Meilhaus Electronic ME-5810, ME-5810B, ME-5810A, ME-5001, ME-5810B/S Series Manual

Meilhaus Electronic Manual

ME-5810 Series

Opto-Isolated Digital-I/O Board

with Bit-Pattern Detection, 3 x 16-bit Counters (8254)

(alternatively: Frequency Measurement and Pulse Generator)

Imprint

Manual ME-5810 Series

Revision 2.0

Revised: 2019-09-10

Meilhaus Electronic GmbH
Am Sonnenlicht 2
D-82239 Alling bei München
Germany

www.meilhaus.de

© Copyright 2019 Meilhaus Electronic GmbH

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced
or distributed in any form whether photocopied, printed, put on mi­crofilm or be stored in any electronic media without the expressed
written consent of Meilhaus Electronic GmbH.

Important note:

The information contained in this manual has been reviewed with
great care and is believed to be complete and accurate. Meilhaus
Electronic assumes no responsibility for its use, any infringements
of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from
use of this manual or the product. Meilhaus Electronic assumes no
responsibility for any problems or damage which may result from
errors or omissions. Specifications and instructions are subject to
change without notice.

Note the Meilhaus Electronic general terms of business:

www.meilhaus.de/en/infos/my-shop/tob/

All trademarks acknowledged. All trademarks are property of their
respective owners.

Content

1 Introduction ........................................................... 5

1.1 Important Notes ............................................................... 5

1.1.1 Use in Accordance with the Requirements ....................... 5

1.1.2 Improper Application ...................................................... 6

1.1.3 Unforeseeable Misapplications ........................................ 6

1.2 Package Contents ............................................................. 6

1.3 Features .......................................................................... 7

1.4 System Requirements ..................................................... 10

1.5 Software Support ........................................................... 10

2 Initial Operation ................................................... 11

2.1 Software Installation ....................................................... 11

2.2 Test Program .................................................................. 11

2.3 Fitting the Plug-on Boards ............................................... 11

2.4 Power Supply for PCI-Express Models................................ 13

3 Hardware ............................................................ 14

3.1 Block Picture .................................................................. 14

3.2 ME-5810 cPCI ................................................................ 15

3.3 ME-5810 PCIe ................................................................ 15

3.4 ME-5002 ........................................................................ 16

3.5 Digital Input/Output ......................................................... 16

3.5.1 Opto-Isolated Inputs .................................................... 17

3.5.2 Opto-Isolated Outputs ................................................. 18

3.5.2.1 Sink Driver ........................................................ 18

3.5.2.2 Source Driver .................................................... 20

3.5.3 External Trigger ........................................................... 21

3.5.3.1 External Trigger Inputs ....................................... 21

3.5.3.2 Edge Detection .................................................. 21

3.6 Frequency Input/Output ................................................... 21

3.7 Counters ........................................................................ 22

3.7.1 Wiring of the Counters ................................................. 23

3.7.2 Pulse Width Modulation ................................................ 24

3.8 External Interrupt ........................................................... 25

4 Programming ....................................................... 26

4.1 Single Operation Mode ..................................................... 28

4.1.1 Digital Input/Output ..................................................... 29

4.1.2 Frequency Input/Output ................................................ 29

4.1.2.1 Frequency Measurement .................................... 31

4.1.2.2 Pulse Generator ................................................ 31

4.1.3 Counters (8254) ......................................................... 32

4.1.3.1 Standard Operation Modes ................................. 32

4.1.3.2 Pulse Width Modulation ...................................... 33

4.2 Streaming Operation Mode............................................... 33

4.2.1 Digital Input/Output ..................................................... 33

4.2.1.1 Stream Timer .................................................... 33

4.2.1.2 Stream Trigger Sample ...................................... 33

4.2.1.3 Wraparound Mode ............................................. 33

4.2.1.4 External Trigger ................................................. 34

4.3 Interrupt Operation ......................................................... 35

4.3.1 Bit-Pattern Change ...................................................... 36

4.3.2 Bit-Pattern Compare ................................................... 37

5 Appendix ............................................................. 38

A Specification .......................................................................... 38

B Pinout ................................................................................... 46

B1 78-pin D-Sub (ST1) — ME-5810 .............................................. 47

C Accessories ........................................................................... 48

D Technical Questions ................................................................ 49

D1 Hotline ........................................................................... 49

E Index ..................................................................................... 50

1 Introduction

Valued customer,

Thank you for purchasing this device from Meilhaus Electronic. You
have chosen an innovative high-technology product that left our
premises in a fully functional and new condition.

