Measurement Specialties PCI-DAS64-M2-16 User Manual

PCI-DAS64/M2/16

Multifunction Analog & Digital I/O

User's Guide

Document Revision 1, July, 2006

© Copyright 2006, Measurement Computing Corporation

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HM PCI-DAS64_M2_16.doc

ii

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iii

Table of Contents

Preface

About this User's Guide ......................................................................................................................vi

What you will learn from this user's guide ........................................................................................................vi

Conventions in this user's guide ........................................................................................................................vi

Where to find more information........................................................................................................................vi

Chapter 1

Introducing the PCI-DAS64/M2/16 ................................................................................................... 1-1

Overview: PCI-DAS64/M2/16 features.......................................................................................................... 1-1

Software features............................................................................................................................................ 1-1

Chapter 2

Installing the PCI-DAS64/M2/16 ....................................................................................................... 2-1

What comes with your PCI-DAS64/M2/16 shipment?................................................................................... 2-1

Hardware ....................................................................................................................................................................... 2-1

Additional documentation.............................................................................................................................................. 2-1

Optional components ..................................................................................................................................................... 2-1

Unpacking the PCI-DAS64/M2/16................................................................................................................. 2-2

Installing the software .................................................................................................................................... 2-2

Installing the PCI-DAS64/M2/16 ................................................................................................................... 2-2

Configuring the PCI-DAS64/M2/16............................................................................................................... 2-3

Connecting the board for I/O operations ........................................................................................................ 2-3

Connectors, cables – main I/O connector....................................................................................................................... 2-3

Pinout – main I/O connector.......................................................................................................................................... 2-4

Pin out – auxiliary DIO connector ................................................................................................................................. 2-7

Field wiring, signal termination and conditioning........................................................................................ 2-10

Chapter 3

Programming and Developing Applications .................................................................................. 3-1

Programming Languages................................................................................................................................ 3-1

Packaged Applications Programs ................................................................................................................... 3-1

Register Level Programming.......................................................................................................................... 3-1

Chapter 4

Functional Description ..................................................................................................................... 4-1

Analog inputs.................................................................................................................................................. 4-1

Burst mode..................................................................................................................................................................... 4-2

Analog output ................................................................................................................................................. 4-2

Digital I/O....................................................................................................................................................... 4-2

Counter/timer I/O ........................................................................................................................................... 4-2

Chapter 5

Calibrating the PCI-DAS64/M2/16 .................................................................................................... 5-1

Overview ........................................................................................................................................................ 5-1

Calibration theory........................................................................................................................................... 5-2

Chapter 6

Specifications.................................................................................................................................... 6-4

Analog input ................................................................................................................................................... 6-4

System throughput ......................................................................................................................................................... 6-5

Accuracy........................................................................................................................................................................ 6-5

Crosstalk ........................................................................................................................................................................ 6-6

Noise performance.........................................................................................................................................................6-7

iv

PCI-DAS64/M2/16 User's Guide

Analog output ................................................................................................................................................. 6-7

Accuracy........................................................................................................................................................................ 6-7

Analog output pacing and triggering.............................................................................................................................. 6-8

Digital input/output......................................................................................................................................... 6-8

Interrupts......................................................................................................................................................... 6-9

Counters.......................................................................................................................................................... 6-9

Pacer ............................................................................................................................................................. 6-10

Power consumption ...................................................................................................................................... 6-10

Environmental .............................................................................................................................................. 6-10

Mechanical ................................................................................................................................................... 6-10

Main connector and pin out.......................................................................................................................... 6-10

Differential mode pin out............................................................................................................................................. 6-11

Single-ended mode pin out .......................................................................................................................................... 6-12

Digital input/output connector and pin out................................................................................................... 6-13

v

Preface

About this User's Guide

What you will learn from this user's guide

This user's guide explains how to install, configure, and use the PCI-DAS64/M2/16 so that you get the most out
of its analog, digital, and timing I/O features.

This user's guide also refers you to related documents available on our web site, and to technical support
resources.

Conventions in this user's guide

For more information on …

Text presented in a box signifies additional information and helpful hints related to the subject matter you are
reading.

Caution! Shaded caution statements present information to help you avoid injuring yourself and others,

damaging your hardware, or losing your data.

