Comprehensive Product Summary – Support-PAC(PC)352: Device Driver Packet MS-C for DAI12-8C(PC)

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: Support-PAC(PC)352
Article Number: Support-PAC(PC)352
Product Title: Device Driver Packet MS-C for DAI12-8C(PC)
Series: MS-C Device Driver Packet Series
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd.
Product Category: Software / Device Driver Package
Primary Function: Driver and software support package enabling operation of CONTEC analog I/O modules (DAI12-4C(PC), DAI12-8C(PC)) under Microsoft Windows and National Instruments LabVIEW environments.

Manufacturer Profile:
CONTEC Co., Ltd. is a global provider of industrial automation, measurement, and control products. Its product portfolio includes Box PCs, Panel PCs, Analog and Digital I/O modules, Counter and Motor Control boards, GPIB communication interfaces, and a comprehensive suite of software driver libraries (API-PAC, VI-DAQ, API-GPLV, etc.) supporting Windows and Linux platforms.

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### 2. Key Features

- Comprehensive Driver Support:
The Support-PAC(PC)352 package provides the necessary device drivers and libraries for CONTEC’s analog I/O boards DAI12-4C(PC) and DAI12-8C(PC), ensuring full compatibility with Windows-based systems and LabVIEW environments.

- LabVIEW Integration (MS-C / VI-DAQ):
Includes LabVIEW-compliant VI libraries (VI-DAQ) that allow seamless integration of CONTEC’s analog, digital, and counter input/output modules into LabVIEW measurement systems.

- Unified API Architecture (API-PAC):
Provides a unified Win32 API-based driver library (API-PAC(W32)) that standardizes access to CONTEC I/O boards across multiple programming languages and hardware types.

- Hardware Independence:
The same VI or API functions can be used across different hardware interfaces (PCI, ISA, PC Card, CompactPCI, USB), minimizing reprogramming when hardware is changed.

- User-Friendly Configuration:
Includes setup utilities for easy installation, hardware configuration, and diagnostic testing.

- Multi-Language Support:
Compatible with major programming environments including LabVIEW, Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual C#.NET, Borland C++ Builder, and Delphi.

- Cross-Platform Availability:
Supports both Windows and Linux operating systems, with dedicated driver libraries for each platform.

- Free Software Updates:
Latest driver libraries and sample programs are available for free download from CONTEC’s global portal.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

Supported Hardware:
- DAI12-4C(PC) – 12-bit Analog Input/Output Board
- DAI12-8C(PC) – 12-bit Analog Input/Output Board

Supported Interfaces:
- PCI, ISA, CompactPCI, PC Card (CB, PM), LPCI

Supported Operating Systems (Windows):
- Windows XP Professional / Home Edition
- Windows 2000 Professional
- Windows NT Workstation 4.0 (SP3 or later)
- Windows Me / 98SE / 98 / 95

Supported Operating Systems (Linux):
- RedHat Linux 6.2 – 9.0
- TurboLinux 6.0 – 8.0
- Kernel versions 2.2.13 – 2.4.21

Supported LabVIEW Versions:
- National Instruments LabVIEW 7.1 / 7.0 / 6.1 / 6i / 5.1 / 5.0

Supported Programming Languages:
- Microsoft: Visual Basic 6.0 / 5.0 / 4.0, Visual C++ 6.0 / 5.0 / 4.x / 2.0, Visual Basic .NET 2003 / 2002, Visual C++ .NET 2003 / 2002, Visual C# .NET 2003 / 2002
- Borland: C++ Builder 6.0 / 5.0, Delphi 6.0 / 5.0 / 4.0
- Linux: gcc, Kylix2

Driver Libraries Included:
- VI-DAQ (LabVIEW VI library for analog/digital/counter I/O)
- API-PAC(W32) (Unified Win32 API driver library)
- API-AIO(WDM) (High-performance analog I/O driver)
- API-GPLV(W32) (LabVIEW-compliant GPIB driver)
- API-DIO(98/PC) (Digital I/O driver)
- API-SIO(98/PC) (Serial communication driver)
- API-CNT(98/PC) (Counter input driver)
- API-SMC(98/PC) (Motor control driver)
- API-TIMER(W32) (High-precision timer driver)
- Linux equivalents: API-AIO(LNX), API-DIO(LNX), API-GPIB(LNX), API-CNT(LNX), IO-LIB(LNX)

Performance Metrics:
- Analog I/O: Up to 64 channels controllable
- Digital I/O: Up to 64 channels controllable
- Counter Input: Up to 16 boards controllable
- Serial Communication: Up to 256 channels controllable
- GPIB Communication: Up to 4 boards controllable (IEEE-488 / IEEE-488.2 compliant)

Physical Characteristics:
- Software package (no physical dimensions or weight applicable)
- Delivered as downloadable or CD-ROM media

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### 4. Functionality

Operational Overview:
Support-PAC(PC)352 enables CONTEC’s DAI12-8C(PC) and DAI12-4C(PC) analog I/O boards to function seamlessly within Windows and LabVIEW environments. The package provides all necessary drivers, configuration utilities, and sample programs to facilitate data acquisition, signal generation, and control applications.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial measurement and control systems
- Data acquisition and logging
- Process automation and monitoring
- Laboratory instrumentation
- Embedded system development using CONTEC I/O hardware

Compatibility:
- Fully compatible with CONTEC’s analog, digital, counter, and communication modules.
- Integrates with LabVIEW for graphical programming and measurement system design.
- Compatible with Microsoft and Borland development environments for custom application development.

