Measurement WavePort User Manual
USB-TEMP-AI
Document Revision 6
March 2013
© Copyright 2013
User's Guide
Temperature and Voltage Measurement
HM USB-TEMP-AI.docx
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2
Table of Contents
Preface
About this User’s Guide ....................................................................................................................... 5
What you will learn from this user's guide ......................................................................................................... 5
Conventions in this user's guide ......................................................................................................................... 5
Where to find more information ......................................................................................................................... 5
Chapter 1
Introducing the USB-TEMP-AI ............................................................................................................. 6
Functional block diagram ................................................................................................................................... 7
Connecting a USB-TEMP-AI to your computer is easy ..................................................................................... 7
Chapter 2
Installing the USB-TEMP-AI ................................................................................................................. 8
What comes with your shipment? ....................................................................................................................... 8
Hardware .......................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Documentation .................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Unpacking........................................................................................................................................................... 8
Installing the software ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Installing the hardware ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Configuring the hardware ................................................................................................................................... 9
Calibrating the USB-TEMP-AI .......................................................................................................................... 9
Chapter 3
Signal I/O Connections ....................................................................................................................... 10
Screw terminal pinout ....................................................................................................................................... 10
Voltage input terminals (±V0H/V0L to ±V3H/V3L) .......................................................................................................10
Sensor input terminals (T0H/T0L to T3H/T3L) ...............................................................................................................11
Current excitation output terminals (±I1 and ±I2) ...........................................................................................................11
Four-wire, two sensor common terminals (4W01 and 4W23) .........................................................................................11
Sensor common terminals (IT01 and IT23) .....................................................................................................................11
Digital terminals (DIO0 to DIO7) ....................................................................................................................................11
Counter terminal (CTR) ...................................................................................................................................................11
Ground terminals (GND) .................................................................................................................................................11
Power output (+5V) .........................................................................................................................................................12
CJC sensor ................................................................ ................................................................................................ .......12
Thermocouple connections ............................................................................................................................... 12
Wiring configuration ........................................................................................................................................................12
RTD and thermistor connections ...................................................................................................................... 13
Two-wire configuration ...................................................................................................................................................13
Three-wire configuration .................................................................................................................................................14
Four-wire configuration ...................................................................................................................................................14
Semiconductor sensor measurements ............................................................................................................... 15
Wiring configuration ........................................................................................................................................................16
Digital I/O connections ..................................................................................................................................... 16
Configuring the DIO channels to generate alarms ...........................................................................................................16
Chapter 4
Functional Details ............................................................................................................................... 17
Thermocouple measurements ........................................................................................................................... 17
Cold junction compensation (CJC) ..................................................................................................................................17
Data linearization .............................................................................................................................................................17
Open-thermocouple detection (OTD) ..............................................................................................................................17
RTD and thermistor measurements .................................................................................................................. 17
Data linearization .............................................................................................................................................................18
3
USB-TEMP-AI User's Guide
External components ........................................................................................................................................ 18
Screw terminals................................................................................................................................................................18
USB connector .................................................................................................................................................................18
LEDs ................................................................................................................................................................................ 18
Chapter 5
Specifications ...................................................................................................................................... 19
Analog input ................................................................................................ ..................................................... 19
Channel configurations ..................................................................................................................................... 20
Compatible sensors: T0x-T3x ..........................................................................................................................................21
Accuracy ........................................................................................................................................................... 21
Thermocouple measurement accuracy: T0x-T3x .............................................................................................................21
Semiconductor sensor measurement accuracy: T0x-T3x .................................................................................................22
RTD measurement accuracy: T0x-T3x ............................................................................................................................22
Thermistor measurement accuracy: T0x-T3x ..................................................................................................................23
Absolute Accuracy: V0x-V3x ..........................................................................................................................................24
Settling time: V0x-V3x ....................................................................................................................................................24
Analog input calibration ................................................................................................................................... 25
Throughput rate ................................................................................................................................................ 25
Digital input/output........................................................................................................................................... 25
Counter ................................................................ ................................ ............................................................. 26
Memory ............................................................................................................................................................ 26
Microcontroller ................................ ................................................................................................................. 26
USB +5V voltage ............................................................................................................................................. 26
Power ................................................................................................................................................................ 27
USB specifications ........................................................................................................................................... 27
Current excitation outputs (±Ix, T0x-T3x) ....................................................................................................... 27
Environmental .................................................................................................................................................. 27
Mechanical ....................................................................................................................................................... 28
Screw terminal connector ................................................................................................................................. 28
Declaration of Conformity .................................................................................................................. 29
4
About this User’s Guide
What you will learn from this user's guide
This user's guide describes the Measurement Computing USB-TEMP-AI data acquisition device and lists
device specifications.
