CP346: Kontron´s 3U CompactPCI Board with Four 16550 Compliant COM Interfaces

The Latest Technology for Classical Interfaces

Kaufbeuren, Germany, December 12, 2003 - In response to demand for ever-popular serial interfaces, Kontron has developed the CP346, a new 3U CompactPCI board with four COM interfaces that are compliant with the 16550 standard. Thanks to the use of modern components, such as the OX16PCI954 quad UART from Oxford Semiconductor, the CP346 currently is the most inexpensive module of its kind on the market. The board allows independent control of its four configurable RS232, RS422 and/or RS485 interfaces and comprehensive driver support for all popular operating systems is included. The CP346 includes an opto-isolated variant and a front-side mounted 37-pin DSUB-connector. The status of each port (RXD/TXD) is indicated using two LEDS. 37-Pin DSUB to 4x 9-Pin-DSUB serial port adapter cables are available also from Kontron.

All parameter-setting features for RS232 to RS422 and/or RS485 are implemented and interfaces can be routed to rear-side accessible I/O modules using TTL-signals and the appropriate cables.
Serial interfaces are extremely widespread in industrial applications and also are the classical interface for connecting complex sensors and actuators to a controller. Many other applications are possible including data logging. A great deal of industrial peripheral devices such as modems, keyboards, mice and barcode scanners are still connected via serial interfaces and in many cases, serial interfaces are used as a gateway to devices for service purposes. The opto-isolated variant of the CP346 extends the board´s scope of application to include sophisticated process measurement and control tasks, where it is essential that modules are galvanically isolated from the ground of the host PC.

System Solutions from a Single Source
The CP346 is an enhancement to Kontron´s range of CompactPCI systems and demonstrates the ability of the market leader in embedded computer technology to always offer total solutions from a single source that are the most current and cost-optimized. In order to maintain this position, it is essential to evaluate the latest trends in peripherals as well as CPU modules.


Reader Contact for this Press Release:
Kontron Modular Computers GmbH
Sudetenstr. 7
87600 Kaufbeuren, Germany
sales@kontron.com
Tel: +49(8341)803-0
Fax: +49(8341)803-499

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