StarTech.com 4 Port PCIe Serial Card TAA RS232/422/485 PEX4S232485
The StarTech.com PEX4S232485 4 Port PCIe Serial Card adds two RS232 and two RS422/485 serial ports to modern systems, ensuring critical industrial and point-of-sale applications maintain essential legacy connectivity.
- Versatile Connectivity: Provides two RS232 and two RS422/485 serial ports, enabling connection to a wide range of legacy industrial and POS devices.
- TAA Compliance: Meets Trade Agreements Act requirements, simplifying procurement for government and public sector organizations.
- Robust Data Handling: Features a 256 B FIFO buffer, ensuring efficient data transfer and reducing CPU overhead for reliable communication.
- Broad OS Support: Compatible with various Windows and Linux operating systems, offering flexible integration into existing IT infrastructures.
Product Overview
Product Overview
The StarTech.com PEX4S232485 is a 4-port PCIe serial card engineered to add two RS232 and two RS422/485 serial ports to any compatible PC, facilitating essential connectivity for specialized business hardware. This internal expansion card utilizes a SystemBase SB16C1052PCI chipset, providing reliable data transfer at up to 0.4608 Mbit/s.
Designed for operational resilience, this card supports a wide operating temperature range of 0 to 100 °C and is TAA compliant, making it suitable for demanding industrial environments and government procurement. It ensures that critical legacy systems can continue to operate efficiently within modern computing infrastructures.
- Compliance & Procurement: TAA compliant, simplifying the purchasing process for government agencies and contractors by meeting specific trade agreement requirements.
- Legacy Device Integration: Adds two RS232 and two RS422/485 serial ports, allowing businesses to connect and utilize essential legacy industrial and point-of-sale equipment.
- Reliable Data Flow: Equipped with a 256 B FIFO buffer, which optimizes data handling and reduces CPU load, ensuring stable and efficient serial communication for critical applications.
- Broad System Compatibility: Supports a wide array of Windows operating systems, from Windows 2000 to Windows 8, and Linux, ensuring seamless integration into diverse IT environments.
- Operational Value: Engineered for a wide operating temperature range of 0 to 100 °C, providing dependable performance in challenging industrial and server room conditions.
This StarTech.com PCIe serial card is the ideal solution for businesses needing to extend the life and functionality of their essential serial-based equipment within modern IT setups.
Technical Specifications
1Performance & Business Impact
2Connectivity & I/O
3Physical & Environmental
4Lifecycle, Warranty & Compliance
Full Specifications
Ports & interfaces4
Features2
Weight & dimensions4
Design1
Operational conditions1
System requirements1
Technical details1
Packaging data1
Logistics data1
Other features1
Downloads1
What This Solves
Industrial Automation Control
Manufacturing facilities often utilize legacy programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and sensor arrays that communicate via RS485 or RS422 serial protocols. This card provides the necessary ports to connect modern control PCs directly to these industrial systems. It ensures reliable data exchange for monitoring production lines, managing machinery, and executing automated processes, preventing costly operational disruptions.
Manufacturing plants, industrial operators, logistics companies, warehouse automation
Point-of-Sale (POS) System Integration
Retail and hospitality environments depend on robust point-of-sale systems that frequently interface with various peripherals like receipt printers, barcode scanners, and payment terminals via RS232. This card adds the required serial ports to a POS workstation. It enables seamless and efficient transaction processing, reducing customer wait times and ensuring the continuous operation of critical sales infrastructure.
Retail stores, restaurant chains, hospitality groups, franchise networks
Specialized Data Acquisition
Research institutions, medical labs, and engineering firms often use specialized instruments or data loggers that output data through RS232 serial connections. This card provides the interface to capture this data directly onto a modern computer. It facilitates accurate and timely data collection for analysis, experimentation, and record-keeping, supporting critical scientific and technical operations.
Medical labs, research institutions, engineering firms, quality control departments
Key Features
4 Serial Ports (2x RS232, 2x RS422/485)
Provides versatile connectivity for a broad range of legacy industrial and point-of-sale devices, extending the lifespan of existing hardware.
TAA Compliant Design
Meets Trade Agreements Act requirements, simplifying procurement processes for government and public sector organizations.
256 B FIFO Buffer
Optimizes data transfer efficiency and reduces CPU overhead, ensuring reliable and stable communication for critical applications.
Wide Operating Temperature (0-100 °C)
Guarantees dependable performance in demanding industrial environments or server rooms with varying temperatures.
Broad OS Support (Windows & Linux)
Ensures flexible integration into diverse existing IT infrastructures, minimizing compatibility issues and deployment effort.
Industry Applications
Manufacturing & Industrial
This card enables reliable communication with PLCs, sensors, and control systems on factory floors, ensuring continuous production and data acquisition.
Retail & Hospitality
It provides essential connectivity for point-of-sale (POS) systems, allowing integration with receipt printers, barcode scanners, and payment terminals.
Government & Public Sector
TAA compliance makes this card suitable for government procurement, facilitating the integration of legacy systems in public agencies and defense contractors.
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Used to connect specialized medical diagnostic equipment or laboratory instruments that rely on RS232/422/485 serial interfaces for data exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of serial devices are compatible with this card?
This card is compatible with devices using RS232, RS422, or RS485 serial interfaces, including industrial control systems, point-of-sale peripherals, data acquisition units, and specialized sensors. It supports both 2-wire and 4-wire RS485 operating modes.
Does this serial card require any special drivers for installation?
Yes, like most PCIe expansion cards, this StarTech.com serial card requires specific drivers for proper functionality. Drivers are available for various Windows operating systems (from 2000 to 8) and Linux, ensuring broad system compatibility.
Can this card operate in environments with fluctuating temperatures?
Absolutely, the card is designed to operate reliably across a wide temperature range of 0 to 100 °C. This makes it suitable for deployment in industrial settings, server rooms, or other environments where temperature control may not be optimal.
What is the maximum data transfer rate supported by these serial ports?
The StarTech.com PEX4S232485 supports a data transfer rate of up to 0.4608 Mbit/s (460.8 Kbps). This speed is sufficient for most legacy serial communication protocols used in industrial and POS applications.
Warranty & Returns
Manufacturer Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Warranty is provided directly by the manufacturer and covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.
Return Policy
Returns subject to manufacturer approval
Hardware returns are governed by the manufacturer's return policy. Some products are non-returnable or subject to restocking fees. Defective items are handled under the manufacturer warranty. Contact Zent Networks before initiating any return.