Measurement Computing Corporation, InstaCal, Universal Library, and the Measurement Computing logo are
either trademarks or registered trademarks of Measurement Computing Corporation. Refer to the Copyrights &
Trademarks section on mccdaq.com/legal for more information about Measurement Computing trademarks.
Other product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective
companies.
Measurement Computing Corporation does not authorize any Measurement Computing Corporation product for
use in life support systems and/or devices without prior written consent from Measurement Computing
Corporation. Life support devices/systems are devices or systems that, a) are intended for surgical implantation
into the body, or b) support or sustain life and whose failure to perform can be reasonably expected to result in
injury. Measurement Computing Corporation products are not designed with the components required, and are
not subject to the testing required to ensure a level of reliability suitable for the treatment and diagnosis of
people.
surement Computing
2
Table of Contents
Preface
About this User's Guide ....................................................................................................................... 5
Conventions in this user's guide ......................................................................................................................... 5
Where to find more information ......................................................................................................................... 5
Chapter 1
Introducing the USB-1208LS................................................................................................................ 6
Installing the software ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Installing the hardware ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Calibrating the hardware..................................................................................................................................... 7
Field calibration ................................................................................................................................................................ 7
USB connector .................................................................................................................................................................. 9
LED .................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Signal connections ............................................................................................................................................ 10
Analog inputs ...................................................................................................................................................................10
Digital I/O ........................................................................................................................................................................12
Power output ....................................................................................................................................................................13
Analog input ..................................................................................................................................................... 18
Analog output ................................................................................................................................................... 19
Digital input/output........................................................................................................................................... 20
Power ................................................................................................................................................................ 21
General ............................................................................................................................................................. 21
Signal connector ............................................................................................................................................... 22
3
USB-1208LS User's Guide
Declaration of Conformity .................................................................................................................. 24
4
Preface
About this User's Guide
This user's guide describes the Measurement Computing USB-1208LS 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 informati on
Additional information about USB-1208LS hardware is available on our website at www.mccdaq.com. You can
also contact Measurement Computing Corporation with specific questions.
Knowledgebase:
T
ech support form:
E
Phone: 508-946-5100 and follow the instructions for reaching Tech Support
For international customers, contact your local distributor. Refer to the International Distributors section on our
website at
techsupport@mccdaq.com
mail:
www.mccdaq.com/International.
kb.mccdaq.com
www.mccdaq.com/support/support_form.aspx
5
Chapter 1
Introducing the USB-1208LS
The USB-1208LS features eight analog inputs, two 10-bit analog outputs, 16 digital I/O connections, and one
32-bit external event counter.
The analog inputs are software configurable for either eight 11-bit single-ended inputs, or four 12-bit
differential inputs. An on-board industry standard 82C55 programmable peripheral interface chip provides the
16 digital I/O lines in two 8-bit ports. You can configure each port independently for either input or output.
The USB-1208LS is powered by the +5 volt USB supply from your computer; no external power is required.
I/O connections are made to the device screw terminals.
The USB-1208LS device is compatible with both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 ports. The speed of the device may be
limited when using a USB 1.1 port due to the difference in transfer rates on the USB 1.1 versions of the
protocol (low-speed and full-speed).
Functional block diagram
USB-1208LS functions are illustrated in the block diagram shown here.
Figure 1. Functional block diagr am
6
Chapter 2
Installing the USB-1208LS
Unpacking
As with any electronic device, you should take care while handling to avoid damage from static
electricity. Before removing the device 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.
Contact us immediately if any components are missing or damaged.
Installing the software
Refer to the MCC DAQ Quick Start for instructions on installing the software on the MCC DAQ CD. Refer to
the device product page on the Measurement Computing website for information about the included and
optional software supported by the USB-1208LS.
Install the software before you install your device
The driver needed to run the USB-1208LS is installed with the software. Therefore, you need to install the
software package you plan to use before you install the hardware.
Installing the hardware
Be sure you are using the latest system software
Before installing the device, run Windows Update to update your system with the latest HID and USB drivers.
To connect the USB-1208LS 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 device. When you connect the USB-1208LS for the first time, a
Hardware dialog opens when the operating system detects the device. Another dialog identifies the
USB-1208LS as a USB Human Interface Device. When this dialog closes the installation is complete. The
device LED should blink and then remain on, to indicate that communication is established between the device
and your computer.
