Keithley DAS-800 series User Manual

DAS-800 Series

User’s Guide

A GREATER MEASURE OF CONFIDENCE

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IBM® is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

PC, XT, and AT® are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.

Microsoft® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Turbo C® is a registered trademark of Borland International.

DriverLINX is a registered trademark of Scientific Software Tools, Inc.

All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective companies.

Information furnished by Keithley Instruments is believed to be accurate and reliable.
However, Keithley Instruments assumes no responsibility for the use of such information nor
for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties that may result from its
use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent rights of Keithley

Instruments.

WARNING

Keithley Instruments assumes no responsibility for damages consequent to

the use of this product. This product is not designed with components of a level of

reliability suitable for use in life support or critical applications.

DAS-800 Series

User’s Guide

Revision D - June 2002

Part Number: 86870

WARRANTY

Hardware

Keithley Instruments, Inc. warrants that, for a period of one (1) year from the date of shipment (3 years for Models 2000,
2001, 2002, 2010 and 2700), the Keithley Hardware product will be free from defects in materials or workmanship. This
warranty will be honored provided the defect has not been caused by use of the Keithley Hardware not in accordance with
the instructions for the product. This warranty shall be null and void upon: (1) any modification of Keithley Hardware that
is made by other than Keithley and not approved in writing by Keithley or (2) operation of the Keithley Hardware outside
of the environmental specifications therefore.

Upon receiving notification of a defect in the Keithley Hardware during the warranty period, Keithley will, at its option,
either repair or replace such Keithley Hardware. During the first ninety days of the warranty period, Keithley will, at its
option, supply the necessary on site labor to return the product to the condition prior to the notification of a defect. Failure
to notify Keithley of a defect during the warranty shall relieve Keithley of its obligations and liabilities under this
warranty.

Other Hardware

The portion of the product that is not manufactured by Keithley (Other Hardware) shall not be covered by this warranty,
and Keithley shall have no duty of obligation to enforce any manufacturers' warranties on behalf of the customer. On those
other manufacturers’ products that Keithley purchases for resale, Keithley shall have no duty of obligation to enforce any
manufacturers’ warranties on behalf of the customer.

Software

Keithley warrants that for a period of one (1) year from date of shipment, the Keithley produced portion of the software or
firmware (Keithley Software) will conform in all material respects with the published specifications provided such Keithley
Software is used on the product for which it is intended and otherwise in accordance with the instructions therefore.
Keithley does not warrant that operation of the Keithley Software will be uninterrupted or error-free and/or that the Keithley
Software will be adequate for the customer's intended application and/or use. This warranty shall be null and void upon any
modification of the Keithley Software that is made by other than Keithley and not approved in writing by Keithley.

If Keithley receives notification of a Keithley Software nonconformity that is covered by this warranty during the warranty
period, Keithley will review the conditions described in such notice. Such notice must state the published specification(s)
to which the Keithley Software fails to conform and the manner in which the Keithley Software fails to conform to such
published specification(s) with sufficient specificity to permit Keithley to correct such nonconformity. If Keithley deter­mines that the Keithley Software does not conform with the published specifications, Keithley will, at its option, provide
either the programming services necessary to correct such nonconformity or develop a program change to bypass such
nonconformity in the Keithley Software. Failure to notify Keithley of a nonconformity during the warranty shall relieve
Keithley of its obligations and liabilities under this warranty.

Other Software

OEM software that is not produced by Keithley (Other Software) shall not be covered by this warranty, and Keithley shall
have no duty or obligation to enforce any OEM's warranties on behalf of the customer.

Other Items

Keithley warrants the following items for 90 days from the date of shipment: probes, cables, rechargeable batteries, diskettes,
and documentation.

Items not Covered under Warranty

This warranty does not apply to fuses, non-rechargeable batteries, damage from battery leakage, or problems arising from
normal wear or failure to follow instructions.

Limitation of Warranty

This warranty does not apply to defects resulting from product modification made by Purchaser without Keithley's express
written consent, or by misuse of any product or part.

Disclaimer of Warranties

EXCEPT FOR THE EXPRESS WARRANTIES ABOVE KEITHLEY DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT­ABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. KEITHLEY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH
RESPECT TO THE OTHER HARDWARE AND OTHER SOFTWARE.

Limitation of Liability

KEITHLEY INSTRUMENTS SHALL IN NO EVENT, REGARDLESS OF CAUSE, ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR
OR BE LIABLE FOR: (1) ECONOMICAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR
EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, WHETHER CLAIMED UNDER CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY,
(2) LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO THE CUSTOMER'S DATA OR PROGRAMMING, OR (3) PENALTIES OR PENALTY
CLAUSES OF ANY DESCRIPTION OR INDEMNIFICATION OF THE CUSTOMER OR OTHERS FOR COSTS, DAM­AGES, OR EXPENSES RELATED TO THE GOODS OR SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THIS WARRANTY.

Keithley Instruments, Inc.

