Multi-Tech Systems ISI551PC User Manual

Multi

Tech

Systems



Intelligent Serial Interface (ISI)

Model ISI551PC Card

Owner's Manual

82031702

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply

with the limits for a 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 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 of which the receiver is connected.

Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for

help.

WARNING: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly

approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the

users authority to operate this equipment.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is

subject to the following conditions: (1) This device may not cause

harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any

interference received, including interference that may cause

undesired operation.

Owner's Manual

P/N 82031702, Rev. C

ISI551PC

This publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without
prior expressed written permission from Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.. All
rights reserved.

Copyright © 1995, by Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.

Multi-Tech Systems, Inc., makes no representation or warranties with
respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims any implied
warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose.
Furthermore, Multi-Tech Systems, Inc., reserves the right to revise
this publication and to make changes from time to time in the content
hereof without obligation of Multi-Tech Systems, Inc., to notify any
person or organization of such revisions or changes.

Record of Revision

C Manual revised with format and editorial
(2/6/95) changes

TRADEMARKS

Multi-Tech, MultiExpress, MultiModem
Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.

i386, i486: Intel Corporation
PC-DOS: International Business Machines Corporation

II

and the Multi-Tech logo:

Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.

2205 Woodale Drive

Mounds View, Minnesota 55112 U.S.A.

[phone] or [phone]

U. S. FAX [phone]

Technical Support [phone]

BBS [phone] or [phone]

Internet Address: http://www.multitech.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION & DESCRIPTION

1.1 Introduction ........................................... 1-1

1.2 Product Description .............................. 1-2

1.3 How to Use This Manual ......................1-2

1.4 Technical Specifications ...................... 1-3

HARDWARE INSTALLATION

2.1 ISI Card Installation .............................. 2-1

2.2 Determining Current System Settings . 2-1

2.3 Hardware Installation Procedure ..........2-3

SERVICE, WARRANTY, AND TECHNICAL

3.1 Introduction ........................................... 3-1

3.2 Limited Warranty ..................................3-1

3.3 Tech Support ........................................3-2

3.3.1 Recording ISI551PC Information 3-3

3.3.2 Service ........................................3-4

3.4 About the Multi-Tech BBS .................... 3-5

3.4.1 How to Use the Multi-Tech BBS .3-6

3.5 About CompuServe/Internet ................3-7

Appendix A:
I/O Address Switch Settings A-1

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

SUPPORT

i

1.1 Introduction

The introduction of high speed, data compression
modems, such as Multi-Tech's MultiModem
Series, has shown that many PC serial ports are
unable to keep up, essentially becoming a bottleneck
for the entire system. The ISI551PC card provides
processing power to reliably transmit data up to

115.2K bps. Using an ISI enables your system's
processor to perform more efficiently. This is because
the ISI handles all of the byte-by-byte interrupts
generated by the asynchronous terminals and stores
the data in buffers. The ISI then generates one
interrupt for an entire block of information and
transfers the block to the system's microprocessor.

This manual provides the hardware installation
procedures for the ISI551PC card. The ISI551PC
card is used with Multi-Tech's high speed modems;
and is a high speed, buffered, single-port serial card,
with its own on board processor. The operation of
the card provides the basis for its name ISI (Intelligent
Serial Interface), 551 indicating the processing power
of a 16550A UART and one port support, and PC
indicating that it is an ISA bus card (8 bit), which is
able to operate in any 286, 386, 486 or Pentium ISA or
EISA compatible bus personal computer. The
ISI551PC card can be accessed by any software
written to the 16550A specification.

II TM

1-1

This manual contains product specifications,
installation instructions, configuration and technical
support information which will assist you in the
operation process. It is assumed that you have basic
PC skills at the very least. Therefore, we have not
included step-by-step instructions for basic
operations such as logging in and file editing, etc.

1.2 Product Description

The ISI551PC card is a single port serial expansion
card which adds data buffering for enhanced serial
port performance. The ISI551PC features a 9-pin
connector (one DB-9), and is a "half-size" expansion
card that supports a high-speed interface (up to

115.2K bps via 32K bytes of RAM). The ISI551PC
features a bank of 8 DIP-Switches for I/O address
selection and one jumper block for IRQ level selection.

