New Pair of PMC Modules Satisfy User Demands for Higher Density Serial Communication Boards to Consume Fewer Card Slots and Reduce Overall Costs.


Acromag introduces PMC520 and PMC521 serial communication modules with eight EIA/TIA-232 or EIA/TIA-422/485 ports to minimize usage of available card slots.

Acromag’s new serial communication modules provide eight asynchronous serial communication ports from a single PMC carrier slot.  The PMC520 (octal 232) and PMC521 (octal 422/485) modules reduce the cost per serial port and keep card slot usage to a minimum. Both models are available with front or rear I/O connections for more convenient cable access. Prices start at just $475 each for standard models. Optional versions carry extended temperature ratings.

A variety of features improve system performance and simplify implementation. Each serial port is equipped with large 64-byte transmit and receive FIFO buffers that minimize CPU interactions for more efficient data processing. User-friendly software-configuration helps users quickly set baud rates, character-sizes, stop bits, and parity. The baud rate is programmable with data rates of up to 250Kbps. Also, each serial channel provides RTS and CTS handshake support for an easier interface with modems. Other functions include line-break and false start-bit detection.

The data ports generate individually controlled transmit, receive, line status, data set, and flow control interrupts.   A global interrupt source register provides interrupt status indication for all eight channels to speed up interrupt parsing. And for further flexibility, the modules employ industry-standard software-compatible 16C550 configuration registers.

For easy integration of the PMC modules with Windows^® applications, Acromag developed Win32 DLL drivers. These drivers are compatible with Windows XP Embedded applications. Demonstration programs, with C source code included, provide a fast and simple way to test the operation of the I/O modules before developing your actual application.

For connectivity with real time application programs, Acromag offers C libraries for VxWorks^®, QNX^®, and other operating systems. The libraries provide generic routines (source code included) to handle reads, writes, interrupts, and other functions. Demonstration programs enable the developer to quickly exercise the I/O modules before attaching the routines to the application program. This diagnostic tool can save hours of troubleshooting and debugging. Free Linux example programs are also available.

Acromag, a multimillion dollar international corporation, has been manufacturing and developing measurement and control products for more than 45 years. They offer a complete line of embedded I/O products including bus boards, mezzanine modules, wiring accessories, and software. For more information about Acromag products, call Inside Sales or Marketing Communications at (248) 624-1541, (800) 881-0268, FAX (248) 624-9234, or write Acromag, Inc. at P.O. Box 437, Wixom, MI 48393-7037 USA.

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September 14, 2004

More information

Contact:
Sales - Inside Sales
(e-mail: solutions@acromag.com)

Editorial - Robert Greenfield, Marketing Communications Manager
(e-mail: rgreenfield@acromag.com)

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