Comprehensive Product Summary – Support-Pac(PC)501

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: Support-Pac(PC)501
Model: Support-Pac(PC)501
Series: Device Driver Package Series for Microsoft-C
Article Number: Support-Pac(PC)501
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd.
Product Type: DOS Device Driver Package for TCR-10 (PC)
Category: Software / Device Driver Package
Primary Function: Provides Microsoft-C compatible device drivers for CONTEC’s TCR-10 hardware platform, enabling communication, control, and data acquisition functions under DOS and Windows environments.

The Support-Pac(PC)501 is part of CONTEC’s extensive suite of industrial automation and measurement software solutions. It is designed to provide a unified driver interface for CONTEC’s hardware modules, including analog and digital I/O, counters, motor controllers, communication interfaces (GPIB, serial), and remote I/O systems. The package ensures compatibility with Microsoft-C environments and supports integration with higher-level development tools such as LabVIEW and Visual Studio.

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### 2. Key Features

- Microsoft-C Compatible Device Driver Package: Specifically developed for TCR-10 systems, ensuring seamless integration with Microsoft-C compilers and runtime environments.
- Comprehensive Hardware Support: Enables operation of CONTEC’s analog, digital, counter, and communication modules across multiple bus architectures (ISA, PCI, CompactPCI, PC Card).
- Unified API Architecture: Provides a consistent programming interface (API-PAC) across all supported hardware, simplifying development and maintenance.
- LabVIEW Integration: Includes LabVIEW-compliant VI libraries (VI-DAQ, API-GPLV(W32)) for direct use with National Instruments LabVIEW environments.
- Cross-Platform Support: Compatible with multiple Windows versions (XP, 2000, NT, Me, 98, 95) and Linux distributions (RedHat, TurboLinux).
- Extensive Language Support: Supports Microsoft Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual C#, Borland Delphi, and C++ Builder, as well as LabVIEW.
- Diagnostic and Configuration Utilities: Includes setup and diagnostic tools for hardware configuration, parameter tuning, and system verification.
- Sample Programs and Documentation: Provides practical examples and sample code for rapid application development and testing.
- Free Software Updates: Latest driver libraries and updates are available for free download from CONTEC’s global portal.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

Supported Operating Systems:
- 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 versions 2.2.13–2.4.21)

Supported Programming Environments:
- Microsoft: Visual Basic 6.0/5.0/4.0, Visual C++ 6.0/5.0/4.x/2.0, Visual Basic .NET 2003/2002, Visual C++ .NET 2003/2002, Visual C# .NET 2003/2002
- National Instruments: LabVIEW 7.1 / 7.0 / 6.1 / 6i / 5.1 / 5.0
- Borland: C++ Builder 6.0 / 5.0, Delphi 6.0 / 5.0 / 4.0
- Linux: gcc, Kylix2

Supported Hardware Interfaces:
- Analog I/O: ADA16-32/2(PCI)F, AD12-16U(PCI)EH, AD16-16(LPCI)L, DA12-8(PCI), DAI16-4C(PCI), etc.
- Digital I/O: PI-64L(PCI), PIO-32/32L(PCI), PIO-16/16L(LPCI)H, PIO-48D(PCI), PI-128L(PCI), etc.
- Counter Input: CNT24-4(PCI), CNT24-4D(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(PM), 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, COM-2(PC)F

Architecture Support: ISA, PCI, CompactPCI, PC Card (CardBus), and USB modules (via compatible drivers).
Maximum Controllable Channels:
- Analog I/O: up to 64 channels
- Digital I/O: up to 64 channels
- Serial Communication: up to 256 channels
- Counter Input: up to 16 boards
- GPIB: up to 4 boards

Compliance: IEEE-488 and IEEE-488.2 for GPIB communication.

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### 4. Functionality

The Support-Pac(PC)501 provides a complete driver environment for CONTEC’s TCR-10 and related hardware. It enables direct control of analog and digital I/O, counters, timers, and communication interfaces through standardized API calls.

Core Functionalities:
- Device Driver Integration: Provides low-level access to hardware functions through DLL-based APIs for Windows and shared libraries for Linux.
- Unified Logical Device Access: Abstracts hardware differences, allowing applications to continue functioning even when hardware is replaced or upgraded.
- Foreground/Background Data Collection: Supports event-driven control and background data acquisition for continuous monitoring.
- LabVIEW VI Libraries: VI-DAQ and API-GPLV(W32) allow seamless integration with LabVIEW for measurement and automation applications.
- Configuration and Diagnostics: Includes utilities for hardware setup, IEEE-488.2 parameter configuration, and diagnostic testing.
- Timer and Event Control: API-TIMER(W32) provides microsecond-level timing and event management for precise control applications.