1.3 How to Use This Manual

This chapter begins with a short introduction, product
description, followed by a guide (which you are now
reading) to the use of this manual, as well as the
ISI551PCs technical specifications.

1-2

This manual includes hardware configuration and
installation procedures described in Chapter 2.
Chapter 3 covers technical support, warranty and
BBS information. Appendix A describes complete

information on Base I/O addressing.

1.4 Technical Specifications

Computer Requirements

· 286-, 386- or 486- based PC or compatible

Operating Temperature

· 0° to 50°C (32° to 120°F)

Serial Interface

· RS232C, RS232D

Bus Type

· IBM PC standard (ISA bus) or EISA

Power Consumption

· 750 mAmps @ +5 VDC

· 100 mAmps @ +12 VDC

· 100 mAmps @ -12 VDC

1-3

Card Dimensions

ISI551PC

· 4.95" L x 2.375" W x .062" D

· 12.5 cm L x 6.0 cm W x .16 cm D

Baud Rates

· Up to 115.2K bps

Connector Types

· One DB-9 on ISI551PC

I/O Address

· Set by hardware DIP-Switch, valid range 100H to

3F8H (See Appendix A)

Interrupt Request

· Set by hardware Jumper, valid IRQs -- 2, 3, 4, 5,

7, 10, 11, 12, & 15

1-4

2.1 ISI Card Installation

This chapter provides you with the procedures to
install the Multi-Tech ISI551PC card in your ISA or
EISA bus personal computer.

Hardware installation involves:

1) Opening your PC.

2) Setting card configuration (determining
I/O address DIP-Switch setting and IRQ
jumper setting).

3) Installing the card into the PC.

2.2 Determining Current System
Settings

When you install a serial device into your computer,
the processor must have a means of routing
information to and from the device and the device
must have a means of gaining the processor's
attention. These are called Input/Output (I/O)
addresses and Interrupt Requests (IRQs),
respectively. The ISI551PC card requires eight I/O
addresses and one IRQ value which are not used
by any other device in your system. When selecting
a unique base I/O address, be sure that the other
addresses are also unused. (For example, if you

2-1

use the base I/O address of 380h, addresses 380h­387h must be unused.)

To select an unused I/O address and an IRQ value,
it may be necessary to find out which values are
already in use. To determine your system's current
settings, refer to Appendix A. The ISI551PC is
shipped with the IRQ set to level 3 and the base I/O
address at 2F8 hex. If you are certain that these
settings are not already in use, continue with the
hardware configuration and installation.

Note: If you choose IRQ 3 or 4, you may have to
remove the serial I/Odevice from your
configuration files. The ISI551PC cards do not
allow you to select IRQ 6 because it is almost
universally used for the floppy drive of a
computer. Also, most computers will not be
able to assign IRQ 2 to the ISI because IRQ 2 is
used for slave control.

2-2

2.3 Hardware Installation Procedure

Perform the procedures in Table 2-1 to configure
and install the ISI551PC card into your ISA or EISA
bus host computer.

Table 2-1

ISI Configuration and Installation Procedure

Step Procedure

1 Make sure your computer and

any peripheral equipment
connected to it, are turned off.
Failure to do so may damage
both your ISI card and your PC.
The card may be installed in any
286-, 386- or 486-based
computer with an ISA or EISA
bus architecture.

Figure 2-1. I/O Address Switch/IRQ Jumpers

2-3

2 Remove the cover of your

Table 2-1 (cont'd)

ISI Configuration and Installation Procedure

Step Procedure

computer as instructed in your
computers documentation.

3 Locate the unused slot(s) which

4a The figure below shows the

you will be using for your ISI
card, and remove the slot
cover(s) per the instructions in
your computers documentation.

default settings for this card.
Record any changes made to
the Base I/O Address settings.
The default Base I/O Address is
2F8 (COM2). The valid range is
100H - 3F8 H; refer to Appendix
A for a full table of address
settings.

