Contec COM-2PD-LPE Owner's manual

PC-HELPER

RS-422A/485 2ch Serial I/O Board

with Isolation for PCI Express Low Profile

COM-2PD-LPE

User’s Guide

CONTEC CO., LTD.

COM-2PD-LPE

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 [COM-2PD-LPE] …1

- First step guide … 1

- Disk *1 [COM Setup Disk] …1

- Standard size bracket …1

- Warranty Certificate…1

- Serial Number Label…1

*1 The bundled disk contains the driver software and User’s Guide (this guide)

COM-2PD-LPE

First step guide

Serial Number Label

Warranty Certificate

Warranty

Certificate

Standard size bracket

Disk

[COM Setup Disk]

ii

COM-2PD-LPE

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 or for results obtained by the user as a result of using this product.

Trademarks

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

product names are trademarks of their respective holder.

COM-2PD-LPE

iii

Table of Contents

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

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

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

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

1. BEFORE USING THE PRODUCT 1

About the Product ............................................................................................................................... 1

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

Support Software .......................................................................................................................... 3

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

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

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

Limited Three-Year Warranty ............................................................................................................. 4

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

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

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

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

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

Environment ................................................................................................................................. 8

Inspection ..................................................................................................................................... 8

Storage ......................................................................................................................................... 8

Disposal ........................................................................................................................................ 8

2. SETUP 9

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

Using the Board under Windows Using the Standard COM Driver Software COM Setup Disk 9

Using the Board under an OS Other than Windows ..................................................................... 9

Step 1 Setting the Hardware .............................................................................................................. 10

Replacing the Bracket ................................................................................................................ 10

Parts of the Board and Factory Defaults .................................................................................... 11

Setting the Board ID ................................................................................................................... 11

Setting Transmission Mode ........................................................................................................ 12

Setting of Terminator ................................................................................................................. 13

Plugging the Board ..................................................................................................................... 16

Step 2 Installing the Hardware .......................................................................................................... 17

Turning on the PC ...................................................................................................................... 17

Windows 8, 7 ............................................................................................................................. 18

The check method of the completion of hardware installation .................................................. 20

Step 3 Initializing the Software ......................................................................................................... 21

iv

COM-2PD-LPE

Step 4 Checking Operations with the Diagnosis Program ................................................................ 24

What is the Diagnosis Program? ................................................................................................ 24

Check Method ............................................................................................................................ 24

Using the Diagnosis Program ..................................................................................................... 25

Setup Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................... 26

If your problem cannot be resolved ............................................................................................ 26

3. EXTERNAL CONNECTION 27

Using the 9-pin D-SUB Connector Conversion Cables ............................................................. 27

Connecting it directly from the on-board connector .................................................................. 28

Types of Cable and Example Connections ........................................................................................ 29

4. FUNCTIONS 31

Communication Function .................................................................................................................. 31

Serial Data Transmission............................................................................................................ 31

RS-422A/485 Control Lines ....................................................................................................... 31

Send and Receive Data Buffers .................................................................................................. 31

Setting the Baud Rate ................................................................................................................. 32

Automatic RTS Control Functions ............................................................................................. 33

Other Functions ................................................................................................................................. 33

Channel Isolation/Bus Isolation ................................................................................................. 33

Surge Protection ......................................................................................................................... 33

5. ABOUT SOFTWARE 35

About Sample programs .................................................................................................................... 35

Uninstalling the driver software ........................................................................................................ 37

How to uninstall ......................................................................................................................... 37

CD-ROM Directory Structure ........................................................................................................... 38

6. ABOUT HARDWARE 39

For detailed technical information .................................................................................................... 39

Hardware specification ...................................................................................................................... 40

1. Before Using the Product

COM-2PD-LPE

1

1.

Before Using the Product

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

About the Product

This product is a low profile sized PCI Express bus-supported board designed for extending RS-

422A/485 compatible serial communication functionality on your PC.

The product has two RS-422A/485 communication ports.

Higher noise-resistant models with isolation between a PC and bus line as well as a surge protection

circuit for communication ports. With a 128byte built-in FIFO buffer for transmission and reception of

each channel, the product supports a baud rate of up to 921,600bps.

It also comes with a Windows driver, which allows boards to be used as OS-standard COM ports.

Features

- Max. 921,600bps RS-422A/485 Serial Communication

The product has two RS-422A/485-standard serial ports.

Baud rates from 30 to 921,600bps can be set. .

- Possibly used as Windows-standard COM ports, using the bundled driver library

Comes with a driver software that allows the products to be used under Windows in the same way as

COM ports on the PC. Under Windows, the product supports the OS-standard Win32 API

communication function as well as Visual Basic MSComm. In addition, supplies a diagnostic program

to confirm hardware operation and to perform a communication test with equipment.

