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API-CNT(PC)NT

Windows device driver (Windows NT) for CNT24-4
  • Manufacturer Contec
  • Category: Contec Driver, Software
  • The API‑CNT(PC)NT driver is part of CONTEC’s API‑PAC(W32) software suite, a unified library of Windows device drivers designed to provide direct, high‑performance access to CONTEC’s range of analog, digital, counter, and motion control boards. This driver specifically supports counter input boards, allowing developers to integrate hardware‑level counting and timing functions into custom applications running on Windows NT and compatible operating systems.
- Windows NT Compatibility: Fully compliant with Windows NT Workstation 4.0 (SP3 or later), Windows 2000, and Windows XP environments.
- Hardware Support: Provides complete driver support for CONTEC’s CNT24‑4(PCI), CNT24‑4D(PCI), CNT32‑8M(PCI), CNT24‑4(PC), and CNT32‑4MT(CB) counter boards.
- High‑Performance Counter Control: Enables precise counting, timing, and event measurement functions across multiple channels.
- Multi‑Board Control: Supports up to 16 boards simultaneously, allowing large‑scale data acquisition and control systems.
- Unified API Architecture: Part of the API‑PAC(W32) unified driver library, ensuring consistent function calls and programming interfaces across all CONTEC I/O products.
- Foreground/Background Data Collection: Supports event‑driven control and background data acquisition for continuous operation.
- Logical Device Access: Allows programming by logical device rather than direct hardware port access, simplifying application development.
- Auto‑Detection of Installed Boards: Automatically detects installed PCI, ISA, or CardBus boards via the API‑TOOL Configuration utility (Ver. 4.10 or later).
- Diagnostic and Configuration Utilities: Includes setup and diagnostic tools for verifying hardware and driver operation.
- Sample Programs Included: Provides example source code in multiple programming languages to accelerate development.
- LabVIEW Integration: Compatible with CONTEC’s VI‑DAQ and API‑GPLV(W32) libraries for seamless operation within National Instruments LabVIEW environments.
- Free Distribution: Provided free of charge with supported CONTEC hardware products.
- Backward Compatibility: Supports legacy ISA and PC Card versions of counter boards for long‑term system maintenance.

Country of origin: Japan

Comprehensive Product Summary – CONTEC API‑CNT(PC)NT Windows NT Device Driver for CNT24‑4 Series




### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: API‑CNT(PC)NT
Article Number: API‑CNT(PC)NT
Product Type: Windows NT Device Driver for Counter Input Boards
Supported Hardware: CONTEC CNT24‑4(PCI), CNT24‑4D(PCI), CNT32‑8M(PCI), CNT24‑4(PC), CNT32‑4MT(CB)
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd.
Product Series: API‑PAC (Windows 32‑bit API Function Library Series)
Category: Industrial Automation / Measurement and Control Software
Primary Function: Counter input driver enabling Windows NT‑based systems to interface with CONTEC counter boards for high‑precision counting, timing, and event measurement applications.

The API‑CNT(PC)NT driver is part of CONTEC’s API‑PAC(W32) software suite, a unified library of Windows device drivers designed to provide direct, high‑performance access to CONTEC’s range of analog, digital, counter, and motion control boards. This driver specifically supports counter input boards, allowing developers to integrate hardware‑level counting and timing functions into custom applications running on Windows NT and compatible operating systems.




### 2. Key Features

- Windows NT Compatibility: Fully compliant with Windows NT Workstation 4.0 (SP3 or later), Windows 2000, and Windows XP environments.
- Hardware Support: Provides complete driver support for CONTEC’s CNT24‑4(PCI), CNT24‑4D(PCI), CNT32‑8M(PCI), CNT24‑4(PC), and CNT32‑4MT(CB) counter boards.
- High‑Performance Counter Control: Enables precise counting, timing, and event measurement functions across multiple channels.
- Multi‑Board Control: Supports up to 16 boards simultaneously, allowing large‑scale data acquisition and control systems.
- Unified API Architecture: Part of the API‑PAC(W32) unified driver library, ensuring consistent function calls and programming interfaces across all CONTEC I/O products.
- Foreground/Background Data Collection: Supports event‑driven control and background data acquisition for continuous operation.
- Logical Device Access: Allows programming by logical device rather than direct hardware port access, simplifying application development.
- Auto‑Detection of Installed Boards: Automatically detects installed PCI, ISA, or CardBus boards via the API‑TOOL Configuration utility (Ver. 4.10 or later).
- Diagnostic and Configuration Utilities: Includes setup and diagnostic tools for verifying hardware and driver operation.
- Sample Programs Included: Provides example source code in multiple programming languages to accelerate development.
- LabVIEW Integration: Compatible with CONTEC’s VI‑DAQ and API‑GPLV(W32) libraries for seamless operation within National Instruments LabVIEW environments.
- Free Distribution: Provided free of charge with supported CONTEC hardware products.
- Backward Compatibility: Supports legacy ISA and PC Card versions of counter boards for long‑term system maintenance.




