Contec COM-4(CB)H Owner's manual

PC-HELPER

RS-232C Serial I/O Card

for CardBus

1ch

COM-1(CB)H

2ch

COM-2(CB)H

4ch

COM-4(CB)H

User’s Guide

CONTEC CO.,LTD.

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 (One of the following) …1

[COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H]

- Connection Cable(One of the following) …1

[PCE32/9P1S, PCE32/9P2S, PCE32/9P4S]

- PC Card attachment (CARD-AT1) …1set

- First step guide …1

- COM Setup Disk (CD-ROM *1) …1

*1 The CD-ROM contains the driver software and User’s Guide (this guide)

PC Card Attachment

PC Card

CD-ROM

Connection Cable

-

First step guide

COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

i

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

product names are trademarks of their respective holder.

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COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

Table of Contents

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

Copyright.................................................................................................................................................

ii

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

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

1. BEFORE USING THE PRODUCT 1

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

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

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

Cable & Connector (Option)........................................................................................................4

Customer Support....................................................................................................................................5

Web Site...........................................................................................................................................5

Limited Three-Years Warranty...............................................................................................................5

How to Obtain Service............................................................................................................................5

Liability ...................................................................................................................................................5

Safety Precautions...................................................................................................................................6

Safety Information ...........................................................................................................................6

Handling Precautions.......................................................................................................................7

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

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

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

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

2. SETUP 9

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

Using the PC card under Windows Using the Standard COM Driver Software COM Setup Disk9

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 Disk..10

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

Connecting the PC Card to the Connecter Cable..........................................................................10

Fitting the PC Card Attachment....................................................................................................11

Insert the PC Card..........................................................................................................................12

Step 2 Installing the Hardware .............................................................................................................13

Turning on the PC..........................................................................................................................13

Windows 8, 7 .................................................................................................................................14

Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista ........................................................................................16

Windows Server 2003, XP, 2000, Me, 98, 95 ..............................................................................17

The check method of the completion of hardware installation....................................................18

Step 3 Initializing the Software............................................................................................................19

For use under Windows 8, 7, Server 2008, Vista, XP, Server 2003, 2000..................................19

COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

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iv

COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

For use under Windows Me, Windows 98....................................................................................21

Step 4 Checking Operations with the Diagnosis Program...................................................................22

What is the Diagnosis Program?....................................................................................................22

Check Method.................................................................................................................................22

Using the Diagnosis Program ........................................................................................................23

Setup Troubleshooting...........................................................................................................................25

Symptoms and Actions...................................................................................................................25

If your problem cannot be resolved...............................................................................................25

3. EXTERNAL CONNECTION 27

Interface connector................................................................................................................................27

Types of Cable and Example Connections...........................................................................................28

4. FUNCTIONS 29

Communication Function......................................................................................................................29

Serial Data Transmission ...............................................................................................................29

RS-232C Control Lines..................................................................................................................29

Send and Receive Data Buffers .....................................................................................................29

Setting the Baud Rate.....................................................................................................................30

5. ABOUT SOFTWARE 33

About Sample programs........................................................................................................................33

Uninstalling the driver software............................................................................................................34

Windows XP, Server 2003, 2000...................................................................................................34

Windows 8, 7, Server 2008, Vista .................................................................................................34

Windows Me, 98.............................................................................................................................35

CD-ROM Directory Structure...............................................................................................................36

6. ABOUT HARDWARE 37

For detailed technical information........................................................................................................37

Hardware specification..........................................................................................................................37

1. Before Using the Product

1.

Before Using the Product

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

About the PC Card

This product is a CardBus-supported PC Card designed for extending RS-232C compatible serial

communication functionality on your PC.

The < COM-1(CB)H > has one RS-232C communication ports.

The < COM-2(CB)H > has two RS-232C communication ports.

The < COM-4(CB)H > has four RS-232C 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/Linux driver, which allows boards to be used as OS-standard COM ports.

This product supports CONTEC-defined driver library “API-PAC(W32)” that provide local routines.

Features

- Max. 921,600bps RS-232C Serial Communication

COM-1(CB)H has one RS-232C-standard serial ports.

COM-2(CB)H has two RS-232C-standard serial ports.

COM-4(CB)H has four RS-232C-standard serial ports.

Baud rates from 2 to 921,600bps can be set. When using the bundled “Standard COM Driver

Software” and “Driver library API-PAC(W32)”, baud rates from 15 to 921,600bps can be set.

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

Comes with a driver software that allows the boards to be used under Windows / Linux 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. Under Linux, OS-standard tty driver’s

standard-function can be used. In addition, supplies a diagnostic program to confirm hardware

operation and to perform a communication test with equipment.

- Max. 2 PC Cards can be installed as configured in the range COM1 - COM256.

When the bundled standard COM driver is used, up to two cards can be installed to a single PC.

(For Windows 8, 7, Server 2008, Vista, XP, Server 2003 and 2000)

COM1 - COM256 can be set using the device manager.

