Manual Number: 00750-006-5
Page 12
ULTRA-485 Manual
Chapter 4: Technical Description
The ULTRA-485 utilizes the 16C554 UART. This chip features programmable baud rates, data
format, interrupt control and a 16-byte input and output FIFO. Also available as an option is the
16C854 UART that provides a 128-byte FIFO and enhanced clocking features.
The unique feature of the ULTRA-485 is the ability to be RS-485 compatible without the need for
special software or drivers. This is especially useful in Windows, Windows NT, and OS/2 environments
where the lower level I/O control is abstracted from the application program. Which means that the
user can effectively use the ULTRA-485 in a RS-485 application with existing (i.e. standard
RS-232) software drivers.
Features Include
·
Addressable as COM1: thru COM4: or twelve other pre-selected address options
·
Automatic RS-485 driver enable/disable allows card to appear to be standard COM: port
requiring no additional drivers
·
‘PAL’ option allows for unique OEM address selection
·
‘Shareable’ IRQs allow more than one port to share a single IRQ provided a polling type
driver is used
·
IRQs 2/9-7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 supported
·
16C554 and 16C854 buffered UART standard models
·
16 -bit address decode allows for easier integration
