Mini-Circuits USB-I/O-16D8R, USB-I/O-4D2R, USB-I/O-8DRV Programming Manual

User & Programming

Guide

USB I/O Control Boxes

USB-I/O-4D2R
Two 24V outputs
Four TTL/LVTTL outputs
Connectors: 10 pin IDC;

2x 3.81mm DC connectors

USB-I/O-16D8R
8 buffered relays
16 TTL/LVTTL input/output lines
Connectors: 26 pin IDC;

34 pin IDC;

USB-I/O-8DRV
8 buffered relays
8 TTL/LVTTL input/output lines
8 High voltage digital inputs
Connectors: 10 pin IDC;
14 pin IDC;

AN-49-004 Rev.: A (November 26, 2014) M149081 (R88277) File: AN-49- 004(A).doc

This document and its contents are the property of Mini-Circuits

Important Notice

This guide is owned by Mini-Circuits and is protected by copyright,
trademark and other intellectual property laws.

The information in this guide is provided by Mini-Circuits as an
accommodation to our customers and may be used only to promote and

accompany the purchase of Mini-Circuits’ Parts. This guide may not be

reproduced, modified, distributed, published, stored in an electronic
database, or transmitted and the information contained herein may not be
exploited in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical recording or
otherwise, without prior written permission from Mini-Circuits.

This guide is subject to change, qualifications, variations, adjustments or
modifications without notice and may contain errors, omissions,
inaccuracies, mistakes or deficiencies. Mini-Circuits assumes no
responsibility for, and will have no liability on account of, any of the
foregoing. Accordingly, this guide should be used as a guideline only.

Trademarks

Microsoft, Windows, Visual Basic, Visual C# and Visual C++ are
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. LabVIEW and CVI are
registered trademarks of National Instruments Corporation. Delphi is a
registered trademark of Delphi Technologies, Inc. MATLAB is a registered
trademark of The MathWorks, Inc. Agilent VEE is a registered trademark
of Agilent Technologies, Inc. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus
Torvalds. Mac is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. Python is a
registered trademark of Python Software Foundation Corporation.

All other trademarks cited within this guide are the property of their
respective owners. Neither Mini-Circuits nor the Mini-Circuits I/O control
boxes are affiliated with or endorsed or sponsored by the owners of the
above referenced trademarks.

Mini-Circuits and the Mini-Circuits logo are registered trademarks of
Scientific Components Corporation.

Mini-Circuits

13 Neptune Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11235, USA
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Web: www.minicircuits.com

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – General Information.................................................. 4-6

1.1 Scope of the User Guide ................................................................................4

1.2 Warranty.........................................................................................................4

1.3 Definitions.......................................................................................................4

1.4 General safety precautions.............................................................................4

1.5 Introduction.....................................................................................................4

1.6 Service and Calibration ..................................................................................5

1.7 Contact Information ........................................................................................5

1.8 Model Description........................................................................................5-6

1.8.1 Intended Applications........................................................................................5

1.8.2 Included Accessories and Options....................................................................6

1.8.3 Conformity.........................................................................................................6

1.8.4 Supported Software Environments ...................................................................7

1.9 Individual Model Features ..............................................................................7

1.9.1 USB-I/O-4D2R Features ...................................................................................7

1.9.2 USB-I/O-16D8R Features .................................................................................7

1.9.3 USB-I/O-16D8R Features .................................................................................7

Chapter 2 – Installation and setup.............................................. 8-13

2.1 Software Setup...............................................................................................8

2.2 Installation ...................................................................................................9-9

2.3 Control Box Physical Setup .......................................................................... 11

2.3.1 USB-I/O-4D2R: ..........................................................................................11-11

2.3.2 USB-I/O-16D8R: ........................................................................................12-12

2.3.3 USB-I/O-8DRV:..........................................................................................13-13

Chapter 3 – Operating the Control Boxes ............................... -17 15

3.1 Starting the GUI program ........................................................................15-16

3.2 Application examples....................................................................................17

1. Chapter 1 – General Information

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(Novemb

contents are

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1.1 Scope of the User Guide

This Manual provides general introduction, setup and installation instructions, and
operating information for Mini-Circuits’ USB I/O control boxes.

1.2 Warranty

See Mini-Circuits website http://www.minicircuits.com/support/ordering.html for Warranty
information.

