Hostess i

Overview

The Hostess i is a powerful multiport controller that allows you to connect up to 16 serial devices to your PC through a single expansion slot, and increase the number of serial ports to 64 by adding four controllers to your system. Start with an 8-port controller and expand to a 16-port controller with our easy-to-install upgrade module... a field upgradeable module that eliminates the need to buy a new controller when your serial port requirements change. And for adding memory, the standard 128K of DRAM is field upgradeable from 512K to 8MB, using SIMM memory modules.

Hostess i intelligent controllers deliver an unprecedented combination of flexibility and power. They use a powerful on-board processor designed to off-load the host processor, providing high performance serial communications for the most demanding applications.

Hostess i versatility makes this power available for more systems and configurations than ever before. For unequaled power and versatility, whether it's a multiuser system or a custom application requiring software development, add up the advantages of the Hostess i controllers and multiply your performance with Comtrol.

Features & Specifications

• 8- or 16-port models
• ISA compatible
• V53 12 MHz on-board processor
• 128K dual-port RAM - standard
• Field up-gradable memory modules - 512K, 2MB and 8MB
• Field up-gradable module - upgrades 8-ports to 16-ports
• 50-38,400 Kbaud serial data rate
• Multiple sessions & transparent print
• Two 1.10 megabits/second full duplex synchronous ports - full DMA support
• Software selectable 8- or 16-bit data transfer
• 24-bit memory addressing
• Software selectable 16K sliding address window access to 128K dual-port memory
• 16K, 32K, 64K, or 128K address window size
• Switch selectable block I/O addressing
• Software selectable synchronous settings
• Software selectable hardware interrupts - IRQ's 3-5, 9-12, 15
• RS-232/422 is jumper selectable per port - standard
• RS-232/485 is jumper selectable per port - upgrade module
• Ports 1-8 jumper selectable between RS-232/422 & ports 9-16 jumper selectable between RS-232/485 - upgrade module

Synchronous Communications

In addition to asynchronous capability, our controllers offer synchronous communications. Hostess i controllers can be configured to support two synchronous ports, with speeds up to 1.10 megabits per second. These synchronous ports are supported by 4 DMA channels for full duplex operation. The Hostess i controller hardware can handle synchronous protocols such as IBM BISYNC, HDLC, SDLC, and X.25 for a multitude of applications.

Advanced Designs

The Hostess i is an excellent choice for creating a powerful multiuser system. It is the first serial port controller designed around the V53 12 MHz processor. The result is significantly faster throughput.

Yet we didn't stop at power. Hostess i is flexible too. Whether you're working in a UNIX environment or you're a software developer/OEM using DOS, Hostess i can help you overcome common configuration problems. Problems like - addressing in systems of 16MB or more, addressing under 1MB, or memory caching conflicts. That's where the flexibility of Hostess i comes in. Our address window sizes range from 16K to 128K. This means you have the ability - under DOS or UNIX - to select any available 16K base address window above 512K. For addressing below 1MB, Hostess i supports 8-bit memory transfers, so you can coexist in the same address window with other 8-bit peripheral controllers.

In other words, you no longer have to accept the limited base addresses under 1MB. And installation is easier than ever because interrupts, address window size, and memory transfer size are all software selectable.

Because every user environment is unique, Hostess i controllers are developed for compatibility with the widest range of hardware and operating systems on the market. From DOS to UNIX, Hostess i provides the performance, functionality, and flexibility you require.

But that's not all. Comtrol device drivers provide additional features like Transparent Print and Multiple Sessions. Transparent Print allows you to print from your terminal, while your terminal is in use. The Multiple Sessions feature lets you have more than one session active at the same time. It also allows you to toggle back and forth to the application of your choice.

Hostess i controllers are compatible with virtually all major operating systems. All software drivers and updates are available at no charge.

Software Development Tools

Today, PCs are used in many products and systems such as medical monitoring systems, building environmental control systems, automated factory equipment systems, automatic teller machines, and voice messaging systems. Typically, these PC-based products or systems use multiport serial communication controllers to connect the PC and the devices they control.

And while each software developer has unique needs, developers generally share one common objective - to embed the multiport serial controller within their product and their application as quickly and painlessly as possible. The Hostess i Developer's Toolkit is specifically designed to assist software developers in achieving this objective.

The Hostess i Developer's Toolkit contains a comprehensive programmer's reference manual. It also includes sample programs with source and executable code on diskette. Two firmware-resident debuggers are included for on-board development assistance. A special developer version of the Hostess i is available with external debug and reset options. The Hostess i Developer's Toolkit is available from Comtrol at no charge. (See our Developer's Toolkit product literature for more information.)

Options & Accessories

Comtrol controllers feature the largest selection of interfaces and connectors on the market. In addition to typical RS-232 capability, we've added RS-422 along with an RS-485 option. These features give you the ability to attach terminals up to 4000 feet away from your PC.

Upgrade modules allow you to configure the serial ports for either RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485. You can choose from DB9, DB25, or RJ45 connectors. All Hostess i controller interfaces are designed to mount on the back of your computer or stand alone. Each interface comes with cabling and easily attaches to the controller via a high-density connector.

Controller Specifications

Air Temperature
--System On	0 to 40 degrees C
--System Off	-20 to 85 degrees C
Humidity
--System On	8% to 80%
--System Off	20% to 80%
Altitude:	0 to 10,000 feet (0 to 3048 meters)

	4-Port	8-Port
Heat Output:	32.5 BTU/HR	52.4 BTU/HR
Current Consumption:
+5 VDC	1.740A	2.540A
+12 VDC	0.004A	0.005A
-12 VDC	0.066A	0.220A

Product Listing

Call Comtrol sales for more information.
+1 763.494.4100 or 800.926.6876