PC-HELPER
High-performance High -Speed
GPIB Communication Board for PCI Express
Low Profile
GPIB-F-LPE
High-Speed GPIB Communication Board
for PCI Express
Low Profile
GPIB-FL-LPE
User’s Guide
CONTEC CO.,LTD.
CD-ROM
[API-PAC(W32)]
GPIB connector
adapter
Board
First step guide
Standard-sized
bracket
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 (One of the following)
[GPIB-F-LPE, or GPIB-FL-LPE]
- First step guide …1
- CD-ROM *1 [API-PAC(W32)] …1
- GPIB connector adapter [CN-GP/C] …1
- Standard-sized bracket …1
*1 The CD-ROM contains the driver softwa re and User’s Guide (this guide)
GPIB-F-LPE, GPIB-FL-LPE
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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 curren t the inform a tion contai ne d 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, pleas e feel f re e t o noti fy C ONTEC C O., LTD.
Regardless of the foreg oi n g statem en t, C ONTEC a ssum es no resp onsi bi lit y for an y error s tha t ma y
appear in this document or for results obtained by the user as a result of using this product.
Trademarks
MS, Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other brand and product names
are trademarks of thei r r espect i ve ho ld er.
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Table of Contents
Check Your Package ............................................................................................................................ i
Copyright ............................................................................................................................................ ii
Trademarks ......................................................................................................................................... ii
Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................... iii
1. BEFORE USING THE P RODUC T 1
About the Board .................................................................................................................................. 1
Features ........................................................................................................................................ 1
Support Software ......................................................................................................................... 2
Cable & Connector (Opti on ) ...................................................................................................... 3
Customer Support ............................................................................................................................... 4
Web Site ....................................................................................................................................... 4
Limited Three-Years Warranty .......................................................................................................... 4
How to Obtain Service........................................................................................................................ 4
Liability ............................................................................................................................................... 4
Safety Precaution s .............................................................................................................................. 5
Safety Information ....................................................................................................................... 5
Handling Precauti ons ................................................................................................................... 6
Environment ................................................................................................................................. 7
Inspection ..................................................................................................................................... 7
Storage ......................................................................................................................................... 7
Disposal........................................................................................................................................ 7
2. SETUP 9
What is Setup? .................................................................................................................................... 9
Using the Board under Windows Using the Driver Library API-PAC(W32) ............................ 9
Using the Board under Windows Using Software Other than the Driver Library
API-PAC(W32) ............................................................................................................................ 9
Using the Board under an OS Other than Windows ................................................................. 10
Step 1 Installing the Software........................................................................................................... 11
About the driver to be used........................................................................................................ 11
Starting the Install Program ....................................................................................................... 12
For using API-GPIB(98/PC)xx.................................................................................................. 13
For using API-GPLV(W32)....................................................................................................... 15
Step 2 Setting the Hardware ............................................................................................................. 16
Replacing the Bracket ................................................................................................................ 16
Parts of t he Board and Factory Default s ................................................................................... 17
Setting the Board ID .................................................................................................................. 18
Plugging the Board .................................................................................................................... 18
Using the Connector Adaptor .................................................................................................... 19
Step 3 Installing the Hardware ......................................................................................................... 20
Turning on the PC ...................................................................................................................... 20
Setting with the Found New Ha rdwa re Wi za rd ........................................................................ 20
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Step 4 Initializing the Software ........................................................................................................ 22
For using API-GPIB(98/PC)xx .................................................................................................. 24
For using API-GPLV(W32) ....................................................................................................... 25
Step 5 Checking Operations with the Diagnosis Program ............................................................... 26
What is the Diagnosis Program?................................................................................................ 26
Check Method ............................................................................................................................ 26
