Using serial interfaces N030/N031

The N030/N031 serial interfaces are only supported by Windows 10 from a certain BIOS, Image, and TwinCAT version. Observe the system requirements in order to be able to operate the serial interfaces with Windows 10:

System requirements for the operation of the N030 and N031 serial interfaces.
Order designation	BIOS version	Image version	TwinCAT Version
CX51x0-N030	0.79	CX1800-0501-0011v2.0	2.11.2302
CX51x0-N031		CX1800-0511-1011v2.0	3.1.4022.27

For driver-related reasons there are two operation modes. You must decide whether you wish to use the serial interfaces with TwinCAT or Windows 10. It is not possible to mix the operation modes. The serial interfaces are configured as standard for operation with TwinCAT. The configuration and switching of the operation modes takes place in the BIOS and looks like this for the two operation modes:

Operation mode	BIOS menu	Option	Value
TwinCAT (Standard)	Advanced > LPSS & SCC Configuration	LPSS & SCC Devices Mode	PCI mode
TwinCAT (Standard)	Advanced > Miscellaneous Configuration	OS Selection	Windows 7
Windows 10	Advanced > LPSS & SCC Configuration	LPSS & SCC Devices Mode	ACPI mode
Windows 10	Advanced > Miscellaneous Configuration	OS Selection	Windows 8.x

Behavior in TwinCAT operation mode

The serial interfaces are not displayed in the Windows Device Manager. The Windows drivers are not loaded.
The interfaces are recognized in TwinCAT as COM99 interfaces.
An error is displayed when starting the PLC or during free running. However, the error has no effect on the function mode with TwinCAT.

Behavior in Windows operation mode

The serial interfaces are no longer recognized in TwinCAT and cannot be used as soon as the Windows operation mode is set in the BIOS.
The serial interfaces are displayed in the Windows Device Manager as COM1 interfaces.

In the following, we show you how to change the BIOS settings in order to use the serial interfaces with Windows 10.

Set the BIOS as follows in order to operate the serial interfaces with Windows 10:

1. Start the Embedded PC and press [Del] to open the BIOS setup.
The BIOS setup window appears.

2. Under Advanced > LPSS & SCC Configuration, set the option LPSS & SCC Devices Mode to ACPI mode.

3. Under Advanced > Miscellaneous Configuration, set the option OS Selection to Windows 8.x.

4. Press [F4] to save the settings and exit the BIOS setup.
The device is restarted.

Following the restart, the Windows drivers for the serial interfaces are loaded. The serial interfaces are thus ready for operation with Windows 10. And immediately no longer function with TwinCAT.