Reliable PCI-E 2-Port RS232 + 1 Printer Expansion Card

Flexible Serial and Parallel Port Expansion

The PCI-E 2-port RS232 + 1 Printer expansion card provides a practical way to add multiple legacy communication interfaces to a compatible desktop computer. It combines two 9-pin RS232 serial connections with one 25-pin female printer interface, allowing three external devices to be connected through one installed card.

This combined configuration is especially useful when a computer must communicate with serial equipment while retaining access to a parallel printer or another IEEE 1284-compatible peripheral. Instead of installing separate serial and parallel cards, users can expand both interface types through one PCI-Express slot.

A Moschip controller manages the communication functions. Compatibility with the PCI-Express 1.0a standard and a 2.5 Gb/s full-duplex PCI-E channel supports reliable communication between the host computer and connected peripherals.

Key Technical Specifications

Configurable RS232 Communication

Each RS232 port uses a standard 9-pin connection for compatible serial communication equipment. The dual-port layout allows two separate serial devices to operate from one computer, helping reduce dependence on external USB-to-serial adapters.

Support for the 16C550 UART standard provides a familiar communication structure for software and equipment designed around conventional PC serial ports. The 256-byte transmit and receive FIFO helps buffer serial data during communication, supporting more orderly transfer between the computer and connected equipment.

Serial transmission rates can reach up to 115200 bps. Full-duplex communication allows data to be transmitted and received, while hardware flow control helps coordinate data movement when supported by the connected device.

Users can configure 5, 6, 7 or 8 data bits according to the requirements of their serial equipment. Available parity settings include none, even, odd, space and mark. One-bit and two-bit stop configurations are also supported. These options make it possible to match a range of established RS232 communication protocols.

IEEE 1284 Parallel Printer Connectivity

The integrated DB25 female printer port adds a parallel interface for equipment that cannot connect through USB or network ports. Compliance with the IEEE 1284 parallel standard supports established communication requirements for compatible printers and peripheral devices.

SPP, EPP and ECP modes are supported. SPP provides conventional parallel communication, while EPP and ECP accommodate equipment designed for enhanced parallel transfer modes. The required mode should be selected according to the connected device, driver and computer configuration.

Combining serial and parallel connectivity on one card can simplify installations that use both communication standards, particularly when available PCI-E slots are limited.

Supported Operating Systems

Driver support is specified for the following operating environments:

• Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP and Windows 2000 in 32-bit configurations

• Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 in 64-bit configurations

• Linux kernel 2.6.x

Because the listed operating systems and Linux kernel are established versions, buyers should confirm driver availability before using the card with a different or newer operating system.

Suitable Application Scenarios

This PCI-E serial and printer card can be considered for computers that need to retain established RS232 and parallel connections. Potential uses include legacy hardware integration, maintenance workstations, serial communication terminals, testing systems, monitoring equipment and parallel printer installations.

The two RS232 ports can connect separate compatible devices with different communication settings. Meanwhile, the DB25 interface can serve a compatible printer or parallel peripheral. This makes the card useful when modern computers must be integrated into installations that still rely on conventional interfaces.

Compatibility Check Before Ordering

Before purchasing, confirm that the host computer has a suitable PCI-Express slot. Buyers should also check the connector type, operating system, available driver, required baud rate, data bits, parity, stop bits, flow-control method and parallel operating mode.

For an accurate compatibility evaluation, include the computer operating system, motherboard or computer model, connected equipment model, required RS232 settings and intended parallel device when submitting an inquiry.