The General Standards PCI-SIO4B-256K is a quad-channel serial I/O PCI card designed for high-performance, multi-protocol serial communication in industrial and commercial environments. It delivers four independent full-duplex channels with synchronous data rates up to 10 Mbits/sec (differential) and asynchronous rates to 1 Mbit/sec (differential). Built on dual Universal Serial Controllers (USC) and equipped with 256 KB total FIFO buffering, the card handles Asynchronous, Synchronous, Isochronous, Bisync, Monosync, HDLC/SDLC, and Nine-Bit protocols. The PCI9080 bridge chip provides a 32-bit, 33 MHz interface (132 MBit/sec) conforming to PCI Specification 2.1, with DMA support and plug-and-play initialization. Connectivity uses a 68-pin SCSI III front-edge connector; optional DB25 adapter cables are available.
## Technical Specifications
• **Channels:** 4 independent multi-protocol serial channels
• **Protocol Support:** Asynchronous, Synchronous, Isochronous, Bisync, Monosync, HDLC/SDLC, Nine-Bit
• **Synchronous Data Rate:** Up to 10 Mbits/sec (differential); up to 250 kbits/sec (RS232 option)
• **Asynchronous Data Rate:** Up to 1 Mbit/sec (differential)
• **FIFO Buffering:** 256 Kbytes total with independent Transmit and Receive FIFOs per channel
• **Controllers:** Two Dual Universal Serial Controllers (USC)
• **Power Supply:** +5 VDC ± 0.2 VDC
• **Current Draw:** 1.5 A typical
• **Power Dissipation:** 6.0 W typical
• **PCI Interface:** 32-bit, 33 MHz (132 MBit/sec); DMA master capable
• **User Connector:** 68-pin SCSI III female (AMP 787170-7); mating connector AMP 749111-6
• **Dimensions:** 175.92 mm × 106.68 mm × 6.1 mm
• **Operating Temperature:** 0 to +55 °C
• **Storage Temperature:** −40 to +85 °C
• **Humidity:** 0 to 80% operating; 0 to 95% storage (non-condensing)
• **Altitude:** To 10,000 ft
• **Cooling:** 200 LFM conventional air-cooling
## Key Features
• Dual USC architecture enables parallel multi-protocol operation
• Large 256 KB FIFO reduces CPU interrupt latency
• PCI plug-and-play initialization and single multifunction interrupt
• DMA support for efficient data transfers
• Differential signaling for extended cable runs
## Typical Applications
• Industrial serial device control and monitoring
• Multi-protocol gateway and protocol conversion
• High-speed point-to-point serial links
• Real-time data acquisition from legacy equipment
## Compatibility & Integration
Device drivers available for VxWorks, WinNT, Win2000, Windows XP, Linux, and LabVIEW. Free Windows and Linux drivers provided.