If the LED turns off
If the LED is on but then turns off, the computer has lost communication with the USB-1208LS. 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.
Found New
Calibrating the hardware
Field calibration
The USB-1208LS supports field calibration. Calibrate the device using InstaCal whenever the ambient
temperature changes by more than ±10 °C from the last calibration.
Factory calibration
The Measurement Computing Manufacturing Test department performs the initial factory calibration. Contact
Measurement Computing for details about how to return your device and have it calibrated to the factory
specifications.
7
Chapter 2
1
Screw terminal pins 21 to 40
3
Screw terminal pins 1 to 20
2
LED 4 USB connector
Functional Det ails
Analog input acquisition m ode s
The USB-1208LS can acquire analog input data in three different modes – software paced, hardware paced, and
BURSTIO.
Software paced mode
You acquire one analog sample at a time in software paced mode. You initiate the A/D conversion by calling a
software command. The analog value is converted to digital and returned to the computer. You can repeat this
procedure until you have the total number of samples that you want from one channel.
Software pacing is limited by the 20 mS round-trip requirement of a USB interrupt-type endpoint operation.
The maximum throughput sample rate in software paced mode is 50 S/s.
Hardware paced mode
You acquire data from up to eight channels in continuous scan mode. The analog data is continuously acquired,
converted to digital values, and written to an on-board FIFO buffer until you stop the scan. The FIFO buffer is
serviced in blocks as the data is transferred from the USB-1208LS to the memory buffer on your computer.
The maximum continuous scan rate of 1.2 kS/s is an aggregate rate. The total acquisition rate for all channels
cannot exceed 1.2 kS/s. You can acquire data from one channel at 1.2 kS/s, two channels at 600 S/s and four
channels at 300 S/s. You can start a continuous scan with either a software command or with an external
hardware trigger event.
BURSTIO mode
In BURSTIO mode, you acquire data using the full capacity of the USB-1208LS 4 k sample FIFO. You can
initiate a single acquisition sequence of up to 4096 samples channels by either a software command or an
external hardware trigger. Captured data is read from the FIFO and transferred to a user buffer in the host PC.
BURSTIO scans are limited to the depth of the on-board memory, as the data is acquired at a rate faster than it
can be transferred to the computer. The maximum sampling rate is an aggregate rate. The maximum rates that
you can acquire data using burst scan mode is 8 kS/s divided by the number of channels in the scan.
External components
The USB-1208LS external components are shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. USB-1208LS external components
8
USB-1208LS User's Guide Functional Details
On – steady green
The USB-1208LS is connected to a computer or external USB hub.
Blinks continuously
Data is being transferred.
Blinks three times
Initial communication is established between the USB-1208LS and the computer.
Blinks at a slow rate
The analog input is configured for external trigger. The LED stops blinking and lights
steady green when the trigger is received.
USB connector
The USB connector is on the right side of the USB-1208LS housing. This connector provides +5V power and
communication. The voltage supplied through the USB connector is system-dependent, and may be less than
5V. No external power supply is required.
LED
The LED on the front of the housing indicates the communication status of the USB-1208LS. It uses up to
5 mA of current and cannot be disabled. The table below defines the function of the LED.
LED illumination
LED state Indication
Screw terminal wiring
The screw terminals provide the following connections:
Eight analog inputs (
Two analog outputs (
16 digital I/O connections (
External trigger input (
External event counter input (
Power output (
Calibration output (
Ground connections (
CH0 IN to CH7 IN)
D/A OUT 0 to D/A OUT 1)
PortA0 to Port A7, and Port B0 to Port B7)
TRIG_IN)
CTR)
PC+5 V)
CAL)
GND)
Use 16 AWG to 30 AWG wire when making connections to the screw terminals. The differential mode pinout
is shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Differential mode pinout
9
USB-1208LS User's Guide Functional Details
The single-ended mode pinout is shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4. Single-ended mode pinout
Signal connections
Analog inputs
You can connect up to eight analog input connections to the screw terminal containing pins 1 to 20 (CH0 IN
through
You can configure the analog input channels as eight single-ended channels or four differential channels. When
configured for differential mode, each analog input has 12-bit resolution. When configured for single-ended
mode, each analog input has 11-bit resolution, due to restrictions imposed by the A/D converter.