O(pen) = OFF

C(losed) = ON

Figure 2-2. I/O Address Default

2-4

Table 2-1 (cont'd)

ISI Configuration and Installation Procedure

Step Procedure

4b Select a unique I/O Address for

your ISI551PC card using the
block of 8-position DIP-Switches
on your ISI circuit board. Figure
2-3 shows various I/O
addressing and IRQ settings.

5 Record any changes you

make to these settings and
keep them handy for the
driver installation.

Com Port I/O Address Setting IRQ Level

COM1

COM2

COM3

COM4

Figure 2-3. I/O Address and IRQ Level Settings

2-5

Table 2-1 (cont'd)

ISI Configuration and Installation Procedure

Step Procedure

6 Install the ISI card into the selected

7 Fasten the retaining bracket to

8 Connect the appropriate cable to

9 Turn power on to your computer.

expansion slot(s) in the same
manner as any other add-on
card, as instructed in your
computers documentation.

the computer chassis and
replace the cover.

the ISI card. The ISI551PC has
one DB-9 connector. The DB-9 is
a DTE-type serial port suited for
the connection of Data Circuit­terminating Equipment, or DCEs.

Note: Any cables connected to
the computer should be shielded
to reduce interference.

2-6

If you are using MultiExpress communication
software, note during your communication set-up
that your ISI card is activated by choosing Serial and
then Comm port selection. Do not use the MultiTech
ISI selection for this card. The MultiTech ISI selection
is used with ISI models ISI502 and ISI508, which are
older legacy products.

2-7

3.1 Introduction

This chapter starts out with statements about
your ISI551PC's 2-year warranty. The next
section, Tech Support, should be read carefully if
you have questions or problems with your
ISI551PC. It includes the technical support
telephone numbers, space for recording your
ISI551PC information, and an explanation of how
to send in your ISI551PC should you require
service. The final two sections explain how to use
our Bulletin Board Service (BBS), and a brief
section on the CompuServe/Internet forums.

3.2 Limited Warranty

Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. (MTS) warrants that
its products will be free from defects in material
or workmanship for a period of two years from
the date of purchase, or if proof of purchase is
not provided, two years from date of shipment.
MTS MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTY,
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AND ALL IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
HEREBY DISCLAIMED. This warranty does not
apply to any products which have been damaged
by lightning storms, water, or power surges or

3-1

which have been neglected, altered, abused,
used for a purpose other than the one for which
they were manufactured, repaired by the
customer or any party without MTSs written
authorization, or used in any manner inconsistent
with MTSs instructions.

MTSs entire obligation under this warranty shall
be limited (at MTSs option) to repair or
replacement of any products which prove to be
defective within the warranty period, or, at MTSs
option, issuance of a refund of the purchase
price. Defective products must be returned by
Customer to MTSs factory transportation
prepaid.

MTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES AND UNDER NO
CIRCUMSTANCES WILL ITS LIABILITY
EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE FOR
DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS.

3.3 Tech Support

Multi-Tech has an excellent staff of technical
support personnel available to help you get the
most out of your Multi-Tech product. If you have

3-2

any questions about the operation of this unit,
call 1-800-972-2439. Please fill out the ISI551PC
information (below), and have it available when
you call. If your ISI551PC requires service, the
tech support specialist will guide you on how to
send in your ISI551PC (see Section 3.3.2).

3.3.1 Recording ISI551PC
Information

Please fill in the following information on your
Multi-Tech ISI551PC. This will help tech support
in answering your questions.

ISI551PC Model No.:

ISI551PC Serial No.:
ISI551PC Firmware Version:

DataComm Software Type/Version:

Please note the status of your ISI551PC before
calling tech support.

3-3

3.3.2 Service

If your tech support specialist decides that
service is required, ISI551PCs may be sent
(freight prepaid) to our factory. Return shipping
charges will be paid by Multi-Tech Systems.

Include the following with your ISI551PC:

 a description of the problem.
 return billing and return shipping addresses.
 contact name and phone number.
 check or purchase order number for

payment if the ISI551PC is out of warranty.
(The standard repair charge for this
ISI551PC is $95. This price is valid at the
time of this publication but could change in
the future. Check with your technical
support specialist.)

 if possible, note the name of the technical

support specialist with whom you spoke.

