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ACX-GPIB(W95)

ActiveX components user interface for GPIB Cards
- ActiveX‑based User Interface:
ACX‑GPIB(W95) provides a set of ActiveX controls that allow developers to integrate GPIB communication functions directly into Windows applications without low‑level programming.

- Comprehensive GPIB Support:
Fully compatible with CONTEC’s range of GPIB communication boards and cards, including ISA, PCI, CompactPCI, PC Card, and USB models.

- IEEE‑488 / IEEE‑488.2 Compliance:
Supports standard GPIB communication protocols, ensuring interoperability with laboratory instruments and test equipment.

- Integration with Development Environments:
Operates seamlessly within Microsoft Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual C#, Borland Delphi, C++ Builder, and National Instruments LabVIEW environments.

- Windows ActiveX Container Compatibility:
Functions as a reusable component within any container supporting ActiveX controls, including Microsoft Excel VBA and LabVIEW front panels.

- Simplified Application Development:
Enables rapid creation of measurement and control systems by allowing developers to “paste” controls onto forms and configure properties, methods, and events through graphical interfaces.

- Diagnostic and Configuration Utilities:
Includes setup and diagnostic programs for configuring IEEE‑488.2 parameters, verifying board operation, and performing communication tests.

- Hardware Independence:
The same ActiveX interface can be used across multiple CONTEC GPIB hardware models, simplifying code reuse and system upgrades.

- LabVIEW and API Integration:
Fully compatible with CONTEC’s LabVIEW‑compliant GPIB driver API‑GPLV(W32) and the unified driver library API‑PAC(W32), allowing mixed‑language development.

- Ease of Installation:
Includes a Windows‑based setup program for automatic installation of libraries, registration of ActiveX controls, and configuration of supported boards.

Country of origin: Japan

1. Product Overview

Product Name: ACX‑GPIB(W95)
Article Number: ACX‑GPIB(W95)
Series: ACX‑PAC ActiveX Component Series
Product Type: ActiveX Components User Interface for GPIB Cards
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd. (Japan)
Category: Software / Driver Interface for Measurement and Control Systems
Supported Hardware: CONTEC GPIB communication boards and cards (GP‑IB(PC), GP‑IB(PC)F, GP‑IB(PM), GP‑IB(CB)F, GP‑IB(PCI), GP‑IB(LPCI)F, GP‑IB(CPCI)F, etc.)
Intended Use: Provides an ActiveX‑based user interface layer for developing Windows applications that communicate with GPIB (IEEE‑488) instruments through CONTEC interface boards.




2. Key Features

- ActiveX‑based User Interface:
ACX‑GPIB(W95) provides a set of ActiveX controls that allow developers to integrate GPIB communication functions directly into Windows applications without low‑level programming.

- Comprehensive GPIB Support:
Fully compatible with CONTEC’s range of GPIB communication boards and cards, including ISA, PCI, CompactPCI, PC Card, and USB models.

- IEEE‑488 / IEEE‑488.2 Compliance:
Supports standard GPIB communication protocols, ensuring interoperability with laboratory instruments and test equipment.

- Integration with Development Environments:
Operates seamlessly within Microsoft Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual C#, Borland Delphi, C++ Builder, and National Instruments LabVIEW environments.

- Windows ActiveX Container Compatibility:
Functions as a reusable component within any container supporting ActiveX controls, including Microsoft Excel VBA and LabVIEW front panels.

- Simplified Application Development:
Enables rapid creation of measurement and control systems by allowing developers to “paste” controls onto forms and configure properties, methods, and events through graphical interfaces.

- Diagnostic and Configuration Utilities:
Includes setup and diagnostic programs for configuring IEEE‑488.2 parameters, verifying board operation, and performing communication tests.

- Hardware Independence:
The same ActiveX interface can be used across multiple CONTEC GPIB hardware models, simplifying code reuse and system upgrades.

- LabVIEW and API Integration:
Fully compatible with CONTEC’s LabVIEW‑compliant GPIB driver API‑GPLV(W32) and the unified driver library API‑PAC(W32), allowing mixed‑language development.

- Ease of Installation:
Includes a Windows‑based setup program for automatic installation of libraries, registration of ActiveX controls, and configuration of supported boards.




