1. Product Overview

Product Name: ACLS-DLL2 Run-Time License
Model: ACLS-DLL2/R
Series: ACLS-DLL2 Software Driver Series
Article Number: ACLS-DLL2/R
Manufacturer: ADLINK Technology Inc.
Version: 5.0 (Manual Revision 5.00, May 12, 2000)

The ADLINK ACLS-DLL2/R is a licensed runtime software driver package designed for use with ADLINK’s NuDAQ ISA-bus multifunction data acquisition cards. It provides a dynamic-link library (DLL) interface for Microsoft Windows operating systems, enabling developers to create custom data acquisition and control applications in high-level programming environments such as Microsoft Visual C/C++ and Visual Basic. The ACLS-DLL2 driver suite supports a wide range of ADLINK NuDAQ cards, including the ACL-6126, ACL-6128, ACL-8111, ACL-8112DG/HG/PG, ACL-8113/8113A, ACL-8216, and ACL-8316/12 series.

---

2. Key Features

- Comprehensive Driver Library: Provides a unified DLL interface for multiple ADLINK NuDAQ ISA-bus multifunction cards, simplifying software development across different hardware models.
- Multi-Platform Support: Compatible with Microsoft Windows 3.11, Windows 95/98, Windows NT 4.0, and Windows 2000.
- High-Performance Data Acquisition: Supports analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) conversions, digital I/O, and timer/counter operations.
- Flexible Programming Interface: Usable with any Windows programming language that supports DLL calls, including Visual Basic, Visual C/C++, and Borland C++.
- Hardware Abstraction: Provides consistent function naming conventions and data types across supported hardware, ensuring portability and scalability.
- Interrupt and DMA Operation: Supports interrupt-driven and direct memory access (DMA) data transfer modes for high-speed analog input/output operations.
- Comprehensive Function Set: Includes initialization, configuration, data acquisition, digital I/O, and timer control functions for each supported card.
- Sample Programs and Documentation: Includes example applications in both Visual Basic and C/C++ for rapid development and testing.
- Backward Compatibility: Maintains consistent function names and behavior across Windows versions, ensuring application portability.
- Runtime Licensing: The ACLS-DLL2/R license enables deployment of applications developed with the ACLS-DLL2 development kit without requiring additional development tools.

---

3. Technical Specifications

- Supported Operating Systems:
- Microsoft Windows 3.11
- Microsoft Windows 95/98
- Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
- Microsoft Windows 2000

- Supported Hardware:
- ACL-6126: 6-channel, 12-bit voltage/current output card
- ACL-6128: 2-channel isolated analog output card
- ACL-8111: Multifunction data acquisition card
- ACL-8112DG/HG/PG: Enhanced multifunction data acquisition cards
- ACL-8113/8113A: 32-channel single-ended isolated A/D cards
- ACL-8216: 16-bit high-resolution multifunction DAS card
- ACL-8312/8316: 12/16-bit high-performance DAS cards with FIFO

- Data Types Defined in DLL2.H:
- U8: 8-bit unsigned integer (0–255)
- I16: 16-bit signed integer (-32768 to 32767)
- U16: 16-bit unsigned integer (0–65535)
- I32: 32-bit signed integer (-2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647)
- U32: 32-bit unsigned integer (0–4,294,967,295)
- F32: 32-bit floating-point (-3.4E38 to 3.4E38)
- F64: 64-bit double-precision floating-point (-1.79E308 to 1.79E308)
- Boolean: TRUE/FALSE logic values

- Analog Input Resolution:
- 12-bit or 16-bit depending on card model

- Analog Output Resolution:
- 12-bit (0–4095 range)

- Sampling Rate:
- Up to 100 kHz (depending on card model and configuration)

- Interface:
- ISA-bus

- Driver Type:
- Dynamic-Link Library (DLL)

- File Components:
- DLLs, import libraries (.LIB), include files (.H, .BAS, .PAS), utilities, manuals, and sample code

---

4. Functionality

The ACLS-DLL2/R provides a software interface between user applications and ADLINK’s NuDAQ hardware. It abstracts low-level hardware operations into high-level function calls, allowing developers to perform data acquisition, signal generation, and digital control tasks without direct hardware programming.

Primary Functional Areas:
- Initialization: Functions such as `W_XXXX_Initial()` configure the base I/O address, IRQ, and DMA channels for each card.
- Analog Input (A/D): Functions like `W_XXXX_AD_Aquire()` and `W_XXXX_AD_INT_Start()` perform analog-to-digital conversions using polling, interrupt, or DMA modes.
- Analog Output (D/A): Functions such as `W_XXXX_DA()` and `Set_INT_Op()` handle digital-to-analog conversions and waveform generation.
- Digital I/O: Functions `W_XXXX_DI()` and `W_XXXX_DO()` manage digital input and output channels.
- Timer/Counter: Functions `W_XXXX_Timer_Start()`, `W_XXXX_Timer_Read()`, and `W_XXXX_Timer_Stop()` control onboard timers for event counting or frequency generation.
- Interrupt and DMA Control: Functions like `W_XXXX_AD_INT_Start()` and `W_XXXX_AD_DMA_Start()` enable high-speed data transfer with minimal CPU overhead.