Sales Offices: BELGIUM: Bergensesteenweg 709 • B-1600 Sint-Pieters-Leeuw • 02-363 00 40 • Fax: [phone]

CHINA: Yuan Chen Xin Building, Room 705 • 12 Yumin Road, Dewai, Madian • Beijing 100029 • 8610-6202-2886 • Fax: [phone]
FINLAND: Tietäjäntie 2 • 02130 Espoo • Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
FRANCE: 3, allée des Garays • 91127 Palaiseau Cédex • 01-64 53 20 20 • Fax: [phone]
GERMANY: Landsberger Strasse 65 • 82110 Germering • 089/84 93 07-40 • Fax: [phone]
GREAT BRITAIN: Unit 2 Commerce Park, Brunel Road • Theale • Berkshire RG7 4AB • 0118 929 7500 • Fax: [phone]
INDIA: Flat 2B, Willocrissa • 14, Rest House Crescent • Bangalore 560 001 • 91-80-509-1320/21 • Fax: [phone]
ITALY: Viale San Gimignano, 38 • 20146 Milano • 02-48 39 16 01 • Fax: [phone]
JAPAN: New Pier Takeshiba North Tower 13F • 11-1, Kaigan 1-chome • Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0022 • 81-3-5733-7555 • Fax: [phone]
KOREA: 2FL., URI Building • 2-14 Yangjae-Dong • Seocho-Gu, Seoul 137-888 • 82-2-574-7778 • Fax: [phone]
NETHERLANDS: Postbus 559 • 4200 AN Gorinchem • 0183-635333 • Fax: [phone]
SWEDEN: c/o Regus Business Centre • Frosundaviks Allé 15, 4tr • 169 70 Solna • 08-509 04 679 • Fax: [phone]
SWITZERLAND: Kriesbachstrasse 4 • 8600 Dübendorf • 01-821 94 44 • Fax: [phone]
TAIWAN: 1FL., 85 Po Ai Street • Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C. • 886-3-572-9077• Fax: [phone]

28775 Aurora Road • Cleveland, Ohio 44139 • 440-248-0400 • Fax: [phone]

1-888-KEITHLEY (534-8453) • www.keithley.com

4/02

S

The following safety precautions should be observed before using this product and any associated instrumentation.
Although some instruments and accessories would normally be used with non-hazardous voltages, there are situations
where hazardous conditions may be present.

This product is intended for use by qualified personnel who recognize shock hazards and are familiar with the safety
precautions required to avoid possible injury. Read and follow all installation, operation, and maintenance information
carefully before using the product. Refer to the manual for complete product specifications.

If the product is used in a manner not specified, the protection provided by the product may be impaired.

The types of product users are:

Responsible body is the individual or group responsible for the use and maintenance of equipment, for ensuring that

the equipment is operated within its specifications and operating limits, and for ensuring that operators are adequately
trained.

Operators use the product for its intended function. They must be trained in electrical safety procedures and proper use

of the instrument. They must be protected from electric shock and contact with hazardous live circuits.

Maintenance personnel perform routine procedures on the product to keep it operating properly, for example, setting

the line voltage or replacing consumable materials. Maintenance procedures are described in the manual. The proce­dures explicitly state if the operator may perform them. Otherwise, they should be performed only by service personnel.

Service personnel are trained to work on live circuits, and perform safe installations and repairs of products. Only

properly trained service personnel may perform installation and service procedures.

Keithley products are designed for use with electrical signals that are rated Installation Category I and Installation
Category II, as described in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard IEC 60664. Most mea­surement, control, and data I/O signals are Installation Category I and must not be directly connected to mains voltage
or to voltage sources with high transient over-voltages. Installation Category II connections require protection for high
transient over-voltages often associated with local AC mains connections. Assume all measurement, control, and data
I/O connections are for connection to Category I sources unless otherwise marked or described in the Manual.

Exercise extreme caution when a shock hazard is present. Lethal voltage may be present on cable connector jacks or
test fixtures. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) states that a shock hazard exists when voltage levels
greater than 30V RMS, 42.4V peak, or 60VDC are present.

age is present in any unknown circuit before measuring.

Operators of this product must be protected from electric shock at all times. The responsible body must ensure that
operators are prevented access and/or insulated from every connection point. In some cases, connections must be ex­posed to potential human contact. Product operators in these circumstances must be trained to protect themselves from
the risk of electric shock. If the circuit is capable of operating at or above 1000 volts,

may be exposed.

Do not connect switching cards directly to unlimited power circuits. They are intended to be used with impedance
limited sources. NEVER connect switching cards directly to AC mains. When connecting sources to switching cards,
install protective devices to limit fault current and voltage to the card.

Before operating an instrument, make sure the line cord is connected to a properly grounded power receptacle. Inspect
the connecting cables, test leads, and jumpers for possible wear, cracks, or breaks before each use.

afety Precautions

A good safety practice is to expect that hazardous volt-

no conductive part of the circuit

5/02

When installing equipment where access to the main power cord is restricted, such as rack mounting, a separate main
input power disconnect device must be provided, in close proximity to the equipment and within easy reach of the
operator.

