The FarSync T4U PCI / PCI-X card provides a very flexible 4 port sync communications platform for Linux and Windows systems
Overview
The FarSync T4U card and software is designed to provide high performance hardware communications solutions for business, government and military applications where a Universal PCI synchronous communications card is needed. The product includes a low level driver that allows access to the communications features available in the hardware. The card can optionally use the host’s standard TCP/IP protocol stack to allow access to IP based networks such as the Internet.
The FarSync SDK provides a Developers Toolkit for the product.
The card will support a synchronous line at
speeds of up to 10Mbits/s continuous. The highly flexible universal network connector supports RS232, X.21, RS530 (RS422 signalling), RS449 and V.35 network interfaces.
The card is also available with soft selectable asynchronous/synchronous support as well by ordering the FarSync T4U+Async, see Order Information.
The product is supplied with a 5 year warranty.
Features under Windows:
The Windows based API common to the entire range of FarSync cards/devices is referred to as the FarSync Windows API (FsWinAPI). This is an extension of the MS COMM API and enables, for example, applications developed to support COM ports, to be easily ported to use FarSync support in synchronous or asynchronous modes. This standardization enables the API to also be readily accessible from higher level environments such as .NET, C#, VB etc.
The FsWinAPI provides applications with direct access to the card’s communications port/s for bit sync (HDLC) framing and also transparent bitstream operation for video and voice type applications.
The FarSync T4U can also be installed to appear as a NDIS (LAN) interface so it can simply use the TCP/IP stack over PPP to allow access to IP based networks such as the Internet.
The card installs seamlessly under Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, Windows Server 2016, 2012 and 2008 on both 32 and 64 bit, single and multi-core systems. The FarSync drivers are signed by Microsoft for easy installation.
LabVIEW applications can access this adapter.
Features under Linux:
The Char I/O API provides a programming language independent, high-level interface to the FarSync base driver it supports access to all the cards modes of operation. The cards can also use the TCP/IP stack to allow access to IP based networks such as the Internet.
The T4U card installs seamlessly as a plug and play device under the popular Linux 32 and 64 bit distributions. The cards supports Linux kernel versions from 2.6.12 onwards in 32 and 64 bit formats, including the leading distributions supplied by Red Hat, SuSE, CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Slackware and more. Multi-processor
systems are supported.
FarSite is committed to supporting the FarSync T4U on new versions of Linux and Linux kernels as they are released. The
source code for the driver is supplied
with the product allowing rebuilding by the end user for use with
almost any of the current or future Linux variants. The driver supports both big-endian and little-endian memory storage formats.
Developers Toolkit:
The FarSync SDK provides a Developers Toolkit with full documentation, useful utilities, such as a line monitor, and many sample applications for Linux and Windows. Free support from FarSite’s Engineering department is provided to customers purchasing the FarSync SDK who have technical questions using the API.
Typical
Applications
The FarSync T4U is suitable for a very wide range of uses; some typical applications include:
- High speed multi-port HDLC framing support for non standard or specialist protocols
- Interfacing DAB ETI (Ensemble Transport Interface – ETSI EN 300 799) transparent bit streams to Servers
- Interfacing MPEG Video bit streams T-DMB ETI to Servers
- Interfacing high speed MPEG Video bit streams to Servers
- Watchdog systems
- Data generators for test systems
- Engineering monitoring and control systems
- Internet Access and remote office access over leased lines
- HDLC framing support for non standard or specialist protocols
- Multiport synchronous card in a MikroTik router
FarSync T4U – Product Details
The FarSync T4U is supplied with software drivers for Windows and Linux. This includes a low level driver that allows access to the communications features available in the hardware and an optionally installable driver that connects with the standard TCP/IP protocol stack to allow access to IP based networks such as the Internet.
The drivers supplied with Windows and Linux allow large numbers of ports to be supported by the installation of multiple FarSync T4U cards in a Server. Typically 12 or more cards (48+ ports) can be supported; the card limit is only dependent on the PCI / PCI-X slot count and resources available in the host Server and the total bandwidth of the PCI bus.
Card Hardware
The 4 port card runs an AMD processor with SRAM. The card has a quad embedded HDLC / transparent controller with SDMA access (128 buffers per port) and a wide range of timers. The whole memory space may be mapped via the PCI interface to the PC/Server. Total bandwidth supported by the card is 64 Mbits/s.
