Contec CNT-3208M-PE User manual

PC-HELPER
High-Speed Up/Down Counter Board
for PCI Express
CNT-3208M-PE
User’s Guide
CONTEC CO., LTD.

CNT-3208M-PE 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-3208M-PE] …1
- First step guide …1
- Disk *1 [API-PAC(W32)] …1
- Synchronization cable (10cm) …1
- Warranty Certificate …1
- Serial Number Label …1
*1 : The bundled disk contains the driver software and User’s Guide (this guide)
Board Synchronization cable Disk
[API-PAC(W32)]
First step guide
First step guide
Serial Number LabelWarranty Certificate
Warranty Certificate

ii CNT-3208M-PE
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 and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other brand and product names
are trademarks of their respective holder.

CNT-3208M-PE 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.................................................................................................................................. 3
Cable & Connector (Option)............................................................................................................... 3
Accessories (Option) ........................................................................................................................... 3
Customer Support........................................................................................................................................ 4
Web Site................................................................................................................................................ 4
Limited Three-Years 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
Parts of the Board and Factory Defaults..........................................................................................13
Setting the Board ID .......................................................................................................................... 14
Setting the Logic of External Control Signals.................................................................................14
Setting Terminators ...........................................................................................................................15
Plugging the Board ............................................................................................................................ 16
Step 3 Installing the Hardware.................................................................................................................17
Turning on the PC..............................................................................................................................17
Found New Hardware Wizard Setting ..................................................................................................18

iv CNT-3208M-PE
Step 4 Initializing the Software................................................................................................................ 19
Step 5 Operation Checks.......................................................................................................................... 21
Check Method.................................................................................................................................... 21
Setup Troubleshooting.............................................................................................................................. 27
Symptoms and Actions...................................................................................................................... 27
3. EXTERNAL CONNECTION 29
How to connect the connectors................................................................................................................ 29
Connector shape................................................................................................................................. 29
Connector Pin Assignment................................................................................................................ 30
External Device Connection 1 -differential line receiver input-........................................................... 31
Connecting the differential line receiver input................................................................................ 31
Detailed description of differential line receiver input circuit.......................................................31
Example Connection with a Rotary Encoder .................................................................................. 32
Example Connection with a Linear Scale........................................................................................ 32
External Device Connection 2 -TTL level input-................................................................................... 33
Connecting the TTL level input........................................................................................................ 33
Detailed description of TTL level input circuit............................................................................... 33
Example Connection with a Rotary Encoder .................................................................................. 34
Example Connection with a Linear Scale........................................................................................ 34
Connecting the control signal input/output............................................................................................. 35
Connection of a control input ........................................................................................................... 35
Control input circuit and its sample connection.............................................................................. 35
Connection of a control output......................................................................................................... 37
Control output circuit and its sample connection............................................................................ 37
Surge Voltage Countermeasures.............................................................................................................. 38
Using Two or More Boards Synchronously ........................................................................................... 39
Synchronization control connectors................................................................................................. 39
Connecting the synchronization control connectors (CN2 and CN3)........................................40
4. FUNCTIONS 41
Types and Operations of Pulse Signals................................................................................................... 41
Types of pulse signals ....................................................................................................................... 41
2-phase Input...................................................................................................................................... 41
Single-phase Input ............................................................................................................................. 42
Single-phase Input with Gate Control Attached ............................................................................. 42
Multiplication of Count Input........................................................................................................... 43
Synchronous Clear............................................................................................................................. 43
Asynchronous Clear .......................................................................................................................... 44
Phase-Z/CLR Input............................................................................................................................ 44
Control of a counter .................................................................................................................................. 45
Counter start/Counter stop................................................................................................................ 45
Preset................................................................................................................................................... 46

CNT-3208M-PE v
Zero-clear............................................................................................................................................ 47
Register............................................................................................................................................... 47
Obtaining the count value......................................................................................................................... 48
Obtaining the count value .................................................................................................................48
Counter mode.....................................................................................................................................48
Sampling mode................................................................................................................................... 49
Totalizing/line receiver counter........................................................................................................ 50
Sampling function.....................................................................................................................................51
Sampling function.............................................................................................................................. 51
Bus mastering.....................................................................................................................................51
Interrupt (During bus mastering)...................................................................................................... 51
Status, Count ...................................................................................................................................... 52
Control of a sampling........................................................................................................................ 53
Hardware event.......................................................................................................................................... 54
Types of hardware events.................................................................................................................. 54
Control input signal ...........................................................................................................................55
Control output signal.........................................................................................................................56
Count match ....................................................................................................................................... 57
Counter error ......................................................................................................................................59
Status input ................................................................................................................................................ 62
Pulse signal input states.....................................................................................................................62
Control input signal states................................................................................................................. 62
Error .................................................................................................................................................... 62
Carry/Borrow...................................................................................................................................... 62
Count match ....................................................................................................................................... 62
Other functions.......................................................................................................................................... 63
Digital filter........................................................................................................................................ 63
Timer................................................................................................................................................... 63
5. ABOUT SOFTWARE 65
About Software for Windows ..................................................................................................................65
Accessing the Help File..................................................................................................................... 65
Using Sample Programs....................................................................................................................66
Uninstalling the Driver Libraries......................................................................................................67
6. ABOUT HARDWARE 69
For detailed technical information...........................................................................................................69
Hardware specifications............................................................................................................................69
Block Diagram........................................................................................................................................... 73