Conventions in this user's guide
For more information
Text presented in a box signifies additional information related to the subject matter.
Caution! Shaded caution statements present information to help you avoid injuring yourself and others,
damaging your hardware, or losing your data.
bold text Bold text is used for the names of objects on a screen, such as buttons, text boxes, and check boxes.
italic text Italic text is used for the names of manuals and help topic titles, and to emphasize a word or phrase.
Where to find more information
Preface
Additional information about USB-TEMP hardware is available on our website at www.mccdaq.com. You can
also contact Measurement Computing Corporation with specific questions.
Knowledgebase: kb.mccdaq.com
Phone: 508-946-5100 and follow the instructions for reaching Tech Support
Fax: 508-946-9500 to the attention of Tech Support
Email: techsupport@mccdaq.com
5
Chapter 1
Introducing the USB-TEMP-AI
The USB-TEMP-AI is a USB 2.0 full-speed, temperature measurement module that is supported under popular
Microsoft® Windows® operating systems. The USB-TEMP-AI is fully compatible with both USB 1.1 and USB
2.0 ports.
The USB-TEMP-AI provides eight analog input channels that are configured as four differential temperature
inputs and four differential or single-ended voltage inputs. A 24-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) converter is
provided for each pair of analog inputs. Eight independent, TTL-compatible digital I/O channels are provided to
monitor TTL-level inputs, communicate with external devices, and to generate alarms. The digital I/O channels
are software programmable for input or output.
The temperature input channels are configured as two channel pairs that accept temperature sensor type inputs.
You can take measurements from four sensor categories. The sensor category is software programmable for
each channel pair:
Thermocouple – types J, K, R, S, T, N, E, and B
Resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) – 2, 3, or 4-wire measurements of 100 Ω platinum RTDs
Thermistors – 2, 3, or 4-wire measurements
Semiconductor temperature sensors – LM35, TMP35 or equivalent
You can connect a different category of sensor to each temperature channel pair, but you cannot mix sensor
categories between the channels that constitute a channel pair. You can, however, mix thermocouple types
within channel pairs.
Each voltage input channel is software configurable for differential or single-ended mode. The voltage input
range is software programmable for ±10 V, ±5 V, ±2.5 V, ±1.25 V.
The USB-TEMP-AI provides a integrated cold junction compensation (CJC) sensor for thermocouple
measurements, and built-in current excitation sources for resistive sensor measurements.
An open thermocouple detection feature lets you detect a broken thermocouple. An on-board microprocessor
automatically linearizes the measurement data according to the sensor category.
The USB-TEMP-AI features eight independent temperature alarms. Each alarm controls an associated digital
I/O channel as an alarm output. The input to each alarm is one of the temperature input channels. The output of
each alarm is software configurable as active high or low. You set up the temperature threshold conditions to
activate each alarm. When an alarm is activated, the associated DIO channel is driven to the output state.
The USB-TEMP-AI is a standalone plug-and-play module which draws power from the USB cable. No external
power supply is required. All configurable options are software programmable.
The USB-TEMP-AI is fully software calibrated.
6
USB-TEMP-AI User's Guide Introducing the USB-TEMP-AI
Functional block diagram
USB-TEMP-AI functions are illustrated in the block diagram shown here.
Figure 1. Functional block diagram
Connecting a USB-TEMP-AI to your computer is easy
Installing a data acquisition device has never been easier:
The USB-TEMP-AI relies upon the Microsoft Human Interface Device (HID) class drivers. The HID class
drivers ship with every copy of Windows that is designed to work with USB ports. We use the Microsoft
HID because it is a standard, and its performance delivers full control and maximizes data transfer rates for
your USB-TEMP-AI. No third-party device driver is required.
