Information furnished by Data Translation, Inc. is believed to be
accurate and reliable; however, no responsibility is assumed by
Data Translation, Inc. for its use; nor for any infringements of
patents or other rights of third parties which may result from its
use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any
patent rights of Data Translation, Inc.
Use, duplication, or disclosure by the United States Government
is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of
the Rights in Technical Data and Computer software clause at 48
C.F.R, 252.227-7013, or in subparagraph (c)(2) of the Commercial
Computer Software - Registered Rights clause at 48 C.F.R.,
52-227-19 as applicable. Data Translation, Inc., 100 Locke Drive,
Marlboro, MA 01752.
Data Translation® is a registered trademark of Data Translation,
Inc. QuickDAQ™, DT-Open Layers
Class Library
TM
, DataAcq SDKTM, and LV-LinkTM are trademarks
TM
, DT-Open Layers for .NET
of Data Translation, Inc.
All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
Radio and Television Interference
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with CISPR EN55022 Class A and
EN61000-6-1 requirements and also with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to
Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful
interference, in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own
expense.
Changes or modifications to this equipment not expressly approved by Data Translation could
void your authority to operate the equipment under Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Note: This product was verified to meet FCC requirements under test conditions that
included use of shielded cables and connectors between system components. It is important
that you use shielded cables and connectors to reduce the possibility of causing interference
to radio, television, and other electronic devices.
FCC
Page
Canadian Department of Communications Statement
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emissions from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of
Communications.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de la class A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le
brouillage radioélectrique édicté par le Ministère des Communications du Canada.
The first part of this manual describes how to install and set up your DT9838 module and
device driver, and verify that your module is working properly.
The second part of this manual describes the features of the DT9838 module, the capabilities of
the DT9838 Device Driver, and how to program the DT9838 module using DT-Open Layers for
.NET Class Library™ software. Troubleshooting information is also provided.
Notes: For more information on the class library, refer to the DT-Open Layers for .NET Class
Library User’s Manual. If you are using the DataAcq SDK or a software application to program
your device, refer to the documentation for that software for more information.
Intended Audience
This document is intended for engineers, scientists, technicians, or others responsible for
installing, setting up, using, and/or programming DT9838 modules for data acquisition
operations.
About this Manual
It is assumed that you are familiar with the requirements of your application. It is also
assumed that you have some familiarity with data acquisition principles, that you understand
your application, and that you are familiar with the Microsoft
or Windows 8 operating system.
How this Manual is Organized
This manual is organized as follows:
• Chapter 1, “Overview,” describes the major features of the DT9838 module, as well as the
supported software and accessories for the modules.
• Chapter 2, “Setting Up and Installing the Module,” describes how to apply power to the
module, how to attach the module to your computer, and how to configure the device
driver.
• Chapter 3, “Wiring Signals,” describes how to wire signals to the DT9838 module.
• Chapter 4, “Verifying the Operation of a Module,” describes how to verify the operation
of the module with the QuickDAQ application.
• Chapter 5, “Principles of Operation,” describes all of the features of the module and how
to use them in your application.
• Chapter 6, “Supported Device Driver Capabilities,” lists the data acquisition subsystems
and the associated features accessible using the DT9838 Device Driver.
®
Windows Vista®, Windows 7,
• Chapter 7, “Troubleshooting,” provides information that you can use to resolve problems
with the module and device driver, should they occur.
11
About this Manual
Conventions Used in this Manual
• Chapter 8, “Calibration,” describes how to calibrate the analog I/O circuitry of the
module.
• Appendix A, “Specifications,” lists the specifications of the DT9838 module.
• Appendix B, “Connector Pin Assignments,” shows the pin assignments of the connectors
on the DT9838 module.
• An index completes this manual.
The following conventions are used in this manual:
• Notes provide useful information that requires special emphasis, cautions provide
information to help you avoid losing data or damaging your equipment, and warnings
provide information to help you avoid catastrophic damage to yourself or your
equipment.
• Items that you select or type are shown in bold.
• Courierfont is used to represent source code.
