Contec CNT-3204MT-LPE User manual

PC-HELPER
High-Speed Up/Down
Counter Board for PCI Express
Low Profile
CNT-3204MT-LPE
User’s Guide
CONTEC CO., LTD.

CNT-3204MT-LPE i
Check Your Package
Thank you for purchasing the CONTEC product.
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 Configuration List
- Board [CNT-3204MT-LPE] …1
- First step guide …1
- Disk *1 [API-PAC(W32)] …1
- Standard-sized bracket …1
- Warranty Certificate …1
- Serial Number Label …1
*1 : The bundled disk contains the driver software and User’s Guide (this guide)
First step guide
First step guide
Serial Number LabelWarranty Certificate
Warranty Certificate
Disk
[API-PAC(W32)]
Board Standard-sized
Bracket

ii CNT-3204MT-LPE
Copyright
Copyright 2006 CONTEC CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this document may be copied or reproduced in any form by any means without prior written
consent of CONTEC CO., LTD.
CONTEC CO., LTD. makes no commitment to update or keep current the information contained in this
document. The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
All relevant issues have been considered in the preparation of this document. Should you notice an
omission or any questionable item in this document, please feel free to notify CONTEC CO., LTD.
Regardless of the foregoing statement, CONTEC assumes no responsibility for any errors that may
appear in this document or for results obtained by the user as a result of using this product.
Trademarks
MS, Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other brand and
product names are trademarks of their respective holder.

CNT-3204MT-LPE iii
Table of Contents
Check Your Package.................................................................................................................................... i
Copyright .....................................................................................................................................................ii
Trademarks ..................................................................................................................................................ii
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................iii
1. BEFORE USING THE PRODUCT 1
About the Board .......................................................................................................................................... 1
Features................................................................................................................................................. 1
Support Software.................................................................................................................................. 2
Cable & Connector (Option)............................................................................................................... 2
Accessories (Option) ........................................................................................................................... 3
Customer Support........................................................................................................................................ 4
Web Site................................................................................................................................................ 4
Limited Three-Year Warranty.................................................................................................................... 4
How to Obtain Service................................................................................................................................ 4
Liability........................................................................................................................................................ 4
Safety Precautions....................................................................................................................................... 5
Safety Information............................................................................................................................... 5
Handling Precautions........................................................................................................................... 6
Environment......................................................................................................................................... 7
Inspection.............................................................................................................................................. 7
Storage .................................................................................................................................................. 7
Disposal ................................................................................................................................................ 7
2. SETUP 9
What is Setup?............................................................................................................................................. 9
Using the Board under Windows Using the Driver Library API-PAC(W32)................................ 9
Using the Board under an OS Other than Windows......................................................................... 9
Step 1 Installing the Software..................................................................................................................10
About the driver to be used...............................................................................................................10
Step 2 Setting the Hardware.....................................................................................................................13
Replacing the Bracket........................................................................................................................ 13
Parts of the Board and Factory Defaults..........................................................................................14
Setting the Board ID .......................................................................................................................... 14
Plugging the Board ............................................................................................................................ 15
Step 3 Installing the Hardware.................................................................................................................16
Turning on the PC..............................................................................................................................16
Found New Hardware Wizard Setting ..................................................................................................17
Step 4 Initializing the Software................................................................................................................18

