Contec GCOM-2C2-PCI, GCOM-8C2-PCI, GCOM-4C2-PCI User Manual
PC-HELPER
RS-232C Serial I/O Board for PCI
2-ch
GCOM-2C2-PCI
4-ch
GCOM-4C2-PCI
8-ch
GCOM-8C2-PCI
User’s Guide
CONTEC CO.,LTD.
GCOM-2C2-PCI, GCOM-4C2-PCI, GCOM-8C2-PCI
i
Check Your Package
Thank you for purchasing the CONTEC product.
The product consists of the items listed below.
Check, with the following list, that your package is complete. If you discover damaged or missing items,
contact your retailer.
Product Configuration List
- Board
[GCOM-2C2-PCI, GCOM-4C2-PCI or GCOM-8C2-PCI]
- First step guide …1
- DRV-PAC(W32) (CD-ROM *1 ) …1
*1: The CD-ROM contains the driver software and User’s Guide (this guide).
CD-ROM
First step guide
Board
ii
GCOM-2C2-PCI, GCOM-4C2-PCI, GCOM-8C2-PCI
Copyright
Copyright 2006 CONTEC Co., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this document may be copied or reproduced in any form by any means without prior written
consent of CONTEC Co., LTD.
CONTEC Co., LTD. makes no commitment to update or keep current the information contained in this
document. The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
All relevant issues have been considered in the preparation of this document. Should you notice an
omission or any questionable item in this document, please feel free to notify CONTEC Co., LTD.
Regardless of the foregoing statement, CONTEC assumes no responsibility for any errors that may
appear in this document nor for results obtained by the user as a result of using this product.
Trademarks
MS, Microsoft , Windows and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other brand and
product names are trademarks of their respective holder.
GCOM-2C2-PCI, GCOM-4C2-PCI, GCOM-8C2-PCI
iii
Table of Contents
Copyright ............................................................................................................................................ ii
Trademarks ......................................................................................................................................... ii
Table of Contents............................................................................................................................... iii
1. BEFORE USING THE PRODUCT 1
About the Board.................................................................................................................................. 1
Features ........................................................................................................................................ 1
Support Software ......................................................................................................................... 2
Cable & Connector (Option) ...................................................................................................... 3
Accessories (Option) .................................................................................................................. 3
Customer Support ............................................................................................................................... 4
Web Site....................................................................................................................................... 4
Limited Three-Years Warranty .......................................................................................................... 4
How to Obtain Service ....................................................................................................................... 4
Liability............................................................................................................................................... 4
Safety Precautions .............................................................................................................................. 5
Safety Information ....................................................................................................................... 5
Handling Precautions................................................................................................................... 6
Environment................................................................................................................................. 7
Inspection ..................................................................................................................................... 7
Storage ......................................................................................................................................... 7
Disposal ....................................................................................................................................... 7
2. SETUP 9
What is Setup? .................................................................................................................................... 9
Using the Board under Windows Using the Standard COM Driver Software DRV-COM(WDM)
...................................................................................................................................................... 9
Step 1 Setting the Hardware ............................................................................................................. 10
Parts of the Board and Factory Defaults ................................................................................... 10
Setting the Board ID .................................................................................................................. 12
Setting the Supply Voltage ........................................................................................................ 12
Plugging the Board .................................................................................................................... 13
Plugging the Board .................................................................................................................... 13
Step 2 Installing the Hardware ......................................................................................................... 14
Turning on the PC...................................................................................................................... 14
Setting with the Add New Hardware Wizard............................................................................ 15
The check method of the completion of hardware installation ................................................. 17
Step 3 Initializing the Software........................................................................................................ 18
For use under Windows XP, Windows 2000 ............................................................................ 18
Step 4 Checking Operations with the Diagnosis Program............................................................... 19
iv
GCOM-2C2-PCI, GCOM-4C2-PCI, GCOM-8C2-PCI
What is the Diagnosis Program? ............................................................................................... 19
Check Method............................................................................................................................ 19
