1. Product Overview

Product Name: StarFabric PCI Expansion 4‑Slot Half‑Size Box
Model: ECH(PCI)SF‑H4B
Series: StarFabric‑Compliant PCI Bus Expansion Chassis
Article Number: ECH(PCI)SF‑H4B
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd. (Osaka, Japan)
Product Category: Industrial Automation / Measurement and Control – Bus Expansion System

The CONTEC ECH(PCI)SF‑H4B is a compact, high‑performance StarFabric‑compliant PCI bus expansion chassis designed to extend the PCI bus of a host PC. It provides four short‑size PCI slots in a half‑size enclosure and connects to the host system via a StarFabric expansion adapter using Category 5e cabling. The unit enables high‑speed serial transfer up to 2.5 Gbps and supports remote PCI expansion up to 12 m from the host computer. It is ideal for industrial measurement, control, and automation environments requiring additional PCI slots or remote I/O expansion while maintaining signal integrity and compliance with PCI Local Bus Specification Rev 2.2.

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2. Key Features

- StarFabric‑Compliant High‑Speed Serial Transfer:
Supports 2.5 Gbps serial communication between host and expansion chassis, enabling reliable PCI bus extension over distances up to 12 m using Cat 5e STP cables.

- Four PCI Expansion Slots:
Provides four short‑size (176.5 mm L × 107 mm H) PCI (5 V/32‑bit, 33 MHz) slots compliant with PCI Local Bus Specification Rev 2.2.

- Compact Half‑Size Industrial Design:
Space‑saving black steel chassis (112 × 144 × 222 mm) with integrated cooling fan and external 60 W AC adapter for flexible desktop or embedded use.

- Automatic Power Interlocking:
The chassis power supply can be turned on and off in synchronization with the host PC’s power state. Jumper JP1 allows manual override when host interlocking is not supported.

- Plug‑and‑Play PCI Bus Expansion:
The system behaves as a standard PCI‑to‑PCI bridge, allowing existing PCI boards and drivers to operate without modification.

- Flexible Host Interface Options:
Compatible with optional CONTEC expansion adapters:
– EAD(LPCI)SF (Low Profile PCI bus slot)
– EAD(CB)SF (CardBus slot)
– EAD‑SF‑LPE (PCI Express slot)
These adapters provide the StarFabric link and include dual 12 m Cat 5e STP cables.

- Integrated Cooling and Thermal Protection:
Built‑in fan ensures stable operation in industrial environments (0 – 50 °C, 20 – 80 % RH).

- Safety and Reliability:
Designed for continuous industrial operation with over‑current protection, durable steel enclosure, and RoHS compliance.

- Ease of Installation and Maintenance:
Includes AC adapter, power cable, slot covers, and board‑mounting screws. User‑replaceable fan and power supply (typical life ≈ 5 years at 25 °C).

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3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|------------------|
| Bus Standard | PCI Local Bus Specification Rev 2.2 (+5 V type) |
| Bus Width / Clock | 32‑bit / 33 MHz (max.) |
| Address Space | 32‑bit memory and I/O addressing |
| Interrupt Levels | INTA – INTD |
| User‑Available Slots | 4 × short‑size PCI slots |
| Acceptable Board Size | 176.5 (L) × 107 (H) mm |
| Power Supply (Output Limits) | +5 V 7 A max, +3.3 V 3 A max, +12 V 1.5 A max, –12 V 0.3 A max (sum of +5 V and +3.3 V ≤ 35 W) |
| Total Power Capacity | 60 W (max.) |
| AC Input Voltage | 100 – 240 VAC (90 – 264 VAC range) |
| AC Line Frequency | 47 – 63 Hz |
| AC Input Current | Approx. 2 A @ 90 VAC |
| Operating Temperature | 0 – 50 °C |
| Operating Humidity | 20 – 80 % RH (no condensation) |
| Storage Temperature / Humidity | 0 – 60 °C / 10 – 90 % RH |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 112 × 222 × 144 mm (excluding rubber feet) |
| Weight (Chassis) | ≈ 1.5 kg |
| AC Adapter Dimensions | 85 × 50 × 155 mm |
| AC Adapter Weight | ≈ 0.9 kg |
| AC Cable Length | 1.8 m (2‑pin grounded) |
| Adapter Cable Length | 1.2 m DC output |
| Cooling | Built‑in fan (typical life ≈ 5 years @ 25 °C) |
| Material / Finish | Steel chassis, black industrial coating |
| Compliance | RoHS compliant, CE mark applicable |
| Expected Service Life | Power supply ≈ 5 years; fan ≈ 5 years (office environment 25 °C / 60 % RH) |

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4. Functionality

The ECH(PCI)SF‑H4B functions as an external PCI bus extension unit. When connected to a host PC through a StarFabric expansion adapter, it appears as a PCI‑to‑PCI bridge, allowing the host to recognize and communicate with PCI boards installed in the chassis as if they were local devices.

Operating Principle:
- The host PC’s expansion adapter (EAD‑series) converts the internal PCI or PCI Express bus into a StarFabric serial link.
- Two Category 5e STP cables (TX/RX) carry differential serial data up to 12 m.
- Inside the chassis, the BUS‑PAC(PCI)SF module reconstructs the PCI bus and distributes it to four PCI slots.
- Power interlocking circuitry synchronizes chassis power with the host PC.

Typical Applications:
- Industrial measurement and control systems requiring additional PCI I/O boards.
- Remote data acquisition where the PC must be isolated from sensors or actuators.
- Laboratory instrumentation, automation controllers, and test benches.
- Embedded or rack‑mounted systems needing compact PCI expansion.

