Contec COM-2(PM) Owner's manual

PC-HELPER

RS-232C(2ch) Serial I/O Card

COM-2(PM)

User’s Guide

CONTEC CO.,LTD.

COM-2(PM)

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

- PC Card

[COM-2(PM)] …1

- Connection cable (CBPM-2R(PM) …1set

- PC-Card Attachment (CARD-AT2) …1set

- This User’s Guide…1

- COM Setup Disk(CD-ROM) …1

CD

PC Card

PC-Card Attachment

Connection cable

CH

User's Guide

Guide

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COM-2(PM)

Copyright

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, Windows NT and MS-DOS are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other

brand and product names are trademarks of their respective holder.

COM-2(PM)

iii

Table of Contents

Check Your Package....................................................................................................................................i

Copyright.....................................................................................................................................................ii

Trademarks..................................................................................................................................................ii

Table of Contents.......................................................................................................................................iii

1. BEFORE USING THE PRODUCT 1

About the PC Card......................................................................................................................................1

Features.................................................................................................................................................1

Support Software.................................................................................................................................2

Cable & Connector (Option).............................................................................................................3

Customer Support.......................................................................................................................................4

Web Site................................................................................................................................................4

Limited Three-YearsWarranty...................................................................................................................4

How to Obtain Service...............................................................................................................................4

Liability........................................................................................................................................................4

Safety Precautions.......................................................................................................................................5

Safety Information...............................................................................................................................5

Handling Precautions..........................................................................................................................6

Environment.........................................................................................................................................7

Inspection.............................................................................................................................................7

Storage..................................................................................................................................................7

2. SETUP 9

What is Setup?.............................................................................................................................................9

Using the PC card under Windows Using the Standard COM Driver Software COM Setup

Disk.......................................................................................................................................................9

Using the PC card under Windows Using the Driver library API-PAC(W32)............................9

Using the PC card under Linux Using the Standard COM Driver Software COM Setup Disk10

Operating Systems Other than Windows or Linux........................................................................10

Step 1 Setting the Hardware....................................................................................................................11

Connecting the PC Card to the Connecter Cable...........................................................................11

Fitting the PC Card Attachment.......................................................................................................12

Insert the PC Card..............................................................................................................................13

Step 2 Installing the Hardware................................................................................................................14

Turning on the PC..............................................................................................................................14

Setting with the Found New Hardware Wizard.............................................................................15

The check method of the completion of hardware installation....................................................16

Step 3 Initializing the Software...............................................................................................................17

For use under Windows XP, Windows 2000..................................................................................17

For use under Windows Me, Windows 98 or Windows 95..........................................................18

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COM-2(PM)

For use under Windows NT .............................................................................................................19

Step 4 Checking Operations with the Diagnosis Program...................................................................20

What is the Diagnosis Program?......................................................................................................20

Check Method....................................................................................................................................20

Using the Diagnosis Program...........................................................................................................21

Setup Troubleshooting.............................................................................................................................23

Symptoms and Actions.....................................................................................................................23

If your problem cannot be resolved.................................................................................................23

3. EXTERNAL CONNECTION 25

Interface connector...................................................................................................................................25

Types of Cable and Example Connections............................................................................................26

4. FUNCTIONS 27

Communication Function.........................................................................................................................27

Serial Data Transmission..................................................................................................................27

RS-232C Control Lines.....................................................................................................................27

Send and Receive Data Buffers........................................................................................................27

Setting the Baud Rate........................................................................................................................28

5. ABOUT SOFTWARE 29

About Sample programs...........................................................................................................................29

Uninstalling the driver software..............................................................................................................30

CD-ROM Directory Structure.................................................................................................................31

6. ABOUT HARDWARE 33

Hardware specification.............................................................................................................................33

1. Before Using the Product

COM-2(PM)

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1.

Before Using the Product

This chapter provides information you should know before using the product.