For maximum safety, do not touch the product, test cables, or any other instruments while power is applied to the cir­cuit under test. ALWAYS remove power from the entire test system and discharge any capacitors before: connecting
or disconnecting cables or jumpers, installing or removing switching cards, or making internal changes, such as in­stalling or removing jumpers.

Do not touch any object that could provide a current path to the common side of the circuit under test or power line (earth)
ground. Always make measurements with dry hands while standing on a dry, insulated surface capable of withstanding the
voltage being measured.

The instrument and accessories must be used in accordance with its specifications and operating instructions or the
safety of the equipment may be impaired.

Do not exceed the maximum signal levels of the instruments and accessories, as defined in the specifications and op­erating information, and as shown on the instrument or test fixture panels, or switching card.

When fuses are used in a product, replace with same type and rating for continued protection against fire hazard.

Chassis connections must only be used as shield connections for measuring circuits, NOT as safety earth ground con­nections.

If you are using a test fixture, keep the lid closed while power is applied to the device under test. Safe operation re­quires the use of a lid interlock.

If or is present, connect it to safety earth ground using the wire recommended in the user documentation.

!

The symbol on an instrument indicates that the user should refer to the operating instructions located in the manual.

The symbol on an instrument shows that it can source or measure 1000 volts or more, including the combined
effect of normal and common mode voltages. Use standard safety precautions to avoid personal contact with these
voltages.

The

WARNING

associated information very carefully before performing the indicated procedure.

The

CAUTION

the warranty.

Instrumentation and accessories shall not be connected to humans.

Before performing any maintenance, disconnect the line cord and all test cables.

To maintain protection from electric shock and fire, replacement components in mains circuits, including the power
transformer, test leads, and input jacks, must be purchased from Keithley Instruments. Standard fuses, with applicable
national safety approvals, may be used if the rating and type are the same. Other components that are not safety related
may be purchased from other suppliers as long as they are equivalent to the original component. (Note that selected parts
should be purchased only through Keithley Instruments to maintain accuracy and functionality of the product.) If you
are unsure about the applicability of a replacement component, call a Keithley Instruments office for information.

To clean an instrument, use a damp cloth or mild, water based cleaner. Clean the exterior of the instrument only. Do
not apply cleaner directly to the instrument or allow liquids to enter or spill on the instrument. Products that consist
of a circuit board with no case or chassis (e.g., data acquisition board for installation into a computer) should never
require cleaning if handled according to instructions. If the board becomes contaminated and operation is affected,
the board should be returned to the factory for proper cleaning/servicing.

heading in a manual explains dangers that might result in personal injury or death. Always read the

heading in a manual explains hazards that could damage the instrument. Such damage may invalidate

Table of Contents

Preface

1

Overview

Supporting Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2

Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-4

Functional Description

2

Analog Input Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2

Channel Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Input Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3

Gains and Ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4

Channel Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5

Channel Expansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7

Conversion Clock Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8

Triggers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-12

Hardware Gates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14

Data Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-16

Digital I/O Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-17

8254 Counter/Timer Circuitry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-17

Interrupts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-26

Setup and Installation

3

Installing and Configuring DriverLINX for DAS-800

Series Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4

Installing the DAS-800 Series Standard

Software Package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5

Installing DriverLINX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6

Configuration with DriverLINX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7

Unpacking the Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

Configuring the Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-9

Setting the Base Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-10

Setting the Input Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-13

Setting the Interrupt Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-14

Installing the Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-16

i

Cabling and Wiring

4

Attaching Accessory and Expansion Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1

Attaching an STC-37 Screw Terminal Connector. . . . . . . . . 4-3

Attaching an STA-08 / STA-08PGA

Screw Terminal Accessory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Attaching an EXP-16 or EXP-16/A Expansion Board . . . . . 4-5

Attaching an EXP-GP Expansion Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6

Attaching an MB Series Backplane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Connecting Multiple Expansion Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Connecting Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9

Connecting an Analog Input Signal to a Single-Ended Input 4-9
Connecting an Analog Input Signal to a Differential Input .4-10

Connecting Digital Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-12

Connecting Counter/Timer I/O Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-12

Synchronizing Conversions on Multiple Boards . . . . . . . . . 4-13

5

DriverLINX Analog I/O Panel

Test Panel Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

6

Calibration

Equipment Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-1

Potentiometers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-2

Calibration Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-4

7

Troubleshooting

Problem Isolation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

Troubleshooting Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4

Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7

Specifications

A

Connector Pin Assignments

B

List of Figures

Figure 2-1 DAS-800 Series Functional Block Diagram . . . . .2-2

Figure 2-2 Channel Expansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7

Figure 2-3 Initiating Conversions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10

Figure 2-4 Initiating Conversions with a Hardware Trigger 2-13

Figure 2-5 Hardware Gate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15

ii

Figure 2-6 Pulse on Terminal Count Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-19

Figure 2-7 Programmable One-Shot Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-20

Figure 2-8 Rate Generator Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21

Figure 2-9 Square-Wave Generator Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22

Figure 2-10 Software-Triggered Strobe Mode . . . . . . . . . . . .2-23

Figure 2-11 Hardware-Triggered Strobe Mode. . . . . . . . . . . .2-24

Figure 3-1 DAS-800 Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Figure 3-2 DAS-801/802 Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3