vi CNT-3208M-PE

1. Before Using the Product
CNT-3208M-PE 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 counter input board which counts the pulse signal input
from an external device.
8 ch 32-bit up/down counter is mounted, and the bus master transfer function makes it possible to
transfer data at a high speed by high speed pulse input (unisolated TTL-level input, differential line
receiver) up to 10MHz. In addition, 2-phase signals and 1-phase signals such as a rotary encoder or
linear scale can be counted.
With the driver libraries for Windows supplied as standard, applications with CONTEC hardware
features fully utilized can be created.
< Example >
Features
8ch 32-bit up/down counter, high speed pulse input of 10MHz, and disconnection detection are
available.
A 32-bit up/down counter with 8 channels is mounted on one board, high speed pulse input up to
10MHz (unisolated TTL-level input, differential line receiver) is available, and disconnection detection
can be performed for differential line receiver input.
2-phase signals and 1-phase signals such as a rotary encoder or linear scale can be counted. Surge
protection is realized by implementing protectors in the input circuit.
In addition, 1pin/ch of control input signal is provided. It can be used as counter start/stop, preset, zero
clear, general-purpose input.
Bus master transfer function is provided.
Bus master transfer makes it possible to transfer large data at a high speed without extra CPU load at a
sampling rate up to 20MHz.
Digital filter function to prevent wrong recognition of input signals due to noises is provided.
Digital filter function by which noises of counter input signals (phase-A, phase-B, phase-Z) and control
input signals can be prevented is equipped. Digital filter can either be not used or set within the range of
0.1μ - 1.6384msec by software.
In addition, as all these input signals are taken into the internal counter via the digital filter, when using
the digital filter, these signals are taken in with a delay of a specified duration.
CNT-3208M-PE
- Detecting a position of the table of a machine tool
Linear Scale
RelayBOXPower supply
Processing thing
Tool
Power supply
CNT-3208M-PE
- Detecting a change in weight
Encoder Rack

1. Before Using the Product
2CNT-3208M-PE
Windows compatible driver librarie is attached.
Using the attached driver library API-PAC(W32) makes it possible to create applications of Windows.
In addition, a diagnostic program by which the operations of hardware (interrupt, I/O address. I/O
status) can be checked is provided.
The synchronization control connectors are provided
The synchronization control connectors which can make boards up to 16 pieces synchronously run are
provided. In addition, the synchronous operation with CONTEC boards where a synchronization control
connector is mounted can be easily realized.
The input circuit has a built-in varistor for voltage surge protection
To protect the input circuit from voltage surges, a varistor is connected.
Functions and connectors are compatible with PCI compatible board CNT32-8M(PCI).
The functions same with PCI compatible board CNT32-8M(PCI) are provided. In addition, as there is
compatibility in terms of connector shape and pin assignments, it is easy to migrate from the existing
system.
Independent general-purpose timer is provided
The timer which can let interrupts occur at a specified interval is provided.
The timer can be set within the range of 1 - 6553msec (selectable in step of 1 msec).

1. Before Using the Product
CNT-3208M-PE 3
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 *1useful for checking operation 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.
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 with double-ended connector for 96-pin half-pitch connector (Molded type)
: PCB96PS-0.5P (0.5m)
: PCB96PS-1.5P (1.5m)
Flat Cable with 96-Pin Half-Pitch Connectors at Both Ends
: PCB96P-1.5 (1.5m)
Shielded cables with single-ended connector for 96-pin half-pitch connector (Molded type)
: PCA96PS-0.5P (0.5m)
: PCA96PS-1.5P (1.5m)
Flat Cable with One 96-Pin Half-Pitch Connector
: PCA96P-1.5 (1.5m)
Accessories (Option)
Screw Terminal Unit (M3 x 96P) : EPD-96A *1*2
Screw Terminal Unit (M3.5 x 96P) : EPD-96 *1
Terminal Unit for Cables (M3 x 96P) : DTP-64A *1
*1 A PCB96P or PCB96PS optional cable are required separately.
*2 “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-3208M-PE
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-Years Warranty
CONTEC product 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 products. 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-3208M-PE 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-3208M-PE
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 this product that need to be set in advance. Be sure to check
these before installing this product.
- Only set the switches and jumpers on this product to the specified settings.
Otherwise, this product may malfunction, overheat, or cause a failure.
- Do not strike or bend this product.
Otherwise, this product may malfunction, overheat, cause a failure or breakage.
- Do not touch this product’s metal plated terminals (edge connector) with your hands.
Otherwise, this product 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 this product to or from the slot while the personal computer or expansion
unit power is turned on.
Otherwise, this product may malfunction, overheat, or cause a failure.
Be sure that the personal computer or the I/O expansion unit power is turned off.
- Make sure that your PC or expansion unit can supply ample power to all the products installed.
Insufficiently energized products 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-3208M-PE 7
Environment
Use this product in the following environment. If used in an unauthorized environment, this product
may overheat, malfunction, or cause a failure.
Operating temperature
0 - 50ºC
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 this product in the storage bag.
(2) Wrap it in the packing material, 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-3208M-PE

2. Setup
CNT-3208M-PE 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-3208M-PE
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-3208M-PE 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-3208M-PE
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 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 iscomplete.

2. Setup
CNT-3208M-PE 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.
Parts of the Board and Factory Defaults
Figure 2.1. shows the names of major parts on the board.
Note that the switch setting shown below is the factory default.
Figure 2.1. Component Locations
SW6
ON
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
SW5
ON
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
SW4
ON
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
SW3
ON
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
CN2 CN3
SW2
ON
1234 5 6 7 8
CN1
SW1
BOARD ID
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
A
B
C
D
E
F
8
CNT-3208M-PE SW1
BOARD ID
CN2
SW2
SW3
SW4
SW5
SW6
CN3
- Terminator setting
switch
(SW3 - SW6)
- Synchronization control connector
(CN2, CN3) - Board ID
setting
switch
- Interface connector
(CN1)
- Output signal logic
setting switch
(SW2)