Use Cases:
- Industrial process monitoring and control
- Laboratory instrumentation and data logging
- Automated test systems
- Signal generation and waveform analysis
- Embedded measurement systems

Compatibility:
Applications developed with ACLS-DLL2 are compatible across supported Windows versions and can be distributed with the runtime license for deployment on production systems.

---

5. Components & Accessories

Included Software Components:
- DLL Libraries:
- 6126.DLL, 6128.DLL, 8111.DLL, 8112.DLL, 8112PG.DLL, 8113.DLL, 8216.DLL, 8316.DLL
- Import Libraries:
- *.LIB for Microsoft C/C++
- *_bc.lib for Borland C++
- Include Files:
- DLL2.H (C/C++)
- DLL2.BAS (Visual Basic)
- DLL2.PAS (Delphi)
- Utilities:
- DLL2 Driver Registry Utility (Windows NT)
- DLL2 DMA Channel Selection Utility (Windows 95)
- Documentation:
- PDF manuals (User Guide and Function Reference)
- Online help file (ACL-DLL2.HLP)
- Sample Programs:
- Visual Basic and C/C++ examples for each supported card

Optional Add-ons:
- NuDAQ ISA-bus multifunction cards (sold separately)
- ADLINK All-in-One Compact Disc for installation and driver updates

---

6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- IBM PC/AT or compatible system with 80386 or higher CPU
- Minimum 8 MB RAM
- Hard disk with sufficient space for installation
- 3.5-inch floppy or CD-ROM drive
- Supported Windows OS (3.11/95/98/NT/2000)
- Development environment: Microsoft Visual C/C++ or Visual Basic

Installation Procedure:
1. Insert the installation disk or ADLINK All-in-One CD.
2. Run `SETUP.EXE` from the appropriate drive.
3. Follow on-screen instructions to specify installation directory (default: `C:\ADLINK\ACL-DLL2`).
4. For Windows NT, use the DLL2 Driver Registry Utility to register device drivers and configure IRQ/DMA settings.
5. For Windows 95, use the DMA Channel Selection Utility to assign DMA channels.
6. Restart the system to activate drivers.

Uninstallation:
Use Windows Control Panel → Add/Remove Programs → Select ACLS-DLL2 → Uninstall.

Driver Files Location:
- Windows 3.11: `C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM`
- Windows 95/98: `C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM`
- Windows NT/2000: `C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS`

---

7. Performance & Capabilities

- Analog Input:
- 12-bit or 16-bit resolution
- Sampling rates up to 100 kHz
- Supports single-ended and differential input modes
- Programmable gain and input range selection

- Analog Output:
- 12-bit resolution (0–4095)
- Voltage and current output modes depending on card model
- Supports interrupt-driven waveform generation

- Digital I/O:
- 16-bit input/output channels
- Configurable as high or low byte ports

- Timer/Counter:
- Programmable 8253-compatible timers
- Frequency generation and event counting modes

- Data Transfer Modes:
- Software polling
- Interrupt-driven transfer
- DMA transfer for high-speed continuous acquisition

- Buffer Management:
- Double-buffered data acquisition for continuous sampling
- Circular buffer support for real-time applications

- Error Handling:
- Comprehensive status codes (ERR_NoError, ERR_BoardNoInit, ERR_InvalidADChannel, etc.)
- Built-in diagnostics for invalid parameters and hardware conflicts

---

8. Standards & Compliance

- Software Standards:
- Microsoft Windows DLL architecture
- ANSI C/C++ compatibility
- Visual Basic 4.0+ compliance

- Hardware Interface:
- ISA-bus standard
- Compatible with ADLINK NuDAQ series cards

- Regulatory Compliance:
- ADLINK internal quality and reliability standards
- Conforms to standard Windows driver model for legacy systems

- Trademarks:
- IBM PC, Intel, Microsoft Windows are registered trademarks of their respective owners.
- NuDAQ and ACLS-DLL2 are trademarks of ADLINK Technology Inc.

---

9. Additional Information

Warranty & Support:
- ADLINK provides standard warranty coverage for licensed software.
- Technical support includes driver updates, documentation, and sample code assistance.
- Updates and patches are available through ADLINK’s official website or support channels.

Maintenance:
- Periodic updates may be released to improve compatibility and performance.
- Users are advised to back up configuration files before upgrading.

Documentation & Resources:
- User Guide: Installation, configuration, and application development instructions.
- Function Reference Manual: Detailed API documentation for all supported functions.
- Sample Programs: Demonstrations of A/D, D/A, digital I/O, and timer operations in Visual Basic and C/C++.

Licensing:
- The ACLS-DLL2/R is a runtime license intended for deployment of applications developed using the ACLS-DLL2 development kit.
- Each runtime license authorizes use of the DLLs on one system for production or operational purposes.

Revision History:
- Version 5.0 (May 2000): Updated for Windows 2000 compatibility and expanded hardware support.
- Previous revisions supported Windows 3.11, 95, and NT 4.0.

---

Summary

The ADLINK ACLS-DLL2/R runtime license provides a robust, flexible, and high-performance software interface for controlling and acquiring data from ADLINK’s NuDAQ ISA-bus multifunction cards. With comprehensive support for analog and digital I/O, timer/counter operations, and advanced data transfer modes, it enables developers to build reliable, real-time data acquisition systems under multiple Windows environments. The package includes extensive documentation, sample code, and utilities to simplify installation, configuration, and application development, making it an essential component for industrial automation, laboratory measurement, and embedded control applications.