Figure 3-3 Setting the Base Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11

Figure 3-4 Setting the Input Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14

Figure 3-5 Setting the Interrupt Level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15

Figure 4-1 Main I/O Connector on a DAS-800 Board . . . . . . 4-2

Figure 4-2 Main I/O Connector on a DAS-801

or DAS-802 Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3

Figure 4-3 Attaching an STC-37 Screw Terminal Connector.4-4
Figure 4-4 Attaching an STA-08 / STA-08PGA

Screw Terminal Accessory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Figure 4-5 Attaching an EXP-16 or EXP-16/A

Expansion Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

Figure 4-6 Attaching an EXP-GP Expansion Board. . . . . . . .4-7

Figure 4-7 Connecting Multiple Expansion Boards . . . . . . . .4-8

Figure 4-8 Single-Ended Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-10

Figure 4-9 Differential Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11

Figure 4-10 Synchronizing Conversions on Multiple Boards.4-13

Figure 4-11 Dividing the Rate of the Master Clock . . . . . . . .4-14

Figure 6-1 Potentiometers (DAS-800) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-3

Figure 6-2 Potentiometers (DAS-801 / DAS-802) . . . . . . . . .6-3

Figure B-1 Main I/O Connector (DAS-800) . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2

Figure B-2 Main I/O Connector (DAS-801 / DAS-802) . . . . B-5

iii

List of Tables

Table 2-1 Supported Gains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4

Table 2-2 Sources for 8254 Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . .2-25

Table 2-3 Expansion Board / Backplane Power

Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-27

Table 3-1 I/O Address Map (000H to 3FFH) . . . . . . . . . . .3-11

Table 3-2 Interrupt Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15

Table 7-1 Troubleshooting Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-4

Table A-1 DAS-800, DAS-801, and

DAS-802 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-9

Table B-1 Main I/O Connector Pin Assignments

for the DAS-800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3

Table B-2 Main I/O Connector Pin Assignments

for the DAS-801 / DAS-802 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-6

iv

Preface

The

DAS-800 Series User’s Guide

up, install, and use DAS-800 Series boards.

The manual is intended for data acquisition system designers, engineers,
technicians, scientists, and other users responsible for setting up, cabling,
and wiring signals to DAS-800 Series boards. It is assumed that users are
familiar with data acquisition principles and with their
particular application.

The

DAS-800 Series User’s Guide

●

Chapter 1 provides an overview of the features of DAS-800 Series
boards, including a description of supported software and accessories.

●

Chapter 2 provides a more detailed description of the analog input,
digital I/O, and counter/timer I/O features of DAS-800 Series boards.

Chapter 3 describes how to unpack, configure, and install DAS-800

●

Series boards.

provides the information needed to set

is organized as follows:

●

Chapter 4 describes how to attach accessory and expansion boards
and how to wire signals to DAS-800 Series boards.

Chapter 5 describes how to use DriverLINX Analog I/O Panel and

●

DriverLINX Test Panel options to test functions of DAS–800
Series boards.

●

Chapter 6 describes how to calibrate DAS-800 Series boards.

●

Chapter 7 provides troubleshooting information.

Appendix A lists the specifications for DAS-800 Series boards.

●

Appendix B lists the connector pin assignments.

●

An index completes this manual.

Throughout the manual, keep the following in mind:

●

References to DAS-800 Series boards apply to the DAS-800,
DAS-801, and DAS-802 boards. When a feature applies to a
particular board, that board’s name is used.

●

References to Microsoft QuickBasic apply to both Microsoft
QuickBASIC (Version 4.0) and Microsoft QuickBasic (Version 4.5).

1

Overview

The DAS–800 Series is a family of high–performance analog and digital
I/O boards with DriverLINX software requiring:

●

an IBM PC or compatible AT (386, or Pentium CPU) with 2 MB
of memory

at least one floppy disk drive, and one fixed disk drive

●

●

MS–DOS/PCDOS 3.1 or higher

Microsoft Windows 95/98 or Windows NT

●

a compiler supporting Microsoft Windows development

●

●

a mouse is highly recommended

The DAS–800 Series includes the DAS–800, DAS–801, and DAS–802
boards. The major features of DAS–800 Series boards are as follows:

Eight analog input channels (single-ended on the DAS-800;

●

single-ended or differential on the DAS-801 and DAS-802).
Fixed ±5 V analog input range for the DAS-800; nine unipolar and

●

bipolar, software-selectable analog input ranges for the DAS-801
and DAS-802.

On-board 8254 counter/timer circuitry, which you can use as a

●

hardware internal clock source and/or for general-purpose
counter/timer I/O operations.

●

Software-selectable conversion clock source.

●

Digital trigger.

1-1

Hardware gate.

●

Four-word FIFO to store converted data; overrun detection logic to

●

detect lost data points.
Software-selectable interrupt source.

●

Three bits of digital input.

●

Four bits of digital output.