Single-ended configuration
When configured for single-ended input mode, eight analog channels are available. The input signal is
referenced to signal ground (GND), and delivered through two wires:
Connect the wire carrying the signal to be measured to
C
T
To perform a single-ended measurement using differential channels, connect the signal to the "
input, and ground the associated "
Differential configuration
When configured for differential input mode, four analog channels are available. In differential mode, the input
signal is measured with respect to the low input, and delivered through three wires:
CH7 IN).
onnect the second wire to
GND.
he input range for single-ended mode is ±10V.
CH# IN LO" input.
CH# IN.
CH# IN HI"
Connect the wire carrying the signal to be measured
Connect the wire carrying the reference signal to
C
onnect the third wire to
A
low-noise precision programmable gain amplifier (PGA) is available on differential channels to provide gains
GND.
to CH# IN HI.
CH# IN LO.
of up to 20 and a dynamic range of up to 12-bits. Differential mode input voltage ranges are ±20 V, ±10 V,
±5 V, ±4 V, ±2.5 V, ±2.0 V, 1.25 V, and ±1.0 V.
10
USB-1208LS User's Guide Functional Details
In differential mode, the following two requirements must be met for linear operation:
Any analog input must remain in the −10V to +20V range with respect to ground at all times.
The maximum differential voltage on any given analog input pair must remain within the selected voltag
ange.
r
e
The input [common-modevoltage + signal] of the differential channel must be in the −10 V to +20 V range in
order to yield a useful result. For example, you input a 4 V pp sine wave to CHHI, and apply the same sine
wave 180° out of phase to CHLO. The common mode voltage is 0 V. The differential input voltage swings from
4 V – (–4 V) = 8 V to –4 V – 4 V = –8V. Both inputs satisfy the –10 V to +20 V input range requirement, and
the differential voltage is suited for the ±10 V input range (see Figure 5).
Figure 5. Differential voltage example: common mode voltage of 0 V
If you increase the common mode voltage to 11 V, the differential remains at ±8 V. Although the [commonmode voltage + signal] on each input now has a range of +7 V to +15 V, both inputs still satisfy the –10 V to
+20 V input requirement (see Figure 6).
Figure 6. Differential voltage example: common mode voltage of 11V
If you decrease the common-mode voltage to –7 V, the differential stays at ±8 V. However, the solution now
violates the input range condition of -10 V to +20 V. The voltage on each analog input now swings from –3V to
–11V. Voltages between –10 V and –3 V are resolved, but those below –10 V are clipped (see Figure 7).
Figure 7. Differential voltage example: common mode voltage of –7 V
11
USB-1208LS User's Guide Functional Details
–20 V
0 V
Invalid
–15 V
+5 V
Invalid
–10 V
0 V
–10 V
–10 V
+10 V
–20 V
0 V
+10 V
–10 V
0 V
+20 V
–20 V
+10 V
–10 V
+20 V
+10 V
0 V
+10 V
+15 V
–5 V
+20 V
+20 V
0
+20 V
0
CH0
BIP10V
2
CH3
BIP10V
3
CH2
BIP1V
Since the analog inputs are restricted to a −10 V to +20 V signal swing with respect to ground, all ranges except
±20V can realize a linear output for any differential signal with zero common mode voltage and full scale signal
inputs. The ±20 V range is the exception. You cannot put −20 V on CHHI and 0 V on CHLO since this violates
the input range criteria.
The table below shows some possible inputs and the expected results.
Sample inputs and differential results
CHHI CHLO Result
For more information on analog signal connections
For more information on single-ended and differential inputs, refer to the Guide to DAQ Signal Connections
(this document is available on our web site at www.mccdaq.com/signals/signals.pdf.)
Channel-Gain queue
The channel-gain queue feature allows you to set up a scan sequence with a unique per-channel gain setting and
channel sequence. The gain settings are stored in a channel-gain queue list that is written to local memory on
the device.
The channel-gain queue list can contain up to 8 elements in any order. An example of a four-element list is
shown in the table below.
Sample channel-gain queue li st
Element Channel Range
1 CH0 BIP5V
When a scan begins with the gain queue enabled, the USB-1208LS reads the first element, sets the appropriate
channel number and range, and then acquires a sample. The properties of the next element are then retrieved,
and another sample is acquired. This sequence continues until all elements in the gain queue have been selected.
When the end of the channel list is detected, the sequence returns to the first element in the list. This sequence
repeats until the specified number of samples is acquired.
