1. Product Overview

Product Name: CardBus Adapter for Extension System
Model: EAD(CB)BE-N
Series: EAD Bus Extension Adapter Series
Article Number: EAD(CB)BE-N
Manufacturer: CONTEC CO., LTD. (Osaka, Japan)
Product Category: Industrial Automation / Measurement and Control – Bus Expansion System

The CONTEC EAD(CB)BE-N is a CardBus-based expansion adapter designed to extend a notebook or portable PC’s PCI bus functionality. It enables the addition of standard PCI (5V/32-bit, 33MHz) slots through an external expansion chassis, effectively transforming a laptop into a full-featured industrial control or measurement workstation. The adapter is part of CONTEC’s modular Bus Extension System, which includes a range of expansion adapters and chassis for PCI, PCI Express, and CardBus interfaces.

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2. Key Features

- CardBus-to-PCI Bus Expansion:
Allows a notebook PC equipped with a CardBus (PC Card Type II) slot to connect to an external PCI bus expansion chassis, adding standard PCI slots for peripheral boards.

- Direct PCI Signal Transmission:
Implements a direct PCI bus extension (Bus Extension Type) rather than a serial conversion, ensuring low-latency, high-integrity signal transmission between host and chassis.

- Plug-and-Play Operation:
Automatically recognized by Windows operating systems; supports hot insertion under controlled conditions.

- Power Synchronization:
The expansion chassis power supply can be turned on and off in synchronization with the host PC’s power state, simplifying system management.

- Compact and Portable:
The PC Card form factor (85.6 × 54.0 × 5.0 mm) and lightweight design (approx. 50 g) make it ideal for mobile measurement and control applications.

- High Compatibility:
Complies with PCI Local Bus Specification Rev. 2.3 (+5V/32-bit, 33MHz) and PC Card Standard CardBus (Type II). Compatible with a wide range of CONTEC expansion chassis models.

- Included Cable:
Supplied with a dedicated 1-meter CB-CB68/96 connection cable for reliable high-speed signal transmission.

- Industrial-Grade Design:
Designed for continuous operation in industrial environments (0–50°C, 20–90% RH, non-condensing).

- Supported Operating Systems:
Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows 98SE, and Windows 98. (Windows Vista supported only with specific chassis models.)

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3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|-------------------|
| Bus Type | PCI Local Bus Specification Rev. 2.3 (+5V/32-bit, 33MHz) |
| Interface Type | CardBus (PC Card Standard, Type II) |
| Card Dimensions | 85.6 mm (L) × 54.0 mm (W) × 5.0 mm (H) |
| Cable Type | CB-CB68/96 (68-pin to 96-pin, 1 m length) |
| Power Supply | Supplied from host PC (3.3VDC, 200mA max.) |
| Operating Temperature | 0–50°C |
| Operating Humidity | 20–90% RH (no condensation) |
| Weight | Approx. 50 g |
| Bus Operating Clock | 33 MHz (maximum) |
| Compliance | RoHS compliant (CONTEC original marking) |
| Supported OS | Windows XP, 2000, Me, 98SE, 98 |
| Cable Restriction | Only the included cable may be used |
| Chassis Compatibility | ECH(PCI)BE-H2B, F2B, H4B, F4B, H4A (not compatible with H7A/F7A/H13A/F13A except under Vista) |

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4. Functionality

The EAD(CB)BE-N functions as a bridge between a notebook’s CardBus interface and an external PCI expansion chassis. It extends the host’s PCI bus signals through a dedicated high-speed cable, allowing the use of standard PCI add-on boards externally.

Operation Principle:
- The adapter converts the CardBus interface into a PCI bus extension using a PCI-to-PCI bridge architecture.
- The expansion chassis houses standard PCI slots powered by an external or built-in power supply.
- When the host PC powers on, the adapter activates the chassis power supply, synchronizing both systems.
- The host OS detects the PCI-to-PCI bridge and enumerates the PCI devices installed in the chassis as if they were internal.

Typical Applications:
- Industrial measurement and control systems
- Data acquisition and signal processing
- Machine automation and motion control
- Laboratory instrumentation requiring PCI I/O boards
- Field testing and portable diagnostic systems

Compatibility:
- Works with CONTEC’s ECH(PCI)BE series expansion chassis (2-slot or 4-slot models).
- Compatible with both short and long PCI boards depending on chassis selection.
- Not compatible with StarFabric-compliant or PCI-to-PCI bridge-restricted boards.

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5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
1. PC Card (BUS-PC(CB)A) – CardBus adapter module
2. Connection Cable (CB-CB68/96) – 1 m dedicated cable
3. User’s Manual – Printed documentation
4. CD-ROM – Driver software and utilities for Windows XP/2000/Me/98

Optional Accessories (Expansion Chassis):
- ECH(PCI)BE-H2B: 2 short-size PCI slots, AC adapter power
- ECH(PCI)BE-F2B: 2 long-size PCI slots, AC adapter power
- ECH(PCI)BE-H4B: 4 short-size PCI slots, AC adapter power
- ECH(PCI)BE-F4B: 4 long-size PCI slots, AC adapter power
- ECH(PCI)BE-H4A: 4 short-size PCI slots, built-in power supply

Each chassis includes a cooling fan, AC adapter (for external power models), and synchronized power control circuitry.

