Comprehensive Product Summary – GP‑IB(LPCI)F IEEE‑488.2 (GPIB) Interface Card (Low Profile with Analyzer)

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: GP‑IB(LPCI)F
Model: GP‑IB(LPCI)F
Series: High‑Performance F Series (GPIB F Series)
Article Number: GP‑IB(LPCI)F
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd. (Japan)
Product Category: Industrial Automation / Communication Interface Boards
Product Type: IEEE‑488.2 (GPIB) Interface Card – Low Profile PCI Bus Type with Analyzer Function

The CONTEC GP‑IB(LPCI)F is a high‑performance IEEE‑488.2 compliant GPIB interface card designed for industrial and laboratory automation systems. It provides high‑speed data transfer, bus master operation, and integrated bus analysis capabilities in a compact low‑profile PCI form factor. The board is part of CONTEC’s F‑Series GPIB family, which includes PCI, CompactPCI, CardBus, and ISA variants, all engineered for reliable, long‑term operation in measurement and control environments.

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### 2. Key Features

- IEEE‑488.1 / IEEE‑488.2 Compliance: Fully conforms to international GPIB standards, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of test and measurement instruments.
- High‑Speed Data Transfer: Supports a maximum transfer rate of 1.5 Mbyte/sec, enabling rapid communication with multiple GPIB devices.
- Bus Master Transfer: Allows direct data exchange between the PC and the board without CPU load, improving system throughput and efficiency.
- 2 Kbyte FIFO Buffers: Independent 2 Kbyte transmit and receive FIFO memory for high‑speed, continuous data streaming.
- Integrated GPIB Bus Analyzer: Provides real‑time monitoring and analysis of GPIB bus signals, including control and data line states, for diagnostics and protocol verification.
- High‑Precision Timer: Built‑in application timer for accurate timing control and event measurement under Windows environments.
- SPAS Event (Slave Mode): Supports Serial Poll Active State (SPAS) event handling for flexible system configurations.
- Line Monitoring Function: Reads and latches the status of all control lines (IFC, ATN, SRQ, REN, EOI, DAV, NRFD, NDAC) and data lines (DIO1–DIO8).
- Low‑Profile PCI Form Factor: Compact design (121.69 × 63.41 mm) suitable for space‑constrained industrial PCs; includes both low‑profile and standard PCI brackets.
- Long‑Term Availability: Uses CONTEC’s proprietary high‑speed GPIB controller (compatible with NEC µPD7210C) ensuring stable supply and reliability.
- Comprehensive Software Support: Includes Windows API libraries, Linux drivers, and support for MATLAB and LabVIEW environments.
- Diagnostic Utility: Built‑in hardware and communication test program for verifying board operation and GPIB connectivity.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|------------------|
| Interface Standard | IEEE‑488.1 / IEEE‑488.2 |
| Number of Channels | 1 channel |
| Data Transfer Rate | 1.5 Mbyte/sec (maximum) |
| Data Format | 8 parallel data lines, 3 handshake lines |
| Signal Logic | Negative logic (Low ≤ 0.8 V, High ≥ 2.0 V) |
| Interrupts | 1 interrupt request signal (INTA) |
| I/O Address | Any 128‑byte boundary |
| Cable Length (Between Devices) | Up to 4 m |
| Total Cable Length | Up to 20 m |
| Connectable Devices | Maximum 15 devices per bus |
| Power Consumption | +5 VDC ± 5 %, 400 mA (max.) |
| Bus Interface | PCI Bus, 32‑bit, 33 MHz, 5 V or 3.3 V signaling |
| Board Dimensions | 121.69 (L) × 63.41 (H) mm |
| Connector Type | 24‑pin ribbon connector (AMP 555139‑1 or equivalent) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 – 50 °C |
| Operating Humidity | 20 – 90 % RH (non‑condensing) |
| Weight | Approx. 100 g |
| Mounting | Low‑profile PCI slot (standard bracket included) |

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### 4. Functionality

The GP‑IB(LPCI)F functions as a high‑speed GPIB controller for PCs, enabling communication with IEEE‑488 compliant instruments such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, and analyzers.

Operation Principle:
- The board interfaces the PC’s PCI bus to the GPIB bus using CONTEC’s FPGA‑based controller.
- Bus master DMA transfers allow direct memory access between the board and system memory, bypassing CPU intervention.
- FIFO buffers manage continuous data streams, ensuring stable high‑speed transfers.
- The analyzer function captures and records GPIB line states for debugging and protocol analysis.

