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API-AIO(98/PC)W95

Win95/98 support for Contec boards
  • Manufacturer Contec
  • Category: Contec Driver, Software
  • The CONTEC API‑AIO(98/PC)W95 is part of the API‑PAC(W32) suite of driver libraries designed to enable direct control of CONTEC’s analog input/output (AIO) hardware through standardized Win32 API functions. It provides a unified programming interface for analog data acquisition and generation boards across PCI, ISA, and PC Card buses. The library is optimized for industrial measurement, control, and automation applications requiring reliable analog signal processing under legacy Windows environments.
- Comprehensive Analog I/O Control:
Supports analog input and output operations from specified channels on CONTEC AIO boards.
Enables simultaneous control of up to four boards per group and up to sixteen groups per system.

- Flexible Sampling Control:
Analog input can be executed at fixed intervals using either the board’s internal sampling clock or an external clock signal.
Start/stop of sampling can be triggered by analog signal levels or external TTL‑level signals.

- Multi‑Interrupt Monitoring:
Monitors multiple interrupt conditions such as completion of analog input sampling, buffer memory usage, and error detection.

- Board Auto‑Detection:
With API‑TOOL Configuration Ver. 4.10 or later, the system automatically recognizes installed PCI, ISA, or PC Card boards registered in the Windows Device Manager.

- Diagnostic and Configuration Utilities:
Includes CONFIG.EXE and diagnostic programs to verify board installation, I/O address, IRQ settings, and driver integrity.
Diagnostic results can be displayed or output to text files.

- Sample Programs and Documentation:
Provides extensive sample code for Visual Basic and Visual C++ demonstrating function usage and board operation.
Integrated help files allow on‑screen reference of function descriptions during development.

- Unified API Architecture:
Part of the API‑PAC(W32) unified driver framework covering Analog I/O, Digital I/O, Counter, Serial, GPIB, and Motion Control boards.
Ensures consistent function naming and parameter structures across device types.

- Compatibility with PC‑HELPER Products:
Supports CONTEC’s PCI, ISA, and PCMCIA‑based PC‑HELPER series boards.

- Free Distribution:
The API‑AIO(98/PC)W95 library is available free of charge from CONTEC’s website.

Country of origin: Japan

Comprehensive Product Summary – CONTEC API‑AIO(98/PC)W95




### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: API‑AIO(98/PC)W95
Article Number: API‑AIO(98/PC)W95
Series: API‑PAC(W32) Function Library Series
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd.
Product Category: Industrial Automation Software / Analog I/O API Function Library
Product Type: Win32 API‑based driver library for CONTEC analog input/output boards
Primary Purpose: Provides Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP support for CONTEC analog I/O boards and cards

The CONTEC API‑AIO(98/PC)W95 is part of the API‑PAC(W32) suite of driver libraries designed to enable direct control of CONTEC’s analog input/output (AIO) hardware through standardized Win32 API functions. It provides a unified programming interface for analog data acquisition and generation boards across PCI, ISA, and PC Card buses. The library is optimized for industrial measurement, control, and automation applications requiring reliable analog signal processing under legacy Windows environments.




### 2. Key Features

- Comprehensive Analog I/O Control:
Supports analog input and output operations from specified channels on CONTEC AIO boards.
Enables simultaneous control of up to four boards per group and up to sixteen groups per system.

- Flexible Sampling Control:
Analog input can be executed at fixed intervals using either the board’s internal sampling clock or an external clock signal.
Start/stop of sampling can be triggered by analog signal levels or external TTL‑level signals.

- Multi‑Interrupt Monitoring:
Monitors multiple interrupt conditions such as completion of analog input sampling, buffer memory usage, and error detection.

- Board Auto‑Detection:
With API‑TOOL Configuration Ver. 4.10 or later, the system automatically recognizes installed PCI, ISA, or PC Card boards registered in the Windows Device Manager.

- Diagnostic and Configuration Utilities:
Includes CONFIG.EXE and diagnostic programs to verify board installation, I/O address, IRQ settings, and driver integrity.
Diagnostic results can be displayed or output to text files.

- Sample Programs and Documentation:
Provides extensive sample code for Visual Basic and Visual C++ demonstrating function usage and board operation.
Integrated help files allow on‑screen reference of function descriptions during development.

