Abaco Systems / SBS / Greenspring IP-Octal-422 IndustryPack Module with Eight EIA-422 Asynchronous Serial Ports

Eight-channel serial communication architecture employs a Signetics SCC2698B octal UART controller with integrated 3-character receive FIFOs per channel to buffer incoming data streams and extend interrupt service latency tolerance. The IP-Octal-422 delivers differential EIA-422 signaling across eight independent asynchronous ports within a single-wide Type I IndustryPack form factor.

Technical Specifications

Eight EIA-422 asynchronous serial ports with differential signaling (RXD+/-, TXD+/-, GND)

Signetics SCC2698B octal UART controller with 3-character receive FIFO per channel

Eighteen programmable baud rates from 50 bps to 38,400 bps maximum

Configurable data format: 5-8 bit characters, programmable parity, 0-2 stop bits in 1/16 increments

Four independent 16-bit timer/counters for precise timing operations

Eight general-purpose digital inputs with TTL switching levels (0-5V)

Direct Memory Access (DMA) support on channels C and D

32 maskable interrupt sources with vectored handling across IRQ0 and IRQ1 lines

Single-wide Type I IndustryPack module compliant with ANSI/VITA-4 standard

50-conductor ribbon cable interface with optional rack-mount connection panel

Key Features Receive FIFO buffering prevents data loss during high-latency interrupt scenarios common in real-time industrial systems. Differential EIA-422 signaling maintains signal integrity over extended cable runs up to 1200 meters in electrically noisy environments. DMA capability on two channels reduces CPU overhead for high-throughput data logging applications. Independent timer resources enable precise protocol timing without external clock generation. Vectored interrupt architecture allows deterministic response prioritization across multiple active channels.

Typical Applications Industrial automation systems requiring RS-422 connectivity for distributed I/O networks and PLC communication links. Process control installations connecting remote sensor packages and actuator controllers over long-distance serial networks. Military and aerospace systems implementing MIL-STD-1553 protocol conversion and avionics bus interfaces. Manufacturing test equipment requiring multiple simultaneous instrument connections with deterministic timing. Data acquisition systems interfacing legacy serial instruments in laboratory automation environments.

Compatibility & Integration Mounts in any ANSI/VITA-4 compliant IndustryPack carrier board including VME, CompactPCI, and PCI-based systems. Software drivers support VxWorks, Linux, and Windows real-time operating systems with direct register access capability. Hardware integrates with existing differential line drivers and requires standard twisted-pair cabling for EIA-422 networks. Module operates from carrier-supplied +5V power with typical consumption under 2W during full eight-channel operation.