Using the Diagnosis Program.................................................................................................... 20
Setup Troubleshooting...................................................................................................................... 22
If you have some problem ......................................................................................................... 22
3. EXTERNAL CONNECTION 23
In the case of GCOM-2C2-PCI ........................................................................................................ 24
Connecting directly to the port connector ................................................................................. 24
In the case of GCOM-4C2-PCI ........................................................................................................ 25
Converting the Interface Connector to 9-pin D-SUB, Male Connectors ................................. 25
Converting the Interface Connector to 25-pin D-SUB, Male Connectors ............................... 26
When using the CCU-78F/25M connection conversion unit .................................................... 27
Connecting directly to the port connector ................................................................................. 28
In the case of GCOM-8C2-PCI ........................................................................................................ 29
Converting the Interface Connector to 9-pin D-SUB, Male Connectors ................................. 29
Converting the Interface Connector to 25-pin D-SUB, Male Connectors ............................... 30
When using the CCU-78F/25M connection conversion unit .................................................... 31
Connecting directly to the port connector. ................................................................................ 32
Types of Cable and Example Connections....................................................................................... 34
4. FUNCTIONS 35
Communication Function ................................................................................................................. 35
Serial Data Transmission ........................................................................................................... 35
RS-232C Control Lines ............................................................................................................. 35
Send and Receive Data Buffers................................................................................................. 35
Setting the Baud Rate ................................................................................................................ 36
5. ABOUT SOFTWARE 39
About Sample programs ................................................................................................................... 39
Uninstalling the driver software....................................................................................................... 40
Windows XP, 2000 .................................................................................................................... 40
CD-ROM Directory Structure .......................................................................................................... 41
6. ABOUT HARDWARE 43
Hardware specification ..................................................................................................................... 43
1. Before Using the Product
GCOM-2C2-PCI, GCOM-4C2-PCI, GCOM-8C2-PCI
1
1. Before Using the Product
This chapter provides information you should know before using the product.
About the Board
This board is a PCI bus interface board for performing RS-232C serial communications with external
devices.
The <GCOM-2C2-PCI> has
two serial ports per board
.
The <GCOM-4C2-PCI> has
four serial ports per board
.
The <GCOM-8C2-PCI> has
eight serial ports per board
.
You can use the standard COM driver software (DRV-PAC(W32)) supplied with the board to access the
serial ports as standard Windows COM ports.
Features
- Maximum communication speed = 921,600bps.
- The baud rate can be set independently for each channel, by software.
- Each channel is equipped with separate 128-byte FIFO buffers for transmit and receive.
- A maximum of 16 boards can be installed as configured in the range COM1 - COM256.
- Driver software is supplied to allow the serial ports to be used as standard Windows COM ports.
- The boards use the same easy-to-use 9-pin D-SUB connectors as are used on a PC.
1. Before Using the Product
2
GCOM-2C2-PCI, GCOM-4C2-PCI, GCOM-8C2-PCI
Support Software
You should use CONTEC support software according to your purpose and development environment.
Standard COM Driver Software
DRV-COM(WDM)
The purpose of this software is to allow the CONTEC serial communication boards to be used under Windows in the
same way as the standard COM ports on the PC. By installing additional boards, you can use COM ports in the range
COM1 - COM256.
The boards can be used for all types of serial communications such as for remote access service (RAS) and
uninterruptible power supply (UPS) applications.
Under Windows, the serial ports can be accessed using the standard Win32 API communication routines (CreateFile( ),
WriteFile( ), ReadFile( ), and SetCommState( ), etc.) The serial ports are also compatible with the Visual Basic
communication control (MSComm).
< Operating environment >
OS Windows XP, 2000
CAUTION
The maximum number of COM ports able to be used depends on the configuration of your OS.
1. Before Using the Product
GCOM-2C2-PCI, GCOM-4C2-PCI, GCOM-8C2-PCI
3
Cable & Connector (Option)
RS-232C Straight Cable with D-SUB9P (1.8m) : RSS-9M/F
RS-232C Cross Cable with D-SUB9P (1.8m) : RSC-9F
RS-232C Straight Cable with D-SUB25P (1.8m) : RSS-25M/F
RS-232C Cross Cable with D-SUB25P (1.8m) : RSC-25F
RS-232C Connection Conversion Straight Cable (25M→9F, 1.8m) : RSS-25M/9F
RS-232C Connection Conversion Straight Cable (25F→9M, 1.8m) : RSS-25F/9M
RS-232C Connection Conversion Cross Cable (25F→9F, 1.8m) : RSC-25F/9F
Connection Conversion Cable (37M→9M x 4, 250mm) : PCE37/9PS
Connection Conversion Cable (37M→25M x 4, 250mm) : PCE37/25PS
Connection Conversion Cable for RS-232C (37M→25M x 4, 450mm): COM-4M CABLE(PC)1
Connection Conversion Cable (78M→9M x 8, 1m) : PCE78/9PS
Connection Conversion Cable (78M→25M x 8, 1m) : PCE78/25PS
COM-8ch Board Optional Cable for CCU-78F/25M (2m) : RSS-78M
COM-4ch Board Optional Cable for CCU-78F/25M (2m) : RSS-78M/37M
Set of five 9-pin D-SUB (male) connectors : CN5-D9M
Set of five 9-pin D-SUB (female) connectors : CN5-D9F
Set of five 25-pin D-SUB (male) connectors : CN5-D25M
Set of five 25-pin D-SUB (female) connectors : CN5-D25F
Set of five 37-pin D-SUB (male) connectors : CN5-D37M
Set of five 78-pin D-SUB (male) connectors : CN5-D78M
Accessories (Option)
Connection Conversion Unit for RS-232C(78P→25P x 8) : CCU-78F/25M *1
*1 The option cable RSS-78M or RSS-78M/37M is needed.
