1. Product Overview

Product Name: Support-Pac(PC)502
Model: Support-Pac(PC)502
Series: Device Driver Package for CNT24-4
Article Number: Support-Pac(PC)502
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd. (Japan)

Product Description:
The CONTEC Support-Pac(PC)502 is a comprehensive device driver package designed specifically for the CNT24-4 counter input board series. It provides Microsoft-C compatible DOS and Windows drivers, enabling seamless integration of CONTEC’s CNT24-4(PC) counter/timer hardware with a wide range of development environments. The package includes the necessary software components, configuration utilities, and diagnostic tools to facilitate efficient development, testing, and deployment of measurement and control systems.

This driver package is part of CONTEC’s broader API-PAC and LabVIEW support ecosystem, which provides unified driver libraries and APIs for analog, digital, counter, communication, and motion control boards. Support-Pac(PC)502 ensures reliable operation of CNT24-4 boards under Microsoft operating systems and supports integration with major programming languages and development tools.

---

2. Key Features

- Comprehensive Device Driver Package:
Provides full driver support for CONTEC CNT24-4(PC) counter input boards, enabling high-precision counting, timing, and event measurement applications.

- Microsoft-C Compatibility:
Designed for Microsoft-C environments, ensuring compatibility with legacy DOS-based and Windows-based development systems.

- Unified API Architecture:
Integrates with CONTEC’s API-PAC(W32) unified driver library, allowing consistent programming interfaces across analog, digital, counter, and communication modules.

- LabVIEW Integration:
Fully compatible with National Instruments LabVIEW through the VI-DAQ and API-GPLV(W32) libraries, enabling graphical programming and rapid system prototyping.

- Multi-OS Support:
Supports a wide range of Microsoft operating systems including Windows XP, 2000, NT 4.0, Me, 98, and 95, as well as Linux environments through API-CNT(LNX).

- Extensive Language Support:
Compatible with Microsoft Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual C#.NET, Visual Basic.NET, Borland C++ Builder, and Delphi, as well as gcc and Kylix under Linux.

- Diagnostic and Configuration Utilities:
Includes setup and diagnostic tools for hardware configuration, IEEE-488.2 parameter setup, and functional verification.

- Sample Programs and Documentation:
Provides practical sample code and detailed documentation to accelerate development and ensure correct implementation.

- Hardware Independence:
The same VI or API functions can be used across different hardware interfaces (PCI, ISA, PC Card, CompactPCI), simplifying code reuse and system scalability.

---

3. Technical Specifications

- Supported Hardware:
- Counter Input Boards: CNT24-4(PC), CNT24-4(PCI), CNT24-4D(PCI), CNT32-8M(PCI), CNT32-4MT(CB)
- Bus Interfaces: ISA, PCI, CompactPCI, PC Card (CardBus)

- Supported Operating Systems:
- Windows XP Professional / Home Edition
- Windows 2000 Professional
- Windows NT Workstation 4.0 (SP3 or later)
- Windows Me / 98SE / 98 / 95
- Linux (RedHat 6.2–9, TurboLinux 6.0–8, kernel 2.2.13–2.4.21)

- Supported Programming Languages:
- Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 / 5.0 / 4.0
- Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 / 5.0 / 4.x / 2.0
- Microsoft Visual Basic.NET 2003 / 2002
- Microsoft Visual C#.NET 2003 / 2002
- Borland C++ Builder 6.0 / 5.0
- Borland Delphi 6.0 / 5.0 / 4.0
- National Instruments LabVIEW 7.1 / 7.0 / 6.1 / 6i / 5.1 / 5.0
- Linux gcc / Kylix2

- Driver Libraries Included:
- API-CNT(98/PC)NT, API-CNT(98/PC)W95 (Windows)
- API-CNT(LNX) (Linux)
- API-PAC(W32) unified driver library
- VI-DAQ (LabVIEW VI library)
- API-GPLV(W32) (LabVIEW GPIB driver)

- Performance Metrics:
- Supports up to 16 boards per system
- Up to 256 channels controllable (depending on board combination)
- High-speed counter input with programmable preset values
- Timer and event-driven interrupt support
- Microsecond-level timing precision via API-TIMER(W32)

- Physical Characteristics:
- Software package (no physical dimensions or weight applicable)
- Distributed electronically or via installation media

---

4. Functionality

The Support-Pac(PC)502 provides the essential software interface between CONTEC’s CNT24-4 counter/timer hardware and user applications. It enables developers to perform precise counting, timing, and event measurement operations through standardized API calls or LabVIEW virtual instruments (VIs).

