Term of the Moment
dataism
Definition: multiport serial card
A circuit board that contains multiple serial ports for connection to modems and other serial devices. The serial port is used as an interface by many different kinds of sensors and data collection terminals in a variety of industrial and medical applications. See device networking.
Multiport Cards for the PC
Comtrol developed the first multiport serial card for the PC. Such cards turn a PC into a remote access server for modem and ISDN communications or a collector of signals from sensors and other data acquisition devices. The card at the top left uses RJ-45 jacks to connect to serial lines. The other two provide DB-25 connections for up to eight modems. (Image courtesy of Comtrol Corporation.)