Network Interfaces
The multi function line drivers available on all the ports support X.21
(V.11), V.35, RS232
(V.24, X.21bis), RS530
(EIA530, RS422), RS449 (RS422) , network interfaces, all soft configurable and ESD protected from static charges. The maximum supported line speed is 10 Mbits/s full duplex.Clock Generation
As well as external clocking the T4U supports card generated clocks at a range of standard frequencies from 9,600 baud to 8.192 Mbits/s and dual clocks can be generated in V.11 mode if required. The clocking speed of all ports is individually selectable. If you require more flexible clock generation then the FarSync T4E+ may be more suitable for your requirements.
PCI Bus Specification
The FarSync T4U card is suitable for systems with a PCI or PCI-X bus, covering single processor systems and multi-processor systems. The card is PCI revision 2.2 compliant with support for both 3.3 and 5 volt signalling, the power for the card is taken from the 3.3 volt supply rail. The FarSync T4U card may be fitted in either 32-bit PCI bus slots or 64-bit PCI-X bus slots as this Universal PCI card will work perfectly well in both.
Key Features supported on Linux
The FarSync T4U installs seamlessly under Linux kernels from 2.6.12 onwards on both single and multi-core 32 and 64 bit systems. All the popular distributions are supported including Red Hat, SuSE, Slackware, Ubuntu, Mandriva, Debian and Fedora.
Installation is simple, the driver is dynamically loadable so a kernel rebuild is not required for the driver to be installed. The link level protocol can be PPP, Cisco HDLC or Frame Relay with optional authentication by CHAP, MSCHAP or PAP (RFC 1334) providing a standard point-to-point network interface. The driver is supplied with source code.
The Char I/O API provides a programming language independent, high-level interface to the FarSync base driver it supports access to bit synchronous (HDLC) framed, transparent bitstream and asynchronous data (with the FarSync T4U+Async). The cards can also use the TCP/IP stack to allow access to IP based networks such as the Internet. It also allows selection of the full range of clock modes.
A configuration utility is provided to set the line speed, interface type and protocol, after which the ports may be configured with standard networking tools.
Key Features supported on Windows
The FarSync T4U installs easily under Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, Windows Server 2016, 2012 and 2008 on single or multi-core 32 and 64 bit systems. A FsWinAPI driver is installed with the optional installation of an NDIS (LAN) driver. The NDIS driver supports TCP/IP running over PPP with optional authentication by CHAP or PAP (RFC 1334) providing a standard point-to-point network interface. The drivers are signed by Microsoft for easy installation.
The product is supplied with a comprehensive configuration utility, a typical screen is shown on the right. The lines can be reconfigured and restarted
without reloading the software. There is context sensitive help and an on-line
manual should it be required.
An advanced tab permits users to further specify the configuration
of the line if necessary.
A Line Monitor is included that allows the user to record, display and store line traffic with WAN protocol decoding for fast debugging.
The FarSync T4U FsWinAPI allows applications developed using the FarSync SDK to exactly control the type of data sent and received in bit synchronous (HDLC framed) data and transparent bitstream formats in NRZ signal mode.
FarSync SDK – The Developers Toolkit
The SDK includes support for writing applications on both Linux and Windows and contains documentation, working sample applications, development and test utility applications. There is everything a user needs to rapidly develop and test a wide variety of applications such as specialist synchronous (HDLC framed) protocols or transparent bitstream data requirements including Audio, MPEG Video T-DMB and DAB ETI with bitstream encoder and decoder. The FarSync SDK is ordered separately from the FarSync T4U.
Our Engineering department provides free email and telephone assistance to application developers using the API as part of the package provided when the FarSync SDK is purchased.