Related Information
Refer to the following documents for more information on using the DT9838 module:
• Benefits of the Universal Serial Bus for Data Acquisition. This white paper describes why USB
is an attractive alternative for data acquisition. It is available on the Data Translation®
web site (www.datatranslation.com).
• QuickDAQ User’s Manual (UM-24774). This manual describes how to create a QuickDAQ
application to acquire and analyze data from DT-Open Layers data acquisition devices.
• DT-Open Layers for .NET User’s Manual (UM-22161). For programmers who are developing
their own application programs using Visual C# or Visual Basic .NET, this manual
describes how to use the DT-Open Layers for .NET Class Library to access the capabilities
of Data Translation data acquisition devices.
• DataAcq SDK User’s Manual (UM-18326). For programmers who are developing their own
application programs using the Microsoft C compiler, this manual describes how to use
the DT-Open Layers
acquisition devices. This manual is included on the Data Acquisition OMNI CD.
• LV-Link Online Help. This help file describes how to use LV-Link™ with the LabVIEW™
graphical programming language to access the capabilities of Data Translation data
acquisition devices.
• DAQ Adaptor for MATLAB (UM-22024). This document describes how to use Data
Translation’s DAQ Adaptor to provide an interface between the MATLAB Data
Acquisition subsystem from The MathWorks and Data Translation’s DT-Open Layers
architecture.
TM
DataAcq SDKTM to access the capabilities of Data Translation data
12
• Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 documentation.
• USB web site (http://www.usb.org).
Where To Get Help
Should you run into problems installing or using a DT9838 module, our Technical Support
Department is available to provide technical assistance. Refer to Chapter 7 starting on page
131 for information on how to contact the Technical Support Department. If you are outside
the U.S. or Canada, call your local distributor, whose number is listed on Data Translation’s
web site (www.datatranslation.com).
The DT9838 module, shown in Figure 1, is a USB strain gage measurement device intended for
full-, half, and quarter-bridge strain gage elements and bridge-based sensor assemblies such
as load cells, torque sensors, and pressure sensors, as well as general-purpose voltage
measurements. It is compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 ports.
Figure 1: DT9838 Module
The key hardware features of the DT9838 are as follows:
• Simultaneous measurement of four 24-bit analog input channels and one tachometer in
the analog input stream
• Direct full-bridge and half-bridge support with half-bridge completion
• Quarter-bridge support with external bridge-completion resistor
• Load cell support
• Non-bridged voltage input configuration
• Programmable input and bridge configuration
• Internal bridge excitation of 0 to 10 V in 167 μV steps
• Programmable 100 kΩ ±0.1% shunt resistor per channel
• TEDS (IEEE 1451.4) sensor compatible
• Software calibration of the bridge offset and gain
• Sampling frequency from 195.3125 Hz to 52.734 kHz
16
• Input range of ±250 mV
• Continuously paced analog input operations
• Software-programmable trigger type (software, external digital trigger, or variable digital
threshold trigger) to start analog input operations
• Sync Bus (RJ45) connector for synchronizing acquisition on up to four DT9838 modules
• LEDs for monitoring the arm/trigger state and USB status
Note: A board-level version of this module (without the enclosure) is also available for OEM
applications.
Overview
17
Chapter 1
Supported Software
The following software is available for use with the DT9838 module and is included on the
Data Acquisition OMNI CD:
• DT9838 Device Driver – The DT9838 Device Driver allows you to use a DT9838 module
with any of the supported software packages or utilities.
• QuickDAQ Base Version – The base version of QuickDAQ is free-of-charge and allows
you to acquire and analyze data from all Data Translation USB and Ethernet devices,
except the DT9841 Series, DT9817, DT9835, and DT9853/54. Using the base version of
QuickDAQ, you can perform the following functions:
− Discover and select your devices.
− Configure all input channel settings for the attached sensors.
− Load/save multiple hardware configurations.
− Generate output stimuli (fixed waveforms, swept sine waves, or noise signals).
