PCI Serial Interfaces
Last Updated: April 1, 2025
Description
PCI Serial Interfaces are designed to facilitate communication between a computer's central processing unit (CPU) and peripheral devices. They serve as a bridge, allowing data to be transferred efficiently between the CPU and various hardware components, such as graphics cards, network cards, and storage devices. The PCI architecture was developed to address data bottlenecks and enhance the data transfer capabilities of computer systems.
Working Principle
The working principle of PCI Serial Interfaces is based on a parallel bus architecture that allows multiple data bits to be transmitted simultaneously. This architecture enables high-speed data transfer rates, which are essential for handling the demands of modern computing applications. PCI interfaces are particularly useful because they provide a standardized method for connecting peripheral devices to a computer, ensuring compatibility and ease of integration. The layered architecture of PCI Express, a variant of PCI, allows for scalability and future upgrades without compromising software compatibility, making it a versatile choice for evolving technological needs.
Applications
PCI Serial Interfaces are widely used in various applications across different market segments. For instance, they are integral to desktop and mobile PCs, where they connect essential components like graphics and network cards. In enterprise servers, PCI interfaces facilitate high-speed data transfer between storage devices and the CPU, ensuring efficient data processing and retrieval. Additionally, PCI interfaces are used in communications equipment, such as switches and routers, where they support the rapid exchange of data necessary for network operations.
Advantages over other Serial Interfaces
One of the primary advantages of PCI Serial Interfaces over other serial interfaces is their high performance and scalability. Unlike parallel bus architectures such as AGP8x and PCI-X, PCI Express can achieve higher bandwidths due to its layered architecture, which allows for future speed upgrades without affecting software compatibility. This makes PCI interfaces particularly advantageous in applications requiring high data transfer rates and flexibility for future technological advancements.
Limitations
Despite their advantages, PCI Serial Interfaces have certain limitations. One notable limitation is the potential for data bottlenecks in systems with multiple high-demand peripherals, which can strain the available bandwidth. Additionally, the physical size of PCI cards can be a constraint in compact systems where space is limited. Furthermore, while PCI interfaces are backward compatible, integrating newer PCI Express technology with older systems may require additional adapters or modifications.
Considerations
When considering the implementation of PCI Serial Interfaces, several factors should be taken into account. Initial costs can vary depending on the specific type of PCI interface and the peripheral devices being connected. Operating expenses may include power consumption and cooling requirements, especially in high-performance systems. Durability and reliability are generally high, but regular maintenance and updates may be necessary to ensure optimal performance. Replacement and maintenance costs should also be considered, particularly in systems where downtime can have significant operational impacts.
from Advantech
Isolated RS-232, 2-Ports, DB9, PCIe I/F. Meets Advantech Standard iDoor Technology. PCI Express ® Mini Card Specification Revision 1.2 compliant. Speeds up to 921.6 kbps for extremely fast data transmission. Supports any baud rate setting (50bps~921.6kbps). Supports both Isolated &... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI; PCI Express Mini Card Revision 1.2
- Data Rate: 0.0500 to 922
- Serial Protocol: RS232
- Connector: DB9; 2 x Male DB9
from Advantech
Non-Isolated RS-232, DB37 to 4-port DB9, PCIe I/F. Meets Advantech Standard iDoor Technology. PCI Express ® Mini Card Specification Revision 1.2 compliant. Speeds up to 921.6 kbps for extremely fast data transmission. Supports any baud rate setting (50bps~921.6kbps). Supports both Isolated... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI; PCI Express Mini Card Revision 1.2
- Data Rate: 0.0500 to 922
- Serial Protocol: RS232
- Connector: 1 x Female DB37
from ACCES I/O Products, Inc.
