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How to Use the Board
COM-2(PC)F 5
2. How to Use the Board
Compatible Mode and Enhanced Mode
The COM-2(PC)F supports Compatible mode and Enhanced mode.
In Compatible mode, the board channels operate as standard PC
serial ports. In Enhanced mode, the board operates under
CONTEC's proprietary control procedures. Give full
consideration to the features of each mode when selecting which
mode to use in your system.
Compatible Mode
The two channels of the COM-2(PC)F can be used as standard PC
serial ports. Channel CN1 of the COM-2(PC)F can be assigned as
COM1 or COM3, and channel CN2 can be assigned as COM2 or
COM4.
In Compatible mode, each channel uses one interrupt level.
Therefore, your PC must have at least two interrupt levels available.
The COM-2(PC)F uses the I/O addresses assigned to the standard
serial ports.
As the COM-2(PC)F channels operate as standard serial ports, the
board can be accessed using either the CONTEC driver software
(purchased separately) or some other driver software that supports
standard serial ports.
Enhanced Mode
The COM-2(PC)F operates under CONTEC's proprietary control
procedures.
In Enhanced mode, a single interrupt level is used to control both
channels. Therefore, the board can be used even if your PC has
only one free interrupt level available. The I/O address used is
specified by CONTEC.
As the board operates under CONTEC's proprietary control
procedures, you must use the CONTEC driver software (purchased
separately) or develop your own driver software. Programming
for Enhanced mode is different to programming for Compatible
mode.