●

Note:

DAS-800 boards are enhancements of DAS-8 boards; DAS-801
boards are enhancements of DAS-8 PGA boards; DAS-802 boards are
enhancements of DAS-8 PGA/G2 boards. DriverLINX for DAS-800
Series does not support the older MetraByte DAS-8 Series. Both 16- and
32-bit support for the DAS-8 Series is available under Windows 95 only,
using a previous version of DriverLINX. Refer to the

Installation

and

Hardware—Configuring the DAS-800 Series

Supporting Software

The following software is available for operating DAS-800 Series boards:

DAS-800 Series standard software package -

●

DAS-800 Series boards. Includes DriverLINX for Microsoft
Windo ws and function libraries for writing application programs such
as Microsoft Visual C++; Microsoft Visual Basic; Borland Delphi
utility programs; and language-specific example programs.

●

DriverLINX -

device drivers for Windows application development includes:

DriverLINX

Configuration Guide and Using DriverLINX With Your

manuals.

Shipped with

®

the high-performance real-time data-acquisition

;

D

●

riverLINX API DLLs and drivers supporting the DAS-800

Series hardware
Analog I/O Panel - A DriverLINX program that verifies the

●

installation and configuration of DriverLINX to your
DAS-800 Series board and demonstrates several virtual
bench-top instruments

1-2 Overview

Learn DriverLINX - an interactive learning and demonstration

●

program for DriverLINX that includes a Digital Storage
Oscilloscope

●

Source Code - for the sample programs

●

DriverLINX Application Programming Interface files - for the
DAS-800 Series compiler

●

DriverLINX On-line Help System - provides immediate help as
you operate DriverLINX

Supplemental Documentation - on DriverLINX installation and

●

configuration; analog and digital I/O programming;
counter/timer programming; technical reference; and
information specific to the DAS-800 Series hardware.

●

DAS-800 Series utilities -

The following utilities are provided as part

of both the DAS-800 Series standard software package:

●

DriverLINX Calibration Utility
DriverLINX Test P anel

●

DAS-800 Series register I/O map

●

- If you cannot satisfy your
application’s requirements with the available software packages and
you are an experienced programmer, you may be able to program
your DAS-800 Series board through direct register I/O instructions.
Contact the factory for more information.

Note:

Attempts to combine register-level programing of
counter/timer functions with DriverLINX programming can
produce unexpected results.

1-3

Accessories

The following accessories are available for use with DAS-800
Series boards:

STC-37 screw terminal connector

●

- For all DAS-800 Series boards,
provides 37 screw terminals that allow you to access the functions of
the board; connects directly to the DAS-800 Series board without
a cable.

STA-08 screw terminal accessory

●

- For the DAS-800 board only,
provides screw terminals that allo w you to access the functions of the
board; provides a breadboard area with power and additional screw
terminals to access the user-designed circuitry.

STA-08PGA screw terminal accessory

●

- For the DAS-801 and
DAS-802 boards only, provides screw terminals that allow you to
access the functions of the board; provides a breadboard area with
power and additional screw terminals to access the
user-designed circuitry.

●

EXP-16 and EXP-16/A expansion board

s - Sixteen-channel
multiplexer and signal-conditioning expansion boards; provide cold
junction compensation (CJC) for thermocouples and
switch-selectable gains ranging from 0.5 to 2000.

●

EXP-GP expansion board

- An 8-channel signal-conditioning
expansion board; connects to RTDs, thermistors, strain gages, and
other variable resistance sensors; provides CJC for thermocouples
and switch-selectable gains of 1, 10, 100, and 1000 or 2.5, 25, 250,
and 2500.

●

MB Series modules and backplanes

- MB Series modules are
high-performance, signal-conditioning modules that measure
thermocouple, RTD, strain gage, voltage, and current inputs and are
installed in MB Series backplanes. MB Series backplanes provide
screw terminals for connecting the high-level analog I/O signals.

1-4 Overview

STA-SCM8 screw terminal accessory

●

- Allows you to connect a
DAS-800 Series board to up to four MB-02 backplanes; provides
screw terminals that allow you to access the functions of the board;
provides a breadboard area with power for the user-designed circuitry.

C-1800 cable

●

- Unshielded, 18-inch cable with a 37-pin connector on
each end; allows you to connect a DAS-800 Series board to an
STA-08, STA-08PGA, EXP-16, EXP-16/A, or EXP-GP.

●

S-1800 cable

- Shielded, 18-inch cable with a 37-pin connector on
each end; allows you to connect a DAS-800 Series board to an
STA-08, STA-08PGA, EXP-16, EXP-16/A, or EXP-GP.

C8-MB1 cable

●

- Cable with a 37-pin connector on one end and a
26-pin-connector on the other end; allows you to connect a DAS-800
Series board to an MB-01 or MB-02 backplane.

C-2600 cable

●

- An 18-inch cable with a 26-pin connector at each end;
allows you to connect an STA-SCM8 screw terminal accessory to an
MB-02 backplane.

Refer to the Keithley

Data Acquisition Catalog & Reference Guide

or contact your local sales office for information on obtaining
these accessories.