If you need to inquire about the status of the
returned product, be prepared to provide the serial
number of the product sent (see Section 3.3.1).

3-4

Send ISI551PCs to this address:

MULTI-TECH SYSTEMS, INC.

2205 WOODALE DRIVE

MOUNDS VIEW, MINNESOTA 55112

ATTN: SERVICE OR REPAIRS

You should also check with the supplier of your
ISI551PC on the availability of local service and/or
loaner units in your part of the country. You may
call us at 1-800-328-9717 or [phone] (in
Minnesota).

3.4 About the Multi-Tech BBS

Multi-Tech Systems maintains a Bulletin Board
Service (BBS) for its customers. The information
available via the BBS includes: new product
information, product upgrade data, problem
solving tips, and a message service for you to
leave questions for which you would like
additional information. The phone number for the
Multi-Tech BBS is [phone] or (800) 392­2432 (U.S.A. and Canada). The BBS can be
accessed by any asynchronous modem
operating at 28,800-1200 bps with a setting of 8
bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity (V.34 and
downward compatible).

3-5

3.4.1 How to Use the Multi-Tech
BBS

To use Multi-Tech's BBS, perform the following
steps.

1. Dial our BBS at 1-800 392-2432 (U.S.A. and

Canada) or 612-785-9875 (International).

2. Set your computer or communications

program to "8N1", and to emulate ANSI (e.g.,
with MultiExpress software, press ALT-S and
choose "ANSI").

3. At the prompt, type your first name, last

name, password, then hit RETURN. If you are
a first time caller, after you hit RETURN the
BBS asks if your name is spelled correctly. If
you say yes, our questionnaire is displayed.
You can use our BBS on your first call.

4. There are four BBS areas: the Main Menu,

the Files Menu, Bulletins (from the main
Menu), and the Message Menu. All Bulletins
are Menu-driven. To read the Bulletins, enter
the number of the bulletin you wish to read.

5. File Menu: from the Main Menu, type F: and

the Files are displayed. If you want a list of
directories, type L (list directory) and then
type L again for a list of all directories. If you
do not type the second L, you will list all of

3-6

the files on the BBS. At the list of the
directories, select the number of directories
required. A list of files and a description for
each of the files is displayed. Select a file that
you would like to download; if you already
know the file name, type D at the Files Menu
to download the selected file(s). Pess V to
view a text file.

6. At the Message Menu, you can leave a

message to the Sysop (you can not read
messages at this point). The BBS will tell you
if you have a personal message (mail). At the
prompt (would you like to read it now?), type
R for read now. You must read your
message(s) when you first access the BBS.

3.5 About CompuServe/Internet

In addition to the BBS, Multi-Tech provides
support through CompuServe's Modem Vendor
Forum (GOMODEMVEN) under GO
MULTITECH. Refer to your CompuServe
documentation for special operating procedures.

3-7

Multi-Tech is a commercial user of the Internet,
and messages are retrieved from our customers
on a periodic basis. If you prefer receiving
technical support viathe Internet, plaese address
your message to: [e-mail].

Multi Tech also maintains a home page on the
World Wide Web at the following address:

http://www.multitech.com

Multi Tech also maintains a FTP Server at the
following address:

FTP.multitech.com

3-8

Appendix A Base I/O Address
Switch Settings

The table below provides the DIP-Switch settings for
valid base I/O addresses of the ISI551PC. The
switches can be set to "OPEN" (O in the table below)
or to "CLOSED" (C in the table below). Holding the
board with the switch facing you (reading numbers
1-8 left to right), the "UP" position for the switch is
OPEN, and the "DOWN" position is CLOSED. "S1"
below is labeled as "1" on the left side of the switch
and so on, through S8. For an example, turn to page
A-3 and compare the default switch settings (2F8)
with the address 380h listing.