Features. Universal PCI, PCI-X, 3.3V and 5V compatible (Call for PCI-Express availability). Dual-port serial communications card for PCI bus. Supports RS-232(PCI-COM2S only), RS-422, and RS-485 protocols. Automatic control of RS-485 driver under Windows systems. Includes type 16550 UART with 16-byte... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI
- Operating System: Windows XP Through Windows 8.1, Including "Server 2008," "Embedded," and "Compact" Flavors in Both 32-bit and 64-bit for All Plug-and-play Products
- Serial Protocol: RS422; RS485
- Number of Ports: 2
from Sealevel Systems, Inc.
The 7104 Low Profile PCI serial interface provides one RS-232 serial port capable of data rates to 460.8K bps. The board utilizes a 16C850 UART to provide 128-byte Tx/Rx FIFOs for maximum reliability in data intensive applications. The Sealevel SeaCOM software driver and utilities make installation... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI
- Data Rate: 461
- Serial Protocol: RS232
- Number of Ports: 1
from ACCES I/O Products, Inc.
Features. Universal PCI, PCI-X, 3.3V and 5V compatible (Call for PCI-Express availability). Optically isolated, asynchronous serial communications. Two independent ports each supports RS-422 or RS-485 communications. Type 16550 buffered UARTs protect against data loss in multitasking systems. Baud... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI
- Operating System: Windows XP Through Windows 8.1, Including "Server 2008," "Embedded," and "Compact" Flavors in Both 32-bit and 64-bit for All Plug-and-play Products
- Serial Protocol: RS422; RS485
- Number of Ports: 2
from Sealevel Systems, Inc.
The 5103 Low Profile PCI serial interface provides one RS-232 synchronous serial port capable of data rates to 128K bps. The board utilizes a Z85230 Enhanced Serial Communications Controller (ESCC). The 5103 implements all modem control signals and is MD1 Low Profile and Universal Bus (3.3V and 5V)... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI
- Data Rate: 128
- Serial Protocol: RS232
- Number of Ports: 1
from ACCES I/O Products, Inc.
Features. Universal PCI, PCI-X, 3.3V and 5V compatible (Call for PCI-Express availability). Four-port serial communications card for PCI bus. Supports RS-422 protocol. Includes type 16550 UART with 16-byte FIFO buffers. Baud rates up to 460,800 baud. Choice of I/O connection methods. Detected as... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI
- Operating System: Windows XP Through Windows 8.1, Including "Server 2008," "Embedded," and "Compact" Flavors in Both 32-bit and 64-bit for All Plug-and-play Products
- Serial Protocol: RS422
- Number of Ports: 4
from Sealevel Systems, Inc.
The 7108 Low Profile PCI serial interface provides one optically isolated serial port configurable for RS232, RS-422, or RS-485. The board is capable of data rates to 921.6K bps and automatically handles RS-485 transmitter enable/disable. The 7108 utilizes a 16C850 UART to provide 128-byte Tx/Rx... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI
- Data Rate: 922
- Serial Protocol: RS232/422/485
- Number of Ports: 1
from ACCES I/O Products, Inc.
Features. Universal PCI, PCI-X, 3.3V and 5V compatible (Call for PCI-Express availability). Four-port serial communications card for PCI bus. Supports RS-485 multidrop networks. Includes type 16550 UART with 16-byte FIFO buffers. Baud rates up to 460,800 baud. Automatic control of RS-485 driver... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI
- Operating System: Windows XP Through Windows 8.1, Including "Server 2008," "Embedded," and "Compact" Flavors in Both 32-bit and 64-bit for All Plug-and-play Products
- Serial Protocol: RS485
- Number of Ports: 4
from Sealevel Systems, Inc.
The 7106 Low Profile PCI serial interface provides one serial port configurable for RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, or RS-530. The board is capable of data rates to 921.6K bps and automatically handles RS-485 transmitter enable/disable. The 7106 utilizes a 16C850 UART to provide 128-byte Tx/Rx FIFOs for... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI
- Data Rate: 922
- Serial Protocol: RS232/422/485
- Number of Ports: 1
from ACCES I/O Products, Inc.
