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API-DIO(PC)W95

Win95 device driver (Win 3.1x, Win95) for Contec DIO boards
  • Manufacturer Contec
  • Category: Contec Driver, Software
  • The API-DIO(PC)W95 is a dedicated Windows 95 device driver developed by CONTEC for its range of digital input/output (DIO) interface boards. It forms part of the API-PAC(W32) driver library suite, which provides a unified programming interface for CONTEC’s analog, digital, counter, communication, and motion control boards. This driver enables seamless integration of CONTEC’s DIO hardware with Windows 95 and Windows 3.1x environments, supporting high-speed, reliable digital signal acquisition and control for industrial automation, measurement, and control systems.
- Comprehensive DIO Board Support: Compatible with a wide range of CONTEC digital I/O boards across ISA, PCI, CompactPCI, and PC Card interfaces.
- Windows 95/3.1x Compatibility: Designed specifically for legacy Windows environments, ensuring stable operation in industrial systems still utilizing these platforms.
- Unified API Architecture: Part of the API-PAC(W32) suite, providing consistent function calls and programming structure across all CONTEC I/O products.
- High Channel Capacity: Supports up to 64 digital I/O channels per board, allowing extensive signal control and monitoring.
- Hardware Filtering: Integrated digital filter functions prevent signal chattering and ensure stable input readings.
- Bit-Level Control: Enables specific bit-level digital input/output operations for precise control applications.
- Foreground/Background Data Collection: Supports event-driven control and background data acquisition for multitasking environments.
- Auto Board Detection: Automatically detects installed CONTEC boards via the API-TOOL Configuration utility (Ver. 4.10 or later).
- Diagnostic Utilities: Includes built-in diagnostic programs to verify hardware and driver functionality.
- Sample Programs Included: Provides example source code for Visual Basic, Visual C++, and other supported languages to accelerate application development.
- LabVIEW Integration: Compatible with CONTEC’s VI-DAQ and API-GPLV(W32) libraries for National Instruments LabVIEW environments.
- Free Distribution: Provided free of charge with CONTEC DIO hardware products.

Country of origin: Japan

Comprehensive Product Summary – CONTEC API-DIO(PC)W95




### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: API-DIO(PC)W95
Article Number: API-DIO(PC)W95
Series: API-PAC (Win32 API Function Library Series)
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd.
Product Type: Windows 95/Windows 3.1x Device Driver for CONTEC Digital I/O Boards
Category: Industrial Automation Software / Device Driver
Primary Function: Digital Input/Output (DIO) driver enabling communication between CONTEC digital I/O hardware and Windows-based applications.

The API-DIO(PC)W95 is a dedicated Windows 95 device driver developed by CONTEC for its range of digital input/output (DIO) interface boards. It forms part of the API-PAC(W32) driver library suite, which provides a unified programming interface for CONTEC’s analog, digital, counter, communication, and motion control boards. This driver enables seamless integration of CONTEC’s DIO hardware with Windows 95 and Windows 3.1x environments, supporting high-speed, reliable digital signal acquisition and control for industrial automation, measurement, and control systems.




### 2. Key Features

- Comprehensive DIO Board Support: Compatible with a wide range of CONTEC digital I/O boards across ISA, PCI, CompactPCI, and PC Card interfaces.
- Windows 95/3.1x Compatibility: Designed specifically for legacy Windows environments, ensuring stable operation in industrial systems still utilizing these platforms.
- Unified API Architecture: Part of the API-PAC(W32) suite, providing consistent function calls and programming structure across all CONTEC I/O products.
- High Channel Capacity: Supports up to 64 digital I/O channels per board, allowing extensive signal control and monitoring.
- Hardware Filtering: Integrated digital filter functions prevent signal chattering and ensure stable input readings.
- Bit-Level Control: Enables specific bit-level digital input/output operations for precise control applications.
- Foreground/Background Data Collection: Supports event-driven control and background data acquisition for multitasking environments.
- Auto Board Detection: Automatically detects installed CONTEC boards via the API-TOOL Configuration utility (Ver. 4.10 or later).
- Diagnostic Utilities: Includes built-in diagnostic programs to verify hardware and driver functionality.
- Sample Programs Included: Provides example source code for Visual Basic, Visual C++, and other supported languages to accelerate application development.
- LabVIEW Integration: Compatible with CONTEC’s VI-DAQ and API-GPLV(W32) libraries for National Instruments LabVIEW environments.
- Free Distribution: Provided free of charge with CONTEC DIO hardware products.




### 3. Technical Specifications

Supported Operating Systems:
- Windows 95
- Windows 98 / 98SE
- Windows Me
- Windows NT 3.51 / 4.0
- Windows 2000 / XP (for backward compatibility through API-PAC(W32))

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
- Microsoft Visual C# .NET 2003 / 2002
- Borland C++ Builder 6.0 / 5.0
- Borland Delphi 6.0 / 5.0 / 4.0

Supported Hardware Interfaces:
- ISA Bus
- PCI Bus
- CompactPCI
- PC Card (CardBus, PCMCIA)

Maximum Controllable Channels: 64 digital I/O channels per board

Supported Signal Types: TTL-level digital input/output

Hardware Features:
- Digital filtering for noise suppression
- Bit-level I/O control
- Interrupt-driven event handling
- Board auto-detection via API-TOOL

Driver Format: Win32 API (DLL-based)

Installation Package: Setup executable with configuration utility and diagnostic tool

Dimensions/Weight: Software product (no physical dimensions applicable)




### 4. Functionality

The API-DIO(PC)W95 driver provides a software interface between Windows applications and CONTEC’s digital I/O hardware. It exposes a set of API functions (DLL calls) that allow developers to perform digital input and output operations, configure ports, and monitor signal states directly from user applications.