- Isolation between channels and between PCs, surge protection for all signal lines

The channels are electrically isolated from each other and from the PC.

As isolation is provided between channels as well as isolation of the bus, this prevents electrical noise

between channels as well as between the PC and external circuits. As surge protection is provided on

all signal lines, you can safely use the boards in environments where you are concerned about surges

causing incorrect operation or damage to the PC.

- Max. 16 boards can be installed as configured in the range COM1 - COM256.

Up to 16 boards can be mounted on a single PC.

COM1 - COM256 can be set using the device manager.

1. Before Using the Product

2

COM-2PD-LPE

- Each channel is equipped with separate 128-byte FIFO buffers for transmit and receive.

Employed a buffer memory 128-byte dedicated to transmission and 128-byte for each channel.

These are FIFO format, useful for high speed communications and to reduce the load to the CPU when

transmitting/receiving. As the device manager can be used to enable/disable the use of FIFO and set

the FIFO trigger size, you can build an optimum system according to your use.

- Support for Low Profile size slot / standard size slot

Bundled with each bracket for Low Profile size slot / standard size slot. Exchanges it for the standard

size bracket when mounting on the standard size slot.

- To suit your application, cables and connectors are available as optional

Distribution cable for 2channels and 44-pin D-SUB connectors (male type) for your own cables are

available as optional.

- The control line for RS-422A/485 can be controlled and monitored by software.

The control lines for RTS+, RTS-, CTS+ and CTS- can be controlled and monitored using software.

1. Before Using the Product

COM-2PD-LPE

3

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 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). Supports the communication class of .NET Framework 2.0 (SerialPort class).

For more details on the supported OS, applicable language and new information, please visit the CONTEC’s Web site.

Cable & Connector (Option)

Connection Conversion Cable for Serial I/O (44M

→

9M x 2, 250mm) : PCE44/9P2S

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

1. Before Using the Product

4

COM-2PD-LPE

Customer Support

CONTEC provides the following support services for you to use CONTEC products more efficiently

and comfortably.

Web Site

https://www.contec.com/

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-Year 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

COM-2PD-LPE

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 indicates an imminently hazardous 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 potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may

result in minor or moderate injury or in property damage.

DANGER

WARNING

CA

UTI

ON

1. Before Using the Product

6

COM-2PD-LPE

Handling Precautions

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.

- There are switches or jumper 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.

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.

DANGER

CAUTION

1. Before Using the Product

COM-2PD-LPE

7

FCC PART15 Class A Notice

EN55032 Class A Notice

Warning: Operation of this equipment in a residential environment could cause radio interference.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,

pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection

against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and

used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio

communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful

interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

NOTE

FCC WARNING

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void

the user's authority to operate the equipment.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and

(2) this device must accept any interference received,

including interference that may cause undesired operation.

1. Before Using the Product

8

COM-2PD-LPE

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 - 50°C

Operating 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.

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.

- Check that the board has no dust 

or foreign matter adhering.

- Check that the bus connector of the board 

and its cable have been plugged correctly

.

- The gold-plated leads of the bus 

connector have no stain or corrosion

∼

~

2. Setup

COM-2PD-LPE

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 COM Setup Disk

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

programs for the board using the bundled disk “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 bundled disk, refer to the \PCI\Readmee.txt file and the installation instructions files for each OS

located in the \PCI\InstDoc.

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

chapter.

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 user’s guide.

This chapter Step 1 Setting the Hardware

Chapter 4 External Connection

Chapter 6 About Hardware

2. Setup

10

COM-2PD-LPE

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.

Replacing the Bracket

This board is shipped with a Low Profile size bracket mounted. To plug the board into a standard size

slot, replace the bracket with the bundled standard size bracket. The replacing method is as follows :

Figure 2.1. Replacing the Bracket

Low Profile size bracket

(

Attached upon shipping

)

Standard size

bracket

2. Setup

COM-2PD-LPE

11

Parts of the Board and Factory Defaults

Figure 2.2. shows the names of major parts on the board.

Note that the switch setting shown below is the factory default.

COM-1PD(LPCI)H

Figure 2.2. Component Locations

Setting the Board ID

If you install two or more boards on one personal computer, assign a different ID value to each of

the boards to distinguish them.

The board IDs can be set from 0 - Fh to identify up to sixteen boards.

If only one board is used, the original factory setting (Board ID = 0) should be used.

Setting Procedure

To set the board ID, use the rotary switch on the board. Turn the SW1 using, for example, a standard

screwdriver, to set the arrow to the board ID.