iv CNT-3204MT-LPE
Step 5 Operation Checks.......................................................................................................................... 20
Check Method.................................................................................................................................... 20
Setting counter operation conditions................................................................................................ 21
Setup Troubleshooting.............................................................................................................................. 26
Symptoms and Actions...................................................................................................................... 26
3. EXTERNAL CONNECTION 27
How to connect the connectors................................................................................................................ 27
Connector shape and optional cable connection............................................................................. 27
Connector Pin Assignment................................................................................................................ 29
How to Connect the Counter Input Signal.............................................................................................. 31
Example Connection for Counter Input Circuit.............................................................................. 31
Example Connection with a Rotary Encoder .................................................................................. 33
Example Connection with a Linear scale ........................................................................................ 33
Connecting the control signal input/output............................................................................................. 34
Connection of a control input ........................................................................................................... 34
Control input circuit and its sample connection.............................................................................. 34
Connection of a control output......................................................................................................... 37
Control output circuit and its sample connection............................................................................ 37
4. FUNCTIONS 39
Types and Operations of Pulse Signals................................................................................................... 39
Types of pulse signals ....................................................................................................................... 39
2-phase Input...................................................................................................................................... 39
Single-phase Input ............................................................................................................................. 40
Single-phase Input with Gate Control Attached ............................................................................. 40
Multiplication of Count Input........................................................................................................... 41
Synchronous Clear............................................................................................................................. 41
Asynchronous Clear .......................................................................................................................... 42
Phase-Z/CLR Input............................................................................................................................ 42
Control of a counter .................................................................................................................................. 43
Counter start/Counter stop................................................................................................................ 43
Preset................................................................................................................................................... 44
Zero-clear ........................................................................................................................................... 45
Register............................................................................................................................................... 45
Obtaining the count value......................................................................................................................... 46
Obtaining the count value ................................................................................................................. 46
Counter mode..................................................................................................................................... 46
Sampling mode .................................................................................................................................. 47
Totalizing/line receiver counter........................................................................................................ 48
Sampling function..................................................................................................................................... 49
Sampling function.............................................................................................................................. 49
Bus mastering..................................................................................................................................... 49
Interrupt (During bus mastering)...................................................................................................... 49

CNT-3204MT-LPE v
Status, Count ...................................................................................................................................... 50
Control of a sampling........................................................................................................................ 51
Hardware event.......................................................................................................................................... 52
Types of hardware events.................................................................................................................. 52
Control input signal ........................................................................................................................... 53
Control output signal.........................................................................................................................54
Count match ....................................................................................................................................... 55
Counter error ......................................................................................................................................57
Sampling output signal......................................................................................................................59
Status input ................................................................................................................................................ 60
Pulse signal input states..................................................................................................................... 60
Control input signal states................................................................................................................. 60
Error .................................................................................................................................................... 60
Carry/Borrow...................................................................................................................................... 60
Count match ....................................................................................................................................... 60
Other functions.......................................................................................................................................... 61
Digital filter........................................................................................................................................ 61
Timer................................................................................................................................................... 61
5. ABOUT SOFTWARE 63
About Software for Windows ..................................................................................................................63
Accessing the Help File..................................................................................................................... 63
Using Sample Programs....................................................................................................................64
Uninstalling the Driver Libraries......................................................................................................65
6. ABOUT HARDWARE 67
For detailed technical information...........................................................................................................67
Hardware specifications............................................................................................................................67
Block Diagram........................................................................................................................................... 70

vi CNT-3204MT-LPE

1. Before Using the Product
CNT-3204MT-LPE 1
1. Before Using the Product
This chapter provides information you should know before using the product.
About the Board
This product is a PCI Express bus-compliant interface board for counting the pulses input from the
external device.
The 32 bit up-and-down counter could have four channels and up to 10MHz maximum high speed pulse
input. Moreover, it can be used to connect a rotary encoder and a linear scale, etc.
The pulse signal inputting interface is unisolated LVTTL-level input that can input pulse signals at high
speed. The application for this board can transfer data between the board and the PC at high speed using
PCI bus mastering.
This product supports a Low Profile size slot and, if replaced with the supplied bracket, supports a
standard size slot, too.
Windows driver is bundled with this product.
Possible to be used as a data recording device for LabVIEW, with dedicated libraries.
< Example >
Features
- The 32 bit up-and-down counter could have four channels and input the pulse signal at 10MHz
maximum(non-insulation LVTTL level). (The minimum distinguishable phase of a two-phase input
is 25nsec.)
- A two-phase signal such as a rotary encoder or a linear scale and a single-phase signal can be
counted.
- One control signal input pin per channel (counter start/stop/preset)
- Supporting bus mastering, can count values sampling at a maximum sampling rate of 20 MHz
(when using the internal clock)
- Can generate an interrupt, issuing an external signal, or presetting/zero-clearing the count value
when it matches an arbitrary predefined value.
- Can be converted to a differential input interface using the differential unit (CTP-4D) and
connection cable (CNT-68M/50M) which are sold separately
- Support for both of low-profile and standard size slots (interchangeable with a bundled bracket).
- Equipped with the same function as the PCI board CNT32-4MT(LPCI) and
CardBus CNT32-4MT(CB).
Linear Scale
CNT-3204MT-LPE
Encoder
CNT-3204MT-LPE
- Detecting a position
of the table of a machine tool
Processing thing
Tool
Power supply
RelayBOX
- Detecting a change in weight
Power supply
Rack