<#:#> Angle brackets that enclose numbers separated by a colon signify a range of numbers, such as those assigned

to registers, bit settings, etc.

bold text Bold text is used for the names of objects on the screen, such as buttons, text boxes, and check boxes. For

example:

1. Insert the disk or CD and click the OK button.

italic text Italic text is used for the names of manuals and help topic titles, and to emphasize a word or phrase. For

example:
The InstaCal installation procedure is explained in the Quick Start Guide.
Never touch the exposed pins or circuit connections on the board.

Where to find more information

The following electronic documents provide relevant information to the operation of your PCI-DAS64/M2/16.

! MCC's Specifications: PCI-DAS64/M2/16 (the PDF version of the Specifications chapter in this guide) is

available on our web site at www.mccdaq.com/pdfs/PCI-DAS64-M2-16.pdf

! MCC's Quick Start Guide is available on our web site at

www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/DAQ-Software-Quick-Start.pdf.

! MCC's Guide to Signal Connections is available on our web site at

www.mccdaq.com/signals/signals.pdf

! MCC's Universal Library User's Guide is available on our web site at

www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/sm-ul-user-guide.pdf

! MCC's Universal Library Function Reference is available on our web site at

www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/sm-ul-functions.pdf.

! MCC's Universal Library for LabVIEW

www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/SM-UL-LabVIEW.pdf.

.

.

™

User’s Guide is available on our web site at

.

PCI-DAS64/M2/16 User's Guide (this document) is also available on our web site at

www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/PCI-DAS64-M2-16.pdf.

vi

Chapter 1

Introducing the PCI-DAS64/M2/16

Overview: PCI-DAS64/M2/16 features

The PCI-DAS64/M2/16 board offers a combination of high speed, channel count and resolution on a single
PCI-bus data acquisition board. It offers:

! 64 single-ended or 32 differential 16-bit analog inputs
! 2 MHz sample rate
! Two 16-bit analog outputs
! 100 kHz D/A update rate (16 K FIFO)
! 32 bits of digital I/O
! One 16-bit down-counter
! A variety of analog and digital trigger modes with software-selectable trigger levels and direction

The PCI-DAS64/M2/16 board is designed with Measurement Computing’s powerful System Timing Controller
(STC) chip. The STC chip controls all A/D sampling and D/A update rates as well as controlling the 8K A/D
FIFO, the 8K gain/channel queue and the 16K D/A FIFO buffer. This functionality is based on the STC chip’s
use of an on-board 32K x 16 SRAM. The STC chip assigns functions to various parts of the SRAM, such as the
A/D FIFO buffer, and provides full-speed control and arbitration among the various functions using the various
sections of the SRAM buffer.

The STC allows simultaneous full speed A/D sampling, D/A updating and gain/channel queue sequencing, with
variable inter-sample timing if desired. The STC chip performs these functions up to 5 MHz, and is available as
an OEM component for use in your own designs. The board provides bus-mastering and scatter-gather
functionality to assure the desired system timing is maintained.

The PCI-DAS64/M2/16 is completely plug-and-play, with no switches, jumpers or potentiometers on the board.
All board addresses, interrupt channels, etc., are set by your computers plug-and-play software. Calibration is
performed via software by using on-board trim D/A converters.

Software features

For information on the features of InstaCal and the other software included with your PCI-DAS64/M2/16, refer
to the Quick Start Guide that shipped with your device. The Quick Start Guide is also available in PDF at

www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/DAQ-Software-Quick-Start.pdf

Check www.mccdaq.com/download.htm
under less commonly used operating systems.

for the latest software version or versions of the software supported

.

1-1

Installing the PCI-DAS64/M2/16

What comes with your PCI-DAS64/M2/16 shipment?

As you unpack your board, make sure each of the items shown below is included.

Hardware

! PCI-DAS64/M2/16

Chapter 2

Additional documentation

In addition to this hardware user's guide, you should also receive the Quick Start Guide (available in PDF at

www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/DAQ-Software-Quick-Start.pdf

the software you received with your PCI-DAS64/M2/16 and information regarding installation of that software.
Please read this booklet completely before installing any software or hardware.

). This booklet supplies a brief description of

Optional components

If you ordered any of the following products with your board, they should be included with your shipment.

