EXSYS EX-42042-IS 2-Port Universal PCI Serial RS-232/422/485 Combo Card with 16C950 UART, 128-byte FIFO, Opto-Isolation and Surge Protection

Industrial automation engineers and system integrators often face the challenge of connecting legacy serial equipment to modern PCI-based computers while ensuring reliable communication in harsh electrical environments. The EXSYS EX-42042-IS addresses this need by providing two high-performance serial ports on a single universal PCI card, supporting RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 standards. Each port is equipped with a 16C950 UART and a 128-byte FIFO buffer, enabling smooth data handling at baud rates up to 921.6 Kbps. Opto-isolation and surge protection safeguard both the host system and connected devices from voltage spikes and ground loops, making this card ideal for industrial control, POS systems, and data acquisition applications.

Key specifications

• Host Interface: Universal PCI (32-bit, 3.3V/5V)
• 2x Serial Ports (DB9 Male) supporting RS-232, RS-422, RS-485
• UART: 16C950 with 128-byte FIFO per port
• Max Baud Rate: 921.6 Kbps
• Opto-Isolation and Surge Protection on each port
• Supports 2-wire and 4-wire RS-485 modes
• Flow Control: RTS/CTS, XON/XOFF
• Driver Support: Windows, Linux

Why choose it

This card stands out for its robust isolation and protection features, which are critical in industrial settings where electrical noise and transient voltages are common. The 16C950 UART with large FIFO buffers reduces CPU overhead, ensuring reliable performance even under heavy data loads. The universal PCI design allows installation in both 3.3V and 5V slots, providing flexibility across a wide range of systems. With support for all three major serial standards, it eliminates the need for multiple adapter cards, saving slots and cost.

Ideal use cases

• Industrial automation and PLC communication
• POS terminals and retail systems
• Data acquisition and SCADA systems
• Legacy device connectivity in modern PCs
• Multi-drop RS-485 networks

Good to know

The card is compliant with PCI Local Bus Specification 2.1/2.2/2.3 and includes drivers for Windows and Linux, ensuring easy setup. Each port can be independently configured for RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 operation, with support for various data bits, stop bits, and parity settings. The opto-isolation provides up to 2 kV isolation, protecting against ground potential differences. The card is backed by EXSYS's reputation for reliable industrial communication products.