1. Before Using the Product
2CNT-3204MT-LPE
- The connector shape and the signal assignment for the connector is compatible with the
CNT32-4MT(LPCI) and CNT32-4MT(CB).
- Windows application can be created with the supplied driver library API - PAC (W32).
The diagnostic program to check hardware operations is also provided.
- With the dedicated libraries, LabVIEW applications can be created.
Support Software
You should use CONTEC support software according to your purpose and development environment.
Windows version of counter input driver API-CNT(WDM) / API-CNT(98/PC)
[Stored on the bundled disk driver library API-PAC(W32)]
The API-CNT(WDM) / API-CNT(98/PC) is the Windows version driver library 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 operations is provided.
For more details on the supported OS, applicable language and how to download the updated version, please visit the
CONTEC’s Web site.
LabVIEW-support data acquisition library DAQfast for LabVIEW DAQfast for LabVIEW
(Available for downloading (free of charge) from the CONTEC web site.)
This is a data collection library to use in the LabVIEW by National Instruments. With Polymorphic VI, our design
enables a LabVIEW user to operate seamlessly. Our aim is for the customers to perform easily, promptly what they
wish to do.
See CONTEC’s Web site for details and download of DAQfast for LabVIEW.
Data acquisition library for LabVIEW VI-DAQ (Available for downloading (free of charge) from the
CONTEC web site.)
This is a VI library to use in National Instruments LabVIEW.
VI-DAQ is created with a function form similar to that of LabVIEW's Data Acquisition VI, allowing you to use
various devices without complicated settings.
See CONTEC’s Web site for details and download of VI-DAQ.
Cable & Connector (Option)
Shielded cable for CardBus counter input card
: CNT-68M/50M (0.5m)
Cable with 68-Pin D-sub Connector at either Ends (Mold Type)
: PCB68PS-0.5P (0.5m)
: PCB68PS-1.5P (1.5m)
Shielded cable with single connector for 68-pin 0.8mm pitch connector
: PCA68PS-0.5P (0.5m)
: PCA68PS-1.5P (1.5m)

1. Before Using the Product
CNT-3204MT-LPE 3
Accessories (Option)
Termination Panel with Differential Receivers for Counter Input : CTP-4D *1
Screw Terminal (M3 x 50P) : EPD-50A *1*3
Screw Terminal (M3 x 68) : EPD-68A *2*3
*1 CNT-68M/50M optional cable is required separately.
*2 PCB68PS-0.5P or PCB68PS-1.5P optional cable is required separately.
*3 “Spring-up” type terminal is used to prevent terminal screws from falling off.
* Check the CONTEC’s Web site for more information on these options.