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6. Installation & Setup

Requirements:
- Host PC with a CardBus-compliant PC Card slot (Type II)
- Supported Windows OS (XP/2000/Me/98SE/98)
- Compatible CONTEC expansion chassis
- Administrative privileges for driver installation (Windows XP/2000)

Installation Steps:
1. Prepare the System:
Ensure the PC is powered off. Connect the expansion chassis to its AC adapter and power cable.
2. Install PCI Boards:
Mount desired PCI boards into the expansion chassis following the chassis manual.
3. Connect the Cable:
Attach the CB-CB68/96 cable between the PC Card and the chassis connector. Align connectors carefully to avoid damage.
4. Insert the PC Card:
Insert the BUS-PC(CB)A card into the CardBus slot with the arrow mark facing correctly.
5. Power On:
Power on the PC. The chassis will automatically power on in synchronization.
6. Driver Installation:
- For Windows Me/98: The OS automatically detects the PCI-to-PCI bridge and installs standard drivers.
- For Windows XP/2000: Run CCBSETUP.EXE from the included CD-ROM to install the dedicated driver. Restart the system twice as prompted.
7. Verification:
Check Device Manager for “PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge” and “Intel 21152 PCI to PCI bridge” entries under “System Devices.”

Cautions:
- Do not connect or disconnect the cable or card while powered.
- Do not use multiple BUS-PC(CB)A cards simultaneously in stacked PC Card slots.
- Use only the supplied cable to ensure signal integrity.

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7. Performance & Capabilities

- Bus Speed: 33 MHz (maximum)
- Bus Width: 32-bit PCI bus
- Voltage Levels: +5V signaling
- Power Draw: 3.3VDC, 200mA (from host PC)
- Transfer Characteristics:
- Direct PCI bus extension via PCI-to-PCI bridge
- Minimal latency suitable for real-time control applications
- Sustained throughput limited by CardBus bandwidth (~132 MB/s theoretical)
- Limitations:
- Not suitable for high-bandwidth video or graphics boards
- Boards requiring boot-time BIOS access or non-bridge-compatible boards cannot be used
- Transfer rate may be lower than internal PCI slots due to bridge overhead

Environmental Performance:
- Operating temperature: 0–50°C
- Storage temperature: -10–60°C (recommended)
- Humidity: 20–90% RH (non-condensing)
- Vibration/Shock: Designed for industrial environments with moderate vibration resistance

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8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Standards:
- PCI Local Bus Specification Rev. 2.3
- PC Card Standard (CardBus, Type II)
- Electrical Compliance:
- +3.3VDC / +5VDC signaling levels
- 33 MHz clock frequency
- Environmental Compliance:
- RoHS compliant (lead-free manufacturing)
- Safety and Quality:
- Designed and manufactured under CONTEC’s ISO-certified quality management system
- Regulatory Notes:
- CE marking applicable for compatible chassis configurations
- Meets industrial EMC and safety requirements for measurement and control equipment

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9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- Duration: 3 years from date of purchase
- Coverage: Defects in materials and workmanship under normal use
- Exclusions: Physical damage, misuse, modification, or operation outside specified conditions
- Procedure:
- Obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) from CONTEC or authorized distributor
- Return product freight prepaid with proof of purchase

Support & Maintenance:
- Technical Support:
- Website: [https://www.contec.com](https://www.contec.com)
- Regional portals: Japan (contec.co.jp), China (contec.com.cn)
- Online resources include manuals, driver updates, and sample programs.
- Maintenance:
- Periodically inspect connectors for corrosion or contamination.
- Store in anti-static packaging when not in use.
- Avoid exposure to corrosive gases or excessive dust.

Software & Updates:
- Driver Utility: EAD(CB) Driver Setting Utility (CCBUTIL.EXE) for Windows XP/2000
- Adjusts I/O and memory window sizes for CardBus controller optimization.
- Recommended settings: I/O window 512 or 256 bytes if default 768 causes conflicts.
- Uninstallation:
- Use “Add/Remove Programs” in Control Panel to remove the driver.

Safety Precautions:
- Do not operate in flammable or corrosive environments.
- Avoid mechanical stress on the PC Card or cable connectors.
- Ensure proper grounding and ESD protection during installation.

Storage Conditions:
- Temperature: 0–40°C
- Humidity: <80% RH
- Store in original packaging, away from direct sunlight and static electricity.

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Summary

The CONTEC EAD(CB)BE-N CardBus Adapter for Extension System is a robust, industrial-grade solution for extending PCI bus functionality to notebook computers. It bridges the gap between portable computing and industrial PCI-based instrumentation, offering reliable, synchronized, and standards-compliant expansion capability. With its compact design, dedicated cable, and compatibility with multiple CONTEC expansion chassis, it provides a flexible platform for engineers and system integrators requiring mobile or space-constrained PCI expansion.

Its combination of hardware reliability, software support, and long-term warranty makes it a preferred choice for industrial automation, data acquisition, and control applications where portability and PCI compatibility are essential.