− On each supported data acquisition device, acquire data from all channels supported
in the input channel list.
− Choose to acquire data continuously or for a specified duration.
− Choose software or triggered acquisition.
− Log acquired data to disk in an .hpf file.
− Display acquired data during acquisition in either a digital display using the Channel
Display window or as a waveform in the Channel Plot window.
− Choose linear or logarithmic scaling for the horizontal and vertical axes.
− View statistics about the acquired data, including the minimum, maximum, and mean
values and the standard deviation in the Statistics window.
− Export time data to a .csv or .txt file; you can open the recorded data in Microsoft
Excel® for further analysis.
− Read a previously recorded .hpf data file.
− Customize many aspects of the acquisition, display, and recording functions to suit
your needs, including the acquisition duration, sampling frequency, trigger settings,
filter type, and temperature units to use.
• QuickDAQ FFT Analysis Option – When enabled with a purchased license key, the
QuickDAQ FFT Analysis option includes all the features of the QuickDAQ Base version
plus basic FFT analysis features, including the following:
− The ability to switch between the Data Logger time-based interface and the FFT
Analyzer block/average-based interface.
18
− Supports software, freerun, or triggered acquisition with accept and reject controls for
impact testing applications.
− Allows you to perform single-channel FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) operations,
including AutoSpectrum, Spectrum, and Power Spectral Density, on the acquired
analog input data. You can configure a number of parameters for the FFT, including
the FFT size, windowing type, averaging type, integration type, and so on.
− Allows you to display frequency-domain data as amplitude or phase.
− Supports dB or linear scaling with RMS (root mean squared), peak, and peak-to-peak
scaling options
− Supports linear or exponential averaging with RMS, vector, and peak hold averaging
options.
− Supports windowed time channels.
− Supports the following response window types: Hanning, Hamming, Bartlett,
Blackman, Blackman Harris, and Flat top.
− Supports the ability to lock the waveform output to the analysis frame time.
− Allows you to configure and view dynamic performance statistics, including the input
below full-scale (IBF), total harmonic distortion (THD), spurious free dynamic range
(SFDR), signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SINAD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and
the effective number of bits (ENOB), for selected time-domain channels in the Statistics
window.
− Supports digital IIR (infinite impulse response) filters.
• QuickDAQ Advanced FFT Analysis Option – When enabled with a purchased software
license, the QuickDAQ Advanced FFT Analysis option includes all the features of the
QuickDAQ Base version with the FFT Analysis option plus advanced FFT analysis
features, including the following:
Overview
− Allows you to designate a channel as a Reference or Response channel.
− Allows you to perform two-channel FFT analysis functions, including Frequency
Response Functions (Inertance, Mobility, Compliance, Apparent Mass, Impedance,
Dynamic Stiffness, or custom FRF) with H1, H2, or H3 estimator types,
Cross-Spectrum, Cross Power Spectral Density, Coherence, and Coherent Output
Power.
− Supports the Exponential response window type.
− Supports the following reference window types: Hanning, Hamming, Bartlett,
Blackman, Blackman Harris, FlatTop, Exponential, Force, and Cosine Taper windows.
− Supports real, imaginary, and Nyquist display functions.
− Allows you to save data in the .uff file format.
• DT-Open Layers for .NET Class Library – Use this class library if you want to use Visual
C# or Visual Basic for .NET to develop your own application software for a DT9838
module using Visual Studio 2003 to 2012; the class library complies with the DT-Open
Layers standard.
• DataAcq SDK – Use the Data Acq SDK if you want to use Visual Studio 6.0 and Microsoft
C or C++ to develop your own application software for a DT9838 module using Windows
Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8; the DataAcq SDK complies with the DT-Open Layers
standard.
• DAQ Adaptor for MATLAB – Data Translation’s DAQ Adaptor provides an interface
between the MATLAB Data Acquisition (DAQ) subsystem from The MathWorks and Data
Translation’s DT-Open Layers architecture.
19
Chapter 1
• LV-Link – A link to LV-Link is included on the Data Acquisition OMNI CD. Use LV-Link if
you want to use the LabVIEW graphical programming language to access the capabilities
of the DT9838 module.