1. Before Using the Product
4CNT-3204MT-LPE
Customer Support
CONTEC provides the following support services for you to use CONTEC products more efficiently
and comfortably.
Web Site
https://www.contec.com/
Latest product information
CONTEC provides up-to-date information on products.
CONTEC also provides product manuals and various technical documents in the PDF.
Free download
You can download updated driver software and differential files as well as sample programs available in
several languages.
Note! For product information
Contact your retailer if you have any technical question about a CONTEC product or need its price,
delivery time, or estimate information.
Limited Three-Year Warranty
CONTEC products are warranted by CONTEC CO., LTD. to be free from defects in material and
workmanship for up to three years from the date of purchase by the original purchaser.
Repair will be free of charge only when this device is returned freight prepaid with a copy of the
original invoice and a Return Merchandise Authorization to the distributor or the CONTEC group
office, from which it was purchased.
This warranty is not applicable for scratches or normal wear, but only for the electronic circuitry and
original boards. The warranty is not applicable if the device has been tampered with or damaged
through abuse, mistreatment, neglect, or unreasonable use, or if the original invoice is not included, in
which case repairs will be considered beyond the warranty policy.
How to Obtain Service
For replacement or repair, return the device freight prepaid, with a copy of the original invoice. Please
obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization Number (RMA) from the CONTEC group office where you
purchased before returning any product.
* No product will be accepted by CONTEC group without the RMA number.
Liability
The obligation of the warrantor is solely to repair or replace the product. In no event will the warrantor
be liable for any incidental or consequential damages due to such defect or consequences that arise from
inexperienced usage, misuse, or malfunction of this device.

1. Before Using the Product
CNT-3204MT-LPE 5
Safety Precautions
Understand the following definitions and precautions to use the product safely.
Safety Information
This document provides safety information using the following symbols to prevent accidents resulting
in injury or death and the destruction of equipment and resources. Understand the meanings of these
labels to operate the equipment safely.
DANGER indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will
result in death or serious injury.
WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may
result in minor or moderate injury or in property damage.
DANGER
WARNING
CAUTION

1. Before Using the Product
6CNT-3204MT-LPE
Handling Precautions
Do not use the product where it is exposed to flammable or corrosive gas. Doing so may result in an
explosion, fire, electric shock, or failure.
- There are switches and jumpers on the board that need to be set in advance. Be sure to check these
before installing the board.
- Only set the switches and jumpers on the board to the specified settings.
Otherwise, the board may malfunction, overheat, or cause a failure.
- Do not strike or bend the board. Doing so could damage the board.
Otherwise, the board may malfunction, overheat, cause a failure or breakage.
- Do not touch the board's metal plated terminals (edge connector) with your hands.
Otherwise, the board may malfunction, overheat, or cause a failure.
If the terminals are touched by someone's hands, clean the terminals with industrial alcohol.
- Do not install or remove the board to or from the extension slot while the computer's power is turned
on. And also do not connect the board and external device while the power is turned on.
Otherwise, the board may malfunction, overheat, or cause a failure.
Be sure that the personal computer or the I/O extension unit power is turned off.
- Make sure that your PC or extension unit can supply ample power to all the boards installed.
Insufficiently energized boards could malfunction, overheat, or cause a failure.
- The specifications of this product are subject to change without notice for enhancement and quality
improvement.
Even when using the product continuously, be sure to read the manual and understand the contents.
- Do not modify the product. CONTEC will bear no responsibility for any problems, etc., resulting
from modifying this product.
- Regardless of the foregoing statements, CONTEC is not liable for any damages whatsoever
(including damages for loss of business profits) arising out of the use or inability to use this
CONTEC product or the information contained herein.
- Regarding “CE EMC Directive Notice”.
Please see the “Hardware specification” to meet the mentioned standard above.
DANGER
CAUTION

1. Before Using the Product
CNT-3204MT-LPE 7
Environment
Use this product in the following environment. If used in an unauthorized environment, the board may
overheat, malfunction, or cause a failure.
Operating temperature
0 - 50°C
Operating humidity
10 - 90%RH (No condensation)
Corrosive gases
None
Floating dust particles
Not to be excessive
Inspection
Inspect the product periodically as follows to use it safely.
Storage
When storing this product, keep it in its original packing form.
(1) Put the board in the storage bag.
(2) Wrap it in the packing material, and then put it in the box.
(3) Store the package at room temperature at a place free from direct sunlight, moisture, shock,
vibration, magnetism, and static electricity.
Disposal
When disposing of the product, follow the disposal procedures stipulated under the relevant laws and
municipal ordinances.
- Check that the bus connector
of the board and its cable have
been plugged correctly.
- Check that the board has
no dust or foreign matter adhering.
- The gold-plated leads of the bus connector
have no stain or corrosion.

