Comprehensive Product Summary – Support‑PAC(PC)306: DOS Device Driver MS‑C for CONTEC Boards

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: Support‑PAC(PC)306
Article Number: Support‑PAC(PC)306
Product Title: DOS Device Driver MS‑C for CONTEC Boards
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd.
Product Series: Support‑PAC Software Series
Category: Industrial Automation Software / Device Driver Package
Website: [www.contec.com](http://www.contec.com)

The Support‑PAC(PC)306 is a DOS‑based device driver package designed for Microsoft‑C environments, enabling direct control and communication with CONTEC’s range of industrial interface boards. It provides low‑level driver support for analog and digital I/O, counters, serial communication, motion control, and GPIB (IEEE‑488) interfaces. The package is part of CONTEC’s comprehensive software ecosystem that includes API function libraries, ActiveX components, and LabVIEW‑compliant drivers, ensuring seamless integration across multiple operating systems and programming environments.

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### 2. Key Features

- DOS Device Driver for Microsoft‑C: Provides a stable and efficient driver interface for CONTEC boards under DOS, optimized for Microsoft‑C compiler environments.
- Comprehensive Board Support: Compatible with CONTEC’s full range of interface boards, including Analog I/O, Digital I/O, Counter, Serial Communication, Motion Control, and GPIB boards.
- Unified API Architecture: Offers consistent function naming and structure across board types, simplifying development and maintenance.
- Diagnostic and Configuration Utilities: Includes configuration and diagnostic programs to verify board installation, detect conflicts, and test operational status.
- Sample Programs and Documentation: Provides extensive sample code for supported languages, demonstrating function usage and board operation.
- Automatic Board Detection: Later versions of the API‑TOOL Configuration utility (v4.10 and above) automatically detect installed PCI, ISA, and PC Card boards.
- Cross‑Platform Ecosystem: Although Support‑PAC(PC)306 is DOS‑specific, it aligns with CONTEC’s broader software suite, including Windows (API‑PAC(W32)), ActiveX (ACX‑PAC(W32)BP), and LabVIEW (API‑GPLV(W32)) drivers.
- Industrial Reliability: Designed for industrial automation and measurement applications requiring deterministic control and direct hardware access.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|-------------------|
| Operating System | DOS (Microsoft‑C environment) |
| Supported Hardware | CONTEC interface boards (Analog I/O, Digital I/O, Counter, Serial, GPIB, Motion Control) |
| Supported Buses | ISA, PCI, CompactPCI, PCMCIA/PC Card |
| Driver Type | DOS device driver (MS‑C compatible) |
| Configuration Utility | CONFIG.EXE (I/O address and IRQ conflict prevention) |
| Diagnostic Utility | Board and driver status verification tool |
| Documentation | Function reference, sample programs, configuration guide |
| Distribution | Included with CONTEC boards or downloadable from CONTEC website |
| Manufacturer Website | [www.contec.com](http://www.contec.com) |

Physical dimensions and weight are not applicable as this is a software package.

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### 4. Functionality

Operational Concept:
Support‑PAC(PC)306 provides DOS‑level device drivers that allow Microsoft‑C programs to directly access and control CONTEC interface boards. It abstracts hardware‑specific operations into callable functions, enabling developers to perform analog/digital I/O, counter operations, serial communication, and motion control without writing low‑level assembly code.

Use Cases:
- Industrial measurement and control systems running under DOS.
- Legacy automation systems requiring direct hardware access.
- Embedded control applications using CONTEC ISA or PCMCIA boards.
- Test and measurement setups using GPIB‑based instrumentation.

Applications:
- Data acquisition and logging.
- Process control and monitoring.
- Motion control for stepper/servo motors.
- Serial communication with industrial devices.
- GPIB instrument automation.

Compatibility:
- Fully compatible with CONTEC’s hardware families:
- Analog I/O: AD12‑16(PCI), AD16‑16U(PCI)EH, DA12‑8(PCI), etc.
- Digital I/O: PIO‑16/16L(PCI), PI‑64L(PCI), PO‑64L(PCI), etc.
- Counter: CNT24‑4(PCI), CNT32‑8M(PCI).
- Motion Control: SMC‑2P(PCI), SMC‑4P(PCI), SMC‑3(PC).
- GPIB: GP‑IB(PCI), GP‑IB(PC)L, GP‑IB(PM).
- Serial Communication: COM‑2(PCI), COM‑4(PCI), COM‑8(PCI).

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Components:
- DOS Device Driver (MS‑C compatible)
- Configuration utility (CONFIG.EXE)
- Diagnostic utility
- Function reference documentation
- Sample programs for Microsoft‑C
- Installation guide

Optional Add‑Ons:
- API‑PAC(W32): Win32 API function library for Windows environments.
- ACX‑PAC(W32)BP: ActiveX Component Base Package for OLE‑enabled applications.
- API‑GPLV(W32): GPIB driver software for LabVIEW.
- VI‑DAQ: LabVIEW‑compliant VI library for analog/digital/counter modules.
- Linux API libraries (API‑AIO(LNX), API‑DIO(LNX), API‑GPIB(LNX)) for cross‑platform development.

Connectors and Interfaces:
Dependent on the installed CONTEC board (PCI, ISA, CompactPCI, or PC Card). The driver communicates through standard DOS I/O port addressing and interrupt lines.

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### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- DOS operating system with Microsoft‑C compiler environment.
- Compatible CONTEC interface board installed in the system.
- Available I/O address and IRQ resources.

