Measurement Personal488 Quick Start

Personal Daq Quick Start Guide

USB Data Acquisition Modules

Personal Daq/54
Personal Daq/55
Personal Daq/56
PDQ1
PDQ2

IOtech, Inc.

25971 Cannon Road

Cleveland, OH 44146-1833

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

e-mail (Product Information):

e-mail (Technical Support): [e-mail]

Internet: http://www.iotech.com

[e-mail]

Personal Daq

Quick Start Guide

p/n 491-0940, rev 6.0

© 1998 … 2005 by IOtech, Inc. 989294 Printed in the United States of America

ii

Personal Daq Quick Start

For: Personal Daq/54, /55, /56
PDQ1 and PDQ2

(1) Install Software

When using Personal Daq modules to acquire data, computer energy save modes can cause
false data readings. Prior to using Personal Daq modules, ensure your computer’s energy save
mode is disabled. If needed, consult your PC user’s manual to disable energy save (power
suspension) modes.

IMPORTANT: Software must be installed before installing hardware.
If you purchased software, e.g., Personal DaqViewXL, an associated authorization code was

included with your order. If this is the case keep your code in a safe place. You will need
to enter it prior to the initial run of that application.

For successful operation, your computer should conform to the following, as a minimum:

• PC system with Pentium® processor

• Available USB port

• Microsoft Windows 98SE (Second Edition), WindowsMe/2000 or /XP

• 16 Mbytes of RAM (32 Mbytes, or greater, is recommended)

• Energy Save modes disabled (see note at top of page)

After reviewing the previous notes and ensuring that your computer meets or exceeds the minimum
requirements, perform the installation according to the following steps:

Remove previous version Daq drivers, if present. You can do this through Microsoft’s

1.

Add/Remove Programs utility located in the Windows Control panel. Navigation to the
utility from the Windows Desktop is as follows:

Start ® Settings ® Control Panel ® Add/Remove Programs

2. Place the Data Acquisition CD into the CD-ROM drive. Wait for PC to auto-run the CD.

This may take a few moments, depending on your PC. If the CD does not auto-run, use the
Desktop’s Start/Run/Browse feature to access and run the .exe file from the drive.

3. After the intro-screen appears, follow the screen prompts.

Personal Daq Quick Start

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Installing Personal DaqViewXL

Personal DaqViewXL is an Excel-based application that is available as a purchased-option. To install a non-trial
version of the application you will need an authorization code. The code is provided at the time of purchase. To
install the application:

1. Run Personal DaqView.

2. Select Authorization from the File pull-down menu. An Authorization dialog box will appear.

3. Type in the code, as it appears on your Authorization Sheet.

4. Click the <Apply Code> button.

Refer to the associated document, 491-0905 Personal DaqViewXL User’s Guide for additional information.

Installing a Post Acquisition Data Viewing Application

An eZ-PostView application is included free with your software package. However, two other view programs with
additional features are available for purchase. These are eZ-TimeView and eZ-FrequencyView. The document
entitled eZ-Analyst Series Software Reference (p/n 1086-0922) contains detailed information regarding these
applications.

When eZ-PostView is about to be installed an authorization box will appear. This allows you to install one of the
purchased options [providing you have an appropriate code]. You do not need a code to install eZ-PostView.
In this case, simply proceed without entering a code and eZ-PostView will automatically install.

To install eZ-TimeView or eZ-FrequencyView enter the applicable code as it appears on your Authorization Sheet;
then click the <Apply Code> button.

Note that you can install a purchased view application at a later time, as follows:

1. Run eZ-PostView.

2. Select Authorization from the File pull-down menu. An Authorization dialog box will appear.

3. Type in the code, as it appears on your Authorization Sheet.

4. Click the <Apply Code> button.

Reference Notes:

Adobe Acrobat PDF versions of documents pertaining to Personal Daq are automatically installed

onto your PC’s hard-drive as a part of product support at the time of software installation. The
default location is the Programs group, which can be accessed via the Windows Desktop Start
Menu.

Personal Daq documentation can be read directly from your data acquisition CD. After placing the

CD in the CD-ROM drive simply click the <View PDFS> button on the opening screen and select
the desired PDF from the pull-down list.

After completing the software installation continue with (2) Install Hardware, which immediately follows.

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(2) Install Hardware

Your Personal Daq system may not require all the steps under this heading; for example you may not be
connecting a PDQ expansion module. If a step does not apply to your unit, simply go on to the next one.

Note 1 Note 2

Note 1: Label slots are included on Personal Daq/55 and /56.

Note 2: An expansion module (PDQ1 or PDQ2) can be added to Personal Daq/55 and /56 units.

Label slots are not included on Personal Daq/54.