Functional Highlights:
- VI-DAQ: Simplifies LabVIEW integration with pre-built VIs for analog input, triggering, and sampling.
- API-PAC(W32): Provides unified DLL-based API functions for all CONTEC I/O boards.
- API-AIO(WDM): Enhances analog I/O performance with grouped functions and simplified parameter management.
- API-GPLV(W32): Enables GPIB communication under LabVIEW.
- API-TIMER(W32): Provides microsecond-level timing precision for Windows applications.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- Device driver libraries (MS-C, VI-DAQ, API-PAC(W32))
- Setup and configuration utilities
- Diagnostic tools (API-TOOL Configuration, Diagnostic Utility)
- Sample programs for each supported language
- Documentation and help files (HTML and PDF formats)

Optional Add-ons:
- Additional CONTEC I/O boards (Analog, Digital, Counter, GPIB, Serial)
- LabVIEW development environment (sold separately by National Instruments)
- Linux driver packages (API-LNX series)

Connectors / Interfaces:
- Software interfaces via DLLs, VIs, and shared libraries
- Hardware interfaces supported: PCI, ISA, CompactPCI, PC Card

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### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- Compatible Windows or Linux operating system
- Installed CONTEC I/O hardware (DAI12-8C(PC) or DAI12-4C(PC))
- Sufficient disk space for driver and library installation
- Administrative privileges for driver installation

Installation Procedure:
1. Run the included setup program (API-PAC Setup Utility).
2. Select the CONTEC board model to be used.
3. The installer automatically registers the appropriate DLLs and configuration files.
4. Use the API-TOOL Configuration utility to verify board detection and driver functionality.
5. For LabVIEW users, install VI-DAQ and integrate provided VIs into the LabVIEW environment.

Configuration Tools:
- API-TOOL Configuration: Detects installed boards and verifies driver installation.
- Diagnostic Utility: Performs hardware and software operation checks.
- Setup Wizard: Simplifies initial parameter configuration for analog, digital, and counter boards.

Mounting Options:
- Software-only product; no physical mounting required.

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

Analog I/O Performance:
- Up to 64 channels controllable
- Supports internal and external sampling clocks
- Trigger-based acquisition and continuous sampling modes
- Interrupt-driven data transfer for high-speed operation

Digital I/O Performance:
- Up to 64 channels controllable
- Hardware digital filtering to prevent chattering
- Bit-level I/O control and event monitoring

Counter Input Capabilities:
- Up to 16 boards controllable
- Supports preset values, event generation, and one-shot pulse output
- Timer-based event monitoring and interrupt handling

Serial Communication:
- Up to 256 channels controllable
- Configurable buffer sizes (256–65535 bytes)
- XON/XOFF flow control
- Event-driven transmission and reception monitoring

GPIB Communication:
- IEEE-488 / IEEE-488.2 compliant
- Supports master/slave mode configuration
- 3-line handshaking for reliable data transfer
- Bus Master, DMA, and FIFO support

Timer Control:
- Microsecond-level timing precision
- ActiveX control for easy integration into Visual Basic applications

Limitations:
- Some older drivers (API-GPIB(98/PC)) cannot be used simultaneously with National Instruments drivers.
- Certain functions (ActiveX controls) may not be available under older Windows versions.

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

Industry Standards:
- IEEE-488 / IEEE-488.2 (GPIB communication)
- Plug and Play compliant (PCI / CompactPCI bus)
- Win32 API standard for Windows driver development

Regulatory Compliance:
- Designed for use in industrial and laboratory environments
- Compatible with Microsoft Windows driver model (WDM)
- Linux kernel module compliance (2.2.x – 2.4.x series)

Certifications:
- CONTEC internal quality assurance and software validation
- Conforms to National Instruments LabVIEW VI standards

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty & Support:
- Standard CONTEC software warranty (terms vary by region)
- Free technical support via CONTEC’s global portal
- Online documentation, FAQs, and driver updates available

Maintenance:
- Regular updates provided through CONTEC’s API-TOOL Developer’s Site
- Diagnostic utilities assist in troubleshooting and verifying system integrity

Software Updates:
- Free downloads of the latest driver libraries and sample programs
- Continuous updates for compatibility with new OS versions and hardware

Documentation & Resources:
- Online resources:
- VI-DAQ: [http://www.contec.com/vidaq/](http://www.contec.com/vidaq/)
- API-GPLV(W32): [http://www.contec.com/gplv/](http://www.contec.com/gplv/)
- API-PAC Developer’s Site: [http://www.contec.com/apipac/](http://www.contec.com/apipac/)
- Global Portal: [www.contec.com](http://www.contec.com)

Summary:
Support-PAC(PC)352 is a comprehensive driver and software package designed to enable seamless integration of CONTEC’s DAI12-8C(PC) and DAI12-4C(PC) analog I/O boards into Windows and LabVIEW environments. It provides a unified API architecture, extensive language support, and robust diagnostic and configuration utilities. With compatibility across multiple operating systems and hardware interfaces, it serves as a versatile foundation for industrial measurement, control, and automation applications.

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End of Product Summary – Support-PAC(PC)352