8-Port PCIe RS232 Serial Adapter Card StarTech PEX8S1050 – 16C1050 UART, DB9 multiport, 15kV ESD protection

The StarTech PEX8S1050 8-Port PCIe RS232 Serial Adapter Card adds eight RS-232 DB9 serial ports to a desktop or server via a PCI Express x1 slot. The card uses a 16C1050 UART with 256-byte FIFO and connects to the external DB9 ports through an included breakout cable. The compact PCB measures approximately 16 × 105 × 120 mm and the adapter supports serial communication at baud rates up to 921.6 Kbit/s. The design includes 15 kV ESD protection to help guard against electrostatic discharge, and the product is compatible with Windows and Linux drivers.

Advantages

This PCIe serial card provides eight independent RS-232 ports in a single expansion card, simplifying connection of multiple serial peripherals without occupying multiple expansion slots. The integrated 16C1050 UART with 256-byte FIFO reduces CPU load during high-throughput serial transfers. Built-in 15 kV ESD protection helps protect connected equipment and the card itself from static-related damage. The included DB62-to-8xDB9 breakout cable supplies ready-to-use DB9 connectors for each port.

Suitable for

• Connecting legacy serial peripherals such as printers, scanners and modems
• Point-of-sale hardware including card readers and PIN pads
• Industrial control systems and automation devices that require RS-232 interfaces
• Servers or workstations requiring multiple serial connections for monitoring or control

Key specifications

• Interface: PCI Express x1 (full profile compatibility with PCI Express Base Specifications, Revision 1.0a/1.1)
• Serial standard: RS-232
• Ports: 8 DB9 serial ports via included breakout cable
• UART: 16C1050 with 256-byte FIFO
• Maximum baud rate: up to 921.6 Kbit/s per port
• ESD protection: 15 kV
• Cable length support: up to 0.5 m (recommended maximum)
• Card dimensions (PCB): approx. 16 × 105 × 120 mm
• MTBF: approximately 160,013 hours

How to use

Power down the computer and install the adapter into an available PCI Express x1 slot or a compatible larger PCIe slot. Secure the card in the chassis and connect the supplied DB62-to-8xDB9 breakout cable to the card’s connector, routing the individual DB9 connectors to accessible locations on the chassis or a bracket. Install the appropriate drivers for your operating system (Windows or Linux) and configure serial port parameters such as baud rate, parity, data bits and flow control in your system or application. After installation, verify each port by connecting the required serial device and testing communication at the intended baud rate.

Usage recommendations

Use shielded serial cables and keep cable runs within the recommended 0.5 m length for reliable high-speed communication. Configure power on pin 9 only if your peripheral requires 5 V or 12 V and ensure the total shared current across ports does not exceed the specified limit. Regularly install driver updates from the operating system vendor or StarTech to maintain compatibility and stability.