Comprehensive Product Summary – CONTEC GP‑IB(PM) PCMCIA IEEE‑488 (GPIB) Interface Card

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: GP‑IB(PM)
Model / Article Number: GP‑IB(PM)
Series: Standard GPIB Interface Series (PCMCIA Type)
Product Type: PCMCIA IEEE‑488 (GPIB) Interface Card
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd.
Manufacturer Website: [www.contec.com](https://www.contec.com)
Bus Type: PCMCIA Release 2.0 / JEIDA 4.1 Type II
Intended Use: General‑purpose IEEE‑488.1 / IEEE‑488.2 compliant interface for portable and embedded systems requiring GPIB connectivity.

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### 2. Key Features

- IEEE‑488.1 / IEEE‑488.2 Compliance: Fully conforms to the international GPIB communication standards, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of laboratory and industrial instruments.
- Compact PCMCIA Type II Form Factor: Designed for notebook PCs and embedded systems with PC Card slots, providing portable GPIB connectivity without external power.
- Data Transfer Rate: Supports up to 50 Kbyte/sec maximum transmission speed, suitable for standard instrument control and data acquisition tasks.
- Interrupt Flexibility: Selectable IRQ levels (3–7, 9–12, 14, or 15) for optimal system integration and conflict avoidance.
- Electrical Interface: 8 parallel data lines and 3 handshake lines, negative logic signaling (Low ≤ 0.8 V, High ≥ 2.0 V).
- Device Connectivity: Supports up to 15 GPIB devices on a single bus segment.
- Cable Length: Up to 4 m between devices and 20 m total bus length, compliant with IEEE‑488 specifications.
- Plug‑and‑Play Operation: Automatically recognized by PCMCIA‑compliant operating systems; no manual configuration required.
- Software Support: Compatible with CONTEC’s ACX‑PAC(W32) and API‑PAC(W32) driver libraries, enabling integration with Windows‑based control software and development environments such as LabVIEW and MATLAB.
- High Reliability: Uses CONTEC’s proprietary GPIB controller technology for long‑term supply stability and robust operation.
- Lightweight and Portable: Approximately 250 g including cable, ideal for field measurement and mobile test setups.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|------------------|
| Interface Standard | IEEE‑488.1 / IEEE‑488.2 |
| Bus Type | PCMCIA Release 2.0 / JEIDA 4.1 Type II |
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| Data Transfer Speed | 50 Kbyte/sec (maximum) |
| Data Format | 8 parallel data lines, 3 handshake lines |
| Signal Logic | Negative logic (Low ≤ 0.8 V, High ≥ 2.0 V) |
| Interrupts (IRQ) | Selectable: 3–7, 9–12, 14, 15 |
| I/O Address | Any 16‑byte boundary |
| Cable Length Between Devices | 4 m (maximum) |
| Total Cable Length | 20 m (maximum) |
| Connectable Devices | Up to 15 |
| Power Supply | +5 V DC (supplied from PCMCIA slot) |
| Power Consumption | 100 mA (maximum) |
| Connector Type | 24‑pin ribbon connector (compatible with CONTEC CN‑GP/C adapter) |
| Dimensions | PCMCIA Type II standard (approx. 85.6 mm × 54 mm × 5 mm) |
| Weight | Approx. 250 g (including cable) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 – 50 °C |
| Operating Humidity | 20 – 90 % RH (non‑condensing) |
| Compliance | IEEE‑488.1, IEEE‑488.2, PCMCIA 2.0, JEIDA 4.1 |

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### 4. Functionality

The GP‑IB(PM) serves as a GPIB controller interface for portable computers, enabling communication with IEEE‑488‑compliant instruments such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, and analyzers. It translates PCMCIA bus commands into GPIB protocol signals, managing handshaking, addressing, and data transfer automatically.

Typical Use Cases:
- Portable test and measurement systems.
- Field data acquisition and calibration setups.
- Laboratory automation using notebook PCs.
- Integration of legacy GPIB instruments into modern portable computing environments.
- Embedded control systems requiring compact GPIB connectivity.

Compatibility:
- Works with Windows operating systems supporting PCMCIA interfaces.
- Compatible with CONTEC’s GPIB driver suite and third‑party environments (LabVIEW, MATLAB, Visual C/C++, Visual Basic).
- Supports standard GPIB command sets and IEEE‑488.2 common commands.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- GP‑IB(PM) PCMCIA card (Type II).
- GPIB connection cable (approx. 2 m).
- Driver and utility software (ACX‑PAC(W32), API‑PAC(W32)).
- Documentation and installation guide.