- Unified API Architecture:
Part of the API‑PAC(W32) unified driver framework covering Analog I/O, Digital I/O, Counter, Serial, GPIB, and Motion Control boards.
Ensures consistent function naming and parameter structures across device types.

- Compatibility with PC‑HELPER Products:
Supports CONTEC’s PCI, ISA, and PCMCIA‑based PC‑HELPER series boards.

- Free Distribution:
The API‑AIO(98/PC)W95 library is available free of charge from CONTEC’s website.




### 3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|------------------|
| Library Type | Win32 API Function Library (DLL) |
| Supported OS | Windows 95, 98, 98 SE, Me, NT 3.51/4.0, 2000 Professional, XP Professional/Home |
| Supported Languages | Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0/5.0/4.0 (32‑bit), Visual C++ 6.0/5.0/4.x/2.0 |
| Supported Bus Interfaces | PCI, ISA, PC Card (PCMCIA) |
| Maximum Boards per Group | 4 boards |
| Maximum Groups per System | 16 groups |
| Analog Channels | Up to 64 channels (depending on board) |
| Sampling Control | Internal or external clock; software or hardware trigger |
| Interrupt Monitoring | Sampling completion, buffer usage, error detection |
| Digital I/O Support | TTL‑level digital I/O on boards equipped with digital channels |
| Configuration Utility | CONFIG.EXE (I/O address and IRQ conflict prevention) |
| Diagnostic Utility | Board status check, driver verification, text report output |
| Distribution | Free download from www.contec.com |
| Documentation | On‑screen help file, sample programs, configuration manual |

Physical dimensions and weight are not applicable, as this is a software library.




### 4. Functionality

Operational Concept:
API‑AIO(98/PC)W95 provides a set of Win32 API functions (DLL calls) that allow user applications to communicate directly with CONTEC analog I/O boards. Developers can perform analog input (A/D conversion) and analog output (D/A conversion) operations, configure sampling parameters, and monitor board status through software commands.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial measurement and control systems
- Data acquisition and logging
- Process monitoring and automation
- Laboratory instrumentation and testing
- Embedded control in manufacturing equipment

Compatibility:
Fully compatible with CONTEC’s analog I/O hardware families across PCI, ISA, and PC Card interfaces. Works seamlessly with other API‑PAC(W32) libraries for digital I/O, counters, serial communication, and motion control, enabling integrated multi‑function systems.




### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Software Components:
- API‑AIO(98/PC)W95 library (DLL and header files)
- Configuration Utility (CONFIG.EXE) for board setup and conflict prevention
- Diagnostic Program for board and driver verification
- Sample Programs for Visual Basic and Visual C++
- Help Files with function descriptions and usage examples

Optional Add‑Ons:
- ActiveX Component Base Package (ACX‑PAC(W32)BP Ver. 2.0):
Provides a visual interface for analog control within OLE‑enabled applications such as Microsoft Excel.
- GPIB Driver Software for LabVIEW (API‑GPLV(W32) Ver. 1.2):
Enables integration of CONTEC GPIB boards with National Instruments LabVIEW.
- API‑TOOL Developer’s Site Access:
Online repository for driver updates, documentation, and sample code.

Supported Hardware Boards (Analog I/O):
- PCI Bus: AD12‑16(PCI)E, AD12‑16U(PCI)E, AD16‑16(PCI)E, AD12‑16U(PCI)EH, AD16‑16U(PCI)EH, ADI12‑16(PCI), AD12‑64(PCI), ADI16‑4C(PCI), ADI16‑4L(PCI), DA12‑16(PCI), DA12‑4(PCI), DA12‑8(PCI), DAI16‑4C(PCI)
- ISA Bus: AD12‑16(PC)EH, AD12‑16U(PC)EH, AD16‑16(PC)EH, AD16‑16U(PC)EH, AD12‑16(PC)E, AD12‑16U(PC)E, AD16‑16(PC)E, AD16‑16U(PC)E, AD12‑8LT(PC), AD12‑16LG(PC), ADI12‑16(PC), ADI12‑8CL(PC)H, DA12‑8L(PC), DA12‑4(PC), DA12‑6LC(PC), DAI12‑8C(PC), DAI12‑4C(PC)
- PC Card: AD12‑8(PM)




### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- IBM PC/AT‑compatible computer with PCI, ISA, or PC Card slot
- Supported Windows OS (95 through XP)
- Installed CONTEC analog I/O board

Installation Procedure:
1. Run the API‑PAC(W32) Setup Program to install the DLL library and utilities.
2. Select the specific CONTEC board model during setup; the corresponding API functions become available.
3. Use CONFIG.EXE to configure I/O addresses and IRQs, preventing conflicts.
4. Launch API‑TOOL Configuration to detect installed boards automatically (Ver. 4.10 or later).
5. Execute the Diagnostic Program to verify correct installation and driver operation.
6. Reference the integrated help file for function syntax and parameters.

Mounting Options:
Not applicable (software product).

Configuration Management:
Settings and diagnostic results can be saved as text files for documentation or troubleshooting.




### 7. Performance & Capabilities

- Channel Capacity: Up to 64 analog channels (board‑dependent).
- Sampling Control: Internal/external clock; supports hardware and software triggers.
- Interrupt Handling: Multiple simultaneous interrupt conditions monitored.
- Board Grouping: Up to 4 boards per group, 16 groups per system.
- Data Throughput: Determined by board hardware; API introduces minimal overhead.
- Efficiency: Optimized for high‑speed data acquisition and real‑time control under Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP.
- Limitations:
- ActiveX control not available under certain OS versions (noted as *8 2* in documentation).
- PC Card products may not be usable under specific configurations (*8 3* note).
- ISA board auto‑detection not supported under Windows NT 4.0/3.51.




### 8. Standards & Compliance

- Software Interface Standard: Win32 API (DLL‑based)
- Hardware Interface Standards:
- PCI 2.1, ISA bus, PCMCIA Type II/III (depending on board)
- TTL‑level digital I/O compatibility
- GPIB Compatibility (via related libraries): IEEE‑488 and IEEE‑488.2 standards
- Operating System Compliance: Microsoft Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
- Industry Application: Industrial automation, measurement, and control systems
- Regulatory Compliance: Software component; no direct electrical certification required




### 9. Additional Information

Warranty & Support:
- Provided as free downloadable software; warranty coverage follows CONTEC’s standard software support policy.
- Technical support, documentation, and updates available through CONTEC’s global portal: www.contec.com.

Maintenance:
- Minimal maintenance required; configuration and diagnostic utilities ensure long‑term stability.
- Users can verify board operation periodically using the included diagnostic program.

Software Updates:
- Latest versions of API‑PAC(W32) libraries and sample programs are available free of charge from CONTEC’s API‑TOOL Developer’s Site.
- Updates maintain backward compatibility with existing applications.

Related Products in the API‑PAC(W32) Family:
- API‑DIO(98/PC)W95: Digital I/O driver library
- API‑SIO(98/PC)W95: Serial communication driver
- API‑GPIB(98/PC)W95: GPIB communication driver
- API‑CNT(98/PC)W95: Counter input driver
- API‑SMC(98/PC)W95: Motion control driver
- API‑TIMER(W32): High‑precision timer control driver

Developer Resources:
- API‑TOOL Developer’s Site: http://www.contec.com/apipac/
- LabVIEW Support: http://www.contec.com/gplv/
- VI‑DAQ Library for LabVIEW: http://www.contec.com/vidaq/

Documentation and Learning Materials:
- Comprehensive help files with function references
- Example source code for Visual Basic and Visual C++
- Diagnostic and configuration manuals
- Online technical notes and FAQs




### Summary

The CONTEC API‑AIO(98/PC)W95 is a robust, Win32‑based analog I/O driver library enabling seamless integration of CONTEC’s analog data acquisition boards into Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP environments. It provides developers with a consistent API interface, extensive diagnostic and configuration tools, and sample programs to accelerate application development. Supporting a wide range of PCI, ISA, and PC Card hardware, the library is ideal for industrial automation, laboratory measurement, and embedded control systems requiring reliable analog signal processing under legacy Windows platforms.

Through its inclusion in the API‑PAC(W32) suite, API‑AIO(98/PC)W95 ensures interoperability with CONTEC’s full range of I/O, counter, motion, and communication products—offering a unified, efficient, and well‑supported software foundation for industrial measurement and control solutions.

No accessories available.