! Cables

BP40-37

C100HD50-x

C100MMS-x

C40FF-x

C40-37F-x

2-1

PCI-DAS64/M2/16 User's Guide Installing the PCI-DAS64/M2/16

! Signal termination and conditioning accessories

MCC provides signal termination products for use with the PCI-DAS64/M2/16. Refer to the "Field wiring,

signal termination and conditioning" section on page 2-7 for a complete list of compatible accessory

products.

Unpacking the PCI-DAS64/M2/16

As with any electronic device, you should take care while handling to avoid damage from static
electricity. Before removing the PCI-DAS64/M2/16 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, notify Measurement Computing Corporation immediately by
phone, fax, or e-mail:

! Phone: [phone] and follow the instructions for reaching Tech Support.
! Fax: [phone] to the attention of Tech Support
! Email: [e-mail]

Installing the software

Refer to the Quick Start Guide for instructions on installing the software on the Measurement Computing Data
Acquisition Software CD. This booklet is available in PDF at www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/DAQ-Software-

Quick-Start.pdf.

Installing the PCI-DAS64/M2/16

The PCI-DAS64/M2/16 board is completely plug-and-play, with no switches or jumpers to set. Configuration is
controlled by your system's BIOS. To install your board, follow the steps below.

Install the MCC DAQ software before you install your board

The driver needed to run your board is installed with the MCC DAQ software. Therefore, you need to install the
MCC DAQ software before you install your board. Refer to the Quick Start Guide for instructions on installing
the software.

1.

Turn your computer off, open it up, and insert your board into an available PCI slot.

2.

Close your computer and turn it on.

If you are using an operating system with support for plug-and-play (such as Windows 2000 or Windows
XP), a dialog box pops up as the system loads indicating that new hardware has been detected. If the
information file for this board is not already loaded onto your PC, you will be prompted for the disk
containing this file. The MCC DAQ software contains this file. If required, insert the Measurement
Computing Data Acquisition Software CD and click

3.

To test your installation and configure your board, run the InstaCal utility you installed in the previous
section. Refer to the Quick Start Guide that came with your board for information on how to initially set up
and load InstaCal.

If your board has been powered-off for more than 10 minutes, allow your computer to warm up for at least
60 minutes before acquiring data. This warm-up period is required for the board to achieve its rated accuracy.
The high speed components used on the board generate heat, and it takes this amount of time for a board to
reach steady state if it has been powered off for a significant amount of time.

OK.

2-2

PCI-DAS64/M2/16 User's Guide Installing the PCI-DAS64/M2/16

Calibrate the PCI-DAS64/M2/16 after it has warmed up and immediately before making critical
measurements

Use the InstaCal utility to calibrate the PCI-DAS64/M2/16 after it has fully warmed up. For best results,
calibrate the board immediately before making critical measurements. The high resolution analog components
on the board are somewhat sensitive to temperature. This pre-measurement calibration insures that your board is
operating at the optimum calibration values.

Configuring the PCI-DAS64/M2/16

All hardware configuration options on the PCI-DAS64/M2/16 are software controlled. You can select some of
the configuration options using InstaCal, such as the analog input configuration (64 single-ended or 32
differential channels), and the edge used for triggering when using an external pacer.

Once configured, any program that uses Measurement Computing’s Universal Library will initialize the
hardware according to these selections.

Connecting the board for I/O operations

Connectors, cables – main I/O connector

Table 2-1

Parameter Specification

Compatible cables — main connector

Compatible cables — 40-pin auxiliary
connector

Compatible accessory products using
the C100HD50-x cable

Compatible accessory products using
the C100MMS-x cable

Compatible accessory products using
the C40FF-x cable

Compatible accessory products
with the C40-37F-x cable
or
with the BP40-37-x and the C37FF-x
or C37FFS-x cable

lists the board connectors, applicable cables and compatible accessory boards.

Table 2-1. Main board connector, cables, accessory equipment

Main connector: Shielded SCSI 100-pin D-type Connector type

Auxiliary DIO connector: 40-pin header connector

! C100HD50-x, unshielded ribbon cable. x = 3 or 6 feet.
! C100MMS-x, shielded round cable. x = 1, 2, or 3 meters.
! C40FF-x
! C40-37F-x
! BP40-37-x

CIO-MINI50 (two required)
SCB-50

CIO-TERM100
SCB-100

CIO-MINI40

SCB-37
CIO-MINI37

CIO-TERMINAL
CIO-ERB24
CIO-ERB08
SSR-RACK24

SSR-RACK08

2-3