1-5

2

Functional Description

This chapter describes the following features of DAS-800 Series boards:

● Analog input features

● Digital I/O features

● Counter/timer I/O features

● Interrupts

● Power

A functional block diagram of a DAS-800 Series board is shown in
Figure 2-1.

2-1

Ch 0

Analog In

8 Channels

Ch 7

Digital I/O

IP1/TRIG

IP2
IP3

OP1
OP2
OP3
OP4

+5v

+12v

-12v

COM

Bus power for

Expansion & Interface

MUX

Channel Select

& Scan Logic

I/O

Buffers

Gain

Control

(DAS801/2)

Internal Data Bus

Control

Registers

Status

Registers

12 Bit A/D

with

Sample/Hold

FIFO

Bus Interface

Address

Decode &

Conversion

Control Logic

Interrupt Select

Levels 2-7

(Jumper)

Timer/

Counter

Clk 2

Gate 2

Out 2

Clk 1

Gate 1

Out 1

Clk 0

Gate 0

Out 0

Interrupt
Control

Clock Generate
& Control Logic

Clk 1
Gate 1

Gate 2
Out 1/CCLK

Out 2

Gate 0

Clk 0

Out 0

INT_IN/XCLK

IBM PC XT/AT Bus

Figure 2-1. DAS-800 Series Functional Block Diagram

Analog Input Features

DAS-800 Series boards use a 12-bit, successive approximation
analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with integral sample and hold. The
ADC provides 12-bit resolution ±1 least significant bit (LSB), providing
an effective accuracy of 11 bits. The ADC converts one sample every
25 µs, providing a maximum conversion frequency of 40 kHz.

2-2 Functional Description

Channel Configuration

DAS-800 Series boards contain eight on-board analog input channels.
The following subsections describe the input configurations supported for
each channel, the gains and input ranges supported for each channel, and
the methods of specifying a channel or channels for an analog
input operation.

Input Configuration

On the DAS-801 and DAS-802, you can configure each channel as either
single-ended or differential. The differences between a single-ended and a
differential input configuration are described as follows:

● Single-ended - A single-ended input configuration is appropriate if

you are measuring relatively high-level signals (greater than 1 V), if
the source of the input signal is close to the board (less than two feet),
or if all input signals are referred to a common ground. This
configuration does not provide common-mode noise rejection.

● Differential - A differential input configuration is appropriate if you

are measuring low-level signals, if high source resistances (greater
than 100 Ω) exist, or if common-mode voltages exist between the
voltage source and the host’s chassis ground. In a differential
configuration, a separate positive and negative terminal is provided
for each channel. Any common-mode noise that is picked up equally
on both inputs is rejected because the difference is zero.

You specify the input configuration by setting switches on the board. The
switches connect or disconnect the inverting side of the input signal to
low-level ground. Refer to page 3-13 for information on setting
the switches.

Notes: On the DAS-800, the channels are always configured as

single-ended; all signals are referred to a single low-level ground.

If you are using EXP-16, EXP-16/A, or EXP-GP expansion boards or
MB-02 backplanes, you must configure the on-board analog input
channels associated with the expansion boards or backplanes as
single-ended.

2-3

Gains and Ranges

A DAS-800 board measures analog input signals in the range of ±5 V.

Each DAS-801 or DAS-802 board contains a programmable gain
amplifier (PGA), which allows you to measure analog input signals in one
of several software-selectable unipolar and bipolar ranges. For each
channel on a DAS-801 or DAS-802 board, you can specify one of five
bipolar and four unipolar analog input ranges.

Table 2-1 lists the gains supported by DAS-800 Series boards and the
analog input voltage range for each gain.

Table 2-1. Supported Gains

Range

Board Gain

DAS-800 1 ±5 V Not available

DAS-801 0.5 ±10 V Not available

1 ±5 V 0 to 10 V

10 ±500 mV 0 to 1 V

100 ±50 mV 0 to 100 mV

500 ±10 mV 0 to 20 mV

DAS-802 0.5 ±10 V Not available

1 ±5 V 0 to 10 V

2 ±2.5 V 0 to 5 V

4 ±1.25 V 0 to 2.5 V

8 ±625 mV 0 to 1.25 V

Bipolar Unipolar

2-4 Functional Description

Note: Analog input channels on DAS-800 Series boards are provided

with protection against signals outside the specified analog input range.
All DAS-800 Series boards can tolerate voltages up to ±35 V and
transients of several hundred volts without damaging the board.

When measuring signals at differential inputs, DAS-801 and DAS-802
boards can tolerate common-mode voltages up to ±35 V and transients of
several hundred volts without damaging the board; however, for normal
operation of the board, make sure that the common-mode voltage is no
more than 12 V − ((G / 2) x VD), where G is the gain and VD is the
differential input voltage.

Channel Selection

You can use DAS-800 Series boards to acquire data from a single analog
input channel or from a range of contiguous, on-board analog input
channels using automatic channel scanning. These two methods of
channel selection are described as follows:

● Single channel - You use software to specify a single channel and

initiate a conversion.