### 3. Technical Specifications

Supported Operating Systems:
- Windows NT Workstation 4.0 (SP3 or later)
- Windows 2000 Professional
- Windows XP Professional / Home Edition
- Windows Me / 98SE / 98 / 95 (via API‑CNT(98/PC)W95 variant)

Supported Programming Languages:
- Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 / 5.0 / 4.0 (32‑bit)
- Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 / 5.0 / 4.x / 2.0
- Microsoft Visual Basic .NET 2003 / 2002
- Microsoft Visual C++ .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

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

Maximum Number of Boards: 16 per system
Maximum Number of Channels: 256 (depending on board configuration)
Counter Functions:
- Count value acquisition
- Preset value setting
- Status register reading
- Timer and event generation
- One‑shot pulse output with adjustable width
- Event messaging on count match, timer halt, or time‑up

Interface Type: PCI / ISA / PC Card (CardBus)
Driver Type: Win32 API DLL (Dynamic Link Library)
Distribution Format: Setup executable with configuration and diagnostic utilities
Installation Media: Included with CONTEC counter boards or downloadable from CONTEC’s global portal




### 4. Functionality

The API‑CNT(PC)NT driver provides a comprehensive software interface between Windows NT‑based operating systems and CONTEC’s counter input hardware. It exposes a set of Win32 API functions that allow developers to perform high‑speed counting, timing, and event detection operations directly from user applications.

Core Functionalities:
- Counter Input Control: Read and reset count values, configure counting modes, and set up event triggers.
- Timer Operations: Generate precise timing intervals and measure elapsed time with microsecond accuracy.
- Event Handling: Generate software events upon counter match, overflow, or external trigger detection.
- Preset and Compare Functions: Define preset values for automatic event generation when counts reach specified thresholds.
- Pulse Output Control: Configure one‑shot pulse width and repetition timing for synchronization with external devices.
- Multi‑Board Synchronization: Manage multiple counter boards concurrently for complex measurement systems.
- Diagnostic Feedback: Built‑in diagnostic utilities verify hardware communication and driver integrity.

Typical Applications:
- Industrial automation and process control
- Motion control and motor feedback systems
- Frequency and pulse measurement
- Event counting and production line monitoring
- Laboratory instrumentation and data acquisition
- Test and measurement systems requiring precise timing

Compatibility:
- Fully compatible with CONTEC’s API‑PAC(W32) unified driver framework.
- Operates seamlessly with other CONTEC drivers such as API‑AIO (Analog I/O), API‑DIO (Digital I/O), API‑SIO (Serial I/O), and API‑SMC (Motor Control).
- Integrates with LabVIEW through VI‑DAQ and API‑GPLV(W32) for graphical programming environments.




### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- API‑CNT(PC)NT driver installation package (setup executable)
- Configuration utility for board setup and parameter adjustment
- Diagnostic utility for hardware and software verification
- Sample programs demonstrating API usage in multiple languages
- API‑TOOL Configuration software for board detection and management
- Documentation and function reference manual (PDF / HTML format)

Optional / Related Software:
- API‑PAC(W32): Unified driver library for all CONTEC I/O boards
- VI‑DAQ: LabVIEW‑compliant VI library for analog, digital, and counter I/O
- API‑GPLV(W32): LabVIEW‑compliant GPIB communication driver
- COM‑DRV(W32): Standard COM driver for serial communication modules
- API‑TIMER(W32): High‑precision timer control driver
- API‑SMC(98/PC)NT: Motor control driver for stepping and servo motors

Connectors and Interfaces:
Dependent on the supported hardware board (PCI, ISA, or PC Card). The driver communicates through the system bus and does not require external connectors.




### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- IBM PC/AT compatible computer with available PCI, ISA, or PC Card slot
- Supported Windows operating system (NT4.0 SP3+, 2000, XP, Me, 98, 95)
- Administrative privileges for driver installation
- Minimum 32 MB RAM and 10 MB free disk space

Installation Procedure:
1. Run the API‑PAC setup program included with the hardware or downloaded from CONTEC’s website.
2. Select the target CONTEC board (e.g., CNT24‑4(PCI)) from the list.
3. The installer automatically registers the appropriate DLLs and configuration files.
4. Use the API‑TOOL Configuration utility to detect installed boards and verify driver recognition.
5. Execute the diagnostic program to confirm proper communication between the driver and hardware.
6. Integrate the API functions into your application using the provided sample code or programming references.

Configuration Options:
- Board address and interrupt level setup
- Counter mode selection (up/down, event, frequency)
- Preset and compare value configuration
- Timer interval and pulse width settings
- Event message enable/disable

Mounting Options:
Dependent on the physical board type (PCI, ISA, or PC Card). The driver itself requires no physical installation beyond software setup.




### 7. Performance & Capabilities

- High‑Speed Counting: Supports high‑frequency pulse counting suitable for industrial and laboratory applications.
- Multi‑Channel Operation: Up to 256 channels can be managed simultaneously, depending on board configuration.
- Event‑Driven Processing: Enables real‑time response to hardware events without polling overhead.
- Background Operation: Data collection can continue in the background, allowing multitasking within Windows.
- Precision Timing: Timer functions provide microsecond‑level accuracy for measurement and control tasks.
- Scalability: Supports up to 16 boards per system, enabling large‑scale data acquisition networks.
- Reliability: IEEE‑compliant communication and robust error handling ensure stable long‑term operation.
- Limitations: ISA board auto‑detection not supported under Windows NT 4.0/3.51; simultaneous use with API‑GPIB(98/PC) not permitted on the same hardware.




### 8. Standards & Compliance

- Operating System Compliance: Microsoft Windows NT/2000/XP certified driver model (Win32 API).
- Hardware Interface Standards:
- PCI Local Bus Specification
- ISA Bus Standard
- PC Card (CardBus) Standard
- Software Architecture: Win32 DLL‑based API conforming to Microsoft development standards.
- IEEE Compliance: IEEE‑488.2 (for related GPIB modules)
- Industry Standards: Compatible with National Instruments LabVIEW VI architecture.
- Regulatory Compliance: Designed for use in industrial and laboratory environments; conforms to CE and FCC requirements when used with certified CONTEC hardware.




### 9. Additional Information

Warranty & Support:
- Provided under CONTEC’s standard software warranty terms.
- Technical support available through CONTEC’s global support portal.
- Free software updates and driver upgrades available for download at [www.contec.com/apipac/](http://www.contec.com/apipac/).

Maintenance:
- Regular updates recommended to maintain compatibility with new Windows service packs.
- Diagnostic utilities assist in verifying driver integrity and hardware communication.
- Configuration files can be exported and reused across systems for consistent setup.

Software Updates & Distribution:
- Latest versions of API‑CNT(PC)NT and related libraries are available free of charge from CONTEC’s API‑TOOL Developer’s Site.
- Updates include bug fixes, performance enhancements, and expanded hardware support.

Documentation & Resources:
- Comprehensive function reference manual (HTML/PDF)
- Sample source code for Visual Basic, C/C++, and .NET
- Online knowledge base and developer forum
- LabVIEW integration guides and VI examples

Related Products:
- API‑AIO(WDM): High‑performance analog I/O driver
- API‑DIO(98/PC)NT: Digital I/O driver
- API‑SIO(98/PC)NT: Serial communication driver
- API‑SMC(98/PC)NT: Motor control driver
- API‑TIMER(W32): Precision timer driver
- API‑GPIB(98/PC)NT: GPIB communication driver

Global Portal: [https://www.contec.com](https://www.contec.com)




### Summary

The CONTEC API‑CNT(PC)NT driver is a robust, Windows NT‑compatible device driver designed to enable seamless integration of CONTEC’s counter input boards into industrial and laboratory automation systems. As part of the API‑PAC(W32) unified driver suite, it provides a consistent programming interface across multiple hardware types, simplifying development and ensuring long‑term maintainability. With support for up to 16 boards and 256 channels, event‑driven control, and microsecond‑level timing precision, API‑CNT(PC)NT is ideal for high‑performance measurement, control, and data acquisition applications. Its inclusion of diagnostic tools, sample programs, and LabVIEW compatibility makes it a comprehensive solution for developers seeking reliable, scalable counter control under Windows NT and related environments.

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