New
Universal PCI Serial Card Line
Just choose the number of ports you need, select isolated or non-isolated, and you’re set. The rest is covered for you! B&B Electronics’ MIport universal serial cards suit both 3.3 and 5 volt PCI bus signals and cover the three main serial protocols, RS-232, RS-422 and RS-485. Traditionally PCs have had 5 volt busses. But newer PCs are beginning to ship with 3.3 volt busses. The cards look similar, but are electrically and physically incompatible. MIport serial cards solve this problem. They suit both 3.3 and 5 volt busses to save inventory bins and selection errors. Few serial cards in the past would accommodate more than one protocol. You chose RS-232 to add extra ports, RS-422 to extend range up to 4,000 feet, or RS-485 if you needed both long range and multi-drop capability. The new MIport line combines all three protocols in a single card. You do have to choose the number of ports and whether you need an isolated or non-isolated card. B&B recommends isolated cards for all communications distances longer than 50 feet. Here are factors to consider when deciding whether to spend a few extra bucks for optical isolation. Are there points along the data line that could induce surges and spikes on the data lines to wreck your delicate PC components? In an office, maybe not. But on the shop floor, most definitely! Isolated serial cards are strongly suggested for any PCs connected to data lines that run near high voltage power lines, radio transmitters, heavy duty motors or other major power users that start and stop. These sources create spikes and surges in a data line, and if those rogue currents reach your PC, it could be toast. Non-isolated cards are available for less threatening environments, such as offices and non-mission critical PCs. They provide voltage and RS-232/422/485 universality at a lower cost. B&B Electronics’
MIport PCI serial cards are made in USA. Further information on serial
cards and free white papers on data communications can be found at
www.bb-elec.com. #########
|
||||||||
Ottawa,
IL - RS-232, RS-422, RS-485? 3.3 V, 5 V? Isolated, Non-isolated? How
many ports? The MIport™ (Multi-Interface) line from B&B
Electronics is a new series of universal PCI cards said to bring order
to the chaotic world of serial communications. 