* Check the CONTEC’s Web site for more information on these options.
1. Before Using the Product
4
GCOM-2C2-PCI, GCOM-4C2-PCI, GCOM-8C2-PCI
Customer Support
CONTEC provides the following support services for you to use CONTEC products more efficiently and
comfortably.
Web Site
Japanese http://www.contec.co.jp/
English http://www.contec.com/
Chinese http://www.contec.com.cn/
Latest product information
CONTEC provides up-to-date information on products.
CONTEC also provides product manuals and various technical documents in the PDF.
Free download
You can download updated driver software and differential files as well as sample programs available in
several languages.
Note! For product information
Contact your retailer if you have any technical question about a CONTEC product or need its price,
delivery time, or estimate information.
Limited Three-Years Warranty
CONTEC Interface boards are warranted by CONTEC Co., LTD. to be free from defects in material and
workmanship for up to three years from the date of purchase by the original purchaser.
Repair will be free of charge only when this device is returned freight prepaid with a copy of the original
invoice and a Return Merchandise Authorization to the distributor or the CONTEC group office, from
which it was purchased.
This warranty is not applicable for scratches or normal wear, but only for the electronic circuitry and
original boards. The warranty is not applicable if the device has been tampered with or damaged through
abuse, mistreatment, neglect, or unreasonable use, or if the original invoice is not included, in which case
repairs will be considered beyond the warranty policy.
How to Obtain Service
For replacement or repair, return the device freight prepaid, with a copy of the original invoice. Please
obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization Number (RMA) from the CONTEC group office where you
purchased before returning any product.
* No product will be accepted by CONTEC group without the RMA number.
Liability
The obligation of the warrantor is solely to repair or replace the product. In no event will the warrantor
be liable for any incidental or consequential damages due to such defect or consequences that arise from
inexperienced usage, misuse, or malfunction of this device.
1. Before Using the Product
GCOM-2C2-PCI, GCOM-4C2-PCI, GCOM-8C2-PCI
5
Safety Precautions
Understand the following definitions and precautions to use the product safely.
Safety Information
This document provides safety information using the following symbols to prevent accidents resulting in
injury or death and the destruction of equipment and resources. Understand the meanings of these labels
to operate the equipment safely.
DANGER
DANGER indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will
result in death or serious injury.
WARNING
WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION
CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may
result in minor or moderate injury or in property damage.
1. Before Using the Product
6
GCOM-2C2-PCI, GCOM-4C2-PCI, GCOM-8C2-PCI
Handling Precautions
DANGER
Do not use the product where it is exposed to flammable or corrosive gas. Doing so may result in an
explosion, fire, electric shock, or failure.
CAUTION
- There are switches on the board that need to be set in advance. Be sure to check these before
installing the board.
- Only set the switches and jumpers on the board to the specified settings.
Otherwise, the board may malfunction, overheat, or cause a failure.
- Do not strike or bend the board. Doing so could damage the board.
Otherwise, the board may malfunction, overheat, cause a failure or breakage.
- Do not touch the board's metal plated terminals (edge connector) with your hands.
Otherwise, the board may malfunction, overheat, or cause a failure.
If the terminals are touched by someone's hands, clean the terminals with industrial alcohol.
- Do not install or remove the board to or from the slot while the computer's power is turned on.
Otherwise, the board may malfunction, overheat, or cause a failure.
Doing so could cause trouble. Be sure that the personal computer or the I/O expansion unit power is
turned off.
-
Make sure that your PC or expansion unit can supply ample power to all the boards installed.
Insufficiently energized boards could malfunction, overheat, or cause a failure.
