Acromag IP520-64 Octal EIA/TIA-232 Serial Communication Module

The Acromag IP520-64 is an octal EIA/TIA-232 serial communication module delivering eight independent RS-232 serial ports for industrial control and data acquisition systems. Designed as an Industry Pack (IP) module, it installs on carrier boards supporting VMEbus, ISA, and PCI architectures, enabling high-density serial connectivity - up to 32 channels on VMEbus/ISA or 40 channels on PCI platforms. The module leverages industry-standard 16C654 UART silicon with 16C450 software compatibility.

Technical Specifications

• Serial Ports: Eight EIA/TIA-232E ports configured as DTE devices with independent, non-isolated channels and common single return


• Data Rate: Programmable to 230 Kbps via internal baud rate generator


• Character Format: 5–8 bit length, odd/even/no parity, 1/1.5/2 stop bits (all software-selectable)


• Buffering: 64-byte FIFO per transmit and receive channel; double-buffered mode available


• Handshaking: RTS/CTS flow control on each channel


• Interrupts: Individually maskable transmit, receive, line status, and modem status interrupts with unique vector assignment per port; priority shifting prevents port blocking


• Error Detection: Line-break and false start-bit detection


• Power: +5V DC (±5%) at 340 mA maximum


• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 70°C


• Storage Temperature: -55°C to 125°C


• Humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing


• MTBF: 3,000,012 hours at 25°C (MIL-HDBK-217F, Notice 2)


• Dimensions: 4 × 2 × 1 inches; 8 oz weight

Key Features

• 64-byte FIFO buffering reduces CPU interrupt overhead and latency


• Receiver line status monitoring for overrun, parity, framing error, and break conditions


• Receiver data-available interrupt at FIFO threshold or character time-out


• Modem status tracking (CTS)


• ANSI/VITA-4 1996 IP module compliance with IOSel*, IDSel*, and INTSel* data transfer cycle support

Compatibility & Integration The module integrates with VMEbus, ISA, and PCI carrier boards. Standard IP form factor enables plug-and-play deployment in existing industrial computing platforms.