Features. This product has been discontinued. Please contact us for help in finding a suitable replacement. Great News! ACCES has designed the replacement for this discontinued product. Just a click away to the LPCI-COM485/8!. Universal PCI, PCI-X, 3.3V and 5V compatible (Call for PCI-Express... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI
- Operating System: Windows XP Through Windows 8.1, Including "Server 2008," "Embedded," and "Compact" Flavors in Both 32-bit and 64-bit for All Plug-and-play Products
- Serial Protocol: RS485
- Number of Ports: 8
from Sealevel Systems, Inc.
The 5104 Low Profile PCI serial interface provides one synchronous serial port configurable for RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, RS-530, RS-530A, or V.35. The board is capable of data rates to 10M bps. The 5104 utilizes a Z16C32 Integrated Universal Serial Controller (IUSC) with built-in DMA controller and... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI
- Data Rate: 10000
- Serial Protocol: RS232/422/485
- Number of Ports: 1
from ACCES I/O Products, Inc.
Features. Universal PCI, PCI-X, 3.3V and 5V compatible (Call for PCI-Express availability). Eight-Port, RS-422 or RS-485 protocols. Speeds up to 921Kbps. Include type 16550 UARTs (optional 16850). Meets MD2 Low Profile PCI Bus Specification. Breakout cable provides DB9 connectors for each port (no... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI
- Number of Ports: 8
- Serial Protocol: RS422
- Connector: 50-pin, Shielded, SCSI-2 Connector
from Sealevel Systems, Inc.
The 5102 Low Profile PCI synchronous serial interface adapter provides the PC with a single channel serial interface suitable for many popular communications protocols. This Sync/Async card is an ideal solution for applications including DDS (digital data service), military applications, banking... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI
- Data Rate: 128
- Serial Protocol: RS232/422/485
- Number of Ports: 1
from Sealevel Systems, Inc.
The 7107 Low Profile PCI serial interface provides one serial port configurable for RS-422 or RS-485 and is capable of data rates to 921.6K bps. The 7107 utilizes an Oxford 16C950 UART to provide 128-byte Tx/Rx FIFOs, for maximum reliability in data intensive applications, and supports 9-bit... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI
- Data Rate: 922
- Serial Protocol: RS232/422/485
- Number of Ports: 1
from Sealevel Systems, Inc.
The 7205 PCI Low Profile serial interface provides two serial ports, each individually configurable for RS-232, RS-422 or RS-485. The board is capable of data rates to 921.6K bps and automatically handles RS-485 transmitter enable/disable. The 7205 utilizes 16C850 UARTs to provide 128-byte Tx/Rx... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI
- Data Rate: 922
- Serial Protocol: RS232/422/485
- Number of Ports: 2
from Sealevel Systems, Inc.
The 7406 Low Profile PCI serial interface provides four RS-232 serial ports, each capable of data rates to 460.8K bps. Each RS-232 port implements all modem control signals for maximum compatibility with a wide range of peripherals. The board is MD1 Low Profile and Universal Bus (3.3V and 5V)... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI
- Data Rate: 461
- Serial Protocol: RS232
- Number of Ports: 4
from Sealevel Systems, Inc.
The 7803 Low Profile PCI serial interface provides eight RS-232 serial ports capable of data rates to 460.8K bps. Each RS-232 port implements all modem control signals for maximum compatibility with a wide range of peripherals. The board is MD1 Low Profile and Universal Bus (3.3V and 5V) compatible... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI
- Data Rate: 461
- Serial Protocol: RS232
- Number of Ports: 8
from Sealevel Systems, Inc.
The 5103S PCI serial interface provides one RS-232 synchronous serial port capable of data rates to 128K bps. The board implements all modem control signals and is Universal Bus (3.3V and 5V) compatible. The 5103S ships with the standard size PCI bracket to allow installation in a full size PCI... [See More]
- Network / Bus: PCI
- Data Rate: 128
- Serial Protocol: RS232
- Number of Ports: 1