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National Instruments Corporation 1-1 PC-DIO-24/PnP U ser Manual
Chapter
1
Introduction
This chapter describes the PC-DIO-24/PnP, lists what you need to get
started, describes software programming choices, optional equipment,
and custom cables, and explains how to unpack the PC-DIO-24/PnP.

About the PC-DIO-24/PnP

Thank you for purchasing the National Instruments PC-DIO-24/PnP.
The PC-DIO-24/PnP is a low cost, 24-bit, parallel digital I/O interface
for ISA computers. An OKI 82C55A programmable peripheral
interface (PPI) chip controls the 24bits of digital I/O. The 82C55A chip
is very flexible and powerful when interfacing with peripheral
equipment, can operate in either a unidirectional or bidirectional bus
mode, and can generate interrupt requests to the host computer. You can
program the 82C55A chip for numerous 8-bit, 16-bit, or 24-bit digital
I/O applications. All digital I/O communication is through a standard
50-pin male connector. The pin assignments for this connector are
compatible with standard 24-channel digital I/O applications.
PnP refers to the Plug and Play technology used in this board. See the
definition in the Glossary for an explanation. If you have the non-PnP
version of the PC-DIO-24/PnP, see Appendix D, Using Your
PC-DIO-24 (Non-PnP) Board, for the differences between the PnP
version and the non-PnP version.
You can use the PC-DIO-24/PnP in a wide range of digital I/O
applications. With the PC-DIO-24/PnP, you can use your PC as a digital
I/O system controller for laboratory testing, production testing, and
industrial process monitoring and control.
Detailed specifications of the PC-DIO-24/PnP are in Appendix A,
Specifications.