Use Cases:
- Industrial automation and process control
- Laboratory measurement and data acquisition
- Machine control and motion systems
- Communication and instrumentation testing
- Embedded system development for industrial PCs

Compatibility:
- Compatible with CONTEC’s Box PCs, Panel PCs, and expansion modules.
- Works with National Instruments LabVIEW and Microsoft Visual Studio environments.
- Supports both 32-bit and legacy 16-bit Windows systems.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- Support-Pac(PC)501 driver package (installation media or downloadable archive)
- Setup and configuration utilities (API-TOOL Configuration)
- Diagnostic programs for hardware verification
- Sample programs for each supported language
- Documentation and help files (HTML and PDF formats)

Optional Add-ons:
- VI-DAQ library for LabVIEW integration
- API-GPLV(W32) for GPIB communication under LabVIEW
- COM-DRV(W32) for serial communication modules
- API-PAC(W32) unified driver library for Windows
- API-LNX driver suite for Linux environments

Connectors and Interfaces:
- Supports standard PCI, ISA, CompactPCI, and PC Card connectors
- GPIB IEEE-488 interface
- RS-232C serial communication ports
- Analog and digital I/O terminals (board-dependent)

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### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- IBM PC/AT compatible system
- Supported Windows or Linux OS
- Available PCI, ISA, or PC Card slot for hardware installation
- Minimum 64 MB RAM and 50 MB free disk space for driver installation

Installation Procedure:
1. Run the included setup program (API-PAC Setup) under Windows XP/2000/NT/Me/98/95.
2. Select the CONTEC board to be used; the corresponding DLL libraries are automatically installed.
3. Configure hardware parameters using the setup utility (IEEE-488.2 configuration for GPIB boards).
4. Verify installation using the diagnostic utility.
5. For LabVIEW users, install VI-DAQ or API-GPLV(W32) and configure the VI library paths.
6. For Linux, compile and install the module drivers using provided makefiles and configuration scripts.

Mounting Options:
Applicable to internal PC slots (PCI, ISA) or external PC Card interfaces. No physical mounting required for software-only components.

Configuration Tools:
- API-TOOL Configuration Ver.4.10 or later (supports board auto-detection)
- Diagnostic utilities for analog, digital, and communication boards
- Setup wizards for motor control and counter boards

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

- Analog I/O: Up to 64 channels, supports internal/external sampling clocks, multiple interrupt conditions, and simultaneous monitoring.
- Digital I/O: Up to 64 channels, hardware chattering prevention via digital filters, bit-level I/O control.
- Serial Communication: Up to 256 channels, configurable buffer sizes (256–65535 bytes), XON/XOFF flow control, event-driven messaging.
- GPIB Communication: IEEE-488/488.2 compliant, supports master/slave modes, DMA/FIFO functions, and 3-line handshaking for reliable data transfer.
- Counter Input: Up to 16 boards, supports preset values, event generation, and one-shot pulse output.
- Motor Control: Multi-axis synchronization, PTP motion, jogging, bank motion, and origin search modes.
- Timer Control: Microsecond-level precision timing, interval measurement, and ActiveX-based timer control.
- Linux Drivers: Provide equivalent functionality through shared libraries and kernel modules, supporting interrupt handling and trigger monitoring.

Limitations:
- Some ISA boards not auto-detectable under Windows NT 4.0/3.51.
- Certain GPIB boards require Windows 2000 or later.
- ActiveX controls not supported under all environments.
- API-GPIB(98/PC) and API-GPLV(W32) cannot be used simultaneously on the same hardware.

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

- GPIB Communication: IEEE-488 and IEEE-488.2 compliant
- Operating System Compliance: Windows Win32 API, Linux kernel module standards
- Plug and Play: PCI and CompactPCI bus resource acquisition compliant
- Software Development Standards: Compatible with Microsoft Visual Studio and National Instruments LabVIEW
- Industrial Standards: Designed for industrial automation and measurement control applications
- Regulatory Compliance: Meets general software and hardware interface standards for industrial PC systems

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
Standard CONTEC software warranty covering defects in media and installation support. Hardware warranties apply separately to associated boards.

Support & Maintenance:
- Free technical support via CONTEC’s global portal (www.contec.com)
- Online documentation, FAQs, and driver updates
- Diagnostic utilities and configuration tools included for maintenance and troubleshooting
- Regular updates to driver libraries and sample programs available for free download

Software Updates:
- Latest versions of API-PAC(W32), API-LNX, and LabVIEW-compatible drivers available at:
- [http://www.contec.com/apipac/](http://www.contec.com/apipac/)
- [http://www.contec.com/gplv/](http://www.contec.com/gplv/)
- [http://www.contec.com/vidaq/](http://www.contec.com/vidaq/)

Documentation:
Comprehensive manuals, API references, and sample code sets are provided in both English and Japanese. HTML-based help files are included for quick reference.

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Periodically update drivers to the latest version for improved stability and OS compatibility.
- Use diagnostic utilities after hardware changes or OS upgrades.
- Maintain backups of configuration files and setup scripts.

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### Summary

The Support-Pac(PC)501 from CONTEC is a robust, Microsoft-C compatible device driver package designed for the TCR-10 system and a wide range of CONTEC’s industrial I/O and communication boards. It provides a unified, high-performance software interface for analog, digital, counter, motor, and communication modules across multiple platforms. With comprehensive support for Windows and Linux, integration with LabVIEW, and extensive programming language compatibility, Support-Pac(PC)501 serves as a cornerstone for industrial automation, measurement, and control system development. Its modular architecture, diagnostic utilities, and free software updates make it a reliable and future-proof solution for engineers and developers working in industrial and laboratory environments.