Quatech announces Windows CE support for serial PCMCIA cards

Akron O. - Quatech Inc., a manufacturer of data communication and data acquisition products for PC-based systems, has introduced Windows CE support for its entire line of RS-232 and RS-422/485 asynchronous serial PCMCIA cards.

By Gary A. Mintchell, senior editor October 22, 2001

Akron O. – Quatech Inc. , a manufacturer of data communication and data acquisition products for PC-based systems, has introduced Windows CE support for its entire line of RS-232 and RS-422/485 asynchronous serial PCMCIA cards.

The addition of Windows CE support to its serial PCMCIA line positions Quatech to expand into two significant data communication markets: handheld computing and embedded systems. The cards are small, light, and have low power requirements, making them an ideal interface choice for using portable serial peripherals such as GPS receivers, bar code scanners, and printers with a handheld computer running Windows CE. They are also solutions for a wide variety of embedded systems used in retail POS, industrial and office automation.

Quatech’s serial PCMCIA line includes one, two and four port cards for asynchronous RS-232 and RS-422/485 protocols. The cards are implemented with 16550 UARTs containing 16-byte FIFOs for increased performance in multitasking environments, and they provide data rates up to 115.2 kbps. The cards expand a system’s capabilities while taking up minimal system resources, as a single software selectable interrupt is used to service all ports. Along with Windows CE, support is provided for DOS, Windows 3.x/95/98/Me/NT/2000, OS/2 and Linux.

Quatech serial PCMCIA cards range in price from $129 to $379. The new Windows CE drivers are included with the card. Existing customers can download the new drivers from Quatech’s website at www.quatech.com/windows_ce.htm .