-
The specifications of this product are subject to change without notice for enhancement and quality
improvement.
Even when using the product continuously, be sure to read the manual and understand the contents.
- Do not modify the product. CONTEC will bear no responsibility for any problems, etc., resulting
from modifying this product.
- Regardless of the foregoing statements, CONTEC is not liable for any damages whatsoever
(including damages for loss of business profits) arising out of the use or inability to use this
CONTEC product or the information contained herein.
1. Before Using the Product
GCOM-2C2-PCI, GCOM-4C2-PCI, GCOM-8C2-PCI
7
Environment
Use this product in the following environment. If used in an unauthorized environment, the board may
overheat, malfunction, or cause a failure.
Operating temperature
0 - 50ºC
Humidity
10 - 90%RH (No condensation)
Corrosive gases
None
Floating dust particles
Not to be excessive
Inspection
Inspect the product periodically as follows to use it safely.
- Check that the board has
no dust or foreign matter adhering.
- The gold-plated leads of the bus connector
have no stain or corrosion.
- Check that the bus connector
of the board and its cable have
been plugged correctly.
Storage
When storing this product, keep it in its original packing form.
(1) Put the board in the storage bag.
(2) Wrap it in the packing material, then put it in the box.
(3) Store the package at room temperature at a place free from direct sunlight, moisture, shock,
vibration, magnetism, and static electricity.
Disposal
When disposing of the product, follow the disposal procedures stipulated under the relevant laws and
municipal ordinances.
1. Before Using the Product
8
GCOM-2C2-PCI, GCOM-4C2-PCI, GCOM-8C2-PCI
2. Setup
GCOM-2C2-PCI, GCOM-4C2-PCI, GCOM-8C2-PCI
9
2. Setup
This chapter explains how to set up the board.
What is Setup?
Setup means a series of steps to take before the product can be used.
Different steps are required for software and hardware
The setup procedure varies with the OS and applications used.
Using the Board under Windows
Using the Standard COM Driver Software DRV-COM(WDM)
This section describes the setup procedure to be performed before you can start developing application
programs for the board using the bundled CD-ROM “DRV-PAC(W32)”.
Taking the following steps sets up the software and hardware. You can use the diagnosis program later
to check whether the software and hardware function normally.
Step 1 Setting the Hardware
Step 2 Installing the Hardware
Step 3 Initializing the Software
Step 4 Checking Operations with the Diagnosis Program
On the CD-ROM, refer to the installation instructions files for each OS located in the
\DRVCOM\Pci\InstDoc
If Setup fails to be performed normally, see the “Setup Troubleshooting” section at the end of this
chapter.
2. Setup
10
GCOM-2C2-PCI, GCOM-4C2-PCI, GCOM-8C2-PCI
Step 1 Setting the Hardware
This section describes how to set the board and plug it on your PC.
The board has some switches and jumper to be preset.
Check the on-board switches and jumpers before plugging the board into an expansion slot.
The board can be set up even with the factory defaults untouched. You can change board settings later.
Parts of the Board and Factory Defaults
Figure 2.1 - Figure 2.3 shows the names of major parts on the board.
Note that the switch setting shown below is the factory default.
GCOM-2C2-PCI
- Interface connector
(CN1, CN2)
- BOARD ID Setting Switch
COM-2(PCI)H
123
JP1
JP1
SW1
BOARD ID
SW1
BOARD ID
(SW1)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
A
B
C
D
E
F
8
- PCI bus slot
power voltage setting jumper
Figure 2.1. Component Locations < GCOM-2C2-PCI >
GCOM-2C2-PCI
2. Setup
GCOM-2C2-PCI, GCOM-4C2-PCI, GCOM-8C2-PCI
11
GCOM-4C2-PCI
- BOARD ID Setting Switch
- Interface connector
(CN1)
COM-4(PCI)H
JP1
SW1
BOARD ID
123
JP1
SW1
BOARD ID
(SW1)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
A
B
C
D
E
F
8
- PCI bus slot
power voltage setting jumper
Figure 2.2. Component Locations < GCOM-4C2-PCI >
GCOM-8C2-PCI
- Interface connector
(CN1)
- BOARD ID Setting Switch
COM-8(PCI)H
JP1
SW1
BOARD ID
123
JP1
SW1
BOARD ID
(SW1)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
A
B
C
D
E
F
8
- PCI bus slot
power voltage setting jumper
Figure 2.3. Component Locations < GCOM-8C2-PCI >
GCOM-4C2-PCI
GCOM-8C2-PCI
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