Description
Quatech RS-232 PCI boards utilize a single PCI slot to provide two, four,
or eight independent asynchronous serial ports that share a single interrupt.
All PCI registers are properly implemented, so you can be assured that
Quatech boards will be good citizens on the PCI bus. The RS-422/485 serial boards are available with either two or four
ports. The ports are jumper configurable for either RS-422 or RS-485 in
any combination for full and half duplex networks. PCI registers are properly
implemented to assure that Plug-and-Play works reliably, and that the
board will not cause PCI bus conflicts.
Retail/Hospitality (POS) Applications--RS-232 PCI Board
Application: S.A.M, Self Service Automated Machine
Quatech Products Used: ESC-100M eight port RS-232 serial PCI board with Modular connectors
S.A.M. (Self-Service Automated Machine) was designed by Singapore Post to enable customers to conduct a wide variety of consumer transactions at any one of 90 convenient 24-hour KIOSK locations throughout Singapore. From paying bills, to weighing and properly posting packages, to paying taxes and even settling traffic fines, S.A.M can do it..
To accomplish these varied transactions the S.A.M. Kiosk must utilize a robust network of serial I/O devices in order to interact successfully with the customer. Each S.A.M. is equipped with the following serial devices:
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1. A TouchScreen through which users enter information (such as a pin number or transaction amount) and make menu selections
2. A scale upon which letters and packages can be weighed so that S.A.M can sell the required postage
3. A magnetic card reader to process debit card transactions and phone card transactions
4. A bar-code scanner through which an identifying code is scanned from utility bills, telephone bills, cable bills, etc.
5. A Label Printing Controller (LPC) that prints stamps and postage labels
6. A receipt printer to provide a record of all transactions for the customer |
Quatech's ESC-100M eight port RS-232 serial PCI board provides SAM's vital serial connectivity link. It was chosen for a number of important reasons. First and foremost it provided the fastest data transfer rate of all cards tested. It also provided convenient RJ11 modular connectors, which were an ideal solution for the small amount of space available in the S.A.M. Kiosk. (Most eight-port cards use a large cable with eight separate pigtails and bulky DB-9 connectors.) It also provided the added bonus of easier maintenance and lower cabling costs. In addition, Quatech's ESC-100M was ideal because it allowed for S.A.M. to be upgraded without replacing its serial board. Currently, S.A.M. uses only six of the eight available serial ports, leaving two open for future devices. Quatech also offers extensive OS support options for its boards making software upgrades an easy task. In this case, Singapore Post is planning a migration from Windows NT to Windows XP, and the ESC-100M has drivers for both.
For more information on the SAM Kiosk see www.singpost.com/02_consumer_svcs/sam.htm
Detailed Specifications: Serial PCI Boards
Bus Interface: 32-bit, 33 MHz PCI Bus specification 3.0 compliant
MOSCHIP Bus Interface: PCI 2.1 32bit, 33MHz
OS Support: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista, OS/2, DOS, Linux
MOSCHIP OS Support: Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista
Data Rate: up to 921.6 kbps (max*) learn more about max data rates
RS-232 Serial Ports: DSC:2 QSC:4 ESC:8
RS-422/485 Serial Ports: DSC:2 QSC:4 (each configurable as RS-422 or RS-485 for full or half duplex)
MOSCHIP Serial Ports: DS:2 QS:4 (requires 2 PC bracket slots) HS:6 (requires 3 PC bracket slots)
UARTs: 16750 UARTs with 64-byte FIFOs
16550 UARTs with 16-byte FIFOs (DSC-100/200/300 & ESC-100)
Transceiver: MAX3076E or compatible
RS-232 Drivers:
High Level Output: +5V (min), +5.4V (typ)
Low Level Output: -5V (min), -5.4V (typ)
Transition Time (THL-TLH): 25 ns (typ)
RS-422/485 Drivers:
Differential Voltage: +/-3.3V
Transition Time (TLH): 52ns (typ)
Transition Time (THL): 60ns (typ)
RS-232 Receive Buffers:
Voltage Range: -25V (max), -25V (max)
Transition Time (THL-TLH): 50ns (typ)
RS-422/485 Receive Buffers:
Differential Input Threshold: ±0.2V
Voltage Range: -7V to +12V Common Mode Input
Transition Time (THL-TLH): 65ns (typ)
IND Option: Surge suppressor applied to each line that is capable of sustaining up to 40A peak, 8 x 20µs transient surges, a clamping voltage of 30V and a peak energy dissipation of 0.1 Joules. (NOTE: The "IND" option limits data rate to 115.2 kbps due to capacitive loading.)
Environment:
Operating: 0°C to 70°C
Storage: -50°C to 80°C
Humidity: 10% to 90%
Power Requirements: 260mA (+5V)
Size:
DSC-100/200/300: 4.785” x 3.5”
QSC/ESC: 4.725" x 2.5"
Certifications: CE, FCC Class B, RoHS and WEEE compliant