See details on the FarSync SDK Developers Toolkit and the APIs supported.
| Linux | |
|---|---|
| Distribution Support | Distributions by Red Hat, SuSE, CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Slackware and more. Drivers for kernel 2.6.12 onwards on both single and multi-core 32 and 64 bit systems |
| Kernel Support | All sub versions of kernel releases from 2.6.12 Big Endian and Little Endian memory storage format drivers supplied. |
| Protocol Supported | TCP/IP, PPP, Cisco HDLC, LAPB, Frame Relay, CHAP, MSCHAP, PAP (RFCs 1661, 1332, 1334). Bitstream. ETI (NI, V.11) with the FarSync SDK. |
| API and Interfaces | Char I/O API |
| Windows | |
| O/S Types | Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, Windows Server 2016, 2012 and 2008. 32 and 64 bit (single and multi-core systems) |
| Protocol Supported | TCP/IP, PPP, LAPB, V.120, CHAP, PAP (RFCs 1661, 1332, 1334), ETI (NI, V.11), Bitstream. |
| API and Interfaces | FsWinAPI and NDIS (LAN) where the line appears as a LAN interface |
| Utilities | Line Monitor to record, display and store line traffic included |
| Card type and PCI specification | AMD processor with SRAM and quad port synchronous controller, Universal PCI (PCI-X compatible, PCI v2.2 compliant), bus mastering, DMA enabled, Supports 3.3 & 5 volt PCI signalling, Suitable for 32 and 64 bit PCI bus slots |
||
| Physical characteristics | Short card (height 107mm, length 167mm) | ||
| Multiple cards | Yes, typically 12 or more cards can be supported; the card limit is only dependent on the resources available in the host Server | ||
| Network connections supported | FS4440 4 synchronous ports; FS4441; 4 synchronous or asynchronous ports X.21 (V.11) – DTE DB15M type, V.35 – DTE M34M type, RS232 (V.24, X.21bis) – DTE DB25M type, RS530 (RS422) – DTE DB25M type, RS449 (RS422) – DTE DB37M type, DCE type cables are also available |
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| Link speed range sync | RS232: up to 128 Kbits/s X.21, V.35, RS530 (RS422), RS449 (RS422): up to 10 Mbits/s |
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| Link speed range async | 9,600, 19,200, 38.4K, 57.6K and 115.2 Kbits/s – FS4441 only | ||
| Line signal modes | NRZ | ||
| ESD protection | Littelfuse high speed ESD and over-voltage protection |
||
| Indicators | 4 LEDs displaying line status | ||
| Approvals, Compliance Declarations | EN55022 class B, CE, FCC class B, RoHS2 |
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| Power requirements | < 1.75 A @ +3.3v < 10mA @ +/- 12v (for ESD suppression) < 6 watts |
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| Operating Temperature Range | 0–60°C ambient air temperature. Note: a higher temperature range version -20 to +60°C ambient air temperature is available as an option, contact us for details. |
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| MTBF | 238,319 hours – calculation based on Bellcore Method 1 Case 3, 40°C ambient, 15 °C case temperature rise above ambient. |
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| Line clocking (internal/external) |
External and card generated line clocking is supported. The clock speed is independently selectable on each port. Card generated clock range 9,600 baud to 8,192 Mbits/s. No special cables are required to use card generated clocks on RS232, X.21 and RS530 (RS422). dual clocking is available on V.11. Internal clocking is supported on V.35 and RS449 with the use of cables designed for card generated clocks |
||
| Cable type compatibility | Cables are ordered separately see the Products and cable compatibility table | ||
| Warranty | 5 years | ||
| Order Information | ||
|---|---|---|
Product Name |
Description |
Product Code |
| FarSync T4U | Intelligent Universal PCI (PCI / PCI-X) 4 port synchronous bus mastering card (X.21 / V.35 / RS232 / EIA530 / RS422 / RS449), bitstream and HDLC support. Provides an API and operation on TCP/IP links.
For Linux and Windows. |
FS4440 |
| FarSync T4U + Async | Intelligent Universal PCI (PCI / PCI-X) 4 port synchronous and asynchronous bus mastering card (X.21 / V.35 / RS232 / EIA530 / RS422 / RS449), bitstream, async and HDLC support. Provides an API and operation on TCP/IP links. For Linux and Windows. Cables are ordered separately. |
FS4441 |
| FarSync SDK | Linux and Windows Developers Toolkit for the FarSync T4U and other FarSync cards – this is required if you want to write software to use the card’s API | FS9610 |
| FarSync X25 T4U | See FarSync T4U with X.25 software | FS6440 |
| Cable Options | ||
| See the FarSync product range and compatible cables table | ||