The USB-TEMP-AI is plug-and-play. There are no jumpers to position, DIP switches to set, or interrupts to
configure.
You can connect the USB-TEMP-AI before or after you install the software, and without powering down
your computer first. When you connect an HID to your system, your computer automatically detects it and
configures the necessary software. You can connect and power multiple HID peripherals to your system
using a USB hub.
You can connect your system to various devices using a standard USB cable. The USB connector replaces
the serial and parallel port connectors with one standardized plug and port combination.
You do not need a separate power supply module. The USB automatically delivers the electrical power
required by each peripheral connected to your system.
Data can flow two ways between a computer and peripheral over USB connections.
7
Chapter 2
Installing the USB-TEMP-AI
What comes with your shipment?
The following items are shipped with the USB-TEMP-AI.
Hardware
USB-TEMP-AI
USB cable
Documentation
In addition to this hardware user's guide, you should also receive the Quick Start Guide. This booklet provides
an overview of the MCC DAQ software you received with the device, and includes information about installing
the software. Please read this booklet completely before installing any software or hardware.
Unpacking
As with any electronic device, you should take care while handling to avoid damage from static
electricity. Before removing the USB-TEMP-AI from its packaging, ground yourself using a wrist strap or by
simply touching the computer chassis or other grounded object to eliminate any stored static charge.
If any components are missing or damaged, contact us immediately using one of the following methods:
Knowledgebase: kb.mccdaq.com
Phone: 508-946-5100 and follow the instructions for reaching Tech Support
Fax: 508-946-9500 to the attention of Tech Support
Email: techsupport@mccdaq.com
For international customers, contact your local distributor. Refer to the International Distributors section on our
website at www.mccdaq.com/International.
Installing the software
Refer to the Quick Start Guide for instructions on installing the software on the MCC DAQ CD. This booklet is
available in PDF at www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/DAQ-Software-Quick-Start.pdf.
Installing the hardware
To connect the USB-TEMP-AI to your system, turn your computer on, and connect the USB cable to a USB
port on your computer or to an external USB hub that is connected to your computer. The USB cable provides
power and communication to the USB-TEMP-AI.
When you connect the USB-TEMP-AI for the first time, a notification message opens as the USB-TEMP-AI is
detected. When the message closes, the installation is complete. The upper LED (Activity) blinks when initially
connected and then stays on. The lower LED (USB) turns on to indicate that communication is established
between the device and computer.
If the USB LED turns off
If the LED is lit but then turns off, the computer has lost communication with the USB-TEMP-AI. To restore
communication, disconnect the USB cable from the computer, and then reconnect it. This should restore
communication, and the LED should turn back on.
8
USB-TEMP-AI User's Guide Installing the USB-TEMP-AI
Configuring the hardware
All hardware configuration options on the USB-TEMP-AI are programmable with software. Use InstaCal to set
the sensor type for each temperature channel, the range and input configuration of each voltage channel, and the
alarm conditions. Any channel you don’t intend to use should be left disabled.
The configurable options dynamically update according to the selected sensor category. Configuration options
are stored on the USB-TEMP-AI 's isolated microcontroller in EEPROM, which is non-volatile memory on the
USB-TEMP-AI module. Configuration options are loaded on power up.
Default configuration
The factory default configuration is Disabled. The Disabled mode disconnects the analog inputs from the
terminal blocks and internally grounds all of the A/D inputs. This mode also disables each of the current
excitation sources.
Warm up
Allow the USB-TEMP-AI to warm up for 30 minutes before taking measurements. This warm up time
minimizes thermal drift and achieves the specified rated accuracy of measurements.
For analog, RTD or thermistor measurements, this warm-up time is also required to stabilize the internal current
reference.
Calibrating the USB-TEMP-AI
The USB-TEMP-AI is fully calibrated via software. InstaCal prompts you to run its calibration utility when you
change from one sensor category to another.
Allow the USB-TEMP-AI to operate for at least 30 minutes before calibrating. This warm up time minimizes
thermal drift and achieves the specified rated accuracy of measurements.
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