Setup Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................... 29
Symptoms and Actions .............................................................................................................. 29
If your problem cannot be resolved ........................................................................................... 29
3. EXTERNAL CONNECTION 31
How to connect the connectors ......................................................................................................... 31
Connecting a Device t o a Conn ect or ......................................................................................... 31
Connector Pin Assignment ........................................................................................................ 31
Notes on cable connect i on ......................................................................................................... 32
4. FUNCTIONS 35
Bus Master Function ......................................................................................................................... 35
Bus Master Tran sfer ................................................................................................................... 35
Basic GPIB Function s ....................................................................................................................... 36
Master/slave funct i on ................................................................................................................. 36
Communication function ........................................................................................................... 36
Serial poll/parallel poll/ SRQ send f uncti ons ............................................................................. 36
My address setting ..................................................................................................................... 36
Additional Functions......................................................................................................................... 37
Line monitor function ................................................................................................................ 37
Communication using FIFO memory ........................................................................................ 37
Analyzer function (GPIB-F-LPE) .............................................................................................. 37
5. ABOUT SOFTWARE 41
CD-ROM Directory Structure .......................................................................................................... 41
About Software for Windows ........................................................................................................... 42
For using API-GPIB(98/PC) ............................................................................................................. 42
Accessing the Help File ............................................................................................................. 42
Using Sample Programs ............................................................................................................. 43
For using API-GPLV(W32) .............................................................................................................. 45
Accessing the Help File ............................................................................................................. 45
Function List .............................................................................................................................. 46
Using Sample Programs ............................................................................................................. 49
Uninstalling the API Function Libraries .......................................................................................... 50
About Software for Linux ................................................................................................................. 51
Driver Software Install Procedure ............................................................................................. 51
Accessing the Help File ............................................................................................................. 52
Using Sample Programs ............................................................................................................. 52
Uninstalling the driver ............................................................................................................... 52
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6. ABOUT HAR D W AR E 53
For detailed technica l in f ormat i on ................................................................................................... 53
Hardware specifica ti on ..................................................................................................................... 53
Restrictions and Notes ...................................................................................................................... 55
Positioning the GPIB Connector for the GPIB-F-LPE, GPIB-FL-LPE ................................... 55
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1. Before Using the Product
1. Before Using the Product
About the Board
This pr oduct is a PCI E xpress bus-compatible interface board with support for bus master operation and
which complies with IEEE-488.1 and IEEE-488.2. This pr oduct can be used in a PC to control
communications with devices that support the GPIB interface and read GPIB bus line data.
The GPIB-F-LPE can als o analyze the signal on the GPIB b us using the built-in memory
(GP IB bus anal yzer funct i on).
This product supports a low-profile size slot and, if replaced with the supplied bracket, supports a
standard size slot, too.
You can use the supplied driver library to develop app li cation software using any programming
language that supports the Win32 API routines (such as Visual Basic or Visual C++), or using
LabVIEW.
Features
Complies with the IEEE-488.2 standard
- As the board complies with the IEEE-488.2 standard, y o u c a n c o n t r ol a ny e x te r nal device that s u ppo rts
this standar d.
Data transfer speed 1.5Mbyte/sec max.
- The maximum dat a transfer speed for communications is 1.5Mbyte/sec.
Supports bus master operation
- The bus master data transfer function enables large quantities of data to be transferred betw een the
board and PC without loading the CPU.
Internal 2Kbyte FIFO buffers for send and receive
- The board has separate 2Kbyte FIFO buffers for sending and receiving data, allowing both small
and large volumes of data to be transferred at high speed.
- Interface messages also use a FIFO to enable high-speed transmission.
Built-in GPIB bus analyzer function
- The board features a bus analyzer function.
This not only allows the signa l s on the GPIB bus to a nalyzed, b u t also permits signal analysis to be
performed while this pr oduct is perf orming GPIB communicati ons
Built-in SPAS event function
- In addition to the functions of the earlier GPIB controller (µPD7210), the board also s upports the
SPAS event generated when a serial poll occurs. This gives you a high level of flexibility in
constructing your system.
Internal high-precision timer
- The board includes a high-precision application timer to allow accurate time monitoring to be
performed under Windows.
Long term availability
- As the board uses a high-speed GPIB controller developed by CONTEC (compatible with the
PD7210 register) , r eliab le lon g term availability is ensured.
