National Instruments PCMCIA-485 Serial Interface Device

The National Instruments PCMCIA-485 (Part Number: 777378-01) is a Single Port Serial Interface Device for RS-485 and RS-482 protocols. With this device, you can connect up to 32 devices using a maximum of 4000 ft. serial cables. Thus, the NI PCMCIA-485 is a powerful option available for applications where relatively larger link distances are required. This device comes with a cable that terminates in a standard DB-9 type connector. For reliable communication, the PCMCIA-485 supports as many as four transceiver control modes with four-wire and two-wire devices. Users can enable and disable the transmitter and receiver through hardware flow control to work on different topologies.

For most full-duplex systems, the NI PCMCIA-485 can be operated in four-wire mode. In this mode, the receiver and transmitter remain enabled all the time. The four-wire mode is the factory default mode. This Serial Interface Device comes with differential types of transmission lines and can offer up to 10 Mbytes/s data rates. The device has a power requirement of 100 mA typical at +5 VDC. The NI PCMCIA-485 is delivered with serial driver software and you can install it as a standard serial port from NI-VISA oriented applications or from your existing applications. The device can be programmed using application development environments (ADEs) such as LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI.

This device is a Type II PC Card. Thus, it can be used with almost every notebook computer or laptop. The NI PCMCIA-485 device requires around 110 amperes of current to operate in typical conditions. This device takes the required power from PCMCIA and thus does not need any additional or external power supplies. National Instruments offers other types of cables for this device that can be acquired separately.

The NI device measures 3.370 x 2.126 x 0.197 in. in physical dimensions. It has recommended operating and storage temperature ranges of 0 to 70° C and –40 to 120° C respectively, non-condensing operating and storage humidity ranges of 10 to 90% RH and 5 to 90% RH respectively.

PCMCIA-485 Obsolete Status has been announced by National Instruments, but the device will still be available for purchase and repairs by Apex Waves.