Core Functions:
- Read digital input from specified ports or bits
- Write digital output to specified ports or bits
- Configure port direction (input/output)
- Enable/disable digital filters
- Handle interrupts and event-driven I/O
- Perform diagnostic checks on board status

Use Cases:
- Industrial automation and process control
- Machine monitoring and control systems
- Data acquisition and logging
- Laboratory instrumentation
- Embedded control systems using legacy Windows environments

Compatibility:
- Fully compatible with CONTEC’s API-PAC(W32) framework
- Can be used alongside other CONTEC drivers (API-AIO, API-CNT, API-GPIB, API-SIO, etc.)
- Integrates with LabVIEW via VI-DAQ or API-GPLV(W32) for graphical programming environments




### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- API-DIO(PC)W95 driver software (installation package)
- Setup utility for Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP
- Diagnostic utility for board and driver verification
- Sample programs demonstrating API usage
- API function reference documentation (Help file)
- API-TOOL Configuration utility

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

Connectors and Interfaces:
Dependent on the specific CONTEC DIO board model (e.g., 37-pin D-sub, 50-pin flat cable, etc.). The driver supports all hardware-level interfaces provided by the corresponding board.




### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- IBM PC/AT compatible system
- Windows 95 or later (up to Windows XP)
- Available ISA, PCI, CompactPCI, or PC Card slot for the DIO board
- Administrative privileges for driver installation

Installation Procedure:
1. Run the API-PAC(W32) Setup Program.
2. Select the CONTEC DIO 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 assign logical device numbers.
5. Execute the Diagnostic Program to confirm correct driver and hardware operation.

Configuration Options:
- Port direction (input/output)
- Digital filter enable/disable
- Interrupt enable/disable
- Logical device mapping

Mounting Options:
Not applicable (software product).




### 7. Performance & Capabilities

Channel Capacity: Up to 64 digital I/O channels per board
Board Control: Supports multiple boards simultaneously (up to 16 boards depending on system resources)
Data Throughput: Dependent on system bus (ISA/PCI) and CPU performance; optimized for high-speed digital I/O operations
Event Handling: Supports interrupt-driven I/O for real-time response
Reliability: Industrial-grade stability under continuous operation
Efficiency: Optimized DLL calls minimize CPU overhead
Limitations:
- Designed for Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP; not compatible with modern 64-bit Windows versions
- Cannot be used simultaneously with National Instruments GPIB drivers or CONTEC API-GPIB(98/PC) on the same hardware




### 8. Standards & Compliance

Software Standards:
- Win32 API-compliant DLL structure
- IEEE 488.2 (for related GPIB modules)
- Plug and Play-compliant for PCI/CompactPCI boards
- Compatible with Microsoft Visual Studio and Borland development environments

Regulatory Compliance:
- Developed under CONTEC’s ISO 9001-certified quality management system
- Conforms to industrial software development standards for automation and measurement systems

Industry Standards Supported:
- TTL-level digital I/O signaling
- PCI/ISA bus interface standards
- IEEE 488.2 (for related communication modules)




### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- Software provided free of charge with CONTEC hardware; warranty coverage follows the associated hardware product.

Technical Support:
- Global support available via www.contec.com
- Access to API-TOOL Developer’s Site for driver updates, documentation, and sample programs

Maintenance:
- Periodic updates available for download from CONTEC’s website
- Diagnostic utilities assist in maintaining system integrity and verifying driver performance

Software Updates:
- Latest versions of API-PAC(W32) and related drivers available free of charge from CONTEC’s global portal
- Backward-compatible updates ensure continued support for legacy systems

Documentation:
- Comprehensive API reference manual
- Installation and configuration guide
- Sample code and application notes

Related Products:
- API-AIO(98/PC)W95 – Analog I/O driver
- API-CNT(98/PC)W95 – Counter input driver
- API-SIO(98/PC)W95 – Serial communication driver
- API-GPIB(98/PC)W95 – GPIB communication driver
- API-SMC(98/PC)W95 – Motor control driver
- API-TIMER(W32) – High-precision timer driver

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




### Summary

The CONTEC API-DIO(PC)W95 is a robust, legacy-compatible Windows 95 device driver designed to interface CONTEC’s digital I/O boards with Windows-based applications. As part of the API-PAC(W32) unified driver suite, it provides a consistent programming interface across multiple hardware types, simplifying development and deployment in industrial automation, measurement, and control systems. With support for up to 64 digital I/O channels, hardware filtering, bit-level control, and diagnostic utilities, it remains a reliable solution for maintaining and extending the life of legacy Windows-based industrial systems.

Its integration with multiple programming environments—including Visual Basic, Visual C++, and LabVIEW—makes it a versatile tool for engineers and developers seeking stable, high-performance digital I/O control under Windows 95 and related operating systems.

No accessories available.