About the PC Card

This PC card is a PCMCIA 2.0/JEIDA 4.1 compliant serial I/O card for performing RS-232C serial

communications with external devices.

The PC card has two RS-232C serial ports per card.

Use the card in a PCMCIA 2.0/JEIDA 4.1 or later (including PC Card Standard) PC card slot.

You can use the standard COM driver software (COM Setup Disk) supplied with the PC card to access

the serial ports as standard Windows or Linux COM ports.

Features

- As the card supports Plug&Play, the IO address, IRQ, and other resource settings are set

automatically.

- Maximum communication speed = 115,200bps.

- The baud rate can be set independently for each channel, by software.

- Each channel is equipped with separate 16-byte FIFO buffers for transmit and receive.

- Up to two cards can be installed on one PC. (When using Windows XP or 2000)

-

Driver software is supplied to allow the serial ports to be used as standard Windows or Linux COM

ports.

- You can use the PC card attachment to protect the PC card and cable socket.

1. Before Using the Product

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COM-2(PM)

Support Software

You should use CONTEC support software according to your purpose and development environment.

Standard COM Driver Software

COM Setup Disk

(Bundled)

The purpose of this software is to allow the CONTEC serial communication boards to be used under Windows or Linux

in the same way as the standard COM ports on the PC. By installing additional PC cards, you can use COM ports in the

range COM1 to 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).

Under Linux, the serial ports are compatible with the operating system's standard tty driver. The standard routines

including open( ), close( ), read( ), write( ) are supported.

< Operating environment >

OS Windows XP, 2000, NT, Me, 98, Linux etc..

CAUTION

Up to two cards can be installed on one PC.

(Only one PC card can be used on Windows NT, Me, 98, and

95.)

Driver library

API-PAC(W32)

(Available for downloading (free of charge) from the CONTEC web

site.)

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/C++.

It can also be used by the installed diagnosis program to check hardware operations.

CONTEC provides download services to supply the updated drivers and differential files.

For details, visit the CONTEC’s Web site.

< Operating environment >

OS Windows XP, 2000, NT, Me, 98, etc..

Adaptation language Visual C/C++, Visual Basic, Delphi, Builder, etc..

Others Each piece of library software requires 50 megabytes of free hard disk space.

CAUTION

- This library provides local routines that are specific to CONTEC (SioOpen( ), SioWrite( ), SioRead( ), SioStatus( ),

etc.). These are not compatible with the standard Win32 API communication routines (CreateFile( ) and

WriteFile( ), etc.).

- Up to two cards can be installed on one PC.

(Only one PC card can be used on Windows NT, Me, 98, and

95.)

1. Before Using the Product

COM-2(PM)

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Base package of ActiveX components for measurement system development

ACX-PAC(W32)BP

(Option)

This is a set of useful Windows development tools for measurement systems and consists of a software component

library with ready-to-use samples which you can combine for easy programming.

The package contains components for controlling CONTEC I/O boards (PC cards). Features include interface control

for analog I/O, digital I/O, GPIB

communications

, and counter inputs, as well as X-Y plotting and file storage

support.

Check the CONTEC’s Web site for more information on this soft.

Advanced package of ActiveX components for measurement system development

ACX-PAC(W32)AP

(Option)

Complements the ACX-PAC(W32)BP functions with additional components including graphics (plotting, switches,

and lamps, etc.) and mathematical and analysis tools.

Check the CONTEC’s Web site for more information on this soft.

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

D-SUB9P Male Connector Set (5 Pieces) : CN5-D9M

D-SUB9P Female Connector Set (5 Pieces) : CN5-D9F

D-SUB25P Male Connector Set (5 Pieces) : CN5-D25M

D-SUB25P Female Connector Set (5 Pieces) : CN5-D25F

* Check the CONTEC’s Web site for more information on these options.

1. Before Using the Product

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COM-2(PM)

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 PC cards 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 PC cards. 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

Safety Precautions

Understand the following definitions and precautions to use the product safely.