Please take the time to carefully examine the contents of the pack­age for any loss or damage that may have occurred during shipping.
If there are any items missing or if an item is damaged, please con­tact us immediately.

Before installing the board in your computer, we recommend you
read this manual carefully, especially the chapter describing board
installation.

1.1 Important Notes

1.1.1 Use in Accordance with the Requirements

The PC boards of the ME-series are designed for acquisition and
output of analog and digital signals using a PC. Depending on type,
install the models of the ME-series into:

a free PCI-Express slot (PCIe versions) or

a free CompactPCI slot (3 HE cPCI versions)

For information on how to install a plug-in board, read the manual
of your PC.

Please note the instructions and specifications as presented in
this manual (Appendix, from page 38 on):

 Please ensure sufficient heat dissipation for the board within

the PC housing.

 All unused inputs should be connected to the ground reference

of the appropriate functional section. This avoids cross talk be­tween the input lines.

 The opto-isolated inputs and outputs achieve an electrical isola-

tion of the application relative to PC ground.

 Note that the computer must be powered up, prior connecting

signals by the external wiring of the board.

 As a basic principle, all connections to the board should only be

made or removed in a powered-down state of all components.

 Ensure that no static discharge occurs while handling the

board or while connecting/disconnecting the external cable.

 Ensure that the connection cable is properly connected. It

must be seated firmly on the D-Sub connector and must be
tightened with both screws, otherwise proper operation of the
board cannot be guaranteed!

1.1.2 Improper Application

PC plug-in boards for the PCI-, PCI-Express- or CompactPCI-bus
may not be taken into operation outside of the PC. Never connect
the devices with voltage-carrying parts, especially not with mains
voltage. As power supply for the USB models only an authorized
power adaptor may be used.

Make sure that no contact with voltage-carrying parts can happen
by the external wiring of the device. As a basic principle, all connec­tions should only be made or removed in a powered-down state.

1.1.3 Unforeseeable Misapplications

The device is not suitable to be used as a children’s toy, in the

household or under unfavourable environmental conditions (e.g. in
the open). Appropriate precautions to avoid any unforeseeable mis­application must be taken by the user.

1.2 Package Contents

We take great care to ensure your delivery is complete. Nonethe­less, please check the list enclosed to verify the contents of your
delivery. You should find included:

 Opto-isolated digital-I/O boards for the PCI-Express- or Com-

pact-PCI-bus of type ME-5810A or ME-5810B (incl. ME-5002)

 Manual in PDF format on CD/DVD (optionally available in printed

form).

 Driver software on CD/DVD.
 78-pin D-sub mating connector.

Model

Opto-Dio

Opto-FIO*

Counter

ME-5810A

1 x 16

bit DI

1 x 16

bit DO

4 FI channels
4 FO channels

3 x 16

bit

ME-5810A/S

...with streaming
operation

1 x 16

bit DI

1 x 16

bit DO

4 FI channels
4 FO channels

3 x 16

bit

ME-5810B**

(ME-5810A +
ME-5002)

2 x 16

bit DI

2 x 16

bit DO

4 + 4 FI channels
4 + 4 FO channels

3 x 16

bit

ME-5810B/S**

(ME-5810A/S with
streaming operation
+ ME-5002)

2 x 16

bit DI

2 x 16

bit DO

4 + 4 FI channels
4 + 4 FO channels

3 x 16

bit

1.3 Features

The ME-5810 series PC boards are opto-isolated digital-I/O boards
with bit-pattern detection and counters for PCI-Express- and Com­pactPCI-systems. In this user manual “ME-5810” is used for all
versions of the cards, whereas “ME-5810A” or “ME-5810B” is
used to describe special features of these versions.

If required, certain subdevices can alternatively be configured for
frequency measurement or for pulse generation (see chapter 4
from page 26). As an option, the base-board can be extended with
add-on boards (see table 2 on page 10).

Model overview:

* Alternative configuration can be selected with ME-iDC.

