Chapter 1
Introduction
PCMCIA Serial for Windows 95
1-2
©
National Instruments Corporation
What You Need to Get Started
Make sure you have all of the items listed before you attempt to install the
serial hardware.
❑
One of the following, which is included in your kit:
PCMCIA-232 (one, two, or four port)
PCMCIA-485 (one or two port)
❑
Adapter cable from PCMCIA card to DB-9 connector, which is
included in your kit
❑
3.5 in. high density disk (1.44 MB) NI Serial Software for Windows 95
and Windows NT, which is included in your kit
❑
Microsoft Windows 95 installed on your computer
Optional Equipment
Call National Instruments for more information about the following
optional equipment.
•
DB-9 RS-485 termination connector
•
RS-232 9-pin to 9-pin null modem cable
•
RS-232 9-pin to 25-pin null modem cable
Serial Hardware Overview
The serial hardware gives you a variety of solutions for serial
communications. The PCMCIA-232 interfaces work with the RS-232
protocols, and the PCMCIA-485 interfaces work with the RS-422 and
RS-485 protocols. You can use the PCMCIA-232 hardware for serial
communication up to distances of 50 ft. Using serial cable lengths up
to 4,000 ft., you can connect the PCMCIA-485 hardware with up to
31 devices.
The PCMCIA-232 is available with one, two, or four ports. The
PCMCIA-485 cards are available in a one-port version or two-port version.
All PCMCIA cards come with cables for each port that terminates in a
standard DB-9 D-Sub connector. Throughout this manual, references to
PCMCIA-232 and PCMCIA-485 generally refer to either version.