1. Before Using the Product
8CNT-3204MT-LPE

2. Setup
CNT-3204MT-LPE 9
2. Setup
This chapter explains how to set up the board.
What is Setup?
Setup means a series of steps to take before the product can be used.
Different steps are required for software and hardware.
The setup procedure varies with the OS and software used.
Using the Board under Windows
Using the Driver Library API-PAC(W32)
This section describes the setup procedure to be performed before you can start developing application
programs for the board using the bundled disk “Driver Library API-PAC(W32)”.
Taking the following steps sets up the software and hardware. You can use the diagnosis program later
to check whether the software and hardware function normally.
Step 1 Installing the Software
Step 2 Setting the Hardware
Step 3 Installing the Hardware
Step 4 Initializing the Software
Step 5 Operation Checks
If Setup fails to be performed normally, see the “Setup Troubleshooting” section at the end of this
chapter.
Using the Board under an OS Other than Windows
For using the board under an OS other than Windows, see the following parts of this user’s guide.
This chapter Step 2 Setting the Hardware
Chapter 3 External Connection
Chapter 6 About Hardware

2. Setup
10 CNT-3204MT-LPE
Step 1 Installing the Software
This section describes how to install the Driver libraries.
Before installing the hardware in a PC, install "Driver Library API-PAC(W32)" from the
bundled media or download and install the latest edition of this software from the CONTEC web
site.
Although some user interfaces are different depending on the OS used, the basic procedure is the same.
About the driver to be used
Two counter drivers are available : API-CNT(WDM) and API-CNT(98/PC).
When using this product, use the advanced digital I/O driver "API-CNT(WDM)". The following
information is focused on setting up API-CNT(WDM).
- If you intend to use this product in the existing system where API-CNT(98/PC) is used, continue to use
API-CNT(98/PC).
Please note that the API-CNT(98/PC) does not support Windows 8 or later, and the 64-bit OS.
- Use the API-CNT(98/PC)
If you are installing from disk attachments, select "all" from the "Installer" later in this chapter and
starts the execution environment and development environment packages installer.
Please see the Help folder in the installed hardware installation instructions please see reference in help
disk attachments or downloaded from CONTEC’s Web site development environment.
Furthermore, that applies to the default step 4 software described below, see config.chm folder
installed execution environment.
CAUTION

2. Setup
CNT-3204MT-LPE 11
Starting the Install Program
(1) Load the bundled disk [API-PAC(W32)] on your PC.
(2) The API-PAC(W32) Installer window appears automatically.
If the panel does not appear, run (drive letter):\AUTORUN.exe.
(3) Click on the [Install Development or Execution Environment] button.
Before installing the software in Windows 2000 or later, log in as a user with administrator
privileges.
CAUTION

2. Setup
12 CNT-3204MT-LPE
Selecting API-CNT(WDM)
(1) The following dialog box appears to select “Driver to install” and “Install option”, “Usage of
driver library”.
(2) Select the "Advanced Counter input driver".
(3) Click on the [Install] button.
* Clicking the [API-CNT] button under the “Detail” displays detailed information about
API-CNT(WDM) and API-CNT(98/PC).
Run the installation
(1) Complete the installation by following the instructions on the screen.
(2) The Readme file appears whenthe installation is complete.

2. Setup
CNT-3204MT-LPE 13
Step 2 Setting the Hardware
This section describes how to set the board and plug it on your PC.
The board has some switches to be preset.
Check the on-board switches before plugging the board into an extension slot.
The board can be set up even with the factory defaults untouched. You can change board settings later.
Replacing the Bracket
This board is shipped with a Low Profile size bracket mounted. To plug the board into a standard size
slot, replace the bracket with the bundled standard size bracket. The replacing method is as follows :
Figure 2.1. Replacing the Bracket
Use a flathead screwdriver or hexagonal
spanner to undo and tighten the screws.
- Remove the screw
s and replace it
with the Standard size bracket.
Screw
Standard size bracket
Low Profile size bracket