** ME-5810A(/S) is always registered in the Windows device manager.

 Opto-isolated digital-inputs: The ME-5810 has 16 opto-iso-

lated inputs. Further 16 opto-isolated inputs can be added us­ing the plug-on board ME-5002. The inputs run with a voltage
high level of 3…60 V (specifications see page 38).

 Opto-isolated digital outputs: Die ME-5810 has 16 opto-iso-

lated outputs. Further 16 opto-isolated outputs can be added
using the plug-on board ME-5002. The source-driver can drive
up to 370 mA per pin (all 16 outputs active). The detailed spec­ifications of the sink and/or source drivers can be found on page

38. The source drivers are short-circuit-proof and are equipped

with a current limiting per channel. If required, the output
driver can send an interrupt on overload to the PC.
A suitable external source is required to supply the output driv­ers.

 Frequency measurement: With the concept of “configurable

subdevices” the subdevice 0 can also be used as a frequency

counter. Four independent channels are available to measure
the frequency and duty cycle of periodic rectangular signals
(max. 5.5 MHz). 4 further channels can be added using the
plug-on board ME-5002.

 Pulse generator: With the concept of “configurable subde-

vices” the subdevice 1 can also be used as a rectangular signal

generator. Four independent channels are available to output a
periodic rectangular signal up to 5.5 MHz with selectable duty
cycle. 4 further channels can be added using the plug-on board
ME-5002.

 Sink/source selection: You can switch the output ports over

from sink to source drivers or high impedance by software for
an optimal adaption in industrial applications. “High impedance”
means that the voltage level at the output pin depends on your
external application.

 Bit-pattern detection: If required, the bit-pattern at the digital

input port can be monitored. Depending on the mode an inter­rupt can be generated, if the bit-pattern changes or is
equal/not equal to a given bit-pattern. In streaming mode bit­pattern detection can be used to control the input/output oper­ation depending on the selected operating mode (no interrupt
operation).

 The isolation voltage between the opto-isolated inputs/outputs

and PC-ground is 1 kVAC

RMS

.

 The opto-isolated digital inputs of the ME-5810 and ME-5002

are equipped with an overvoltage protection diode that can dis­charge voltage pulses to ground for a short period of time.

Depending on your application you can select between these oper­ating modes:

 Single: In this mode a single value can be read or written under

software control (see chapter 4.1.1 on page 29).

 Streaming (“S”-versions only): In this mode data I/O makes use

of the FIFO, either under timer control and/or controlled by ex­ternal trigger signals. Various trigger options are available that
can be defined as start and stop conditions. Subdevice 0 is de­fined as a 16-bit input port and subdevice 1 as a 16-bit output
port (see chapter 2.1 on page 11).

Model

ME-5810 A

ME-5001

ME-5002

ME-5004

PC-Interface

cPCI/PCIe

– – –

Board type

base board

plug-on board

plug-on
board

plug-on
board

DIO-channels

1 x 16-

bit

DI,

1 x 16-

bit DO

2 x 8-bit DIO+
4 x 8-bit

DIO**

1 x 16-

bit

DI,

1 x 16-b

it DO

1 x 16-

bit

DI,

1 x 16-

bit DO

Streaming
channels*

1 x 16-

bit

DI,

1 x

16-

bit DO

– – –

I/O rate
DI/DO

30 MS/s

/

30 MS/s

– – –

Frequency
FI/FO

300 kHz/
3 kHz

5.5 MHz/

5.5 MHz

300 kHz/
3 kHz

300 kHz/
3 kHz

Ext. trigger
for
streaming*

✔

– – –

Software­start/-stop
for
streaming*

✔

– – –

Frequency
measurement

4 channels

4 channels

4 channels

4 channels

Pulse
generator

4 channels

4 channels

4 channels

4 channels

Counter
(8254)

3 x 16

bit

– – –

Bit-pattern
change

✔ – ✔

✔

Bit-pattern
compare

✔ – ✔

✔

DI/FI level

3…60 V

3.3 V/5 V
(4 x 8 bit***)

3…60 V

3…60 V

DO/FO level

15…30 V

3.3 V/5 V
(4 x 8 bit***)

15…30 V

15…30 V

Active
termination

– 4 x 8

bit***

–

–

 Interrupt: Used for interrupt processing in bit-pattern change

and bit-pattern compare mode (see chapter 4.3 on page 35).