● Automatic channel scanning - You use software to specify the first

and last channels in a range of contiguous, on-board channels (0 to 7).
The channels are sampled in order from first to last; the hardware
automatically increments the analog input multiplexer address shortly
after the start of each conversion. When the last address is reached,
the multiplexer returns to the start address and the channels are
sampled again. For example, assume that the start channel is 4, the
stop channel is 7, and you want to acquire five samples. Your program
reads data first from channel 4, then from channels 5, 6, and 7, and
finally from channel 4 again.

The start channel can be higher than the stop channel. For example,
assume that the start channel is 7, the stop channel is 2, and you want
to acquire five samples. Your program reads data first from channel 7,
then from channels 0, 1, and 2, and finally from channel 7 again.

When using automatic channel scanning, all contiguous, on-board
channels must have the same gain (analog input range).

2-5

Note: DriverLINX allows you to acquire data from a range of

multiple channels that includes channels on expansion boards or MB
Series backplanes. The Expansion Board Configuration for Keithley
DAS-800 Series dialog in DriverLINX of the Special selection of the
Device Subsystem Page allows you to record the settings of your
analog input multiplexers and enable the expansion channels. Refer to
Keithley DAS-800 Series—Using DriverLINX with Your Hardware
manual that accompanies DriverLINX.

Automatic channel scanning is a hardware feature. In
multi-channel range mode, the DAS-800 Series acquires
all data from a consecutive range of analog channels.

● The Start channel’s gain only applies to the first channel

● DriverLINX uses the Stop Channel’s gain for all the other

analog channels in the range.

● If the Start Channel is greater than the Stop Channel, the

channel sequence is [Start Channel, ..., Last Channel, 0, ...,
Stop Channel], where Last Channel is the highest numbered
channel for the DAS-800 model the application is using.

In multi-channel list mode, the DAS-800 Series acquires all data from
a random list of analog channels.

● The channel-gain list may contain up to 256 channels in

any order with any allowed gain.

● The list may repeat the same channel with the same or

different gains.

Automatic channel scanning is a hardware feature. The
functions used to create a group of consecutive channels or a
channel-gain list emulate automatic channel scanning through
software. Therefore, the maximum attainable conversion
frequency is reduced when using a group of consecutive
channels or a channel-gain list.

2-6 Functional Description

Channel Expansion

If you require additional analog input channels or signal conditioning for
transducer inputs, you can use any combination of up to eight 16-channel
EXP-16 expansion boards, eight 16-channel EXP-16/A expansion boards,
and/or eight 8-channel EXP-GP expansion boards to increase the number
of available channels to 128. You can also use up to four MB-02
backplanes to increase the number of available channels to 68.

For the EXP-16, EXP-16/A, and EXP-GP, you attach the expansion
boards in a daisy-chain configuration using the S-1800 or C-1800 cable.
The first expansion board in the daisy chain is associated with on-board
channel 0, the next expansion board is associated with on-board channel
1, and so on. You specify the associated on-board channel by setting a
jumper on each expansion board. You can access any unused on-board
channels by attaching an STA-08 or STA-08PGA screw terminal
accessory to the last expansion board in the daisy-chain configuration.

Figure 2-2 illustrates a daisy-chain configuration of two EXP-16
expansion boards, one EXP-GP expansion board, and an STA-08 screw
terminal accessory connected to a DAS-800 board.

DAS-800

Board

On-board
channel 0

EXP-16

On-board
channel 1

EXP-16

On-board
channel 2

EXP-GP

On-board

channels 3 to 7

STA-08

Figure 2-2. Channel Expansion

For information on attaching multiple MB-02 backplanes, refer to the

Series User’s Guide

.

MB

2-7

Notes: You must specify a single-ended input configuration for all

on-board channels associated with channels on EXP-16, EXP-16/A, or
EXP-GP expansion boards or MB-02 backplanes.

If you are using EXP-16, EXP-16/A, or EXP-GP expansion boards or MB
Series backplanes, the digital output lines of the DAS-800 Series board
select the particular channel on the expansion board or backplane to read.

Refer to the appropriate expansion board documentation for more
information about the EXP-16, EXP-16/A, and EXP-GP expansion
boards. Refer to the MB Series User’s Guide for more information about
the MB-02 backplane.

Conversion Clock Sources

The conversion clock source determines when each analog-to-digital
(A/D) conversion is initiated. DAS-800 Series boards provide the
following software-selectable conversion clock sources:

● Software - When using a software conversion clock, the host

computer issues a command to initiate a conversion. The host polls
the board to determine if the conversion is complete. When the
conversion is complete, the host reads the data from the ADC and
returns the value. If the host reads data before the conversion is
complete, the data will be invalid.

Software-initiated conversions are suitable for measuring DC
voltages; however, in applications where you must accurately control
the sampling rate (as when measuring time-varying signals), it is
recommended that you use either an internal or an external hardware
conversion clock source.

At power-up or system reset, the board assumes that conversions will
be initiated through software.