1. Before Using the Product

COM-2(PM)

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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

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COM-2(PM)

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

- Do not strike or bend the PC Card. Doing so could damage the PC Card.

Otherwise, the PC Card may malfunction, overheat, cause a failure or breakage.

- Do not subject the socket used to connect the cable to the PC card to knocks or other excessive force.

Otherwise, the PC card may malfunction, overheat, or cause a failure.

- Connect the cable to the card before inserting the card into the PC.

Otherwise, the PC card may malfunction, overheat, or cause a failure.

- Do not try to remove the cable from the connecter on the PC card without pressing the locking spring

as this may prevent the cable from being securely connected.

- When inserting the PC card, check that you are inserting the card with the correct orientation and

that the card is inserted firmly.

Inserting the PC card incorrectly may damage the PC card or connector or result in a bad connection.

- Ensure that the PC power supply has sufficient capacity for all mounted cards.

An inadequate power supply may cause misoperation, overheating, or faults.

- 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

COM-2(PM)

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Environment

Use this product in the following environment. If used in an unauthorized environment, the PC card may

overheat, malfunction, or cause a failure.

Operating temperature

0 to 50°C

Humidity

10 to 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.

CH2

CH1

- Check that the bus connector

and its cable have been

plugged correctly.

- The bus connector have no stain or corrosion.

Storage

When storing this product, keep it in its original packing form.

(1) Put the PC card 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.

1. Before Using the Product

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COM-2(PM)

2. Setup

COM-2(PM)

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2.

Setup

This chapter explains how to set up the PC card.

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 PC card under Windows

Using the Standard COM Driver Software COM Setup Disk

This section describes the setup procedure to be performed before you can start developing application

programs for the PC card using the bundled CD-ROM “Standard COM Driver Software -

COM Setup Disk”.

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

On the CD-ROM, refer to the \PCCARD\COM(PM)2\Readmee.txt file and the installation instructions

files for each OS located in the \PCCARD\COM(PM)2\InstDoc.

If Setup fails to be performed normally, see the “Setup Troubleshooting” section at the end of this

chapter.

Using the PC card under Windows

Using the Driver library API-PAC(W32)

Refer to the API-PAC(W32) "Hardware Installation Procedure (HWINSTU.HLP)" help file for the

procedure to follow when using API-SIO in the "Driver Library API-PAC(W32)".

If using API-SIO from API-PAC(W32), install from API-PAC(W32) instead of from the supplied

CD-ROM.

See also the following parts of this manual as required.

This chapter Step 1 Setting the Hardware

2. Setup

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COM-2(PM)

Using the PC card under Linux

Using the Standard COM Driver Software COM Setup Disk

You can perform application program development using the "Standard COM Driver Software -

COM Setup Disk" in the supplied CD-ROM. The procedure for using the software is described in the

\Linux\Readmee.htm file.

See also the following parts of this manual as required.

This chapter Step 1 Setting the Hardware

Operating Systems Other than Windows or Linux

Refer to the following if using on an OS other than Windows or Linux.

This chapter Step 1 Setting the Hardware

Chapter 4 Functions

Chapter 6 About Hardware

2. Setup

COM-2(PM)

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Step 1 Setting the Hardware

This section describes how to set the PC Card and plug it on your PC.

Check that your PC has a TYPE II PC card slot that complies with PCMCIA 2.0/JEIDA 4.1 or later

(including PC Card Standard).

Connecting the PC Card to the Connecter Cable

Connect the PC card end of the supplied cable (CBPM-2R) to the PC card. Make sure you connect the

cable as shown in Figure 2.1 with the CH numbers on the top side of the connector matching the CH

numbers on the card.

CAUTION

- When inserting the cable, carefully align the cable connector with the socket on the PC card and

push straight in. Applying excessive force to the connector on the PC card may damage the

connector or result in a bad connection.

- Never insert or unplug the connector while the PC power is turned on. However, you may insert or

remove the PC card with the power on.