Although an expansion module can physically connect to a Personal Daq/54, it will not
function with the unit. Personal Daq/54 does not include expansion functionality. For
Personal Daq/54 the 25-pin port is used only for calibration.

Reference Notes:

If you plan to mount your Personal Daq system to a DIN rail, refer to the PDQ10, DIN

Rail Kit Installation Guide (p/n 491-0903). Note that the DIN rail instruction is also

provided in your Personal Daq User’s Manual, included in Acrobat .pdf format on your
installation CD.

If you are expanding your Personal Daq system with an optional PDQ expansion

module, refer to the PDQ1 and PDQ2 Installation Sheet (p/n 491-0902). Expansion
module information is also provided in your Personal Daq User’s Manual, included in
Acrobat .pdf format on your installation CD.

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(2a) Connect the Personal Daq to the Host PC

When using a power adapter with your Personal Daq system, be sure to supply power
(from the adapter to the Personal Daq) before connecting the USB cable. This allows
Personal Daq to inform the host computer (upon connection of the USB cable) that the
unit requires minimal power from the computer.

Some notebook PCs do not supply sufficient power through their USB port. When using

one of these notebooks the Personal Daq unit requires the use of a power adapter.

Use an approved high-speed USB cable to connect the Personal Daq system to one of the host computer’s
USB ports. Typically there is no need for an additional power source in this setup since the USB power
pins [on the PC] supply 500 mA at 4 to 5.25 V. Additional setup examples, involving USB hubs and
power adapters, are described in chapter 3 of the user’s manual. As indicated in the preceding note, some
notebook PCs may lack adequate USB power.

PDQ Modul e

Connection of a Simple Personal Daq System to a Computer’s USB Port

(2b) Connect the Channel Signal Inputs

The discharge of static electricity can damage some electronic components.
Semiconductor devices are especially susceptible to ESD damage. You should always
handle components carefully, and you should never touch connector pins or circuit
components unless you are following ESD guidelines in an appropriate ESD controlled
area. Such guidelines include the use of properly grounded mats and wrist straps, ESD
bags and cartons, and related procedures.

Use Personal Daq’s screw terminals to connect channel inputs to your Personal Daq system. Note that the
terminal blocks are detachable for ease in making connections. Personal Daq/54, /55, and /56 and PDQ
expansion modules PDQ1 and PDQ2 have labels which clearly identify each input type and channel
number. Each Analog Input channel can be configured for single-ended or differential volts, or for
differential thermocouple inputs. The non-analog channels are designated as Frequency/Pulse Input (F)
and Digital I/O (D). The non-analog channels do not apply to Personal Daq/54.

Note: Personal Daq/54 does not accept frequency/pulse input or digital I/O.

USB Cable

CAUTION

Personal Daq

Note: Personal Daq/54 does not support expansion modules.

Reference Notes:
Connections for single-ended and differential modes are depicted in the figure on page 5.

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Connecting Thermocouple Wires

In Personal Daq applications, thermocouples should not be connected single-ended. Doing
so can result in noise and false readings. This is especially true when acquiring other high­amplitude signals in conjunction with thermocouple signals that are connected single-
ended.

Thermocouple wires are to be connected in differential mode only.

Differential connection is made as follows:

(a) the red wire connects to the channel’s Low (L) connector.
(b) the second [color-coded] wire connects to the channel’s High (H) connector.

The section entitled Signal Modes in chapter 5 of the user’s manual contains additional information.

V1 and V2 are
Single-Ended
Inputs

Personal D a q Terminal Block (Partia l)

C

122

1

O

LH

M

HL

Single-Ended and Differential Connections to Analog Input Channels

(3) Start Personal DaqView

From Windows, open Personal DaqView by double clicking on its icon, or use the Windows Desktop Start
menu to access the program. You will find Personal DaqView listed in the desktop’s Program group.

Once the program is executed, the software identifies your Personal Daq device and brings up the Main
Control Window. This window is discussed briefly in the following text, and in more detail in chapter 4 of
the Personal Daq User’s Manual included on the installation CD.

V

1

V

2

COM

V

3-

V

3

V

3+

V3 is a Thermocouple
and is a Diff er en tial Input

Personal Daq Quick Start

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(4) Configure the System

This step pertains to the configuration of channels and acquisition parameters through Personal DaqView
software. To configure a set of parameters, use the appropriate toolbar button (or the View pull-down
menu) to open the applicable window. Clicking on the Configure Channel Settings button (9) brings up
the Channel Configuration Window.

