parity or (O)dd Parity. Sometimes parity is
not used to detect errors on the data stream. This is refereed to as (N)o parity.
Because each bit in asynchronous communications is sent consecutively, it is
easy to generalize asynchronous communications by stating that each character is
wrapped (framed) by pre-defined bits to mark the beginning and end of the serial
transmission of the character. The data rate and communication parameters for
asynchronous communications have to be the same at both the transmitting and
receiving ends. The communication parameters are baud rate, parity,
number of data bits per character, and stop bits (i.e. 9600,N,8,1).
Sealevel Systems COMM+232.PCI Page 12
Appendix E - Silk-Screen
Appendix E - Silk-Screen
3.5"
5.0"
3.175"
Sealevel Systems COMM+232.PCI Page 13
Appendix F - Compliance Notices
Appendix F - Compliance Notices
Federal Communications Commission Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a residential installation. 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 to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
• Connect the equipment into 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
Caution
Sealevel Systems, Inc. is not responsible for any radio or television interference
caused by unauthorized modifications of this equipment or the substitution of
attachment of connecting cables and equipment other than those specified by
Sealevel Systems. Such unauthorized modifications, substitutions, or attachments
may void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. The correction of
interference caused by such unauthorized modifications, substitutions, or
attachments will be the responsibility of the user.
Always use cabling provided with this product if possible. If no cable is
provided or if an alternate cable is required, use high quality shielded cabling to
maintain compliance with FCC directives.
Canadian Radio Interference Regulations
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet Appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences de
Règlement sur le matériel du Canada
Sealevel Systems COMM+232.PCI Page 14
Appendix F - Compliance Notices
EMC Directive Statement
Products bearing the CE Label fulfill the requirements of
the EMC directive (89/336/EEC) and of the low-voltage
directive (73/23/EEC) issued by the European Commission.
To obey these directives, the following European standards
must be met:
EN55022 Class B - ‘Limits and methods of measurement of radio
EN60950 (IEC950) - ‘Safety of information technology
equipment, including electrical business equipment’
Always use cabling provided with this product if possible. If no cable is
provided or if an alternate cable is required, use high quality shielded cabling to
maintain compliance with EMC directives.
interference characteristics of information technology equipment’
EN55024-‘Information technology equipment Immunity
characteristics Limits and methods of measurement.
Sealevel Systems COMM+232.PCI Page 15
Warranty
Warranty
Sealevel Systems, Inc. provides a lifetime warranty for
this product. Should this product fail to be in good
working order at any time during this period, Sealevel
Systems will, at it's option, replace or repair it at no
additional charge except as set forth in the following
terms. This warranty does not apply to products damaged by misuse,
modifications, accident or disaster.
Sealevel Systems assumes no liability for any damages, lost profits, lost savings
or any other incidental or consequential damage resulting from the use, misuse
of, or inability to use this product. Sealevel Systems will not be liable for any
claim made by any other related party.
RETURN AUTHORIZATION MUST BE OBTAINED FROM SEALEVEL
SYSTEMS BEFORE RETURNED MERCHANDISE WILL BE
ACCEPTED. AUTHORIZATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING
SEALEVEL SYSTEMS AND REQUESTING A RETURN
MERCHANDISE AUTHORIZATION (RMA) NUMBER.
Sealevel Systems, Incorporated
2779 Greenville Highway
P.O. Box 830
Liberty, SC 29657 USA
(864) 843-4343 FAX: (864) 843-3067
www.sealevel.com
email: support@sealevel.com
Technical Support is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.
Monday - Friday
Trademarks
Sealevel Systems, Incorporated acknowledges that all trademarks referenced in
this manual are the service mark, trademark, or registered trademark of the
respective company.
COMM+232.PCI is a trademark of Sealevel Systems, Incorporated.
Sealevel Systems COMM+232.PCI Page 16
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