Description
The Galileo PETR04A is a professional-grade PCI Express expansion card engineered to provide four high-speed RS-232 serial ports. Built with the reliable TXB071 chipset and a PCI-E 1X interface, it delivers a full-duplex 2.5Gbps bandwidth, making it an essential hardware upgrade for workstations requiring multiple COM port connections. This card ensures seamless integration with legacy industrial equipment while maintaining the stability and speed of modern PCI-E architectures.
This product is for:
- Industrial Automation Engineers: Professionals interfacing with PLC systems, CNC machinery, or industrial sensors that rely on RS-232 communication.
- POS System Integrators: Businesses deploying retail environments that require multiple serial connections for barcode scanners, receipt printers, and credit card terminals.
- IT Infrastructure Managers: Technicians maintaining legacy server equipment or networking hardware that utilizes console ports for configuration.
- Laboratory Researchers: Scientists connecting specialized measurement instruments and data loggers to modern PC workstations for precise data acquisition.
- Embedded System Developers: Engineers testing and debugging microcontrollers or firmware via serial debugging interfaces.
Detailed specifications:
- Interface: PCI Express 1X (Compatible with PCI-E 4X, 8X, and 16X slots)
- Standard: PCI Express 1.0a compliant; compatible with PCI-E 3.0, 2.0, and 1.0 specifications
- Chipset: TXB071
- Port Count: 4 x RS-232 (9-Pin Male)
- Throughput: 2.5Gbps Full Duplex channel
- Operating System Support: Windows 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 / Vista / XP / 2000 / 2003 (32/64-bit), DOS, Linux Kernel 2.6.x
Installing the Galileo PETR04A is a straightforward process thanks to its broad compatibility with various PCI-E slot sizes. Once seated, the card provides consistent voltage levels and timing accuracy across all four ports, which is critical for sensitive industrial equipment. The TXB071 controller handles high-speed data throughput without taxing the host CPU, ensuring that real-time monitoring applications remain responsive even under heavy serial traffic conditions.
Unlike standard USB-to-Serial adapters which often suffer from driver instability and latency issues, the PETR04A uses a native PCI Express bus connection. This provides a more direct hardware-level communication path, resulting in lower latency and higher reliability for mission-critical tasks. Compared to 2-port alternatives, this 4-port model maximizes the utility of a single expansion slot, making it a more space-efficient choice for compact industrial chassis or server racks.
Q&A:
- Does this card support 64-bit operating systems? Yes, the Galileo PETR04A includes drivers for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows, including Windows 10 and legacy versions like XP.
- Can I install this in a PCI-E 16X graphics card slot? Yes, the PCI-E 1X interface is physically and electrically compatible with larger 4X, 8X, and 16X PCI Express slots.
- What is the maximum data transfer rate? The card operates on a PCI-Express 2.5Gbps full-duplex channel, providing ample bandwidth for the standard baud rates used by RS-232 devices.
- Is this card compatible with Linux? Yes, it supports Linux Kernel 2.6.x and newer, making it suitable for open-source industrial controllers and server environments.
- Does it require an external power supply? No, the card draws all necessary power directly from the PCI Express slot on the motherboard, simplifying cable management.