Main Control Window

Channel Configuration Window, with Analog Input Spreadsheet Selected

Button Function

1 Open Configuration File Opens a selected configuration file.
2 Save Configuration File Saves the current configuration file to disk.
3 Select Active Device Provides a means of selecting active devices from the Personal Daq system.
4 Arm Trigger for Disk

Recording

5 Manual Trigger Used to trigger the device when the mode of trigger is set to “Manual.” Note that the

6 Update Digital Outputs Updates digital outputs for all digital channels that are selected to “output state.” also

7 Configure Data

Destination
8 Configure Acquisition Accesses the Configure Acquisition window.
9 Configure Channel

Settings

10 Update All Indicators Starts all on-screen indicators with a display of up-to-date data. Has no affect on the

11 Display Scrolling Charts Displays data graphically in a scrolling chart.
12 Display Bar Meters Displays data in a bar graph format.
13 Display Analog Meters Displays data displayed in a dial-gage format.
14 Display Digital Meters Displays data in a digital meter format.
15 View Data Launches an independent post-data acquisition program such as eZ-PostView, if

16 Enable Readings

Column

17 Disable Readings

Column

Arms the trigger and stores acquisition data to a designated disk file. If Auto Rearm is
selected, clicking this button puts Auto rearm in effect. This button, is also used to
disarm the data acquisition.

Manual Trigger button can not be depressed until after the trigger is armed, for
example, by first pressing button 4.

see Digital Input/Output Spreadsheet, in chapter 4 of the user’s manual.

Digital I/O does not apply to Personal Daq/54.

Accesses the Configure Data Destination window. Note that this window provides a
means of selecting sequential destinations through an auto rearm feature.

Brings up the Channel Configuration window. From this window you can configure
channels for Analog Input, Frequency/Pulse Input, and Digital Input/Output channels,
depending on which tab is selected.

recording of data to disk. Auto Rearm, even if selected, will not occur when using this
control. This button is also used to pause all indicators.

installed. The install CD includes a .pdf version of the eZ-PostView document.
Activates the Channel Configuration Window’s reading column. Does not affect the

recording of data to disk.
Stops the Channel Configuration Window’s reading column. Does not affect the

recording of data to disk.

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(4a) Channel Configuration

The Channel Configuration Window first opens with the Analog Input screen selected. You can change
from one configuration screen to another by selecting the appropriate tab. More information regarding
Personal DaqView appears in chapter 4 of the user’s manual. You can configure channels from the three
configuration screens as indicated in the following table.

Channel Type

(Selected by Tab)

Analog Input

Frequency/Pulse Input

Digital Input/Output

Note: With the mouse cursor positioned in the desired spreadsheet cell, you can:

“Single-click” with the left mouse button to open an associated pull-down list for the applicable cell, from which

a selection can be made. This pull-down list appears just below the toolbar.

“Double-click” with the left mouse button to cycle through listed selections or write-enable a cell, as applicable.

If the cell has a given parameter list (such as those in the On, Range, and Measurement Duration columns)
the parameter will change with each double-click, allowing you to cycle through all possible selections. Note
that these selections are repetitive; in other words, you will eventually advance to the same selection you
started with. “Type-in” cells (such as User Label, Scale, and Offset) can be selected on double-click for easy
editing.

“Single-click” left, then “single-click” right to write-enable a cell. Completing this action with the mouse buttons

(while having the cursor on a cell such as Scale or Offset) allows you to use you PC’s keypad to type the
desired value into the field.

“Single-click” left, “single-click” right, then “single-click” left again to open an associated pull-down list for the

applicable cell, from which a selection can be made. This pull-down list appears in the selected cell’s row.

(4b) Acquisition Configuration

To configure acquisition parameters, activate the Configure Acquisition Window by using the Configure
Acquisition button (8).

User Configurable Parameters

User Label, On, Range, Units, Single-Ended/Differential, Measurement Duration, Scale,
Offset

User Label, On, Type, Units, Edge, Debounce, Min. Value, Max. Value, Resolution
(Settling Time), Scale, Offset. Frequency/Pulse Input does not apply to Personal Daq/54.

User Label, On, Input/Output, Output State, Power-Up State.

Digital I/O does not apply to Personal Daq/54.

Personal Daq Quick Start

Configure Acquisition Window

878495 p/n 491-0940, Rev 6.0 7

The Configure Acquisition Window has the following default settings.

Pre-Trigger: No duration set, i.e., a duration of 0 scans
Trigger: Immediate
Post Trigger: Manual stop
Averaging: None
Acquisition Parameters:

Set for Maximum scan rate
Frequency: selected
Period: not-selected
Continuous Calibration: not-selected
Overrange Protection: selected

You can change the acquisition setup as desired. Explanations of setup options are discussed in chapter 4
of the user’s manual.

Functions that can be obtained with Main Control Window toolbar buttons can also be obtained through
pull-down menus (discussed subsequently). See chapter 4 of the manual for more detailed information.

