MOXA CP-104EL-A | 4-Port RS-232 PCI Express Serial Card

Description

The MOXA CP-104EL-A is a 4-port RS-232 PCI Express serial communication board designed to add multiple serial ports to a desktop, industrial computer, POS terminal, or embedded PC. It uses a PCI Express x1 interface and provides four independent RS-232 ports with data rates up to 921.6 kbps.

The board uses a low-profile form factor and requires only 3.3 VDC from the host PCI Express slot. Moxa provides driver support for a wide range of Windows, Linux, and UNIX operating systems.

 

📋 Product Datasheet

*Country of origin should be verified from the actual product label and shipping documentation. Moxa’s published specifications confirm the electrical, interface, environmental, and physical characteristics above.

 

⚙️ Main Features

🔹 Four Independent RS-232 Ports
Four serial channels allow one PC to communicate with multiple serial devices simultaneously.

🔹 High-Speed Serial Communication
Each port supports communication speeds from 50 bps to 921.6 kbps, including non-standard baud rates.

🔹 PCI Express x1 Interface
The CP-104EL-A uses PCI Express 1.0 and can be installed in a compatible PCI Express slot.

🔹 128-Byte FIFO
The 128-byte FIFO helps reduce CPU load and supports reliable high-speed serial data transmission.

🔹 Full RS-232 Modem Control
Supported signals include TxD, RxD, RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, DCD, and GND.

🔹 Low-Profile Design
The compact 67.21 × 103 mm board is suitable for smaller industrial computers and embedded systems.

 

🛠️ Operating Procedure & How to Use

1. Check the Host Computer

Before installation, confirm that the computer has:

• An available PCI Express slot
• Compatible operating system
• Adequate 3.3 V power capability
• Space for the low-profile board and cable assembly

The board itself requires approximately 805 mA at 3.3 VDC.

2. Install the Board

🔧 Shut down the computer completely.

🔌 Disconnect AC power.

🛡️ Use ESD protection when handling the PCIe board.

Insert the CP-104EL-A into a suitable PCI Express slot and secure the mounting bracket.

3. Connect Serial Devices

Connect the supplied or compatible DB44 breakout cable to the board.

The four serial channels can then be connected to RS-232 devices such as:

• Industrial controllers
• PLC programming ports
• HMIs
• Barcode scanners
• Modems
• Measurement instruments
• POS equipment
• Industrial computers

4. Install the Driver

Install the appropriate MOXA driver for the host operating system.

After installation, verify that all four ports are recognized correctly.

5. Configure Each Port

Configure each serial port according to the connected device:

• COM port number
• Baud rate
• Data bits
• Stop bits
• Parity
• Flow control

The CP-104EL-A supports 5–8 data bits, 1/1.5/2 stop bits, and None/Even/Odd/Space/Mark parity.

6. Test Communication

Open the required serial communication software and test each port individually.

Verify both transmit and receive functions before putting the system into normal service.

 

⚡ Power-On Sequence

1. 🔒 Shut down the host computer before installation.
2. 🔌 Connect the CP-104EL-A securely to the PCI Express slot.
3. 🔍 Check the DB44 connection.
4. 🔍 Verify serial-device wiring.
5. 🖥️ Start the host computer.
6. 💿 Allow the operating system to detect the board.
7. 🛠️ Install or verify the MOXA driver.
8. 🔢 Confirm the four assigned COM ports.
9. ⚙️ Configure baud rate, parity, data bits, stop bits, and flow control.
10. 📡 Test each RS-232 channel.
11. 🟢 Verify Tx/Rx LED activity.
12. ✅ Start the application software.

 

🔌 Power-Off Sequence

1. 🛑 Stop the serial communication application.
2. 💾 Save communication/configuration settings.
3. 🔒 Close all applications using the COM ports.
4. 🖥️ Shut down the host computer.
5. ⚡ Disconnect AC power if the board must be removed.
6. ⏳ Wait until the computer is completely powered down.
7. 🛡️ Apply ESD protection before touching the board.
8. 🔧 Remove the CP-104EL-A only after the host is fully de-energized.

 

📖 Product Usage Instructions

The CP-104EL-A is normally installed inside a PC-based control or communication system.

A typical architecture is:

Industrial PC → PCI Express Slot → CP-104EL-A → DB44 Cable → RS-232 Devices

For example:

COM1 → PLC

COM2 → HMI

COM3 → Barcode Scanner

COM4 → Measurement Instrument

Each port can have its own communication settings, allowing multiple devices with different serial configurations to operate through the same PC.

The board supports up to 8 CP-104EL-A boards per PC, subject to system and driver limitations.

 

🔍 Installation & Commissioning Checklist

Before commissioning:

• Confirm CP-104EL-A model.

• Check PCI Express slot.

• Inspect PCB and connector.

• Confirm DB44 cable type.

• Install the correct driver.

• Verify all four COM ports.

• Check baud rate.

• Check parity.

• Check data bits.

• Check stop bits.

• Check RTS/CTS or XON/XOFF settings.

• Test Tx/Rx communication.

• Check LED activity.

• Verify application software communication.

• Record the final COM-port configuration.

 

❓ Common Questions & Answers

Q: What is MOXA CP-104EL-A?

A: It is a four-port RS-232 PCI Express serial communication board used to add four serial ports to a compatible PC.

Q: How many serial ports does it provide?

A: It provides four RS-232 ports.

Q: Is CP-104EL-A a PCI card?

A: It is a PCI Express serial card, specifically using a PCI Express 1.0 interface.

Q: What is the maximum baud rate?

A: The maximum standard published baud rate is 921.6 kbps.

Q: What connector does the board use?

A: The board has a DB44 female connector, normally used with a breakout cable for the four serial ports.

Q: What power does it require?

A: Moxa specifies 3.3 VDC at approximately 805 mA.

Q: Can it be used in industrial automation?

A: Yes. Moxa specifically describes the CP-104EL-A as a solution used by industrial automation engineers and system integrators, in addition to POS and ATM applications.

Q: Which operating systems are supported?

A: Moxa provides drivers for various Windows, Linux, and UNIX environments. The exact supported OS version should be checked before installation.

Q: Can all four ports use different baud rates?

A: Yes. Each serial port can be configured according to the requirements of its connected device.

Q: What should I check if a port does not communicate?

A: Check the COM-port assignment, cable type, Tx/Rx wiring, baud rate, parity, data bits, stop bits, and flow-control settings first. Also verify that the correct MOXA driver is installed.

 

🔟 Recommended MOXA Related Models

1. MOXA CP-104EL-A — 4-Port RS-232 PCI Express Serial Card
2. MOXA CP-104EL-A-DB9M — 4-Port RS-232 PCIe Serial Board
3. MOXA CP-104EL-A-DB25M — 4-Port RS-232 PCIe Serial Board
4. MOXA CP-118EL-A — 8-Port RS-232/422/485 PCI Express Serial Board
5. MOXA CP-168EL-A — 8-Port RS-232 PCI Express Serial Board
6. MOXA CP-132EL — 2-Port RS-422/485 PCI Express Serial Board
7. MOXA CP-134EL — 4-Port RS-422/485 PCI Express Serial Board
8. MOXA CP-114EL — 4-Port RS-232 PCI Express Serial Board
9. MOXA CP-114EL-I — 4-Port RS-232 PCI Express Serial Board
10. MOXA CP-116E-A — 6-Port RS-232/422/485 PCI Express Serial Board

⚠️ When selecting a replacement, match the interface type, number of ports, PCI/PCIe bus type, connector/cable configuration, operating system, and required serial standard rather than relying on the model name alone.

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