Product Overview

The ICS Triplex T8191 is a high-reliability,8-port serial communication module engineered for industrial automation,process control,and real-time data acquisition systems.Developed by International Communications Solutions(ICS)under the Triplex brand—renowned for robust industrial connectivity solutions—the ICS Triplex T8191 delivers stable,low-latency serial I/O through a PCI Express(PCIe)host interface.Designed for integration into industrial PCs,control servers,and engineering workstations,this module supports RS-232 and RS-422 communication standards across all eight ports,enabling seamless connection to legacy equipment such as programmable logic controllers(PLCs),remote terminal units(RTUs),human-machine interfaces(HMIs),and terminal servers.

As part of the ICS Triplex Turbo Serial family,the ICS Triplex T8191 features advanced UART(Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter)technology with 16C550C-compatible controllers and 16-byte FIFO buffers per port,minimizing CPU overhead and preventing data loss during high-speed transmissions.Each port operates independently,allowing simultaneous communication with multiple devices at programmable baud rates up to 921.6 kbps.The ICS Triplex T8191 is widely used in mission-critical environments such as power plants,water treatment facilities,oil and gas installations,and manufacturing lines where consistent,error-free serial communication is essential.With support for both Windows and Linux operating systems,rugged electrical design,and flexible installation options—including DIN rail or rack-mounted enclosures via breakout boxes—the ICS Triplex T8191 serves as a dependable bridge between modern computing platforms and field-level serial instrumentation.

Technical Specifications

Product Model ICS Triplex T8191

Manufacturer International Communications Solutions(ICS)Triplex

Product Type 8-Port Serial Communication Module

Host Interface PCI Express x1(PCIe Gen 1/2/3)

Number of Ports 8

Port Type DB25 Connector(Configurable per port for RS-232 or RS-422)

Communication Standard EIA/TIA-232-F,EIA/TIA-422-B

UART Chipset 16C550C-Compatible with 16-byte FIFO

Baud Rate Up to 921.6 kbps(programmable)

Data Bits 5,6,7,8

Stop Bits 1,1.5,2

Parity None,Even,Odd,Mark,Space

Flow Control XON/XOFF(Software),RTS/CTS,DTR/DSR(Hardware)

Electrical Isolation Optional 500 V RMS(Model variant dependent)

ESD Protection±15 kV Air Gap,±8 kV Contact

Operating Temperature 0°C to+60°C

Storage Temperature-20°C to+85°C

Humidity 5%to 95%RH,non-condensing

Power Consumption<3 W(from PCIe slot)

Driver Support Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/11,Windows Server,Linux Kernel 2.6+

Installation Internal PCIe Slot,External Breakout Box for DIN Rail or Rack Mount

Main Features and Advantages

The ICS Triplex T8191 is engineered to deliver exceptional performance and reliability in industrial environments where serial communication remains a cornerstone of system operation.Its 8-port configuration provides high I/O density on a single PCIe card,reducing the need for multiple interface cards and simplifying system architecture in control cabinets and server racks.This makes the ICS Triplex T8191 ideal for applications requiring centralized monitoring and control of numerous serial devices,such as in SCADA master stations or DCS engineering servers.

A key advantage of the ICS Triplex T8191 is its flexible port configuration.Each DB25 connector can be individually wired for RS-232 or RS-422 operation,allowing integration of diverse equipment types—from short-range HMI connections(RS-232)to long-distance,noise-resistant links(RS-422).The use of 16C550C-compatible UARTs with FIFO buffering ensures efficient data handling,reducing interrupt frequency and CPU utilization,which is crucial for maintaining real-time responsiveness in automation systems.Additionally,the ICS Triplex T8191 supports full-duplex and half-duplex modes,hardware and software flow control,and automatic direction control for RS-485 applications(when used with appropriate breakout hardware).

Built for industrial durability,the ICS Triplex T8191 includes robust ESD protection and optional galvanic isolation to guard against voltage transients and ground loops—common challenges in power and process industries.It is fully compatible with major operating systems,including long-term support Linux distributions,ensuring stability in 24/7 operations.Whether deployed in a substation automation system,a refinery control room,or a manufacturing execution system,the ICS Triplex T8191 provides a scalable,future-ready communication backbone.Its blend of performance,flexibility,and ruggedness makes it a trusted solution for system integrators managing complex,mixed-protocol environments.

Application Field

The ICS Triplex T8191 is extensively used in industrial sectors where reliable,high-density serial connectivity is essential for system operation and data integrity.In electric power utilities,it serves as a critical interface in substation automation systems,connecting protective relays,metering devices,and RTUs to SCADA servers using protocols such as Modbus RTU,DNP3,and IEC 60870-5-101.The ICS Triplex T8191 enables utilities to maintain real-time visibility of grid conditions,support remote switching operations,and ensure compliance with regulatory reporting requirements.

In oil and gas production facilities,the ICS Triplex T8191 integrates wellhead sensors,flow computers,and safety shutdown systems into centralized control networks,facilitating remote monitoring and predictive maintenance.Water and wastewater treatment plants utilize the ICS Triplex T8191 to aggregate data from distributed pump stations,chemical dosing units,and level sensors,enabling centralized control and alarm management.The ICS Triplex T8191 is also deployed in manufacturing environments,where it connects CNC machines,barcode readers,and PLCs to production monitoring systems for real-time tracking of output,quality,and downtime.

Telecommunications and transportation sectors benefit from the ICS Triplex T8191 in managing legacy access equipment,such as modems and multiplexers,in remote network huts and signaling cabinets.Its ability to support long cable runs via RS-422 makes it suitable for geographically dispersed installations.By providing a stable,high-performance serial interface,the ICS Triplex T8191 plays a vital role in sustaining operational continuity while supporting gradual migration to modern networking standards.

Related Products

ICS Triplex T8180–A 4-port serial module,ideal for applications requiring fewer COM ports and lower system complexity.

ICS Triplex T8192–An 8-port variant with full RS-485 support,suitable for half-duplex multidrop networks.

ICS Triplex T8310–A 16-port PCIe serial card offering higher density for large-scale integration projects.

ICS Triplex T8191I–Isolated version of the ICS Triplex T8191 featuring 500 V galvanic isolation for high-noise environments.