Carefully match the gain to the expected voltage range on the associated channel or an over range condition
may occur. Although this condition does not damage the device, it does produce a useless full-scale reading,
and can introduce a long recovery time due to saturation of the input channel.
Digital I/O
You can connect up to 16 digital I/O lines to the screw terminal containing pins 21 to 40 (Port A0 to Port A7,
Port B0 to Port B7.) You can configure each digital port for either input or output.
and
When you configure the digital bits for input, you can use the digital I/O terminals to detect the state of any
TTL level input.
12
USB-1208LS User's Guide Functional Details
Refer to the schematic shown in Figure 8. If the switch is set to the +5 V input, Port A0 reads TRUE (1). If you
move the switch to GND, Port A0 reads FALSE.
Figure 8. Schematic showing switch detection by digital channel Port A0
For more information on digital signal connections
For more information on digital signal connections and digital I/O techniques, refer to the Guide to DAQ Signal
Connections (available on our web site at www.mccdaq.com/signals/signals.pdf.
Trigger input
The TRIG_IN terminal is an external digital input that you can configure for either TTL level high or low.
Counter input
The CTR terminal is a 32-bit event counter that can accept frequency inputs up to 1 MHz. The internal counter
increments when the TTL levels transition from low to high.
Calibration output
The CAL terminal is an output used only to calibrate the device. Calibration is software-controlled via InstaCal.
Power output
The PC +5V terminal is a 5 volt output that is supplied by the computer. You can use this terminal to supply
power to external devices or circuitry.
Caution! The PC +5V terminal is an output. Do not connect to an external power supply or you may damage
the USB-1208LS and possibly the computer.
The maximum total output current that can be drawn from all USB-1208LS connections (power, analog and
digital outputs) is 500 mA. This maximum applies to most personal computers and self-powered USB hubs.
Bus-powered hubs and notebook computers may limit the maximum available output current to 100 mA.
Just connecting the USB-1208LS to your computer draws 20 mA of current from the USB +5 V supply. Once
you start running applications, each DIO bit can draw up to 2.5 mA, and each analog output can draw 30 mA.
The maximum amount of +5 V current available for experimental use, over and above that required by the
device, is the difference between the totalcurrentrequirement of the USB device (based on the application),
and the allowedcurrentdraw of the PC platform (500 mA for desktop PCs and self-powered hubs, or 100 mA
for bus-powered hubs and notebook computers).
With all outputs at their maximum output current, the total current requirement of the USB +5 V is:
(USB-1208LS @ 20 mA) + (16 DIO @ 2.5 mA ea) + (2 AO @ 30 mA ea ) = 120 mA
For an application running on a PC or powered hub, the maximum available excess current is 500 mA−120 mA
= 380 mA. This number is the total maximum available current at the PC+5V screw terminals. Cole-Parmer
highly recommends that you figure in a safety factor of 20% below this maximum current loading for your
applications. A conservative, safe user maximum in this case would be in the 300-320 mA range.
Since laptop computers typically allow up to 100 mA, the USB-1208LS in a fully-loaded configuration may be
above that allowed by the computer. In this case, you must determine the per-pin loading in the application to
ensure that the maximum loading criteria is met. The per-pin loading is calculated by simply dividing the +5 V
by the load impedance of the pin in question.
Ground terminals
The GND connections are identical and provide a common ground for all device functions.
13
USB-1208LS User's Guide Functional Details
Accuracy
The overall accuracy of any instrument is limited by the error components within the system. Quite often,
resolution is incorrectly used to quantify the performance of a measurement product. While "12-bits" or "1 part
in 4096" does indicate what can be resolved, it provides little insight into the quality of an absolute
measurement. Accuracy specifications describe the actual results that can be realized with a measurement
device.
There are three types of errors which affect the accuracy of a measurement system:
offset
gain
nonlinearity.
The primary error sources in the USB-1208LS are offset and gain. Nonlinearity is small in the USB-1208LS,
and is not significant as an error source with respect to offset and gain.
Figure 9 shows an ideal, error-free, USB-1208LS transfer function. The typical calibrated accuracy of the USB1208LS is range-dependent, as explained in the
example of what you can expect when performing a measurement in this range.