µ
Diagnosis program
- A diagnosis program is supplied to support system development. The dia gnos tic program can be
used to check hardware operation (interrupts and I/O addresses) and to perfor m simp le
communication tests with connected devices.
Other
- You can read the data from the application using all control lin es (with the latch fun ction ) and data
lines. [Data lin es are on l y supp orted on th e GP IB-F-LPE.]
[only GPIB-F-LPE]
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1. Before Using the Product
- Supports both Low Profile size slots and standard size slots ( use the supplie d br ac ke t a s a n a da pto r) .
Support Softw are
You should use CONTEC support software according to your purpose and development environment.
NOTE:
This hardware does not support Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT 4.0/3.51.
Driver Library
API-PAC(W32)
(Bundled)
API-PAC(W32) is the library software that provides the commands for CONTEC hardware products in
the form of Windows standard Win32 API functions (DLL). It makes it easy to create high-speed
application software taking advantage of the CONTEC hardware using various programming languages
that support Win32 API functions, such as Visual Basic and Visual C++.
It can also be used by the installed diagnosi s program to check hardwar e op er a ti on s.
See http://www.contec.com/apipac/ for details and download of API-PAC(W32).
< Operating environment >
OS Windows XP, Server 2003, 2000
Adaptation language
API-GPLV(W32)
Visual C++ .NET, Visual C# .NET, Visual Basic .NET, Visual C++, Visual Basic,
Delphi, C++Builder
, etc..
library supporting LabVIEW (Supplied: Stored on the API-PAC(W32) CD-ROM)
API-GPLV(W32) is a driver created according to the National Instruments Corporation’s GPIB function
style. The driver is software to control the CONTEC GPIB board (PC Cards) using a LabVIEW-based
GPIB system or existing application program.
It can also be used by the installed diagnosis program to check hardware operations.
CONTEC provides download services (at http://www.contec.com/gplv/) to supply the updated drivers
and differential files.
For details, read Help on the bundled CD-ROM or visit the CONTEC’s Web site.
< Operating environment >
OS Windows XP, Server 2003, 2000
Adaptation language LabVIEW,
Visual Basic, Delphi, C++Builder
Linux version of general-purpose count driver:
Visual C++ .NET, Visual C# .NET, Visual Basic .NET, Visual C++,
, etc..
API-GPIB(LNX)
(Supplied: Stored on the API-PAC(W32) CD-ROM)
This driver is used to control CONTEC GPIB boards (PC Cards) from within Linux.
You can control CON TEC GPIB bo a rds easily using the sha r ed library called fro m t he user appl ication,
the device driver (module) for each kernel version, and the board (PC Cards) configuration program
(config).
CONTEC provides download services (at http://www.contec.com/apipac/) to supply the updated drivers
and differential files.
For details, read Help on the bundled CD-ROM or visit the CONTEC’s Web site.
< Operating environment >
OS RedHatLinux, TurboLinux, etc..
(For details on supported distributions, refer to Help available after installation.)
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1. Before Using the Product
Adaptation language gcc, etc..
Cable & Connector (Option)
GPIB cable (2m) : PCN-T02
GPIB cable (4m) : PCN-T04
GPIB Connector : CN-GP/C *1
Effective when the cable bein g plugged into the board interfere
with the PC’s main unit. Se e the troubleshooti ng s ection a t t he end
of Chapter 2.
*1 The GPIB connector adap t er [C N-GP/C] is bundled with this product a s a standard feature.
* Check the CONTEC’s Web site for more information on these options.
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1. Before Using the Product
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 ab out a CONTEC product or need its price,
delivery time, or est imat e in fo rmati on .
Limited Three-Years Warranty
CONTEC products are warranted by CONTEC CO., LTD. to be f ree from defects in material and
workmanship for up to three years from the date of purchase by the original purchaser.
Repair w il l be fr e e o f c har ge o nly w hen t his de vi ce is r e tur ne d f re ig ht pre pa i d w ith a co py o f the original
invoice and a Return Merchandi se Authorization to the distributor or the CONTEC group office, from
which it was purchased .
