PCIe Serial Expansion Card StarTech PEX2S1050 — 2-Port RS232, 16C1050 UART, Full/Low‑Profile

The StarTech PEX2S1050 is a 2-port PCI Express serial expansion card that provides RS232 connectivity for desktops and servers using a SystemBase 16C1050-family UART. Designed for installation in a PCIe slot, the card supplies two DB9 serial ports in a full-height form factor with an included low-profile bracket option. It supports PCIe host interfaces and is compatible with 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x and 16x PCI Express slots. Certified to CE, FCC and Microsoft WHQL standards, the PEX2S1050 is intended for reliable serial device integration on modern systems that lack onboard RS232 ports.

Advantages

The card delivers high-performance serial communication with support for baud rates up to 460.8 Kbit/s and a 256-byte FIFO per channel to reduce CPU overhead and minimize overrun errors. Dual 16C1050 UART channels provide stable operation when both ports are active. The product ships with a standard-profile bracket preinstalled and includes a low-profile bracket for small-form-factor systems, and it supports IRQ sharing and plug-and-play installation on a broad range of Windows platforms. CE, FCC and Microsoft WHQL certifications ensure compatibility and regulatory compliance.

Suitable for

• Connecting legacy equipment such as modems, POS terminals and serial printers
• Integrating industrial controllers, PLCs and automation hardware
• Surveillance and security systems using serial cameras, card readers or access panels
• Upgrading servers and workstations that require additional RS232 ports

Key specifications

• Interface: PCI Express host interface (compatible with 1x/2x/4x/8x/16x slots)
• Output: 2 × RS232 DB9 serial ports
• UART: SystemBase 16C1050-family (dual-channel)
• Maximum baud rate: Up to 460.8 Kbit/s
• FIFO: 256-byte FIFO per channel
• Form factor: Full-height card with optional low-profile bracket
• Operating system support: Broad Windows driver support and Microsoft WHQL certified
• Weight: 0.061 kg

How to use

Install the PEX2S1050 into an available PCI Express slot in a powered-off desktop or server, secure the card with the chassis screw and replace the bracket if required for low-profile systems. Boot the system and allow the operating system to detect the new serial adapter; install drivers if prompted or required by your Windows version. Connect serial devices to the DB9 ports using standard RS232 cables and configure port settings (baud rate, parity, data bits, stop bits, and flow control) in device manager or the application that uses the serial ports.

Usage recommendations

Use quality shielded RS232 cables for reliable communication in electrically noisy environments. When connecting multiple serial devices, configure unique COM port assignments to avoid conflicts and enable IRQ sharing if necessary. For industrial or mission-critical installations, verify driver compatibility with your Windows version and perform firmware/driver updates before deployment.