Contec N Series User manual

Reference Manual
CONTENTS
N Series for USB
Isolated 32-bit Up/Down Counter Unit
CNT-3204IN-USB
Introduction.................................................................. 5
Safety Precautions....................................................12
Setup .............................................................................18
Installation...................................................................37
Software .......................................................................54
Function .......................................................................61
Appendix......................................................................88
Customer Support and Inquiry............................95

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Table of Contents
Introduction....................................................................... 5
1. Related Manuals......................................................................................................................................................6
2. About the Product..................................................................................................................................................7
3. Features ......................................................................................................................................................................8
4. Product Configuration List..................................................................................................................................9
5. Support Software.................................................................................................................................................10
6. Optional Products ...............................................................................................................................................11
Safety Precautions...........................................................12
1. Safety Information...............................................................................................................................................13
2. Handling Precautions.........................................................................................................................................14
1. FCC PART15 Subpart B Class A ................................................................................................................15
2. CE EMC Directive Class A Notice.........................................................................................................15
3. Environment...........................................................................................................................................................16
4. Inspection ...............................................................................................................................................................16
5. Storage.....................................................................................................................................................................17
6. Disposal ...................................................................................................................................................................17
Setup.................................................................................18
1. What is Setup?......................................................................................................................................................19
1. Driver Software Installation.......................................................................................................................19
2. Driver Software Installation .............................................................................................................................20
1. Starting Up the Install Program...............................................................................................................20
3. Hardware Setting.................................................................................................................................................21
1. Nomenclature of Product Components...............................................................................................21
2. Input Resistance Setting Switch ..............................................................................................................22
3. LED Indicator...................................................................................................................................................23
4. Setting Switches ............................................................................................................................................24
5. USB Port............................................................................................................................................................24
6. Power Supply Connector............................................................................................................................25
7. Pull-Up Setting Switch ................................................................................................................................26
4. Hardware installation .........................................................................................................................................27
1. Connecting the external power supply by self-powered ..............................................................27
2. Connecting the Product .............................................................................................................................29
5. Driver Software Initialization...........................................................................................................................30
1. Setting the device name ............................................................................................................................30
6. Operation Check ..................................................................................................................................................32
1. Check Method................................................................................................................................................32
2. Using the Diagnosis Program ..................................................................................................................32
7. Setup Troubleshooting......................................................................................................................................36
1. Examples and Solution................................................................................................................................36

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Table of Contents
Installation and connection ...........................................37
1. Installing the Product.........................................................................................................................................38
1. Installation Conditions ................................................................................................................................38
2. Mounting on/Removing from a DIN Rail ............................................................................................41
3. Desktop Installation .....................................................................................................................................43
4. Mounting on the Wall .................................................................................................................................43
5. Installation Using the Magnet..................................................................................................................44
2. Connecting to an External Device.................................................................................................................46
1. Connecting an Interface Connector.......................................................................................................46
2. Connecting Cable..........................................................................................................................................47
3. Signal Layout on the Interface Connector ..........................................................................................48
4. Counter Input Circuit and Control Input Circuit ...............................................................................49
5. Control Output Circuit ................................................................................................................................51
6. Surge voltage countermeasure ...............................................................................................................52
7. Sampling Control Input Circuit................................................................................................................53
Software ...........................................................................54
1. Counter Input Driver for Windows ...............................................................................................................55
1. Accessing the Help File...............................................................................................................................55
2. Using Sample Programs.............................................................................................................................55
3. Running a Sample Program......................................................................................................................56
4. Distributing Developed Application ......................................................................................................56
5. Uninstalling the Driver Software .............................................................................................................57
6. Returning to Initial State ............................................................................................................................58
2. CONTEC Device Utility.......................................................................................................................................59
1. Updating Firmware.......................................................................................................................................59
Function............................................................................61
1. Explanation of Pulse Signals............................................................................................................................62
1. Types of Pulse Signals .................................................................................................................................62
2. Pulse Input.......................................................................................................................................................62
3. Multiplication of Count Input...................................................................................................................64
4. Count Clear......................................................................................................................................................65
2. Control of a counter ...........................................................................................................................................68
1. Counter Start/Counter Stop......................................................................................................................68
2. Preset .................................................................................................................................................................69
3. Zero-clear.........................................................................................................................................................70
4. Register .............................................................................................................................................................71
3. Obtaining the count value ...............................................................................................................................72
1. Obtaining the count value.........................................................................................................................72
2. Counter mode ................................................................................................................................................72
3. Sampling mode..............................................................................................................................................73
4. Totalizing/Differential counter .................................................................................................................74
4. Sampling function ...............................................................................................................................................75
1. Sampling function.........................................................................................................................................75
2. Status, Count...................................................................................................................................................76