- 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.

COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

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1. Before Using the Product

-

The boards use the same easy-to-use 9-pin D-SUB connectors as are used on a PC.

Using the most versatile general-purpose 9-pin D-SUB connector for RS-232C, the product allows you

to use commercial cables which support the RS-232C standard.

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

Straight cables (1.8m), cross cables (1.8m) and 9-pin D-SUB connectors (male or female type) for your

own cables are available as optional.

- The control line for RS-232C can be controlled and monitored by software.

The control lines for RTS, CTS, DTR and DSR can be controlled and monitored using software.

- Driver library API-PAC(W32) is supported.

API-PAC(W32) is library software based on Win32 API routines (DLL), which provides local routines

specific to CONTEC. You can 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++.

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COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

1. Before Using the Product

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 (cards) to be used under Windows

or Linux in the same way as the standard COM ports on the PC. By installing additional boards (cards), 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).

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 8, 7, Vista, XP, NT, Me, 98, Linux etc.

You can download the updated version from the CONTEC’s Web site (http://www.contec.com/comdrv/). For more

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

CAUTION

You can use up to two CardBus products (

for Windows

8, 7, Server 2008, Vista, XP, Server 2003 and 2000).

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++.

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

For more details and how to download API-PAC(W32), visit http://www.contec.co.jp/apipac/.

< Operating environment >

OS Windows 7, Vista, XP, Server 2003 etc.

Adaptation language

Visual C++ .NET, Visual C# .NET, Visual Basic .NET, Visual C++, Visual Basic,

Delphi, C++Builder

, etc..

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.).

- You can use up to one CardBus products.

COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

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1. Before Using the Product

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 Connection Conversion Straight Cable (25M



9F, 1.8m) : RSS-25M/9F

RS-232C Connection Conversion Cross Cable(25F



9F, 1.8m) : RSC-25F/9F

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

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

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COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

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 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 inexperienced usage, misuse, or malfunction of this device.

COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

5

1. Before Using the Product

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.

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COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

1. Before Using the Product

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

- Mount the PC card in a PC Card Standard CardBus compatible PC card slot.

- Power saving mode (standby mode) is not supported.

- Do not strike or bend 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, cause a failure or breakage.

- Do not plug or unplug any PC Card into or from the Card slot with the PC powered.

- Do not plug or unplug the connection cable with the PC powered.

- 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 you use the PC card in a noisy environment or are nervous about noise, attach ferrite cores to

the connection cable.

- 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 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.

COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

7

1. Before Using the Product

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 - 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.

- 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.

Disposal

When disposing of the product, follow the disposal procedures stipulated under the relevant laws and

municipal ordinances.

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COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

2. Setup

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 software 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(Cb)\Readmee.txt file and the installation instructions files

for each OS located in the \Pccard\Com(Cb)\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 (HWINST.CHM)" 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

COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

9

2. Setup

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

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 PC Card Standard CardBus.

Connecting the PC Card to the Connecter Cable

Connect the PC card end of the supplied cable to the PC 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.

- Do not plug or unplug any connection cable or PC Card with the PC powered.

Connection Cable

PC Card

PC Card socket side

Locking Spring

Locking Metal Fitting

Figure 2.1. Connecting the PC Card to the Connecter Cable

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COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

2. Setup

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

PC Card socket side

PC Card Attachment

Figure 2.2. Fitting the PC Card Attachment

COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

11

2. Setup

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.

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COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

2. Setup

Step 2 Installing the Hardware

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.

Turning on the PC

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

(2) Turn on the power to your PC.

CAUTION

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

procedure to follow when using API-SIO from 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 supplied CD-ROM by mistake, uninstall API-SIO as described in

"Uninstalling the Driver Software" in "Chapter 5 About Software" and then, install it.

- 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.

- You can use up to two CardBus products (for Windows 8, 7, Server 2008Vista, XP, Server 2003,

2000).

COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

13

2. Setup

Windows 8, 7

(1) Select “Devices and Printers” from the Start menu*1 and select the PC to which this board is

attached. Click on the device “PCI Serial Port” (or “PCI Simple Communication Controller”) and

open its properties by clicking the [Properties] button.

*1

Please search for “Devices and Printers” case of Windows 8

(2) In the “PCI Serial `Port Properites (or “PCI Simple Communications Controller Properites”) page,

click the [Change settings] button and edit the settings as an Administrator. Then click the [Update

Driver...] button.

* The category of the card you have just added is

displayed.

- PCI Serial Port (or “PCI Simple Communication

Controller”)

1

2

* The category of the card you have just added is

displayed.

- PCI Serial Port (or “PCI Simple Communications

Controller Properites”)

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COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

2. Setup

(

3) The Driver Installation Wizard is open. Click “Browse my computer for driver software”.

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

board.

- Source folder \Pccard\Com(cb)\ComDrv

You have now finished installing the hardware.

COM-1(CB)H, COM-2(CB)H, COM-4(CB)H

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