(4c) Data Destination Configuration

The Data Destination window can be
accessed with the Configure Data
Destination button (7) [location shown
in the figure below].

From the Data Destination window you
can assign a filename and folder location
for the acquisition data. More detailed
information is provided in chapter 4 of
the user’s manual. Data Destination Window

(5) Collect Data

Click the Enable Readings Column button (16) [see page 1-8 for button location], or click the Update All
Indicators button (10) [see following figure for location] to start the acquisition. The data acquisition
begins and the readings column becomes active. However, data is not recorded to disk. Clicking the Arm
Trigger for Disk Recording button (4) will send the data to disk.

Click one of the toolbar’s display icon buttons (11, 12, 13, or 14) to see your data in the form of a chart or
meter. Display options are as follows: (11) is scrolling charts, (12) is bar graph meters, (13) is analog
meters, and (14) is digital meters. Note that you can view all display types, or a combination of them, at
the same time.

Note 1: For scrolling charts, a Chart Setup Wizard is used to set up the desired chart display. Channels

Note 2: Chapter 4 is devoted entirely to the Personal DaqView program and its Chart Setup Wizard

not set up in the display can still be enabled and read on the channel configuration window.

feature.

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A Brief Guide to Using Personal DaqView

Once your Personal Daq system has been properly connected to the PC and to the desired input signals, the
following steps may be used to start Personal DaqView and begin collecting data. For this “Quick Start” approach
to collecting data we will be making use of the program’s default settings.

Note that acquisition settings can be changed from the Configure Acquisition Window. This window is accessed via
the Configure Acquisition button (8). For ease of reference, related screen captures have been provided below.

1. From Windows, open Personal DaqView by double-clicking on the Personal DaqView icon, or by using the

Windows Desktop Start Icon to access the Personal DaqView program.
Once the program is executed, the software identifies your Personal Daq device and brings up the Main Control

Window and Channel Configuration Window (with the Analog Input Spreadsheet Selected).
Note: If the Channel Configuration Window is not visible, press button (9).

2. Select the tab for the desired spreadsheet. Analog Input is the default. Note that the Frequency/Pulse Input

and Digital Input/Output tabs do not apply to Personal Daq/54.

3. Ensure the desired channels are enabled. Double-click in a channel’s On/Off cell to enable or disable a

channel, as applicable.

4. If you want to record data to disk, click on button (4) Arm Trigger for Disk Recording. The data acquisition

begins and data is stored to a disk file as indicated in the Data Destination Window. Note that the default
destination, including the default file name of

C:\PROGRAM FILES\PDAQVIEW\PDAQ.BIN. You can, of course, specify a different location.

PDAQ.BIN, is as follows:

5. To see real time readings on the Channel Co nfiguration Window, click on the Update All Indicators button

(10), or on the Enable Readings Column button (16).

6. If you want to read data, but not record to disk, click on button (10) or (16), but not button (4). In addition to

the Channel Configuration Windows reading column, you can click on one or more display icon buttons (11,
12, 13, or 14) to see your data in the form of a chart or meter. You can view all display types, or a combination
of them, at the same time.

Display options, listed as button number followed by display type, are:

(11) scrolling charts (12) bar graph meters (13) analog meters (14) digital meters

Main Control Window*

*Button descriptions are provided on page 5 of this document.

Personal Daq Quick Start

Channel Configuration Window with Analog Input Spreadsheet Selected*

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Customer Assistance

Reference Notes:
Before calling for assistance . . .

Refer to the portions of the Personal Daq User’s Manual that are relevant to your situation,

especially the troubleshooting material. The manual exists in Adobe Acrobat PDF format and can
be accessed by clicking the <View PDFs> button that appears on the data acquisition CD’s install
screen.

If you are creating your own programs you should refer to the user manual’s Appendix B, API

Commands. The appendix lists command functions in alphanumerical order and includes error

code definitions.

To report problems and receive support, call your service representative. When you call, please have the
following information available:

• Hardware model numbers

• Contents of your CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT, and SYSTEM.INI files

• Software version numbers for Personal DaqView, DOS and Windows

• Type of computer and features

When returning equipment use original shipping containers or equivalent to prevent shipping damage. In
addition to the above information, please be sure to include:

• The return authorization number (we provide you with this number after you contact us)

• The name and phone number of an individual who can discuss the problems encountered

• Instructions for return shipping

• A copy of troubleshooting notes and comments on tests performed and all problem-related conditions.

IOtech, Inc.

25971 Cannon Road

Cleveland, OH 44146-1833

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

e-mail (Product Information):

e-mail (Technical Support):

Internet: http://www.iotech.com

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

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p/n 491-0940, Rev 6.0 878495 Personal Daq Quick Start