Connection Cable

PC Card

PCMCIA Slot Side

Locking Spring

Locking Metal Fitting

Figure 2.1. Connecting the PC Card to the Connecter Cable

2. Setup

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COM-2(PM)

Fitting the PC Card Attachment

Fitting the PC card attachment helps prevent the cable from being disconnected if force is accidentally

applied to the top of the connector.

CAUTION

When using other PC cards in the same PC, the PC card attachment may obstruct the other cards and

make them difficult to insert. In this case, please remove the PC card attachment.

PC Card

PCMCIA Slot Side

PC Card Attachment

Figure 2.2. Fitting the PC Card Attachment

2. Setup

COM-2(PM)

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Insert the PC Card

Insert the card into the PC card slot on the PC.

Firmly insert the card into the slot with the orientation indicated by the arrow symbol on the card, as

shown in Figure 2.3.

The PC card has a key to prevent it from being inserted incorrectly. Do not try to force the card into the

slot the wrong way around as this may damage the card or the slot on the PC. Also, check the card slot

on your PC as the slots on some PCs are oriented so that cards is inserted with the top side facing down.

Refer to the manual for your PC for instructions on how to remove the card.

Figure 2.3. Insert the PC Card

CAUTION

Take note of the following points as inappropriate handling of the PC card may damage the card or

connector socket and may result in a bad connection.

- Always insert the PC card with the correct orientation and in accordance with the instructions.

- Do not hold the card by the cable or connector when inserting the card into the slot.

- Do not move the PC with the cable still plugged in.

- Do not apply any excessive force to the cable socket on the PC card such as by pulling on the cable

connector.

- Do not place any objects on top of the cable connector.

2. Setup

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COM-2(PM)

Step 2 Installing the Hardware

For using an expansion PC card under Windows, you have to let the OS detect the I/O addresses and IRQ

to be used by the PC card. The process is referred to as installing the hardware.

When using more than one PC card, always install cards one at a time and complete setup of the previous

card before installing the next card. (Only one PC card can be used on Windows NT, Me, 98, and 95.)

Turning on the PC

(1) Insert the card into the PC card slot on the PC.

(2) Turn on the power to your PC.

CAUTION

- Refer to the API-PAC(W32) "Hardware Installation Procedure (HWINSTU.HLP)" help file for the

procedure to follow when using API-SIO in the "Driver Library API-PAC(W32)".

If using API-SIO from API-PAC(W32), install from API-PAC(W32) instead of from the supplied

CD-ROM. If you install from the CD-ROM by mistake, uninstall API-SIO as described in

"Uninstalling the Driver Software" in "Chapter 5 About Software".

- The PC card cannot be properly installed unless the resources (I/O addresses and interrupt level) for

the PC card can be allocated. Before attempting to install the PC card, first determine what PC

resources are free to use.

- The resources used by each PC card do not depend on the location of the PC cards slot or the PC card

itself. If you remove two or more PC cards that have already been installed and then remount one of

them on the computer, it is unknown that which one of the sets of resources previously assigned to

the two PC Cards is assigned to the remounted PC card. In this case, you must check the resource

settings.

- Up to two cards can be installed on one PC. (Only one card on Windows NT, Me, 98 and 95.)

2. Setup

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Setting with the Found New Hardware Wizard

(1) The “Found New Hardware Wizard” will be started.

Select “Install from a list or specific location”, then click on the [Next] button.

If you are using Windows NT 4.0, the “Found New Hardware Wizard” is not started.

Go to Step 3 “Initializing the Software”.

(2) Specify that folder on the CD-ROM which contains the setup information (INF) file to register the

PC Card.

- Source folder Windows XP, 2000 \PCCARD\COM(PM)2\Win2000

Windows Me, 98, 95 \PCCARD\COM(PM)2\Win95

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Contec COM-2(PM) Owner's manual

Contec COM-2(PM) Owner's manual

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