Comprehensive Product Summary – ECH(PCI)SF-F7A StarFabric PCI Expansion Chassis

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: StarFabric PCI Expansion Chassis
Model: ECH(PCI)SF-F7A
Series: ECH(PCI)SF Series – StarFabric-Compliant PCI Bus Expansion Systems
Article Number: ECH(PCI)SF-F7A
Manufacturer: CONTEC CO., LTD.
Product Category: Industrial Bus Expansion Unit / PCI Bus Expansion Chassis
Product Type: StarFabric-compliant PCI bus expansion chassis with built-in power supply
Color: Light Grey (industrial finish)
Country of Origin: Japan

The CONTEC ECH(PCI)SF-F7A is a high-performance, StarFabric-compliant PCI bus expansion chassis designed to extend the PCI bus of a host PC over a high-speed serial link. It provides seven long-size PCI slots in a robust, full-size steel enclosure with integrated power supply and cooling system. The chassis is intended for industrial measurement, control, and automation environments requiring reliable PCI expansion at distances up to 12 meters from the host system.

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### 2. Key Features

- StarFabric-Compliant High-Speed Serial Transfer:
Supports 2.5 Gbps serial communication between host PC and expansion chassis using Category 5e STP cables, enabling up to 12 m separation between systems.

- PCI Bus Expansion Capability:
Adds seven long-size PCI (5V/32-bit, 33 MHz) slots to a host PC, fully compliant with PCI Local Bus Specification Rev. 2.2.

- Long-Size Board Support:
Accommodates full-length PCI boards up to 313.8 mm (L) × 107 mm (H), suitable for industrial-grade add-on cards.

- Integrated Power Supply:
Built-in 130 W AC power supply (115/230 VAC switch-selectable) with automatic power interlocking to the host PC’s power state.

- Industrial-Grade Construction:
Heavy-duty steel chassis with light grey finish, designed for field use and rack-mountable with included brackets.

- Cooling and Thermal Management:
Equipped with a built-in cooling fan and ventilation system to maintain stable operation under continuous industrial workloads.

- Power Interlocking Function:
The chassis power automatically turns on/off in synchronization with the host PC, ensuring safe and coordinated operation.

- Flexible Connectivity:
Compatible with CONTEC’s StarFabric expansion adapters:
- EAD(LPCI)SF – for Low Profile PCI slot PCs
- EAD-SF-LPE – for PCI Express slot PCs
- EAD(CB)SF – for CardBus slot notebooks (not compatible with F7A/F13A models)

- Noise-Resistant Communication:
Uses shielded twisted-pair (STP) Category 5e cables for reliable data transfer in electrically noisy industrial environments.

- Rack-Mountable Design:
Includes rack-mount brackets and screws for horizontal or vertical installation in standard 19-inch racks.

- Safety and Reliability:
Designed for 0–50°C operation, 20–80% RH (non-condensing), with built-in protection against overcurrent and thermal overload.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|------------------|
| Bus Standard | PCI Local Bus Specification Rev. 2.2 (+5V type) |
| Bus Width / Clock | 32-bit, 33 MHz (maximum) |
| Address Space | 32-bit memory and I/O addressing |
| Interrupt Levels | INTA–INTD |
| Number of Slots | 7 user-available PCI slots |
| Slot Type | Long-size PCI slots (5V/32-bit) |
| Acceptable Board Size | 313.8 mm (L) × 107 mm (H) |
| Power Supply Type | Built-in AC power supply |
| AC Input Voltage | 115/230 VAC (switch selectable) |
| AC Input Range | 90–132 VAC / 180–250 VAC |
| AC Frequency | 50–60 Hz |
| Power Capacity (Max.) | 130 W (CE condition at 40°C) |
| Output Current Limits | +5VDC: 11.3A, +3.3VDC: 6A, +12VDC: 3A, -12VDC: 0.7A |
| Total Power Limit | +5VDC and +3.3VDC combined ≤ 90 W |
| Operating Temperature | 0–50°C |
| Operating Humidity | 20–80% RH (no condensation) |
| Storage Temperature | 0–60°C |
| Storage Humidity | 10–90% RH (no condensation) |
| Cooling System | Built-in fan with front-to-rear airflow |
| Chassis Dimensions (W×H×D) | 300.0 × 138.0 × 373.2 mm (without fittings) |
| Weight | Approx. 6.0 kg |
| Material | Steel (industrial-grade, light grey finish) |
| Power Cable | 2.5 m, 3P grounded AC cable |
| Compliance | CE marking, RoHS compliant |
| Expected Component Life | Power supply: ~5 years; Fan: ~5 years; Filter: ~1 year (at 25°C, 60% RH office environment) |

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### 4. Functionality

The ECH(PCI)SF-F7A functions as an external PCI bus expansion chassis that connects to a host PC via a StarFabric-compliant expansion adapter. The adapter converts the host’s PCI or PCI Express bus signals into high-speed serial data transmitted over Category 5e STP cables. The chassis receives and reconstructs the PCI bus, providing seven additional PCI slots that behave as if they were directly installed in the host PC.

Typical Use Cases:
- Industrial measurement and control systems requiring multiple PCI I/O boards.
- Data acquisition and automation systems where the PC must be isolated from the control environment.
- Laboratory instrumentation setups needing additional PCI slots for DAQ, motion control, or communication boards.
- Remote PCI expansion up to 12 meters from the host PC.

Compatibility:
- Compatible with CONTEC expansion adapters:
- EAD(LPCI)SF (Low Profile PCI)
- EAD-SF-LPE (PCI Express)
- Not compatible with EAD(CB)SF (CardBus) for this model.
- Supports Windows XP, Windows 2000, and later OS versions with dedicated drivers for StarFabric adapters.

