1. Product Overview

Product Name: Support-Pac(PC)602
Model / Article Number: Support-Pac(PC)602
Series: Device Driver Package for Microsoft-C (DOS)
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd.
Product Category: Software / Device Driver Package
Description: The CONTEC Support-Pac(PC)602 is a DOS-based device driver package designed for Microsoft-C environments, providing driver support for CONTEC’s PIO64T/L series and related ISA/AT bus interface boards. It enables seamless integration of CONTEC’s digital I/O, analog I/O, counter, and communication modules with Microsoft-C development environments, ensuring reliable hardware control and data acquisition under DOS and early Windows operating systems.

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2. Key Features

- Comprehensive Device Driver Package: Provides Microsoft-C compatible DOS drivers for CONTEC’s PIO64T/L and related ISA/AT bus boards.
- Wide Hardware Support: Compatible with multiple CONTEC I/O product lines including analog, digital, counter, GPIB, and serial communication modules.
- Unified API Architecture: Offers a consistent programming interface across different hardware types, simplifying software development and maintenance.
- LabVIEW and Windows Integration: Includes support for National Instruments LabVIEW through VI-DAQ and API-GPLV(W32) libraries, enabling graphical programming and measurement system integration.
- Multi-Language Support: Compatible with Microsoft Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual C#.NET, Borland C++ Builder, and Delphi, as well as LabVIEW.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Supports multiple Windows versions (XP, 2000, NT, Me, 98, 95) and Linux distributions (RedHat, TurboLinux).
- Extensive Sample Programs: Includes practical examples and templates for analog input, digital I/O, counter, and communication functions.
- Diagnostic and Configuration Utilities: Built-in setup and diagnostic tools for hardware configuration, board detection, and performance verification.
- Free Software Distribution: API-PAC(W32) and related driver libraries are provided free of charge with CONTEC hardware products.
- Scalable and Modular Design: Supports up to 64 channels for analog/digital I/O, 16 boards for serial communication, and 4 boards for GPIB communication.

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3. Technical Specifications

- Supported Operating Systems:
- DOS (Microsoft-C environment)
- 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 4.0–6.0, Visual Basic .NET 2002/2003
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2.0–6.0, Visual C++.NET 2002/2003
- Microsoft Visual C# .NET 2002/2003
- Borland C++ Builder 5.0/6.0, Delphi 4.0–6.0
- National Instruments LabVIEW 5.0–7.1
- gcc, Kylix2 (Linux)

- Supported Hardware Interfaces:
- ISA / AT Bus (PIO64T/L series)
- PCI / LPCI / CompactPCI / PC Card (CB, PM)
- USB (via compatible modules)

- Supported Board Families:
- Digital I/O: PI64L, PO64L, PIO32/32L, PIO16/16L, PIO48D, PIO144W, etc.
- Analog I/O: ADA16-32/2(PCI)F, AD12-16U(PCI)EH, DA12-8(PCI), AD16-16(LPCI)L, etc.
- Counter: CNT24-4(PCI), CNT32-8M(PCI), CNT32-4MT(CB)
- Motor Control: SMC-2P(PCI), SMC-4P(PCI), SMC-3(PC)
- GPIB Communication: GP-IB(PCI), GP-IB(LPCI)F, GP-IB(CPCI)F, GP-IB(CB)F, GP-IB(PC)L
- Serial Communication: COM-1(LPCI)H, COM-4(PCI)H, COM-8(PCI)H, COM-2(PM), COM-4(CB)H

- Performance Metrics:
- Up to 64 analog/digital I/O channels per board
- Up to 16 serial communication boards controllable simultaneously
- Up to 4 GPIB boards controllable simultaneously
- High-speed data acquisition with DMA and FIFO support
- Microsecond-level timing precision with API-TIMER(W32)

- Physical Characteristics:
- Software package (no physical dimensions or weight applicable)
- Distributed electronically or via bundled media with CONTEC hardware

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4. Functionality

The Support-Pac(PC)602 functions as a comprehensive driver suite enabling Microsoft-C and Windows-based applications to communicate directly with CONTEC’s hardware modules. It provides low-level access to I/O ports, registers, and interrupts, allowing developers to build custom measurement, control, and automation systems.

Primary Use Cases:
- Industrial automation and process control
- Data acquisition and signal monitoring
- Laboratory instrumentation and test systems
- Embedded control systems using ISA/AT bus hardware
- Integration with LabVIEW-based measurement environments

Compatibility and Operation:
- Operates under DOS and Windows environments, providing backward compatibility for legacy systems.
- Supports both foreground and background data collection through event-driven control.
- Logical device access allows programming without direct port manipulation.
- Unified API ensures consistent function calls across analog, digital, and communication modules.
- Compatible with LabVIEW VI-DAQ and API-GPLV(W32) for graphical programming.