1.3 Definitions

Note: A note advises on important information you may need to insure proper operation of the

equipment. There is no risk to either the equipment or the user.

CAUTION

A cau
the equipment (No danger to users).

WARNING

A warning alerts to a possible risk to the user and steps to avoid it. Do Not
proceed until you are sure you understand the warning.

1.4 General safety precautions

There are no general Safety precautions for using Mini-Circuits USB&RS232 Digital Step
Attenuators.

1.5 Introduction

Mini-Circuits has developed a series of USB I/O (Input/Output) control boxes. These
control boxes provide a simple and effective means of controlling switches or other
analog devices, multiple TTL/LVTTL devices, and even reading high voltage digital
signals, all from a single standard PC or laptop computer.

Mini-Circuits provides support for the USB I/O control boxes in Windows and Linux
Operating Systems, in a variety of programming environments including most lab test
software using .NET assembly or ActiveX
customized applications.

tion advises about a condition or procedure which can cause damage to

®

controls which allow the user to write

Figure 1: USB-I/O-8DRV

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1.6 Service and Calibration

The USB-I/O control box models do not require any periodic service or calibration. The
only user service possible for the models is external cleaning of the case and
connectors as needed. Do not use any detergents or spray cleaning solutions to clean
the control box. To clean the connectors use an alcohol solution, and to clean the case
a soft, damp cloth.

1.7 Contact Information

Mini-Circuits inc.

13 Neptune Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11235
Phone: [phone]
General Fax: [phone]
Sales / Customer Service Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]

For regional offices and tech support see

http://www.minicircuits.com/contact/offices.html

1.8 Model Description

Mini-Circuits’ USB I/O control boxes are USB HID devices, no driver installation

required.

ActiveX and .Net objects allowing the units to be used with almost any standard

control software are supplied on a CD along with a demo program to test your
setup and programming samples.

The supplied software allows the control boxes to be operated from almost any 32

or 64 bit Windows computer.

The USB I/O control boxes can be controlled by a Linux computer which supports

the use of USB HID.

1.8.1 Intended Applications

Mini-Circuits series of USB control boxes are intended for indoor use in:

- Lab and test equipment setups for both manual and automated measurements.

- Control systems
The models can be used by anyone familiar with the basics of electronics
measurements or electronic control systems.

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1.8.2 Included Accessories and Options

g

Accessories Available USB-I/O-4D2R USB-I/O-16D8R USB-I/O-8DRV

Software CD

2.7 ft. USB cable

24V power adaptor

1 ft. 10 pin IDC cable

2 ft. 10 pin IDC cable

3 ft. 10 pin IDC cable

1 ft. 14 pin IDC cable

2 ft. 14 pin IDC cable

3 ft. 14 pin IDC cable

1 ft. 26 pin IDC cable

2 ft. 26 pin IDC cable

3 ft. 26 pin IDC cable

1 ft. 34 pin IDC cable

2 ft. 34 pin IDC cable

3 ft. 34 pin IDC cable

4 position DC connector

6.8 ft. USB cable

11 ft. USB cable

US standard power cord

Included with the
model at no extra

charge

Not used by this

model

Included with the
model at no extra

charge

Available as additional accessories

Included with the model at no extra charge

Not used by this model

Included with the

model at no extra

charge

Available as

additional

Not used by this

model

Included with the

model at no extra

e

char

Available as

additional

accessories

Included with the model at no extra charge

Available as additional accessories

Not used by this model

accessories

Included with the

model at no extra

charge

Available as

additional

accessories

Not used by this

model

EU standard power cord

UK standard power cord

AUS/China standard power cord

IL standard power cord

For additional details and ordering information, click on model P/N at the top of each column.

When Ordering

select one power

cord to be included

at no extra charge

Not used by this model

1.8.3 Conformity

Mini-Circuits Synthesized Signal Generators conform to all requirements for the
following international standards

RoHS – The models comply with EU directive for Restriction of Hazardous

Substances for 6 substances.

USB 2.0 – The models meet the specifications of the Universal Serial Bus Ver.

2.0 communication standard as described by USB-IF.

USB HID – The models meet the requirements for Universal Serial Bus Human

Interface Devices according to USB-IF’s Device Class Definition for
Human Interface Devices firmware rev. 1.11

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