Figure 2.3. Board ID Settings (SW1)

SW1

BOARD ID

COM-2PD-LPE

SW1

BOARD ID

- Board ID setting SW

(SW1)

0

D

E

F

8

- Interface connector

(CN1)

- Data transfer mode, terminator setting SW

(SW2, SW3)

SW3

MODE

TERM

SW2

MODE TERM

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1

2

3

4

5

6

0

7

9

A

B

C

D

E

F

8

BOARD ID

SW1

(Board ID = 0)

Factory setting:

2. Setup

12

COM-2PD-LPE

Setting Transmission Mode

The data transfer mode setting switch is used to switch between full duplex and half duplex and to

specify whether to use RTS/CTS in full duplex mode. Set the appropriate data transfer mode for the

device with which you are communicating. SW2 sets the mode for channel 1, SW3 for channel 2.

Bits 1 - 5 are used to set the data transfer mode. Always set bit 6 is to OFF.

Setting Procedure

Table 2.1. Setting Transmission Mode

Do not use with bits 1 and 2 both set ON as this may result in damage to the board.

Transmission

mode

Setting

method

Half duplex

When there are no RTS and

CTS

To connect RTS and CTS to

the other unit,

communication is available.

TXD is only used for data

transmission; the sending

and receiving modes should

be switched over using

the modem control

register.

Full duplex

RTS

CTS

When there are RTS and

CTS

RTS

CTS

With above setting, RTS

and CTS are connected in

the board.

Communication is available

without wiring of RTS and

CTS.

SW2, SW3

MODE TERM

SW2, SW3

MODE TERM

SW2, SW3

MODE TERM

Factory setting

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

CAUTION

2. Setup

COM-2PD-LPE

13

Setting of Terminator

The terminator setting switch controls whether or not a terminator is inserted into each signal line. Set

the terminators on or off in accordance with the devices with which you are communicating. The

terminators on the board are 100

Ω

resistors.

SW2 sets the terminator for channel 1, SW3 for channel 2,

Setting Procedure

If you wish to use a terminator of other than 100

Ω

, set the terminator switch OFF and insert an external

terminator. The diagrams below show examples of terminator installation for half and full duplex setting.

Table 2.2. Setting of Terminator

- Falf-duplex

Figure 2.4. Multi Drop Connection

Inserted Not inserted

Figure 2.4. A or D

(Both terminators of the line)

Setting

method

[Term ON]

[Term OFF]

Factory setting

Figure 2.4. B or C

(Other than both terminators

of the line)

SW2, SW3

MODE TERM

RxD

TxD

CTS RTS

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

SW2, SW3

MODE TERM

RxD

TxD

CTS RTS

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

[A or D]

Not insertedInserted

Terminator

(Bit9)

(A) (D)(C)(B)

[B or C]

Not inserted

SW2, SW3

MODE TERM

RxD

TxD

CTS RTS

SW2, SW3

MODE TERM

RxD

TxD

CTS RTS

SW2, SW3

MODE TERM

RxD

TxD

CTS RTS

Terminator

(Bit9)

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2. Setup

14

COM-2PD-LPE

- Falf-duplex

Figure 2.5. Setting Switch Circuits

Figure 2.6. Connecting the RTS, CTS to the remote device

RxD

TxD

Terminator (Bit9)

Terminator (Bit7)

Terminator (Bit7) Terminator (Bit9)

TxD

RxD

Not insertedInserted

SW2, SW3

MODE TERM

RxD TxD

CTS RTS

SW2, SW3

MODE TERM

RxD TxD

CTS RTS

Set the RTS, CTS terminator to OFF.

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

RxD

TxD

Terminator (Bit9)

Terminator (Bit7)

Terminator (Bit7) Terminator (Bit9)

TxD

RxD

CTS

RTS

Terminator (Bit0)

Terminator (Bit8)

Terminator (Bit8) Terminator (Bit0)

CTS

Not insertedInserted

SW2, SW3

MODE TERM

RxD TxD

CTS RTS

SW2, SW3

MODE TERM

RxD TxD

CTS RTS

RTS

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2. Setup

COM-2PD-LPE

15

The figure below shows the circuit associated with the data transfer mode setting switch and terminator

setting switch.

Figure 2.7. Setting Switch Circuits

TxD+

TxD-

RxD+

RxD-

CTS+

CTS-

RTS+

RTS-

RTS

DCD

DTR

DSR

RI

CTS

SIN

SOUT

162850

or equivalent to it

Terminator

1/2W 100Ω

1 3

4 5 6

2

7 9

10

8

Terminator

Data transfer mode

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Contec COM-2PD-LPE Owner's manual

Contec COM-2PD-LPE Owner's manual

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