● Hardware (internal clock source) - The internal clock source uses

the on-board 8254 counter/timer circuitry and a crystal-controlled
1 MHz time base. The 8254 counter/timer circuitry is normally in an
idle state. When you start an analog input operation, a conversion is
initiated immediately. The 8254 is loaded with its initial count value

2-8 Functional Description

and begins counting down. When the 8254 counts down to 0, another
conversion is initiated and the process repeats.

Because the 8254 counter/timer uses a 1 MHz time base, each count
represents 1 µs. For example, if you load a count of 25, the time
interval between conversions is 25 µs; if you load a count of 65536,
the time interval between conversions is 65.536 ms.

The 8254 contains three counter/timers: C/T0, C/T1, and C/T2. If you
are using a hardware internal clock source, the time base logic uses
C/T1 and C/T2 in either normal or cascaded mode, as follows:

– Normal Mode - A software-selectable count is loaded into C/T2

of the 8254 counter/timer circuitry. Each time C/T2 reaches
terminal count, a conversion is initiated. The time interval
between conversions ranges from 25 µs to 65.536 ms.

– Cascaded Mode - A software-selectable count is divided between

C/T2 and C/T1 of the 8254 counter/timer circuitry. When C/T2
counts down to 0, C/T1 decrements by 1. C/T2 is reloaded with
its count value and begins counting down again. Each time C/T2
counts down to 0, C/T1 decrements by 1. Each time both C/T2
and C/T1 reach terminal count, a conversion is initiated. The time
interval between conversions ranges from 25 µs to 1.2 hours.

Note: For compatibility with the DAS-8 board, on power-up or

system reset, the DAS-800 board connects the clock input of C/T2 to
the CPU bus clock divided by two. If you specify a hardware internal
clock source through software, the DAS-800 board connects the clock
inputs of C/T1 and C/T2 to the 1 MHz time base. The DAS-801 and
DAS-802 boards always connect the clock input of C/T2 to the
1 MHz time base.

Refer to page 2-17 for more information about the 8254
counter/timer circuitry.

● Hardware (external clock source) - An external clock source is

useful if you want to sample at rates not available with the 8254
counter/timer circuitry, if you want to sample at uneven intervals, or if
you want to sample on the basis of an external event. An external

2-9

clock also allows you to synchronize conversions on multiple boards
to a common timing source.

The external clock source is an externally applied TTL-compatible
signal, which you attach to the INT_IN / XCLK pin (pin 24) of the
main I/O connector. When you start an analog input operation,
conversions are armed. At the next falling edge of the external clock
source (and at every subsequent falling edge of the external clock
source), a conversion is initiated.

Note: If you are using a hardware external clock source, you cannot

use the INT_IN / XCLK pin (pin 24) to generate interrupts.

Figure 2-3 illustrates how conversions are initiated when using an internal
and an external clock source. (Note that Figure 2-3 assumes that you are
not using a hardware trigger; refer to Figure 2-4 for an illustration of
conversions when using a hardware trigger.)

Operation is started

External Clock
Source

Internal Clock
Source

Conversions begin
when using an
internal clock source

(idle state)

count

count

Conversions begin
when using an
external clock source

count

count

Figure 2-3. Initiating Conversions

2-10 Functional Description

Notes: The ADC acquires data at a maximum of 40 kHz (one sample

every 25 µs). If you are using a hardware external clock, make sure that
the clock does not initiate conversions at a faster rate than the ADC
can handle.

To achieve full measurement accuracy when using a gain of 500, you
should limit the conversion frequency to a maximum of 25 kHz (one
sample every 40 µs).

If you are acquiring samples from multiple channels, the maximum
sampling rate for each channel is equal to 40 kHz divided by the number
of channels.

The rate at which the computer can reliably read data from the board
depends on a number of factors, including your computer, the operating
system/environment, whether you are using expansion boards, the gains
of the channels, and software issues.

You can synchronize conversions on multiple DAS-800 Series boards to a
common, externally applied conversion clock. In addition, you can use a
DAS-801 or DAS-802 board as a timing master; the output of the OUT1
pin (pin 5) on the main I/O connector of the master board acts as an
external hardware conversion clock to any additional boards. You can use
external circuitry, such as C/T0 on the 8254, to divide the rate of the
master clock; this allows you to synchronize conversions on the
additional boards to a rate different from that of the master board. Refer
to page 4-13 for more information on synchronizing conversions on
multiple boards.

2-11

Triggers

A trigger is an event that must occur before a DAS-800 Series board starts
an analog input operation. You can use one of the following trigger
sources to trigger an analog input operation:

● Software - When you start the analog input operation, conversions

begin immediately.

● Hardware - You connect a digital trigger signal to the digital input

IP1 / TRIG pin (pin 25) of the main I/O connector. The trigger event
occurs when the board detects a rising edge on IP1 / TRIG.

The actual point at which conversions begin depends on whether you
are using an internal or external clock source. These considerations
are described as follows:

– Internal clock source - The 8254 counter/timer circuitry remains

idle until the trigger event occurs. When the trigger event occurs,
the board initiates the first conversion immediately.

– External clock source - Conversions are armed when the trigger

event occurs. At the next falling edge of the external clock source,
the board initiates the first conversion.

2-12 Functional Description