Specifications chapter. We use a ±10 V range here as an
Figure 9. Ideal ADC transfer function
The USB-1208LS offset error is measured at mid-scale. Ideally, a zero volt input should produce an output code
of 2048. Any deviation from this is an offset error. Figure 10 shows the USB-1208LS transfer function with an
offset error. The typical offset error specification on the ±10 V range is ±9.77 mV. Offset error affects all codes
equally by shifting the entire transfer function up or down along the input voltage axis.
14
USB-1208LS User's Guide Functional Details
The accuracy plots in Figure 10 are drawn for clarity and are not drawn to scale.
Figure 10. ADC transfer function with offset error
Gain error is a change in the slope of the transfer function from the ideal, and is typically expressed as a
percentage of full-scale. Figure 11 shows the USB-1208LS transfer function with gain error. Gain error is easily
converted to voltage by multiplying the full-scale (FS) input by the error.
The accuracy plots in Figure 11 are drawn for clarity and are not drawn to scale.
Figure 11. ADC Transfer function with gain error
For example, the USB-1208LS exhibits a typical calibrated gain error of ±0.2% on all ranges. For the ±10 V
range, this would yield 10 V × ±0.002 = ±20 mV. This means that at full scale, neglecting the effect of offset for
the moment, the measurement would be within 20 mV of the actual value. Note that gain error is expressed as a
ratio. Values near ±FS are more affected from an absolute voltage standpoint than are values near mid-scale,
which see little or no voltage error.
15
USB-1208LS User's Guide Functional Details
Combining these two error sources in Figure 12, we have a plot of the error band of the USB-1208LS for the
±10 V range. This is a graphical version of the typical accuracy specification of the product.
The accuracy plots in Figure 12 are drawn for clarity and are not drawn to scale.
Figure 12. Error band plot
16
USB-1208LS User's Guide Functional Details
Mechanical drawings
Figure 13. Circuit board (top) and enclosure dimensions
17
A/D converter type
Successive approximation type
Input voltage range for linear operation,
single-ended mode
CHx to GND
±10 V max
Input common-mode voltage range for linear
CHx to GND
–10 V min, +20 V max
Absolute maximum input voltage
CHx to GND
±40V max
Input current (Note 1)
Vin = +10 V
70 µA typ
Vin = 0V
–12 µA typ
Vin = –10 V
–94 µA typ
Input impedance
122 kΩ
Number of channels
8 single ended / 4 differential,
software-selectable
Input ranges
Single-ended mode
±10V, G=2
Differential mode
±20V, G=1
Throughput
Software paced
50 S/s
Hardware paced
1.2 kS/s
BURSTIO to 4 K sample
FIFO
8 kS/s
Channel gain queue
Up to 8 elements
Software configurable channel, range, and
Resolution (Note 2)
Differential
12 bits, no missing codes
Single ended
11 bits
CAL accuracy
CAL = 2.5V
±0.05% typ, ±0.25% max
Integral linearity error
±1 LSB typ
Differential linearity error
±0.5 LSB typ
Repeatability
±1 LSB typ
CAL current
Source
5 mA max
Sink
20 µA min, 200 nA typ
Trigger Source
Software-selectable
External digital: TRIG_IN
Specifications
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
Typical for 25°C unless otherwise specified.
Specifications in italic text are guaranteed by design.
To maintain compliance to the standards of this declaration, the following conditions must be met.
The host computer, peripheral equipment, power sources, and expansion hardware must be CE compliant.
All I/O cables must be shielded, with the shields connected to ground.
I/O cables must be less than 3 meters (9.75 feet) in length.
The host computer must be properly grounded.
Equipment must be operated in a controlled electromagnetic environment as defined by Standards EN
61326-1:2006, or IEC 61326-1:2005.
Declaration of Conformity based on tests conducted by Chomerics Test Services, Woburn, MA 01801, USA in
May, 2004. Test records are outlined in Chomerics Test Report #EMI3876.04. Further testing was conducted by
Chomerics Test Services, Woburn, MA. 01801, USA in December, 2008. Test records are outlined in
Chomerics Test report #EMI5215B.08.
We hereby declare that the equipment specified conforms to the above Directives and Standards.
arl Haapaoja, Director of Quality Assurance
C
Measurement Computing Corporation
10 Commerce Way
Suite 1008
Norton, Massachusetts 02766
(508) 946-5100
Fax: (508) 946-9500
E-mail:
info@mccdaq.com
www.mccdaq.com
Loading...
+ hidden pages
You need points to download manuals.
1 point = 1 manual.
You can buy points or you can get point for every manual you upload.