Serial I/O Card Gets The Lead Out

Unveiled as the first RoHS-compliant, multi-interface PCI serial I/O card, the 1U-size ULTRA 530.LPCI offers a selectable RS-232/-422/-485/-530 interface and is universal-bus compatible (3.3V or 5V). Exploiting an XR16C850 UART, the card supports standard PC data rates and delivers a top speed of 921.6 kb/s. It provides a 128-byte FIFO and an array of enhanced UART options including one that allows external clocking. Also on board is the company's auto-enable circuit that automatically handles RS-485 driver control to enforce compatibility with standard COM drivers. The card comes with the SeaCOM suite of Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP drivers and WinSSD, an application for testing and diagnostic chores. These include BERT, throughput monitoring, loopback tests, and transmit-test-pattern messages. Price for the ULTRA 530.LPCI is $229 each in low volumes. A non-RoHS version, number 7106, is also available. SEALEVEL SYSTEMS INC., Liberty, SC. (864) 843-4343.