StarTech PS74ADF-SERIAL-CARD 4-Port PCIe RS232 Serial Adapter Card 16950 UART Windows Linux

Overview :

The StarTech PS74ADF-SERIAL-CARD is a professional-grade PCI Express expansion card designed to add four high-performance RS232 serial ports to a desktop computer or server. It is utilized by industrial engineers, system integrators, and IT professionals who need to maintain reliable communication with legacy or specialized serial hardware, such as PLCs, POS terminals, scientific sensors, and telecommunications equipment.

Technically, the card features a high-performance 16950 UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter), which provides superior data throughput and significantly reduced CPU load compared to standard 16550 UARTs. It supports data transfer rates up to 921.6Kbps and features deep 128-byte FIFOs for reliable data buffering and flow control. The card utilizes a single-lane PCIe 1.1 interface (compatible with x1, x4, x8, and x16 slots) and includes a breakout cable (DB44 to 4x DB9) to manage all four serial connections through a single expansion slot.

Deployment is versatile for various hardware environments. The card comes with a standard-profile bracket pre-installed and includes four low-profile (half-height) brackets in the box, ensuring compatibility with both full-sized towers and small-form-factor (SFF) workstations. It is fully compatible with modern operating systems, including Windows and Linux, and supports custom baud rate configuration for specialized industrial applications.

Key Features :

• Adds four RS232 (DB9) serial ports via a single PCIe expansion slot.

• High-speed 16950 UART ensures efficient data processing and low CPU overhead.

• Supports high-speed data transfer rates up to 921.6Kbps.

• Includes 4x low-profile brackets for installation in small-form-factor cases.

• Breakout cable design simplifies cable management behind the workstation.