New Product Release: Low-Profile-Compatible Photocoupler-Isolated Digital I/O Boards Contributing to the miniaturization of industrial equipment with space-saving PCs used in measurement control systems

CONTEC Co., Ltd. (listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Securities Code: 6639) has developed two new low-profile-compatible PCI Express expansion boards to provide space-saving PCs with digital signal I/O functions. The new boards will be released for sale from October 16, 2015.

Left: DIO-1616L-LPE
Right: DIO-1616B-LPE

While industrial equipment such as manufacturing and inspection equipment is incorporating more and more diverse functions, the need for its miniaturization has been increasing, and interest for space-saving PCs that can be used as controllers is increasing year by year. CONTEC meets various demands with respect to equipment miniaturization, energy-saving designs, and migration from PCI bus to PCI Express bus. We will keep expanding our low profile PCI Express board lineup.

The DIO-1616L-LPE is equipped with an interface that features 16 photocoupler-isolated inputs and 16 photocoupler-isolated open-collector outputs compatible with 12 to 24 VDC circuits. The input channels are equipped with a digital filter function that suppresses false recognition of signal ON/OFF due to chattering and other causes. The output channels have built-in surge voltage protection as well as overcurrent protection circuits.

In addition to the functions of the DIO-1616L-LPE, the DIO-1616B-LPE incorporates a 12 VDC power supply to drive the I/O circuits, a convenient function when external DC power is not available.

Each product has been designed to be compatible with the conventional PIO-16/16L (LPCI) H and PIO-16/16B (LPCI) H [both available], which are compatible with PCI bus. The products share the same connector shape and signal arrangement for I/O signal connection. The same cables and accessories can also be used. In addition, since the same API (Application Program Interface) for software can be used, it is possible to smoothly transition from PCI to a system that uses PCI Express without having to change the user program.

Common features

• Photocoupler-isolated inputs (supporting current sink output) and photocoupler-isolated open-collector outputs (current sink type)

  Equipped with 16 photocoupler-isolated inputs (supporting current sink output), and 16 photocoupler-isolated open-collector outputs (current sink type) with a response speed of 200 μsec. Because the design consists of 16 separate commons, they can each individually support a different external power supply. Both input and output channels support 12 to 24 VDC.

• Photocoupler-isolated bus

  Because the PCI Express bus (PC) and the I/O interface are isolated with photocouplers, the boards offer excellent resistance to noise.

• All input signals can be used as interrupt inputs

  All input signals can be used as interrupt request signals, interrupts can be disabled and enabled on a bit-by-bit basis, and interrupt edge can be selected.

• Equipped with a digital filter function to prevent false recognition of input signal due to noise and chattering

  The boards are equipped with a digital filter that can prevent false recognition of input signal due to noise and chattering. The digital filter can be applied to all input terminals, and configuration can be performed using the software.

• Built-in overcurrent protection circuits and Zener diodes for surge voltage protection in output circuits

  To protect against surge voltage, Zener diodes are connected to the output circuits. In addition, each of the eight output channels has an overcurrent protection circuit. The maximum rated output is 35 VDC, 100 mA per channel.

• Windows and Linux driver libraries included

  Windows and Linux applications can be created using the included API-PAC (W32) driver libraries. A diagnostic program that can check hardware operations is also provided.

Main features of the DIO-1616B-LPE

• Built-in power supply (12 VDC 240 mA) to drive the photocouplers

  The use of an external power supply is not necessary as a built-in power supply (12 VDC, 240 mA) is provided to drive the photocouplers. Internal power supply or external power supply can be selected independently with jumpers for each of the 16 channels.

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