Core Functions:
- Counter value read/write operations
- Preset value configuration
- Event and interrupt handling (count match, overflow, timer events)
- Timer-based synchronization and pulse generation
- Multi-board and multi-channel management
- Diagnostic and self-test routines

Use Cases:
- Industrial automation and process control
- Machine motion monitoring and feedback systems
- Laboratory measurement and data acquisition
- Event counting and frequency measurement
- Motor control synchronization and encoder signal processing

Compatibility:
- Fully compatible with CONTEC’s API-PAC(W32) environment
- Integrates with LabVIEW via VI-DAQ and API-GPLV(W32)
- Supports mixed hardware configurations (analog, digital, counter, GPIB, serial)

---

5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- Device driver package for CNT24-4(PC)
- API-PAC(W32) unified driver library
- Configuration and diagnostic utilities (API-TOOL Configuration)
- Sample programs for supported languages
- Documentation and help files
- Setup wizard for Windows installation

Optional Add-ons:
- VI-DAQ library for LabVIEW integration
- API-GPLV(W32) for GPIB communication under LabVIEW
- COM-DRV(W32) for serial communication modules
- API-TIMER(W32) for high-precision timing applications

Connectors and Interfaces:
- Supports ISA, PCI, CompactPCI, and PC Card interfaces
- Compatible with CONTEC’s CNT24-4 series hardware connectors

---

6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- IBM PC/AT compatible system
- Supported Windows or Linux OS
- Available ISA, PCI, or PC Card slot for CNT24-4 hardware
- Administrative privileges for driver installation

Installation Procedure:
1. Run the API-PAC(W32) setup program.
2. Select the CONTEC board (CNT24-4) to be used.
3. The installer automatically registers the appropriate DLLs and API functions.
4. Configure board parameters using the included setup utility.
5. Verify installation using the diagnostic program.

Configuration Tools:
- API-TOOL Configuration Ver.4.10 or later: Automatically detects installed boards and allows parameter setup.
- Diagnostic Utility: Performs functional checks and generates reports.
- Setup Wizard: Simplifies initial configuration and parameter assignment.

Mounting Options:
Software-only package; hardware installation depends on the CNT24-4 board type (ISA or PCI slot mounting).

---

7. Performance & Capabilities

- Speed and Capacity:
Supports high-speed counting and timing operations across multiple channels and boards. Capable of handling up to 16 boards and 256 channels simultaneously.

- Efficiency:
Event-driven control allows background data collection while maintaining foreground processing. Optimized for real-time measurement and control applications.

- Precision:
Microsecond-level timing accuracy achievable with API-TIMER(W32). Supports both internal and external clock sources for sampling and counting.

- Scalability:
Unified API structure allows easy migration between hardware platforms without code modification. Supports mixed I/O configurations.

- Limitations:
- Cannot be used simultaneously with National Instruments GPIB drivers.
- Some ISA boards not auto-detectable under Windows NT 4.0/3.51.
- Certain functions (ActiveX controls) not available under older OS versions.

---

8. Standards & Compliance

- Software Standards:
- IEEE-488 and IEEE-488.2 compliance for GPIB communication
- Win32 API compliance for Windows driver architecture
- Plug and Play (PnP) compliant for PCI/CompactPCI devices
- Linux kernel module compliance (2.2.x–2.4.x series)

- Regulatory Compliance:
- Designed for use in industrial and laboratory environments
- Conforms to Microsoft Windows driver model (WDM) standards
- Compatible with National Instruments LabVIEW VI standards

- Industry Standards Supported:
- RS-232C for serial communication
- TTL-level signal compatibility for external triggers
- IEEE-488.2 for GPIB control

---

9. Additional Information

Warranty & Support:
CONTEC provides standard warranty coverage for software functionality and compatibility with supported hardware. Technical support is available through CONTEC’s global portal and regional service centers.

Maintenance & Updates:
- Free software upgrades and driver library downloads available at [www.contec.com/apipac/](http://www.contec.com/apipac/)
- Regular updates ensure compatibility with new operating systems and hardware revisions.
- Diagnostic and configuration utilities updated periodically for enhanced functionality.

Documentation & Resources:
- Comprehensive user manuals and online help files
- Sample programs for all supported languages
- API reference guides and function documentation
- Online developer resources via “API-TOOL Developer’s Site”

Global Portal:
[www.contec.com](http://www.contec.com) – Access to product information, driver downloads, and technical support.

---

Summary

The CONTEC Support-Pac(PC)502 is a robust and versatile device driver package engineered for the CNT24-4 counter input board series, providing seamless integration with Microsoft-C, LabVIEW, and multiple programming environments. It forms part of CONTEC’s unified API-PAC(W32) ecosystem, offering consistent driver architecture across analog, digital, counter, and communication modules. With broad OS and language support, built-in diagnostic tools, and free software updates, Support-Pac(PC)502 delivers a reliable foundation for developing high-performance measurement, control, and automation systems in both Windows and Linux environments.