Power Interlocking:
The chassis automatically powers on/off with the host PC. If the host’s PCI bus does not support power interlocking (non-Rev. 2.2 compliant), the feature can be disabled via jumper JP1 on the internal BUS-PAC(PCI)SF board.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- ECH(PCI)SF-F7A expansion chassis (1 unit)
- AC power cable (2.5 m, 3P)
- Slot covers (7 pieces)
- Board fixing screws (7 pieces)
- Rubber feet (4 pieces)
- Rack-mount brackets (2 pieces)
- Rack-mount bracket screws (6 pieces)
- User’s manual (1 copy)

Optional Accessories:
- Expansion Adapters:
- EAD(LPCI)SF – for Low Profile PCI slot PCs
- EAD-SF-LPE – for PCI Express slot PCs
- Connection Cables:
- TP-03 (3 m UTP Cat 5e)
- TP-05 (5 m UTP Cat 5e)
- TP-10 (10 m UTP Cat 5e)
- Standard 12 m STP Cat 5e cables (included with adapter)
- Replacement Parts:
- FAN1238 (cooling fan)
- POW300 (power supply module)
- FLT120 (fan filter set)

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### 6. Installation & Setup

Requirements:
- Host PC with compatible expansion adapter (EAD(LPCI)SF or EAD-SF-LPE)
- Available PCI or PCI Express slot on host PC
- Category 5e STP cables (two cables required for TX/RX link)
- Stable AC power source (115/230 VAC)

Installation Steps:
1. Prepare the System:
Power off both the host PC and the expansion chassis. Disconnect all power cables.
2. Install PCI Boards:
Remove the chassis cover, insert PCI boards into available slots, and secure with screws.
3. Connect Cables:
Attach the TX/RX RJ-45 connectors between the expansion adapter and the chassis (ensure correct orientation).
4. Power Connection:
Plug the AC power cable into the chassis and wall outlet.
5. Power Interlocking Setup:
Verify jumper JP1 setting for power synchronization (factory default: interlocking enabled).
6. System Startup:
Power on the host PC. The chassis will automatically power on and initialize.
7. Driver Installation:
Install the StarFabric driver and INF file for the expansion adapter under Windows XP/2000.
8. Verification:
Confirm detection of “PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge” devices in Windows Device Manager.

Mounting Options:
- Desktop placement with rubber feet.
- Rack-mount installation (horizontal or vertical) using included brackets.
- Maintain at least 20 mm clearance around chassis for ventilation.

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

- Bus Performance:
33 MHz PCI bus operation, 32-bit addressing, full compatibility with standard PCI boards.
- Transfer Rate:
StarFabric serial link at 2.5 Gbps per channel.
- Distance Capability:
Up to 12 meters between host and chassis using Cat 5e STP cables.
- Power Efficiency:
130 W maximum output with automatic thermal regulation.
- Thermal Management:
Continuous fan operation ensures stable internal temperature under full load.
- Reliability:
Designed for 24/7 industrial operation with long-life components.
- Limitations:
- Not compatible with video (VGA) boards or additional PCI expansion bridges.
- Some PCI boards may not function if they rely on unsupported bus mastering features.
- Not compatible with EAD(CB)SF CardBus adapter.

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Standards:
PCI Local Bus Specification Rev. 2.2 (5V signaling)
- Serial Communication Standard:
StarFabric high-speed serial interconnect (2.5 Gbps)
- Electrical Safety:
CE Marking (EN60950-1 compliant)
- Environmental Compliance:
RoHS compliant (lead-free construction)
- EMC Compliance:
Designed to meet industrial EMC standards for noise immunity and emissions.
- Operating Environment:
0–50°C, 20–80% RH (non-condensing), free from corrosive gases and excessive dust.

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
Three-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
Excludes consumables (fan, filter, power supply) and damage from misuse or environmental exposure.

Maintenance:
- Replace fan and power supply approximately every 5 years under normal conditions.
- Replace fan filter annually or as needed.
- Periodically inspect ventilation openings for dust accumulation.

Support & Service:
- Technical documentation, drivers, and updates available at:
[https://www.contec.com](https://www.contec.com)
- RMA service available through authorized CONTEC distributors.
- Customer support in Japanese, English, and Chinese.

Safety Precautions:
- Do not operate in flammable or corrosive environments.
- Always power off before installing or removing PCI boards.
- Maintain adequate ventilation clearance (≥20 mm).
- Avoid exposure to liquids, metal particles, or excessive vibration.

Expected Service Life:
- Power Supply: ~5 years
- Cooling Fan: ~5 years
- Fan Filter: ~1 year

Product Family Compatibility:
The ECH(PCI)SF-F7A belongs to CONTEC’s StarFabric-compliant expansion chassis family, which includes:
- ECH(PCI)SF-H4A (4-slot short)
- ECH(PCI)SF-H7A (7-slot short)
- ECH(PCI)SF-F7A (7-slot long)
- ECH(PCI)SF-H13A (13-slot short)
- ECH(PCI)SF-F13A (13-slot long)

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### Summary

The CONTEC ECH(PCI)SF-F7A is a robust, industrial-grade StarFabric PCI expansion chassis engineered for high-speed, long-distance PCI bus extension. With seven long-size PCI slots, integrated 130 W power supply, and StarFabric serial connectivity, it enables flexible system expansion for industrial automation, measurement, and control applications. Its durable steel construction, synchronized power control, and compliance with PCI and CE standards make it a reliable solution for demanding environments requiring remote PCI expansion up to 12 meters from the host PC.