3. Technical Specifications

- Supported Operating Systems:
Windows 95, 98, 98SE, Me, NT 4.0 (SP3 or later), 2000 Professional, XP Home/Professional.
Later versions of the ACX‑PAC series support Windows Vista, Server 2003, and Windows 7 environments.

- Supported Programming Languages / Containers:
- Microsoft Visual Basic 4.0 / 5.0 / 6.0
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2.0 / 4.x / 5.0 / 6.0
- Microsoft Visual Basic .NET 2002 / 2003
- Microsoft Visual C++ .NET 2002 / 2003
- Microsoft Visual C# .NET 2002 / 2003
- Borland Delphi 4.0 / 5.0 / 6.0
- Borland C++ Builder 5.0 / 6.0
- National Instruments LabVIEW 5.0 through 7.1

- Supported Hardware (GPIB Boards):
- ISA: GP‑IB(PC), GP‑IB(PC)F, GP‑IB(PC)L
- PCI: GP‑IB(PCI), GP‑IB(PCI)F, GP‑IB(PCI)FL, GP‑IB(PCI)L, GP‑IB(LPCI)F, GP‑IB(LPCI)FL
- CompactPCI: GP‑IB(CPCI)F
- PC Card: GP‑IB(CB)F, GP‑IB(CB)FL, GP‑IB(PM)
- USB: GP‑IB(USB)FL (for later versions)

- Compliance: IEEE‑488 and IEEE‑488.2 standards.
- Maximum Boards Controlled: Up to 4 GPIB boards per system.
- Communication Modes: Master / Slave selectable via software.
- Handshake: 3‑line handshaking for reliable data transfer.
- Supported Functions: Bus Master, DMA, FIFO data transfer, IFC and SRQ line monitoring.
- Installation Media: CD‑ROM distribution; downloadable updates available from CONTEC’s website.
- Typical System Requirements: IBM PC/AT‑compatible computer, Pentium 100 MHz or higher CPU, Windows‑compatible display and input devices.




4. Functionality

ACX‑GPIB(W95) acts as a middleware layer between CONTEC’s GPIB hardware and user applications. It exposes GPIB communication functions through ActiveX controls, allowing developers to perform instrument communication tasks such as:

- Sending and receiving IEEE‑488 commands and data.
- Configuring device addresses, timeouts, and transfer modes.
- Monitoring bus status and signal lines (IFC, SRQ, REN, etc.).
- Implementing event‑driven communication using ActiveX events.
- Integrating GPIB data acquisition into graphical user interfaces or automated test sequences.

Use Cases and Applications:

- Laboratory instrument control (oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies).
- Automated test equipment (ATE) systems.
- Data acquisition and logging in research environments.
- Industrial measurement and process monitoring systems.
- Integration with LabVIEW or Excel for quick data visualization.

Compatibility:

- Fully interoperable with CONTEC’s API‑GPIB(98/PC) driver family and the unified API‑PAC(W32) library.
- Can coexist with other CONTEC ActiveX components for analog I/O, digital I/O, counter, and serial communication, enabling complete system integration.
- Not compatible with National Instruments GPIB drivers when used on the same hardware.




5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:

- ACX‑GPIB(W95) ActiveX control library (OCX files).
- Setup and configuration utility for IEEE‑488.2 parameters.
- Diagnostic utility for communication verification.
- Sample programs demonstrating GPIB communication in Visual Basic and LabVIEW.
- Help documentation (Japanese/English versions depending on package).

Optional Add‑ons:

- API‑GPLV(W32): LabVIEW‑compliant GPIB driver for direct LabVIEW integration.
- API‑PAC(W32): Unified driver library for all CONTEC I/O boards.
- ACX‑PAC(W32): Full ActiveX component suite including analog, digital, counter, and timer controls.
- C‑LOGGER: Data logging software for analog I/O devices (complementary).

Connectors and Interfaces:
Dependent on the installed GPIB hardware; typically standard IEEE‑488 24‑pin connectors (Amphenol type).




6. Installation & Setup

- Installation Procedure:
1. Run the included setup program under Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP.
2. Select the CONTEC GPIB board model to be used.
3. The installer registers the ActiveX controls and installs the required DLLs.
4. Configure board parameters (address, interrupt level, DMA channel) using the configuration utility.
5. Verify operation using the diagnostic tool.

- Configuration Utility:
Allows setting of IEEE‑488.2 parameters, master/slave mode, and communication timeouts.