Table A-1

I/O Address Switch Settings for ISI Cards

I/O Addr. DIP-Switch Settings

(hex) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8

100CCCCCO CC
108 O CCCCO CC
110 C O CCCO CC
118 OOCCCO CC
120 C C O CCO CC
128 O C O CCO CC
130 C OOCCO CC
138 OOOCCO CC
140 C C C O C O CC
148 O CCO C O CC
150 C O C O C O CC
158 OOC O C O CC
160 C C OOC O CC
168 O C OOC O CC

A-1

Table A-1(cont'd)

I/O Address Switch Settings for ISI Cards

(hex) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8

170 C OOOC O CC
178 OOOOC O CC
180CCCCOOCC
188 O CCCOOCC
190 C O CCOOCC
198 OOCCOOCC
1A0 C C O C OOCC
1A8 O C O C OOCC
1B0 C OOC OOCC
1B8 OOOC OOCC
1C0 C C C OOOCC
1C8 O CCOOOCC
1D0 C O C OOOCC
1D8 OOC OOOCC
1E0 C C OOOOCC
1E8 O C OOOOCC
1F0 C OOOOOCC
1F8 OOOOOOCC
200CCCCCCO C
208 O CCCCCO C
210 C O CCCCO C
218 OOCCCCO C
220 C C O CCCO C
228 O C O CCCO C
230 C OOCCCO C
238 OOOCCCO C
240 C C C O CCO C
248 O CCO CCO C
250 C O C O CCO C

A-2

Table A-1(cont'd)

I/O Address Switch Settings for ISI Cards

(hex) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8

258 OOC O CCO C
260 C C OOCCO C
268 O C OOCCO C
270 C OOOCCO C
278 OOOOCCO C
280CCCCO C O C
288 O CCCO C O C
290 C O CCO C O C
298 OOCCO C O C
2A0 C C O C O C O C
2A8 O C O C O C O C
2B0 C OOC O C O C
2B8 OOOC O C O C
2C0 C C C OOC O C
2C8 O CCOOC O C
2D0 C O C OOC O C
2D8 OOC OOC O C
2E0 C C OOOC O C
2E8 O C OOOC O C
2F0 C OOOOC O C
*2F8 OOOOOC O C
300CCCCCOOC
308 O CCCCOOC
310 C O CCCOOC
318 OOCCCOOC
320 C C O CCOOC
328 O C O CCOOC
330 C OOCCOOC
338 OOOCCOOC
340 C C C O C OOC

*Address 2F8 is the Factory Default

A-3

Table A-1(cont'd)

I/O Address Switch Settings for ISI Cards

(hex) S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8

348 O CCO C OOC
350 C O C O C OOC
358 OOC O C OOC
360 C C OOC OOC
368 O C OOC OOC
370 C OOOC OOC
378 OOOOC OOC
380CCCCOOOC
388 O CCCOOOC
390 C O CCOOOC
398 OOCCOOOC
3A0 C C O C OOOC
3A8 O C O C OOOC
3B0 C OOC OOOC
3B8 OOOC OOOC
3C0 C C C OOOOC
3C8 O CCOOOOC
3D0 C O C OOOOC
3D8 OOC OOOOC
3E0 C C OOOOOC
3E8 O C OOOOOC
3F0 C OOOOOOC
3F8 OOOOOOOC

A-4

Index

A

About CompuServe ........................... 3-7

About the Multi-Tech BBS .................. 3-5

B

Base I/O Switch Settings ................... A-1

Baud Rates ...................................... 1-4

Bus Type ...................................... 1-3

C

Card Dimensions .............................. 1-4

CompuServe .................................... 3-7

Computer Requirements ................... 1-3

Connector Types ............................... 1-4

H

Hardware Installation Procedure ........ 2-3

How to Use the Multi-Tech BBS .......... 3-6

How to Use This Manual .................... 1-2

1-Index

I

I/O Address ....................................... 1-4

I/O Address Switch and IRQ Jumper

Locations .................................. 2-3

Introduction ....................................... 1-1

ISI Card Installation ............................ 2-1

L

Limited Warranty ............................... 3-1

M

Multi-Tech BBS ................................. 3-5

O

Operating Temperature ...................... 1-3

P

Power Consumption .......................... 1-3

Product Description ........................... 1-2

R

Recording ISI551PC Information ........ 3-3

2-Index

S

Serial Interface ................................ 1-3

Service ............................................. 3-4

T

Tech Support .................................... 3-2

Technical Specifications ..................... 1-3

W

Warranty ........................................... 3-1

3-Index