High-Speed Synchronous Serial Communications with First Z16C32-Based PCI Express Adapter

Sealevel’s most requested sync product is now a reality: the 5104e Low Profile PCI Express (PCIe) Synchronous Serial Interface. The 5104e is the first Zilog® Z16C32-based PCI Express sync adapter from Sealevel and is the evolution of the popular 5104 PCI sync adapter. The new PCIe adapter provides a single high-speed synchronous serial port configurable for RS-232, RS-422 or RS-485. Other serial interfaces, including V.35, are supported by optional cable accessories. The 5104e fulfills the demand for high-speed PCI Express sync serial adapter as desktop computer platforms move away from PCI.

The 5104e’s optimized controller use and on-board memory capabilities make it ideal for high-speed serial applications such as radar, telemetry, and wide area network (WAN) connectivity.

A Z16C32 Integrated Universal Serial Controller (IUSC) with on-chip direct memory access (DMA) controller and 32-byte first in, first out (FIFO) buffer coupled with 256K of onboard memory allows for burst data rates to 10 Mbps. The DMA controller supports a variety of data transfer modes including single buffer, pipelined, array and link list. For enhanced security, the 5104e includes an optional original equipment manufacturer (OEM) security feature to prevent unauthorized board use in an application.

Product Highlights

• Configurable for RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, RS-530, RS-530A, or V.35
• Zilog® Z16C32 IUSC with built-in DMA controller and 32-byte FIFO buffer
• 256K bytes of onboard RAM with link list DMA supported
• Burst mode data rates to 10 Mbps
• All modem control signals implemented in RS-232 mode
• PCI Express X1 compliant
• Compatible with low profile and standard profile PCI Express slots
• OEM security feature available as an option
• DB25M board connector
• Compliant with RoHS and WEEE directives

To ensure successful communication application development, synchronous serial software support is provided through Sealevel’s SeaMAC synchronous serial software. HDLC and SDLC protocols are supported, as well as certain configurations of monosync, bi-sync, and raw modules. Existing PCI customers simply need to update to the latest SeaMAC software driver for seamless operation of their existing synchronous serial application.