Custom specific firmware versions are available on request.

Opto-isolation

✔ – ✔

✔

Sink/Source
selection

✔ – ✔

✔

Temperature
monitoring

source driver

–

source
driver

source driver

Field wiring

78-pin D-Sub
female
socket

25-pin D-Sub
female socket

via 78-pin
D-Sub of
base board

37-pin D-Sub
female
socket

Configurable
firmware

✔ ✔ ✔

✔

Configurable
subdevices

✔ ✔ ✔

✔

* Streaming mode only for “S”-versions
** opt. via ME-AK-D25F/S (cPCI)
*** only for subdevice 0…3.

1.4 System Requirements

The ME-series may be installed into any PC (Intel® Pentium® pro­cessor) with a free standard PCI-, PCI-Express- resp. CompactPCI­slot (32 bit, 33 MHz, 5 V). The board is supported by the Meilhaus
Electronic Intelligent Driver System (ME-iDS).

1.5 Software Support

The ME-series is supported by the Meilhaus Electronic Intelligent
Driver System (ME-iDS). The ME-iDS is a unique driver system cov­ering different devices and operating systems. It supports Win­dows 2000/XP/Vista and Windows 7, 8.1, 10 and contains a uni­versal function library (API) for all common programming languages.

A detailed description of the functions can be found in the ME-iDS
manual on the CD/DVD enclosed.

Please also note the corresponding README-files.

2 Initial Operation

Please read your computer’s instruction manual on how to install

new hardware components before installing the board.

2.1 Software Installation

 Installation under Windows

The following basic procedure should be used:

If you have received the driver software as an archive file, please
unpack the software before installing the board. First choose a di­rectory on your computer (e.g. C:\Temp\Meilhaus\ME-iDS).

Use the Meilhaus Electronic Intelligent Driver System (ME-iDS) for
programming your new data acquisition hardware. For installation
and operation of the driver system, please follow the documenta­tion in electronic form included with the software package.

2.2 Test Program

For simple testing of the board use the corresponding test pro­gram provided with the ME-iDS.

ME-PowerLab3. Run the program from the Windows Start menu.
This will allow you to text all the important functions of the hard­ware.

 You will find simple test programs in the SDK of the ME-iDS, in

the “Test Executables32” or “Test Executables64” subfolders.

2.3 Fitting the Plug-on Boards

The boards should be handled with care in order to make sure that
the device is not damaged by electrostatic discharge (ESD), me­chanical stress or unsuitable current surges. Precautions should
also be taken to avoid an electric shock. Ensure that standard ESD
safety precautions are taken. At least one hand should be
grounded in order to dissipate any electrostatic charge.

Observe the following procedure:

1. If the base board is installed, you must first remove it in or-

der to be able to insert the plug-on board. Here you should
observe the procedure as described in the manual for your
PC system.

2. Make sure that electrostatic discharges cannot take place

through the plug-on board or the base board as you plug it
in. Follow the standard ESD safety precautions.

3. Push the plug-on board carefully, and with only a little force,

on to the male connector provided for it (see picture 1,
items 1, 2 and 3). Check that the board is fully plugged in.

4. Choose two adjacent slots for the installation. If necessary,

remove an additional blanking plate for the slot of the plug-on
board.

5. Carefully plug the combination of the base and plug-on board

into the computer.

6. Screw the two slot brackets down firmly.

7. Close the PC system again.

2.4 Power Supply for PCI-Express Models

Because of the PCI-Express slot drive’s insufficient current for op-
erating the board, an additional supply is required via the PC power
supply. For that purpose connect a free “MOLEX” connector of the
PC (as used for power supply of drives) with the appropriate termi­nal of the board (see the following diagram).

Otherwise the board may be irreversibly damaged!

3 Hardware

3.1 Block Picture

*Note: “FIFO IN” and “FIFO OUT” for streaming mode are only avail-
able on “S”-versions.

Pinout picture of the 78-pin D-sub female connector in the appen­dix (see “Pinout”page 46).

In the following chapters you will learn more about the external wir­ing of the functional sections. Chapter 4 from page 26 describes
the operation modes and the programming.

3.2 ME-5810 cPCI

3.3 ME-5810 PCIe