Installation Procedure:
1. Insert the Support‑PAC(PC)306 installation media or access the downloaded package.
2. Run the setup or manually copy driver files to the DOS environment.
3. Execute CONFIG.EXE to configure board parameters and prevent I/O or IRQ conflicts.
4. Use the diagnostic utility to verify proper installation and board functionality.
5. Include the driver header and library files in Microsoft‑C projects.
6. Compile and link applications using the provided function calls.

Configuration Options:
- Board address and interrupt settings.
- Sampling intervals for analog I/O.
- Communication parameters for serial ports.
- GPIB master/slave mode selection.

Diagnostic Tools:
- Built‑in diagnostic program accessible from API‑TOOL Configuration.
- Generates text‑based diagnostic reports for troubleshooting.

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

Performance Highlights:
- Low‑Level Hardware Access: Direct register‑level control for maximum performance under DOS.
- High‑Speed Data Acquisition: Supports internal and external sampling clocks for analog input.
- Multi‑Board Support: Up to four boards per group, with multiple groups configurable.
- Interrupt Handling: Supports multiple interrupt conditions (sampling completion, buffer status, error detection).
- Digital Filtering: Hardware‑based chattering prevention for digital inputs.
- Counter Precision: One‑shot pulse output, event messaging, and synchronized sampling with external clocks.
- Motion Control: Supports PTP motion, jogging, origin return, and multi‑axis interpolation.
- GPIB Communication: IEEE‑488/488.2 compliant with 3‑line handshaking and master/slave configuration.
- Serial Communication: Up to 256 channels, adjustable buffer sizes (256–65535 bytes), and XON/XOFF flow control.

Limitations:
- DOS environment restricts multitasking and memory management compared to modern OS.
- Not compatible with Windows‑only libraries (API‑PAC(W32), ACX‑PAC(W32)BP).
- Limited to Microsoft‑C compiler environments.

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

Supported Standards:
- IEEE‑488 / IEEE‑488.2: For GPIB communication boards.
- RS‑232C: For serial communication boards.
- Win32 API Compatibility (for related packages): API‑PAC(W32) and API‑GPLV(W32) follow Win32 API conventions.
- OLE / ActiveX Compliance: For integration with Windows OLE‑enabled applications (ActiveX package).

Regulatory Compliance:
- Designed for industrial automation and measurement applications.
- Conforms to CONTEC’s internal quality and reliability standards for industrial software.

Industry Standards Supported by Related Packages:
- LabVIEW VI‑DAQ and API‑GPLV(W32) conform to National Instruments’ API style.
- Linux drivers comply with Red Hat and TurboLinux kernel versions (2.2.x–2.4.x).

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty & Support:
- Standard CONTEC software warranty applies.
- Technical support available via CONTEC’s global portal.
- Free updates and driver downloads provided through the API‑TOOL Developer’s Site.

Maintenance:
- Minimal maintenance required under DOS.
- Configuration and diagnostic utilities assist in long‑term system stability.
- For modern systems, migration to API‑PAC(W32) or Linux API libraries is recommended.

Software Updates:
- Latest versions of related driver libraries (API‑PAC, API‑GPLV, ACX‑PAC) are available free of charge from CONTEC’s website.
- Updates include new board support, bug fixes, and enhanced diagnostic tools.

Documentation & Resources:
- Comprehensive help files and function references.
- Sample programs for Microsoft‑C and other supported languages.
- Online resources:
- API‑PAC Developer’s Site: [http://www.contec.com/apipac/](http://www.contec.com/apipac/)
- LabVIEW GPIB Driver: [http://www.contec.com/gplv/](http://www.contec.com/gplv/)
- VI‑DAQ Library: [http://www.contec.com/vidaq/](http://www.contec.com/vidaq/)

Related Software Ecosystem:
- API‑PAC(W32): Unified Win32 API function library for Windows XP/2000/NT/Me/98/95.
- ACX‑PAC(W32)BP Ver.2.0: ActiveX Component Base Package for OLE‑enabled applications (Excel, VB, VC++).
- API‑GPLV(W32) Ver.1.2: GPIB driver software for LabVIEW, compatible with National Instruments’ API style.
- Linux API Libraries: API‑AIO(LNX), API‑DIO(LNX), API‑GPIB(LNX), API‑CNT(LNX), IO‑LIB(LNX) for Red Hat and TurboLinux distributions.

Support Languages (for related packages):
- Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0/5.0/4.0
- Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0/5.0/4.x/2.0
- Borland C++ Builder 6.0/5.0, Delphi 6.0/5.0/4.0
- National Instruments LabVIEW 7.1/7.0/6.1/6i/5.1/5.0
- .NET Languages (Visual Basic .NET, Visual C# .NET, Visual C++.NET)

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### Summary

The Support‑PAC(PC)306 DOS Device Driver MS‑C is a specialized software package developed by CONTEC Co., Ltd. to provide robust, low‑level control of CONTEC’s industrial interface boards under DOS environments. It is optimized for Microsoft‑C development and forms the foundation of CONTEC’s long‑standing commitment to open, programmable, and reliable industrial automation solutions.

Through its unified API structure, diagnostic utilities, and extensive hardware support, Support‑PAC(PC)306 enables developers to build high‑performance measurement and control systems with deterministic behavior. While primarily intended for legacy DOS systems, it remains an integral part of CONTEC’s broader software ecosystem, ensuring continuity and compatibility across generations of industrial computing platforms.