Manual Number: 00750-004-14
Page 4-1
Chapter 4: Technical Description
WINCOMM4 Four Port RS-232 Serial Interface
The WINCOMM4 provides 4 additional serial ports for terminals, modems, printers, etc. The
WINCOMM4 can be configured as COM1: through COM4:, or any other I/O address (up to 3FF
HEX), providing a low cost means of expanding the number of serial ports on your PC.
Features:
•
Provides a COM1: turnkey solution
•
Four RS-232 ports with full modem control signals
•
Individually selectable address and interrupts (IRQS 2-7 and 10, 11, 12, or 15 on the AT connec-
tor)
•
Multiple cards or ports can share the same IRQ
•
4 DB-25 male connectors provided using the systems “spider cable”
The WINCOMM4 board utilizes the same 16550 UART chip found in the IBM asynchronous
adaptor. This chip features programmable baud rate, data format and interrupt control. Refer to
the IBM technical reference for details on programming the chip.
Each serial port can be set as COM1:- COM4:, providing total compatibility with most communi-
cations software and languages, or any other I/O address up to 3FF HEX. Some software packages
require the use of the modem handshake signals such as CTS or DCD. Consult the particular
manual for your software to determine these requirements. If none are mentioned, or if you are not
sure, a safe configuration is to tie DTR to DSR and DCD (6-8-20), and tie RTS to CTS (4-5). This
usually satisfies the modem signal requirements for most communications software.
How to remain CE Compliant
In order for machines to remain CE compliant, only CE compliant parts may be used. To keep a
chassis compliant it must contain only compliant cards, and for cards to remain compliant they
must be used in compliant chassis. Any modifications made to the equipment may affect the CE
compliance standards and should not be done unless approved in writing by Industrial Computer
Source.
The Model WINCOMM4 is designed to be CE Compliant when used in an CE compliant chassis.
Maintaining CE Compliance also requires proper cabling and termination techniques. The user is
advised to follow proper cabling techniques from sensor to interface to ensure a complete CE
Compliant system. Industrial Computer Source does not offer engineering services for designing
cabling or termination systems. Although Industrial Computer Source offers accessory cables and
termination panels, it is the user's responsibility to ensure they are installed with proper shielding
to maintain CE Compliance.