Optional Accessories:
- CN‑GP/C – GPIB connector adapter for tight installation spaces or high‑noise environments.
- PCN‑T02 – 2 m double‑shielded GPIB cable.
- PCN‑T04 – 4 m double‑shielded GPIB cable.
- Additional software utilities for diagnostics and bus analysis (available from CONTEC).

Connector Details:
- 24‑pin ribbon connector (IEEE‑488 standard pinout).
- Compatible with standard GPIB cables and adapters.

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### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- PC or notebook with a PCMCIA Type II slot compliant with PCMCIA 2.0 / JEIDA 4.1.
- Operating system supporting PCMCIA Plug‑and‑Play (Windows 98/2000/XP or later).
- Available IRQ line (3–7, 9–12, 14, 15).
- +5 V DC power supplied through the PCMCIA interface.

Installation Procedure:
1. Insert the GP‑IB(PM) card into the PCMCIA slot.
2. The system automatically detects the card and prompts for driver installation.
3. Install the ACX‑PAC(W32) or API‑PAC(W32) driver package.
4. Connect the GPIB cable to the 24‑pin connector and to the target instrument(s).
5. Configure the GPIB address and communication parameters using the provided utility.
6. Verify operation using the included diagnostic tool or test application.

Mounting Options:
- Direct insertion into PCMCIA slot (no external power required).
- Optional CN‑GP/C adapter for angled or recessed installations.

Configuration:
- IRQ and I/O address automatically assigned by the operating system.
- Supports manual configuration via driver settings if required.
- Compatible with standard GPIB addressing (primary/secondary addresses).

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

- Maximum Transfer Rate: 50 Kbyte/sec (typical for PCMCIA bus).
- Bus Topology: Daisy‑chain connection supporting up to 15 devices.
- Signal Integrity: Double‑shielded cable minimizes noise and crosstalk.
- Electrical Characteristics:
- Logic Low ≤ 0.8 V, Logic High ≥ 2.0 V.
- TTL‑compatible negative logic.
- Timing: Fully compliant with IEEE‑488.2 handshaking (DAV, NRFD, NDAC).
- Efficiency: Optimized for low‑power operation (< 0.5 W).
- Limitations:
- Not intended for high‑speed data streaming (> 50 Kbyte/s).
- Requires PCMCIA slot (not compatible with ExpressCard without adapter).
- Limited to 15 devices per bus as per IEEE‑488 standard.

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

- IEEE‑488.1 / IEEE‑488.2: Electrical and protocol compliance for GPIB communication.
- PCMCIA Release 2.0 / JEIDA 4.1: Mechanical and electrical interface compliance.
- CE Marking: Conforms to European EMC and safety directives (when applicable).
- RoHS / Pb‑Free: Manufactured in compliance with environmental standards.
- Software Standards: Compatible with Windows Win32 API and VISA‑based instrument control frameworks.
- Industry Compatibility: Interoperable with instruments from major vendors (Keysight, Tektronix, Yokogawa, etc.).

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty & Support:
- Standard manufacturer warranty (typically 1 year, extendable).
- Technical support and driver updates available via CONTEC’s website.
- Diagnostic utilities provided for hardware verification and communication testing.

Maintenance:
- No periodic maintenance required.
- Keep connectors clean and free from dust.
- Avoid excessive bending of the attached cable.

Software Updates:
- Latest drivers and API libraries downloadable from CONTEC’s support portal.
- Compatible with ACX‑PAC(W32) and API‑PAC(W32) versions 2.1 and higher.
- Supports integration with LabVIEW and MATLAB through dedicated interface libraries.

Environmental & Reliability Data:
- Operating Temperature: 0 – 50 °C.
- Storage Temperature: –10 – 60 °C.
- Humidity: 20 – 90 % RH (non‑condensing).
- Vibration Resistance: Conforms to PCMCIA mechanical durability standards.
- Expected Service Life: > 5 years under normal operating conditions.

Ordering Information:
- Model: GP‑IB(PM)
- Description: PCMCIA IEEE‑488 (GPIB) Interface Card, Type II, 50 Kbyte/s, includes cable.
- Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd.
- Optional Accessories: CN‑GP/C, PCN‑T02, PCN‑T04.

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### Summary

The CONTEC GP‑IB(PM) is a compact, reliable, and fully IEEE‑488.2‑compliant PCMCIA GPIB interface card designed for portable and embedded measurement systems. It provides a stable 50 Kbyte/s communication link between a notebook or industrial PC and up to 15 GPIB instruments. With selectable IRQs, automatic configuration, and comprehensive driver support, it integrates seamlessly into Windows‑based test and automation environments. Its lightweight Type II form factor and low power consumption make it ideal for mobile data acquisition, field calibration, and laboratory automation applications where portability and standards compliance are essential.