Typical Applications:
- Automated test equipment (ATE) systems
- Laboratory instrumentation control
- Production line measurement and monitoring
- Data acquisition and logging systems
- Calibration and diagnostics setups

Compatibility:
- Compatible with IEEE‑488.1/488.2 instruments from major manufacturers (Keysight, Tektronix, Yokogawa, etc.)
- Works with Windows 10/11, Windows Server, and Linux distributions supporting PCI devices.
- Integrates with MATLAB and National Instruments LabVIEW via dedicated drivers.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- GP‑IB(LPCI)F board
- Low‑profile PCI bracket (pre‑installed)
- Standard PCI bracket (included)
- CN‑GP/C GPIB connector adapter
- API‑PAC(W32) software library and driver CD
- User manual and diagnostic utility

Optional Accessories:
- GPIB Cables:
- PCN‑T02 (2 m) – Double‑shielded high‑reliability cable
- PCN‑T04 (4 m) – Double‑shielded high‑reliability cable
- Connector Adapter: CN‑GP/C (angled adapter for tight spaces or noisy environments)
- Software Packages:
- ACX‑PAC(W32)BP / ACX‑PAC(W32)AP (Windows driver suites)
- API‑PAC(W32) (Win32 API function library)
- MATLAB and LabVIEW interface drivers (downloadable)

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### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- PCI or Low‑Profile PCI slot (32‑bit, 33 MHz, 5 V or 3.3 V)
- Windows 10/11, Windows Server, or Linux OS
- Minimum 512 MB RAM and 100 MB free disk space

Installation Steps:
1. Power off the PC and insert the GP‑IB(LPCI)F into an available PCI slot.
2. Secure the board using the appropriate bracket (low‑profile or standard).
3. Connect the GPIB cable (PCN‑T02/T04) to the 24‑pin connector via CN‑GP/C adapter.
4. Power on the PC; the board is automatically recognized (Plug & Play).
5. Install the API‑PAC(W32) or ACX‑PAC(W32) driver package.
6. Verify operation using the included diagnostic utility (tests interrupts, I/O access, and communication).

Configuration:
- I/O addresses and IRQ levels are automatically assigned by the PCI Plug & Play system.
- Multiple boards can share IRQ levels (PCI IRQ sharing supported).
- Up to 16 boards can be installed in one system.

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

- Transfer Speed: Up to 1.5 Mbyte/sec (burst mode)
- Bus Master Throughput: 80 Mbyte/sec internal PCI transfer rate (133 MB/sec theoretical maximum)
- FIFO Buffers: 2 Kbyte transmit / 2 Kbyte receive
- Analyzer Buffer: 64 K data samples for bus analysis
- Scatter/Gather DMA: 64 Mbyte per channel
- Data Width: 8 PCI words (maximum transfer length)
- Analyzer Sampling: Captures all GPIB control and data line transitions for timing and protocol analysis
- Timer Resolution: High‑precision application timer for microsecond‑level event measurement
- Reliability: Designed for continuous 24/7 industrial operation with low CPU overhead

Limitations:
- Maximum of 15 devices per GPIB bus (IEEE‑488 standard limitation)
- Total cable length limited to 20 m (or 2 m between adjacent devices)
- Requires +5 V power from PCI bus (no external power input)

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

- IEEE Standards: IEEE‑488.1 and IEEE‑488.2 compliant
- Bus Interface: PCI Local Bus Specification 2.2 compliant
- Electrical Safety: Conforms to CE marking requirements
- EMC Compliance: Designed for industrial environments with double‑shielded cables
- RoHS / Pb‑Free: Fully RoHS‑compliant and lead‑free (Pb‑free) construction
- Operating System Support:
- Windows 10/11, Windows Server 2019/2022
- Linux kernel 2.6 and later
- Software Compatibility:
- API‑PAC(W32) for Win32 applications
- ACX‑PAC(W32) for driver management
- MATLAB API‑GPLV(W32)
- LabVIEW VI‑DAQ library

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- Standard 1‑year manufacturer warranty (extendable)
- Covers defects in materials and workmanship

Technical Support:
- Global support via CONTEC’s technical service network
- Online driver and firmware updates available at [www.contec.com](https://www.contec.com)

Maintenance:
- No periodic maintenance required
- Keep connectors clean and free from dust
- Use only CONTEC‑approved cables and adapters to maintain signal integrity

Software Updates:
- Free downloadable updates for API‑PAC(W32) and ACX‑PAC(W32)
- Diagnostic and analyzer utilities updated periodically for new OS versions

Product Lifecycle:
- Long‑term availability guaranteed for industrial OEM integration
- Backward compatibility with previous CONTEC GPIB boards (GP‑IB(PCI)F, GP‑IB(PCI)L, etc.)

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### Summary

The CONTEC GP‑IB(LPCI)F is a robust, high‑speed, low‑profile PCI GPIB interface card engineered for demanding industrial and laboratory automation applications. It combines 1.5 Mbyte/sec data throughput, bus master DMA, 2 Kbyte FIFO buffering, and an integrated GPIB bus analyzer into a compact, reliable design. Its compliance with IEEE‑488.2, support for Windows and Linux, and compatibility with MATLAB and LabVIEW make it a versatile solution for test, measurement, and control systems requiring precise, high‑speed instrument communication.

With its low CPU load, diagnostic utilities, and long‑term availability, the GP‑IB(LPCI)F provides a future‑proof interface for modern automated test environments, ensuring stable, high‑performance GPIB connectivity across a wide range of industrial and scientific applications.