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Table of Contents
3. Control of a sampling..................................................................................................................................77
5. Hardware event ....................................................................................................................................................78
1. Types of hardware events..........................................................................................................................78
2. Control input signal .....................................................................................................................................79
3. Control output signal ..................................................................................................................................80
4. Count match ...................................................................................................................................................82
5. Counter error ..................................................................................................................................................84
6. Status input............................................................................................................................................................86
1. Pulse signal input states.............................................................................................................................86
2. Control input signal states ........................................................................................................................86
3. Error.................................................................................................................................................................... 86
4. Carry/Borrow...................................................................................................................................................86
5. Count match ...................................................................................................................................................86
7. Other functions.....................................................................................................................................................87
1. Digital filter ......................................................................................................................................................87
Appendix..........................................................................88
1. Hardware Specification .....................................................................................................................................89
2. Physical Dimensions ...........................................................................................................................................93
1. Product..............................................................................................................................................................93
2. Physical dimensions of supplied AC adapter (POA201-10-2) .............................................93
3. Circuit Block Diagram ........................................................................................................................................94
Customer Support and Inquiry......................................95
1. Services....................................................................................................................................................................96

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Introduction
This section provides necessary information of the product
such as the outline, bundled items and manuals before
actual use.

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Introduction
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CNT-3204IN-USB Reference Manual
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1.Related Manuals
The manuals related to the product are listed below.
Read them as necessary along with this document.
Must Read the Followings.
Name
Purpose
Contents
How to get
Setup Guide
Must read this after
opening the package.
This lists the product
configuration and describes
the precautions.
Included in the package
(Printed matter)
Reference Manual
(This Document)
Read this when
operating the product.
This describes the hardware
aspects such as functions
and settings.
Download from
the Contec
website (PDF)
Download Manuals
Download the manuals accordingly from the following URL.
Download
https://www.contec.com/download/

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Introduction
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CNT-3204IN-USB Reference Manual
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2.About the Product
This product is a USB 2.0 supporting counter unit, which adds the function of counting pulse signals
input from external devices through a USB port to a PC.
It has four channels of 32-bit up/down counters, allowing external devices such as a rotary encoder
and a linear scale to be connected.
The pulse signal inputting interface is optocoupler isolated.
Compact design, (188.0(W)×78.0(D)×30.5(H)mm), features flexibility in installation. The product can
be set on the floor, wall, and inside the console or equipment with the DIN rail.
Input interface of pulse signal is opto-coupler isolated input.

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Introduction
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CNT-3204IN-USB Reference Manual
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3.Features
32-bit up-and-down counter
The 32 bit up-and-down counter could have four channels and up to 500kHz maximum speed pulse input. Moreover, it can count 2-
phase signals and mono-phase signals such as a rotary encoder and a linear scale.
Bus isolation
The USB (PC) is isolated from I/O interface by an isolators, this product has excellent noise performance.
Control input/output signals and input signals for
controlling sampling functions
One control input signal and one control output signal are provided for each channel.
This product can generate an interrupt, output an external signal, preset the counter, and clear it to zero when the count value matches
the arbitrary value that is set. Moreover, this product has input signals (start/stop/clock) for controlling sampling functions.
Compact design not restricting installation location
Compact design of 188.0(W) × 78.0(D) × 30.5(H) does not require special installation location.
Compatible to USB1.1/USB2.0
Compatible to USB1.1/USB2.0 and capable to achieve high speed transfer at High Speed (480 Mbps)
Diverse installations such as screw fastening, with
magnet(optional),and DIN rail mounting are possible
Installation on the floor / wall /ceiling is possible by screw fastening, with magnet, rubber feet, etc.
In addition, DIN rail mounting mechanism is equipped as standard with the product, making it easy to install the product within the
panel or the device.
Easy-to-wire terminal connector adopted
Adoption of terminal connector (with screws) enables to achieve easy wiring.
Windows compatible driver software
Using the counter input driver API-CNT(WDM) for USB makes it possible to create applications of Windows. In addition, a diagnostic
program by which the operations of hardware can be checked is provided.

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Introduction
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CNT-3204IN-USB Reference Manual
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4.Product Configuration List
The product consists of the items listed below.
Check, with the following list, that your package is complete.
If you discover damaged or missing items, contact your retailer.
Product…1
Setup Guide…1
Warranty Certificate…1
Serial Number Label…1
Interface Connector
(8-pin)…2
Interface Connector
(4-pin)…2
USB Cable (1.8m)…1
USB Cable Attachment on
the main unit’s side (For
Mini B connector side)…1
Rubber feet…4
AC adapter…1
AC cable…1

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Introduction
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CNT-3204IN-USB Reference Manual
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5.Support Software
You can use CONTEC support software according to your purpose and development environment.
For more details on the supported OS, applicable languages, or to download the latest version of
software, visit the CONTEC Web site.
Name
Contents
How to get
Driver software
API-CNT(WDM) for USB
The API-CNT(WDM) is the Windows version driver
software that provides products in the form of
Win32 API functions (DLL). Various sample
programs such as Visual Basic and Visual C++, etc
and diagnostic program useful for checking
operation is provided.
Download from the
CONTEC website
Download the files from the following URL.
Download
https://www.contec.com/download/