Comprehensive Product Summary – CONTEC ATP‑8 BNC Terminal Panel

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: ATP‑8
Model Number: ATP‑8
Article Number: ATP‑8
Series: Analog I/O Accessories – BNC Terminal Units
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd. (Japan)
Product Category: Analog I/O Terminal Panel / BNC Connector Interface Unit
Associated Product Lines: ADA16‑32/2(PCI)F, ADA16‑32/2(CB)F, AD12‑8(PM)
Product Description:
The CONTEC ATP‑8 is a compact BNC terminal panel designed for analog and digital signal interfacing with CONTEC’s multifunction analog I/O boards and PC cards. It provides eight analog input channels, two analog output channels, and screw‑terminal connections for digital I/O and counter signals. The ATP‑8 simplifies external signal wiring, offering a robust, portable, and noise‑resistant interface for laboratory, industrial, and educational measurement systems.

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### 2. Key Features

- 8‑Channel Analog Input (BNC):
Eight BNC connectors (AI00–AI07) for analog input signals, compatible with ±10 V analog ranges from CONTEC multifunction boards.

- 2‑Channel Analog Output (BNC):
Two BNC connectors (AO00–AO01) for analog output signals, supporting ±10 V or 0–10 V ranges.

- Digital I/O Connectivity:
Four digital input and four digital output channels (DI00–DI03, DO00–DO03) via M3 screw terminals for TTL‑level or LVTTL‑level logic signals.

- Counter Signal Interface:
One counter channel (CNTUP, CNTCLK, CNTOUT) accessible through screw terminals for event counting or frequency measurement.

- High‑Density 96‑Pin Interface:
Equipped with a 96‑pin half‑pitch connector (PCR‑E96LMD) for direct connection to PCI or CardBus multifunction boards (ADA16‑32/2 series).

- 37‑Pin D‑SUB Interface:
Secondary interface (CN2) for PCMCIA‑type multifunction cards (AD12‑8(PM)).

- Compact and Portable Design:
Small footprint (approx. 127 × 40.1 × 88 mm) allows convenient desktop use beside notebook or desktop PCs.

- Ease of Connection:
BNC connectors for analog signals and screw terminals for digital lines simplify wiring and reduce noise coupling.

- Signal Labeling:
Includes adhesive signal‑name label sheet for quick identification of channels and terminals.

- Environmental Robustness:
Designed for 0 – 50 °C operation and 10 – 90 % RH (non‑condensing) environments.

- Compatibility:
Fully compatible with CONTEC’s ADA16‑32/2(PCI)F, ADA16‑32/2(CB)F, and AD12‑8(PM) analog I/O products.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|------------------|
| Analog Input Channels | 8 channels (AI00 – AI07) |
| Analog Output Channels | 2 channels (AO00 – AO01) |
| Digital Input Channels | 4 channels (DI00 – DI03) |
| Digital Output Channels | 4 channels (DO00 – DO03) |
| Counter Channels | 1 channel (CNTUP, CNTCLK, CNTOUT) |
| Connector Type (CN1) | 96‑pin half‑pitch (PCR‑E96LMD, mating connector PCS‑E96LKPA) |
| Connector Type (CN2) | 37‑pin female D‑SUB (#4‑40 UNC screw nuts) |
| Terminal Type | M3 screw terminals (OBU‑553‑20, Osada) |
| Terminal Pitch | 7.62 mm |
| Recommended Y‑Type Terminal Lug | 7.62 mm width, 6.2 mm inner spacing |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 127 × 40.1 × 88 mm (excluding terminal block and rubber feet) |
| Weight | Approx. 420 g |
| Operating Temperature | 0 – 50 °C |
| Operating Humidity | 10 – 90 % RH (non‑condensing) |
| Supported Boards | ADA16‑32/2(PCI)F, ADA16‑32/2(CB)F, AD12‑8(PM) |
| Interface Cable (PCI) | PCB96PS‑*, PCB96P‑* (optional) |
| Interface Cable (CardBus) | ADC‑68M/96F (bundled with PC card) |
| Interface Cable (PCMCIA) | Bundled 37‑pin cable |
| Mounting | Desktop placement; optional DIN‑rail adapter available |
| Material | Metal enclosure with insulated terminal block |
| Color | Industrial gray with printed channel labels |

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### 4. Functionality

The ATP‑8 serves as a breakout and termination panel for analog and digital signals between CONTEC multifunction I/O boards and external devices. It provides:

- Analog Signal Routing:
BNC connectors route analog input and output signals directly to the board’s A/D and D/A channels. Each BNC jack corresponds to a specific channel (AI00–AI07, AO00–AO01).

- Digital I/O Access:
Screw terminals provide access to digital input/output lines for control signals, switches, or TTL‑level devices.

- Counter and Trigger Integration:
Dedicated terminals for counter gate, up‑clock, and output signals enable event counting or frequency measurement. Additional pins support external start/stop triggers and sampling clocks for synchronized data acquisition.

- Ground Segregation:
Separate analog ground (AGND) and digital ground (DGND) terminals minimize noise coupling between analog and digital circuits.