This warranty is not app lica b le fo r scrat ch es or nor ma l wear , but on ly for th e elec tr onic circu it r y and
original boards. The warrant y is no t a ppl ica ble if the de vice has be en tampe re d w ith or dam age d thr oug h
abuse, mistreatment, neglect, or unreasonable use, or if the original invoice is not included, in which case
repairs will be consid ered bey ond th e wa rrant y p olic y.
How to Obtain Service
For replacement or r epai r, ret u rn the d evi ce frei ght p r epaid , with a cop y of th e origi n al in voic e. Plea s e
obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization Number (RMA) from the CONTEC group office where you
purchased before ret u rnin g an y product.
* No product will be accepted by CONTEC group without the RMA number.
Liability
The obligation o f th e warrantor is solely to repair or replace the product. In no ev ent will the warrantor
be lia bl e for any i ncidental or conse quential d a mages due to such defect or consequences that arise from
inexperienced usage, misuse, or malfunction of this device.
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1. Before Using the Product
DANGER
WA
RN
I
NG
CAUTI
ON
Safety Precautions
Understand the following definitions and precautions to use the product safely.
Safety Information
This document provides safety informa tion using the fol low ing sy mbo ls to pr eve nt ac cide nts res ulti ng in
injury or death and the destruction of equipment and resources. Understand the meanings of these labels
to operate the equipment safely.
DANGER indicates an imminently ha zardou s situation which, if not avoided, will
result in death or serious injury.
WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION indicates a po ten tia lly ha za rdous situ ati on wh ich , if not avoided, may
result in minor or moderate injury or in property damage.
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1. Before Using the Product
D
ANGER
CA
UTI
ON
Handling Precautions
Do not use the product where it is exposed to flammable or corrosive gas. Doing so may result in an
explosion, fire, el ect ric sh ock, or fai lure.
- There are switches and jumpers on the board that need to be s et in advance.
Be sure to check these before installing the board.
- Only set the switches and ju mper s on th e boa rd to th e sp ecifi ed s ett in gs.
Otherwise, the boa rd may ma lfunc ti on , overh eat , o r cause a failure.
- Do not strike or bend the board.
Otherwise, the boa rd may ma lfunc ti on , overh eat , cau s e a fai lure o r break.
- Do not touch the board's m eta l plated terminals (edge connector) with your hands.
Otherwise, the board may malfunction, overheat, or cause a failure.
If the terminals ar e touched by someone' s hands, clean the terminals with indust r ial alcohol.
- When yo u use the bo ar d in a noisy e nviro nme nt or are nerv ous abo ut no ise, att ach ferr ite co re s to the
connection cable.
- Do no t i nstall or remove the board to or from the extension slot w hile the compu ter' s pow er is tur ned o n.
And also do not connect the board and external device while the power is turned on.
Otherwise, the boa rd may ma lfunc ti on , overh eat , or cau se a fail u re.
Be sure that the personal com p u ter or the I/O extension unit power is turned off.
- Make sure that your PC or extension unit can supply ample power to all the boards installed.
Insufficientl y ener gi zed boa rds c oul d ma lfun cti on, overh eat, or cause a f ai lure.
- The specifications of this product ar e sub ject to change without notice for enhancement and quality
improvement.
Even whe n us i ng the produ ct continuously, be sur e to read the manual and understand the contents .
- Do not modify the product. CONTEC will bear no responsibility for an y pr oblem s, etc. , res u ltin g
from modifying this product.
- Regardless of the foreg oi n g statem en ts , CONTEC is not liable for any damages what so ever
(including damages for loss of business profits) arising out of the use or inability to us e this
CONTEC product or the information contained herein.
- Points to note when installing the GPIB-F-LPE and the GPIB-FL-LPE is listed in "Chapter 6
Restrictions and Notes". Please read these beforehand.
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1. Before Using the Product
- Check that the bus connector
of the board and its cable have
been plugged correctly.