- Diagnostic Utility:
Performs loopback and communication tests to confirm correct installation and hardware functionality.

- System Requirements:
Windows environment with administrative privileges for driver installation.
Compatible with both desktop and industrial PC platforms.

- Mounting Options:
Software‑only product; physical mounting pertains to the associated GPIB hardware (PCI, ISA, or PC Card).




7. Performance & Capabilities

- Communication Speed:
Determined by the underlying GPIB hardware; supports high‑speed DMA and FIFO transfers for efficient data throughput.

- Capacity:
Up to four GPIB boards can be controlled simultaneously, each managing multiple connected instruments (up to 15 devices per bus).

- Efficiency:
Event‑driven architecture minimizes CPU load during data acquisition.
ActiveX interface allows background data collection while maintaining responsive user interfaces.

- Limitations:
- Cannot operate concurrently with CONTEC’s API‑GPIB(98/PC) driver on the same hardware.
- Not compatible with National Instruments GPIB drivers.
- Requires Windows 98 or later for certain PCI/CompactPCI models.

- Reliability:
IEEE‑488.2 compliance ensures stable communication and error handling.
Diagnostic utilities assist in identifying configuration or hardware issues.




8. Standards & Compliance

- Communication Standards: IEEE‑488 and IEEE‑488.2 (GPIB).
- Software Standards: Microsoft ActiveX / COM architecture.
- Operating System Compliance: Windows 95 through XP (32‑bit).
- Programming Interface Standards: Win32 API, Visual Basic ActiveX control conventions, LabVIEW VI interface.
- Regulatory Compliance:
- Designed for use in industrial and laboratory environments.
- Conforms to CE and FCC standards when used with certified CONTEC hardware.

- Industry Integration:
Compatible with National Instruments LabVIEW, The MathWorks MATLAB (via ML‑DAQ), and Microsoft Office VBA environments.




9. Additional Information

- Warranty:
Standard CONTEC software warranty covering media defects and installation support.

- Technical Support:
- Online resources and driver downloads available at www.contec.com.
- Dedicated product pages:
- ACX‑PAC Series: [http://www.contec.com/acxpac/](http://www.contec.com/acxpac/)
- GPIB LabVIEW Driver: [http://www.contec.com/gplv/](http://www.contec.com/gplv/)
- API‑PAC Driver Library: [http://www.contec.com/apipac/](http://www.contec.com/apipac/)

- Maintenance & Updates:
- Free software updates and version upgrades downloadable from CONTEC’s website.
- Backward compatibility maintained with previous API‑GPIB(98/PC) and API‑PAC(W32) versions.

- Documentation:
- Comprehensive help files describing properties, methods, and events of each ActiveX control.
- Sample source code for Visual Basic and LabVIEW demonstrating GPIB communication routines.

- Integration with Other CONTEC Software:
ACX‑GPIB(W95) can be combined with other ACX‑PAC components such as ACX‑AIO (analog I/O), ACX‑DIO (digital I/O), and ACX‑CNT (counter input) to build complete measurement and control systems.

- Upgrade Path:
Later versions (ACX‑GPIB(W32) and ACX‑PAC(W32) Ver.4.11) extend support to Windows Vista and LabVIEW 8.20, adding compatibility with new PCI Express and USB GPIB interfaces.




Summary

The CONTEC ACX‑GPIB(W95) is a specialized ActiveX component package designed to simplify the development of Windows‑based measurement and control applications utilizing GPIB (IEEE‑488) communication. It provides a graphical, event‑driven interface for controlling CONTEC’s GPIB boards, enabling developers to integrate instrument communication into custom software without complex driver programming.

By supporting a wide range of operating systems, programming languages, and hardware interfaces, ACX‑GPIB(W95) serves as a flexible and scalable solution for laboratory automation, industrial testing, and data acquisition systems. Its compliance with IEEE‑488.2 standards, inclusion of diagnostic and configuration utilities, and compatibility with CONTEC’s unified driver architecture (API‑PAC and API‑GPLV) make it a robust foundation for PC‑based measurement environments.

Through its ActiveX architecture, ACX‑GPIB(W95) allows rapid prototyping, easy GUI creation, and seamless integration with popular development tools such as Visual Basic, LabVIEW, and Excel VBA—delivering a cost‑effective and efficient path to building sophisticated GPIB‑based measurement and control systems.

No accessories available.