- Use Cases:
- Laboratory data acquisition and signal conditioning
- Industrial process monitoring and control
- Educational instrumentation setups
- Portable measurement systems with notebook PCs
- Analog waveform generation and logging applications

- Compatibility:
- ADA16‑32/2(PCI)F: PCI multifunction board with 32 AI, 2 AO, 8 DI, 8 DO, 2 counter channels.
- ADA16‑32/2(CB)F: CardBus version for laptops.
- AD12‑8(PM): PCMCIA multifunction card with 8 AI, 2 AO, 4 DI, 4 DO channels.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- ATP‑8 terminal panel (main unit) × 1
- User’s manual × 1
- Signal name label sheet × 1

Optional Accessories:
- Cables:
- PCB96PS‑0.5P/1.5P/3P/5P (96‑pin shielded cable)
- PCB96P‑0.5P/1.5P/3P/5P (96‑pin flat cable)
- ADC‑68M/96F (for CardBus models)
- 37‑pin D‑SUB cable (for AD12‑8(PM))
- Connectors:
- CN5‑H96F (96‑pin female connector, 5 pcs)
- CN5‑D37M (37‑pin male connector, 5 pcs)
- Terminal Units (for system expansion):
- EPD‑96 (DIN‑rail terminal block)
- DTP‑64(PC) (screw‑type terminal)
- DIN‑Rail Adapter: DIN‑ADP1 for vertical mounting.

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### 6. Installation & Setup

Requirements:
- Compatible CONTEC analog I/O board or PC card.
- Appropriate interface cable (96‑pin or 37‑pin).
- Stable, grounded work surface to minimize noise.

Mounting Options:
- Desktop Use: Rubber feet provide stability on flat surfaces.
- DIN‑Rail Mounting: Optional DIN‑ADP1 adapter allows vertical installation in control panels.

Connection Procedure:
1. Power off the PC and external devices.
2. Connect the ATP‑8 to the corresponding board using the specified cable (e.g., PCB96PS‑1.5P).
3. Attach BNC cables for analog signals and secure digital wires to screw terminals.
4. Verify channel mapping using the provided signal label sheet.
5. Power on the system and confirm signal recognition via CONTEC’s driver utilities or measurement software.

Configuration:
- No internal jumpers or switches; all channel assignments are fixed by the connected board.
- Analog and digital ranges are configured through the board’s software (e.g., API‑PAC(W32) or API‑TOOLs).

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

- Signal Integrity:
Shielded BNC connectors and separated ground paths ensure low‑noise analog transmission suitable for high‑resolution (12‑ to 16‑bit) A/D and D/A conversion.

- Channel Throughput:
Supports up to 10 µs per channel sampling (depending on connected board).
Compatible with high‑speed boards such as ADA16‑32/2(PCI)F (2 µs/ch A/D conversion).

- Electrical Characteristics:
- Analog input impedance: ≥ 1 MΩ (board dependent)
- Analog output drive: ±5 mA (typical)
- Digital I/O logic: TTL/LVTTL positive logic
- Counter input: TTL‑level or LVTTL‑level pulse input

- Noise Immunity:
Short BNC signal paths and isolated digital terminals reduce crosstalk and ground loops.

- Limitations:
- Only the first eight analog input channels of 32‑channel boards are accessible.
- Only one counter channel is available through the panel.
- No onboard amplification or filtering (handled by the connected board).

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Interface Compatibility:
- PCI 32‑bit / 33 MHz / 5 V or 3.3 V (via ADA16‑32/2(PCI)F)
- CardBus Type II (via ADA16‑32/2(CB)F)
- PCMCIA Type II (via AD12‑8(PM))

- Connector Standards:
- 96‑pin half‑pitch (Honda Tsushin Kogyo PCR‑E96LMD)
- 37‑pin D‑SUB (JAE DCLC‑J37SAF‑20L9 or equivalent)

- Environmental Compliance:
Designed for industrial environments; conforms to CONTEC’s internal quality and safety standards for measurement hardware.

- Software Support:
Compatible with CONTEC’s API‑PAC(W32), API‑TOOLs for Windows/Linux, and third‑party environments such as LabVIEW and MATLAB via VI‑DAQ and ML‑DAQ libraries.

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
Standard CONTEC limited warranty (typically one year; refer to regional terms).

Support & Maintenance:
- Free driver and utility downloads from [www.contec.com](https://www.contec.com).
- Technical documentation, pin‑assignment charts, and sample programs available online.
- Firmware updates not required (passive terminal unit).

Maintenance Guidelines:
- Periodically inspect screw terminals for tightness.
- Keep BNC connectors clean and free of oxidation.
- Avoid exposure to excessive vibration or moisture.

Software Ecosystem:
- API‑PAC(W32): Windows DLL library for direct board control.
- API‑TOOLs for Linux: Module‑style device drivers with shared libraries.
- LabVIEW VI‑DAQ: Virtual instrument library for graphical programming.
- MATLAB ML‑DAQ: Interface for MATLAB Data Acquisition Toolbox.

Recommended System Configurations:
- Desktop Measurement System:
ADA16‑32/2(PCI)F + PCB96PS‑0.5P + ATP‑8
- Laptop Measurement System:
ADA16‑32/2(CB)F + ADC‑68M/96F + ATP‑8
- Compact PCMCIA System:
AD12‑8(PM) + 37‑pin cable + ATP‑8

Typical Applications:
- Analog waveform acquisition and generation
- Sensor signal monitoring (temperature, pressure, vibration)
- Control signal interfacing for actuators or relays
- Educational laboratory experiments in electronics and control engineering
- Portable data logging with notebook PCs

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### Summary

The CONTEC ATP‑8 is a versatile, high‑quality BNC terminal panel engineered for seamless integration with CONTEC’s multifunction analog I/O hardware. It provides a clean, organized interface for analog, digital, and counter signals, ensuring reliable connectivity in both laboratory and industrial environments. With its compact form factor, robust construction, and compatibility across PCI, CardBus, and PCMCIA platforms, the ATP‑8 is an essential accessory for engineers and researchers requiring precise, low‑noise signal interfacing in PC‑based measurement and control systems.