- Check that the board has
no dust or foreign matter adhering.
- The gold-plated leads of the bus connector
have no stain or corrosion.
Environment
Use this product in the following environment. If used in an unauthorized environment, the board ma y
overheat, malfunc ti on, or caus e a fail ur e.
Operating temp er ature
0 - 50°C
Humidity
10 - 90%RH (No condensation)
Corrosive gases
None
Floating dust particles
Not to be excessive
Inspection
Inspect the product periodically as f ollows to use it safely.
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 pac k ing material, then pu t it in the box.
(3) Store the package at room temp eratu r e at a plac e free f rom di rect sun li ght , m oistu re, shoc k,
vibration, magn etism , and st at ic el ectr ic it y.
Disposal
When disposing of the product, follow the disposal procedures stipulated under the relevant laws and
municipal ordinances.
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1. Before Using the Product
GPIB-F-LPE, GPIB-FL-LPE
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2. Setup
2. Setup
This chapter explains how to set up the board.
What is Setup?
Setup means a series o f step s to tak e b efor e the prod uc t can be used .
Different steps are required for software and hardware.
The setup procedure va ries with th e OS and applic at i ons used.
Using the Board under Windows
Using the Driver Library API-PAC(W32)
This section describes the setup procedure to be performed before you can start developing application
programs for the board using the bundled CD-ROM “Driver Pack a ge AP I-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 Insta l l i ng th e Software
Step 2 Setting the Hardware
Step 3 Installing the Hardware
Step 4 Initia l i zing the So f tw are
Step 5 Checking Operations with the Diagnosis Program
If Setup fails to be perf orm ed nor ma ll y, see th e “Setup Troub leshootin g” section at the end of this
chapter.
Using the Board under Windows
Using Software Other than the Dri ver Lib ra ry
API-PAC(W32)
For setting up software other than API-PAC(W32), refer t o the manu a l for that so ft ware. See a lso th e
following parts of this manual as required.
This chapter Step 2 Setti n g t he Hardware
This chapter Step 3 Insta lling the Hardware
Chapter 3 External Connection
Chapter 6 About Hardware
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2. Setup
Using the Board under an OS Other than Windows
For using the board under an OS other than Windows, see the following parts of this manual.
This chapter Step 2 Setti ng t he Hardware
Chapter 3 External Connection
Chapter 5 About Software
Chapter 6 About Hardware
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2. Setup
Step 1 Installing the Software
This explains how to install the dri ver libra ry.
Before installing the hardware o n t he P C, i ns ta l l t he driver lib ra ry from the AP I-PAC(W32)
CD-ROM pro vided wit h th e board.
The following description assumes the operating system as Windows XP. Although some user
interfaces are different depending on the OS used, the basic procedure is the same.
About the driver to be used
Two GPIB communication drivers come with your board: API-GPIB(98/P C) and API-GPLV(W32).
API-GPIB(98/PC) provides a CONTEC prop rietar y function interfac e.
API-GPLV(W32) provides a function int erface equivalen t to that from National Instruments
Corporation (hereafter NI), allowing the GPIB488, GPIB488.2, and VISA functions of LabVIEW to be
used directly and application programs created for NI boards to run without modification.
Selection guide
Given below is a guideline for easily selecting the appropriate driver for the board.
Driver to be used Purpose
- Used to use CONTEC functions
API-GPIB(98/PC)
- To make the board operate as fast as possible
- To convert (digitize) binary and string data easily
API-GPLV(W32)
- To use existing applications for NI boards
- To use LabVIEW
- Familiar with NI functions but not with CONTEC functions
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2. Setup
CAUTI
ON
Starting the Install Program
(1)
Load the CD-ROM [AP I -PAC(W32)] on your PC.
(2)
The API-PAC(W32) Installer window appears automatically.
If the panel does not appear, run (CD-ROM drive letter):\AUTORUN.exe.
(3)
Click on the [Install Development or Execution Environment] button.
Before installing the software in Windows XP, 2000, log in as a user with administrator pri vileges.
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