Compatibility:
- Supports standard 5 V 32‑bit PCI boards (33 MHz).
- Compatible with Windows XP / 2000 and later (driver required for StarFabric bridge).
- Works with CONTEC’s analog I/O, digital I/O, motion control, serial communication, and GPIB boards.
- Not compatible with video (VGA) boards, additional PCI‑to‑PCI bridge boards, or any board labeled “Cannot be used with PCI‑to‑PCI Bridge.”

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5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- ECH(PCI)SF‑H4B expansion chassis × 1
- AC adapter (100 – 240 VAC, 60 W) × 1
- Power cable × 1
- Slot covers × 4
- Board mounting screws × 4
- User’s manual × 1

Optional Accessories:
- Expansion adapters (EAD‑SF‑LPE, EAD(LPCI)SF, EAD(CB)SF)
- Connection cables (Category 5e STP 12 m included with adapter; optional UTP 3 m TP‑03, 5 m TP‑05, 10 m TP‑10)
- Replacement fan and power supply modules (POW300 series, FAN0925 series)
- Rack‑mount brackets and filters (FLT series)

Connectors:
- RJ‑45 × 2 (TX/RX StarFabric link)
- DC input jack for AC adapter (with locking thumb screw)
- Four PCI slots (32‑bit 5 V)
- Front panel POWER LED indicator

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6. Installation & Setup

Requirements:
- Host PC with available PCI, Low Profile PCI, or CardBus slot and compatible EAD‑series adapter.
- Operating system supporting PCI bridge devices (Windows 2000 or later).
- Stable AC power (100 – 240 VAC).

Setup Procedure:
1. Turn off the PC and disconnect power.
2. Install the EAD‑series expansion adapter in the host PC.
3. Connect the two Cat 5e STP cables (TX ↔ RX) between adapter and chassis.
4. Connect the AC adapter to the chassis and then to a wall outlet.
5. Install PCI boards into the four slots and secure with screws.
6. Power on the PC; the chassis powers on automatically (via interlock).
7. Verify POWER and LINK LEDs are lit continuously.
8. Install the StarFabric INF driver if required by Windows (Device Manager → “PCI standard PCI‑to‑PCI bridge”).

Mounting & Clearance:
- Operate vertically with at least 20 mm clearance for ventilation.
- Avoid exposure to vibration, dust, oil mist, or corrosive gas.
- Do not stack multiple expansion chassis in series; each must connect directly to the host adapter.

Power Interlocking Configuration (JP1):
- Pins 2‑3 (shorted, factory default): Power interlock enabled.
- Pins 1‑2 (shorted): Interlock disabled (manual operation).

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7. Performance & Capabilities

- Data Transfer Rate: Up to 2.5 Gbps serial link (StarFabric protocol).
- Bus Throughput: Equivalent to PCI 32‑bit 33 MHz (max 132 MB/s) subject to bridge latency.
- Distance Capability: Up to 12 m between host and chassis using Cat 5e STP cables.
- Power Efficiency: External 60 W adapter with regulated DC outputs (+5 V, +3.3 V, ±12 V).
- Thermal Management: Active cooling fan maintains safe temperature under full load.
- Reliability: Designed for continuous industrial operation (24 h × 365 d).
- Limitations: Not suitable for high‑bandwidth video boards or additional bus bridges; overall transfer rate may be slightly lower than onboard PCI slots due to bridge latency.

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8. Standards & Compliance

- PCI Local Bus Specification Rev 2.2 (+5 V type)
- StarFabric Serial Interconnect Specification (2.5 Gbps)
- RoHS Directive (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)
- CE Marking (EMC and Safety compliance)
- EN 55022 / CISPR 22 Class A Industrial EMC standards
- EN 61000‑6‑2 Immunity for Industrial Environments
- Safety Compliance: Designed to meet IEC 60950‑1 requirements.

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9. Additional Information

Warranty:
Three‑year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. Excludes damage from misuse, modification, or environmental stress. Service requires Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) and proof of purchase.

Maintenance:
- Inspect ventilation slits and fan operation periodically.
- Replace fan and power supply after ≈ 5 years of continuous use.
- Keep unit free of dust and ensure adequate airflow.

Support & Resources:
- Technical documentation and drivers available at [https://www.contec.com](https://www.contec.com)
- Regional support offices in Japan, USA, Europe, and China.
- Online downloads include manuals, drivers, and sample programs.

Safety Precautions:
- Do not insert or remove PCI boards while powered.
- Use only the supplied AC adapter.
- Avoid flammable or corrosive environments.
- Maintain vertical orientation for proper cooling.

Environmental Conditions:
- Operating temperature 0 – 50 °C; humidity 20 – 80 % RH (no condensation).
- Storage temperature 0 – 60 °C; humidity 10 – 90 % RH.
- No corrosive gas or excessive dust.

Service Life and Consumables:
- Power supply module ≈ 5 years (25 °C ambient).
- Cooling fan ≈ 5 years; replace if noise or vibration increases.
- Filters ≈ 1 year in office environment.

Disposal:
Follow local electronic waste regulations; unit is RoHS compliant and contains no hazardous materials beyond standard electronic components.

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### Summary

The CONTEC ECH(PCI)SF‑H4B is a robust, compact, and high‑speed StarFabric‑compliant PCI expansion chassis providing four short‑size PCI slots for industrial and laboratory applications. It extends the host PC’s PCI bus over a 12‑meter Cat 5e link while maintaining full PCI Rev 2.2 compatibility. With its 60 W external AC adapter, automatic power interlocking, and integrated cooling fan, the ECH(PCI)SF‑H4B delivers reliable operation in measurement and control systems where space efficiency and signal integrity are critical. The unit is fully supported by CONTEC’s EAD‑series expansion adapters and comes with a three‑year warranty and global technical support.