Refer to the Data Translation web site (www.datatranslation.com) for information about
selecting the right software package for your needs.
20
Supported Accessories
The following accessories are available for the DT9838 module:
• STP STRAIN General-Purpose Accessory – This accessory contains four
general-purpose screw terminal panels. Use one screw terminal panel for each channel.
Overview
Figure 2: STP STRAIN General-Purpose Accessory
• STP STRAIN 120 Quarter-Bridge Completion Accessory – This accessory contains four
screw terminal panels with a 120 Ω quarter-bridge completion resistor installed on each
screw terminal panel. Use one screw terminal panel for each channel.
• STP STRAIN 350 Quarter-Bridge Completion Accessory – This accessory contains four
screw terminal panels with a 350 Ω quarter-bridge completion resistor installed on each
screw terminal panel. Use one screw terminal panel for each channel.
• EP398 RJ50 cables – The EP398 accessory contains four RJ50 cables that are used to
connect four STP STRAIN, STP STRAIN 120, or STP STRAIN 350 screw terminal panels to
the DT9838 module. Figure 5 shows an RJ50 cable.
Figure 5: RJ50 Cable
22
• EP394 +5 V external power supply – Use this optional power supply, shown in Figure 6, if
you want to use an external +5 V power supply to power the DT9838 module. Refer to
page 31 for information on using internal USB power or external +5 V power to power the
DT9838 module.
Figure 6: EP394 External +5 V Power Supply
Overview
• EP386 panel – The EP386 panel, shown in Figure 7, contains four RJ45 connectors that are
wired in parallel, making it useful when attaching up to four DT9838 modules together
using the Sync Bus. Refer to page 114 for more information on using this panel.
Figure 7: EP386 Panel
23
Chapter 1
Set Up and Install the Module
(see Chapter 2 starting on page 27)
Wire Signals
(see Chapter 3 starting on page 37)
Verify the Operation of the Module
(see Chapter 4 starting on page 73)
Getting Started Procedure
The flow diagram shown in Figure 8 illustrates the steps needed to get started using the
DT9838 module. This diagram is repeated in each Getting Started chapter; the shaded area in
the diagram shows you where you are in the procedure.
Note: The DT9838 module is factory-calibrated. If you decide that you want to recalibrate
the analog input circuitry, refer to the instructions on Chapter 8.
28
Unpacking
Open the shipping box and verify that the following items are present:
• DT9838 module
• Data Acquisition OMNI CD
If an item is missing or damaged, contact Data Translation. If you are in the United States, call
the Customer Service Department at (508) 481-3700, ext. 1323. An application engineer will
guide you through the appropriate steps for replacing missing or damaged items. If you are
located outside the United States, call your local distributor, listed on Data Translation’s web
site (www.datatranslation.com).
Setting Up and Installing the Module
29
Chapter 2
System Requirements
For reliable operation, ensure that your computer meets the following system requirements:
• Processor: Pentium 4/M or equivalent
•RAM: 1 GB
• Screen Resolution: 1024 x 768 pixels
• Operating System: Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit)
• Disk Space: 4 GB
30
Setting Up and Installing the Module
(Optional) Applying Power to the Module
The DT9838 is designed to operate from USB power alone. However, the number of channels
that it can power is limited by the USB port power capability, the programmed excitation
voltage, and the bridge resistance. To enhance the bridge drive capability, you can purchase
the optional +5 V power supply (model number EP394) available from Data Translation or use
an external +5 to +24 VDC power supply to power the DT9838 module.
Tabl e 1 shows the number of channels that are supported when the module is powered with
USB power or external power, given different bridge configurations and excitation voltages.
Table 1: Number of Channels Supported when Module is Powered with USB Power or External Power
USB Power Supplied5 V to 24 V External Power Supplied
Bridge ResistanceBridge Resistance
Bridge
Configuration
Full Bridge2.5 V3 channels4 channels4 channels4 channels4 channels4 channels