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5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- Support-Pac(PC)602 driver package (DOS device driver for Microsoft-C)
- API-PAC(W32) unified driver library (DLL-based)
- Configuration and diagnostic utilities (API-TOOL Configuration)
- Sample programs for each supported language and hardware type
- Documentation and help files (HTML and Windows Help formats)

Optional Add-ons:
- VI-DAQ (LabVIEW-compliant VI library for analog/digital I/O)
- API-GPLV(W32) (LabVIEW GPIB driver)
- COM-DRV(W32) (LabVIEW serial communication driver)
- API-AIO(WDM) (high-performance analog I/O library)
- API-TIMER(W32) (high-precision timer control driver)

Connectors and Interfaces:
Dependent on the installed CONTEC hardware (ISA, PCI, CompactPCI, PC Card).

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6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- IBM PC/AT compatible system with ISA/AT bus for PIO64T/L series
- Supported Windows or DOS operating system
- Microsoft-C compiler or compatible development environment

Installation Procedure:
1. Run the setup program included with API-PAC(W32) or Support-Pac(PC)602.
2. Select the target CONTEC board from the list of supported devices.
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. Execute diagnostic tests to confirm proper communication with the hardware.

Configuration Options:
- Hardware parameters (I/O address, IRQ, DMA) can be set via software.
- IEEE-488.2 parameters configurable for GPIB boards.
- Sampling intervals, trigger conditions, and buffer sizes adjustable for analog I/O.

Mounting Options:
Not applicable (software product).

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7. Performance & Capabilities

- Speed and Throughput:
- High-speed data transfer supported via DMA and FIFO buffering.
- Event-driven architecture allows simultaneous background data collection.
- Analog input sampling controlled by internal or external clock signals.

- Capacity:
- Up to 64 I/O channels per board.
- Up to 256 serial communication channels (depending on configuration).
- Multiple interrupt conditions monitored concurrently.

- Efficiency:
- Unified API reduces development time and code redundancy.
- Logical device abstraction allows hardware replacement without reprogramming.
- Diagnostic utilities streamline troubleshooting and maintenance.

- Limitations:
- ISA/AT bus support limited to legacy systems.
- Some drivers (e.g., API-GPIB(98/PC)) not compatible with newer CONTEC libraries.
- Certain functions unavailable under Windows NT 4.0 for ISA boards.

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8. Standards & Compliance

- Communication Standards:
- IEEE-488 / IEEE-488.2 (GPIB communication)
- RS-232C (serial communication)
- Plug and Play compliance for PCI and CompactPCI boards

- Software Standards:
- Win32 API compliance
- LabVIEW VI library compatibility
- Linux kernel module compliance (2.2.x–2.4.x)

- Regulatory Compliance:
- Designed for industrial and laboratory use in accordance with CONTEC’s quality standards.
- Compatible with Microsoft Windows driver model (WDM) for analog I/O.

- Certifications:
- Internal CONTEC validation for supported hardware and OS environments.

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9. Additional Information

Warranty & Support:
- Provided under CONTEC’s standard software warranty terms.
- Technical support available through CONTEC’s global portal (www.contec.com).
- Free software updates and driver downloads available from the API-TOOL Developer’s Site.

Maintenance:
- Regular updates provided for new OS compatibility and bug fixes.
- Diagnostic utilities assist in verifying driver and hardware integrity.
- Configuration files can be exported for backup and deployment.

Software Updates & Distribution:
- Latest versions of API-PAC(W32), VI-DAQ, and API-GPLV(W32) available for free download.
- Linux driver source code and sample programs included for open development.
- Continuous improvement through CONTEC’s online developer community.

Documentation & Resources:
- Online manuals and API references available at:
- [http://www.contec.com/apipac/](http://www.contec.com/apipac/)
- [http://www.contec.com/vidaq/](http://www.contec.com/vidaq/)
- [http://www.contec.com/gplv/](http://www.contec.com/gplv/)

Summary:
The CONTEC Support-Pac(PC)602 is a robust, legacy-compatible driver package that bridges Microsoft-C and modern Windows environments with CONTEC’s industrial I/O hardware. It provides a unified, high-performance API for analog, digital, counter, and communication modules, ensuring consistent operation across multiple platforms and programming languages. With extensive hardware support, diagnostic tools, and free software updates, Support-Pac(PC)602 remains a cornerstone for developers maintaining or upgrading industrial measurement and control systems based on CONTEC’s hardware ecosystem.