Title: Differences in Bluestorm & Xtreme/104-Plus Product Family
Keywords: Bluestorm, Bluestorm/SP, Bluestorm Express, Express, Drivers, RS-422, RS-485, Xtreme/104+, Xtreme/104-Plus
Date: October 9, 2007
KDB: KDB-308
Revision: 0.00
Author: GRV
Distribution: External
This article describes the similarities and differences between Connect Tech’s Bluestorm Multi-port serial products.
Similarities:
All Bluestorm & Xtreme/104-Plus products will use the SAME driver for each operating system they are to be used with (i.e. There is a different driver for QNX, Linux, Windows, etc. Each Bluestorm & Xtreme/104-Plus card uses the same driver within the operating system.)
Differences:
Most Bluestorm & Xtreme/104-Plus cards will come with cabling that breaks out to either a DB-9 or DB-25 connector. The RS-232 pinouts are the same for all products, however, the RS-422/485 pinouts are DIFFERENT. The 2nd pinout was used to maintain compatibility with our Xtreme/104, and the BlueHeat/PCI Opto.
Some cards are able to tri-state (disable) the transmit lines on power up.
| Part Number Prefix | Product Family | Description | Driver | RS-422/485 Pinout | Tri-State Transmit Lines on Boot? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BL/BLG | Bluestorm LP | 2,4,8 Port Low Profile PCI Card | Same | Type A | No |
| BEG | Bluestorm Express | 2,4,8,16 port PCI-express Card | Same | Type A | Yes (2,4 port only) |
| BTG | Bluestorm SP | 8 port PCI Card (uses same 8 port cable as BlueHeat/PCI family) | Same | Type A | Yes |
| BSG | Bluestorm SP Opto | 4 port PCI Card – Optical Isolation | Same | Type B | Yes |
| BBG | Bluestorm Express Opto | 4 port PCI-e Card – Optical Isolation | Same | Type B | Yes |
| XP/XPG | Xtreme/104-Plus | 4,8 port PC/104-plus Card | Same | Type B | No |
| XOG | Xtreme/104-Plus Opto | 4 port PC/104-plus Card – Optical Isolation | Same | Type B | Yes |
Type A Pinout
Type B Pinout
What is Tri-State on Boot?
If you card has this feature, it will keep the transmit lines disabled (both lines at 0 volts) while the PC in booting. Without this, the transmit lines will be active (one line is usually around +2 to +4 volts, the other at 0 volts) while the PC is booting.
Settings:
Each port must be jumpered for “half-duplex” or “multi-drop slave”, and the driver must be set to use either “half-duplex” or “multi-drop slave”.
Why would you want it?
This is desirable if you have the RS-422/485 port installed on a single bus with multiple devices. If the PC needs to be rebooted while connected to the bus, the momentary active transmit lines may cause communication between other devices on the bus to halt or pause.
Switching from BlueHeat/PCI to the Bluestorm?
Please visit this link for a list of part numbers.
Custom Baud Rates
All Bluestorm & Xtreme/104-Plus cards come with the same oscillator installed. They are able to meet the following baud-rates without modification:
- 1,843,200 bps
- 921,600
- 460,800
- 230,400
- 115,200
- 57,600
- 38,400
- 28,800
- 19,200
- 14,400
- 9,600
- 4,800
- 2,400
- 1,200
- 600
- 300
- 150
If you need a baud rate that is not listed, please contact [email protected]. We will be able to suggest an alternate part for you. Non-standard baud rates like 500,000 bps, 1 Mbps, 1.25 Mbps can easily be met.
There is another option with our 8 and 16 port Bluestorm/Express cards (part numbers BEG005 and BEG006). They are able to hit ANY baud rate between 300 bps – 2.0 Mbps. Currently this is only supported in QNX 4 (driver version 1.08 or newer), and QNX 6 (driver version 2.02 or newer). For more information on this, please contact [email protected]
End of KDB-308