National Instruments 3.21E+04 User Manual

AT-MIO/AI E Series

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User Manual

Multifunction I/O Boards for the PC AT

May 1996 Edition

Part Number 320517E-01

 Copyright 1994, 1996 National Instruments Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Internet Support

GPIB: [e-mail]
DAQ: [e-mail]
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LabWindows: [e-mail]
HiQ: [e-mail]

E-mail: [e-mail]
FTP Site: ftp.natinst.com
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BBS France: 1 48 65 15 59

FaxBack Support

[phone]

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National Instruments Corporate Headquarters

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Important Information

Warranty

Copyright

Trademarks

The AT-MIO/AI E Series boards are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year
from the date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option,
repair or replace equipment that proves to be defective during the warranty period. This warranty includes parts and
labor.

The media on which you receive National Instruments software are warranted not to fail to execute programming
instructions, due to defects in materials and workmanship, for a period of 90 days from date of shipment, as evidenced
by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace software media that do
not execute programming instructions if National Instruments receives notice of such defects during the warranty
period. National Instruments does not warrant that the operation of the software shall be uninterrupted or error free.

A Return Material Authorization (RMA) number must be obtained from the factory and clearly marked on the outside
of the package before any equipment will be accepted for warranty work. National Instruments will pay the shipping
costs of returning to the owner parts which are covered by warranty.

National Instruments believes that the information in this manual is accurate. The document has been carefully
reviewed for technical accuracy. In the event that technical or typographical errors exist, National Instruments
reserves the right to make changes to subsequent editions of this document without prior notice to holders of this
edition. The reader should consult National Instruments if errors are suspected. In no event shall National
Instruments be liable for any damages arising out of or related to this document or the information contained in it.

XCEPT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN

E

SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE

C

USTOMER’S RIGHT TO RECOVER DAMAGES CAUSED BY FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF NATIONAL

I

NSTRUMENTS SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT THERETOFORE PAID BY THE CUSTOMER
WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM LOSS OF DATA, PROFITS, USE OF PRODUCTS, OR INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF

Instruments will apply regardless of the form of action, whether in contract or tort, including negligence. Any action
against National Instruments must be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues. National Instruments
shall not be liable for any delay in performance due to causes beyond its reasonable control. The warranty provided
herein does not cover damages, defects, malfunctions, or service failures caused by owner’s failure to follow the
National Instruments installation, operation, or maintenance instructions; owner’s modification of the product;
owner’s abuse, misuse, or negligent acts; and power failure or surges, fire, flood, accident, actions of third parties, or
other events outside reasonable control.

Under the copyright laws, this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storing in an information retrieval system, or translating, in whole or
in part, without the prior written consent of National Instruments Corporation.

LabVIEW, NI-DAQ, RTSI, DAQCard, DAQPad, DAQ-PnP, DAQ-STC, NI-PGIA, and SCXI are
trademarks of National Instruments Corporation.

Product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.

, N

ATIONAL INSTRUMENTS MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND

. N

ATIONAL INSTRUMENTS

. This limitation of the liability of National

.

WARNING REGARDING MEDICAL AND CLINICAL USE OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS

National Instruments products are not designed with components and testing intended to ensure a level of reliability
suitable for use in treatment and diagnosis of humans. Applications of National Instruments products involving
medical or clinical treatment can create a potential for accidental injury caused by product failure, or by errors on the
part of the user or application designer. Any use or application of National Instruments products for or involving
medical or clinical treatment must be performed by properly trained and qualified medical personnel, and all
traditional medical safeguards, equipment, and procedures that are appropriate in the particular situation to prevent
serious injury or death should always continue to be used when National Instruments products are being used.
National Instruments products are NOT intended to be a substitute for any form of established process, procedure, or
equipment used to monitor or safeguard human health and safety in medical or clinical treatment.

About This Manual

Organization of This Manual ........................................................................................xi

Conventions Used in This Manual ................................................................................xii

National Instruments Documentation ...........................................................................xiii

Related Documentation .................................................................................................xiv

Customer Communication ............................................................................................xiv

Chapter 1
Introduction

About the AT E Series ..................................................................................................1-1

What You Need to Get Started ......................................................................................1-2

Software Programming Choices ...................................................................................1-3

LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI Application Software ...............................1-3

NI-DAQ Driver Software ...............................................................................1-3

Register-Level Programming ..........................................................................1-5

Optional Equipment ......................................................................................................1-5

Custom Cabling .............................................................................................................1-6

Unpacking .....................................................................................................................1-7

Table

of

Contents

Chapter 2
Installation and Configuration

Software Installation .....................................................................................................2-1

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

Board Configuration ......................................................................................................2-2

Bus Interface ...................................................................................................2-2

Plug and Play ....................................................................................2-3

Switchless Data Acquisition .............................................................2-3

Base I/O Address Selection ..............................................................2-3

DMA Channel Selection ..................................................................2-3

Interrupt Channel Selection ..............................................................2-4

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Table of Contents

Chapter 3
Hardware Overview

Analog Input .................................................................................................................3-6

Input Mode ..................................................................................................... 3-6

Input Polarity and Input Range ...................................................................... 3-7

Dither .............................................................................................................. 3-11

Multiple-Channel Scanning Considerations ..................................................3-12

Analog Output ..............................................................................................................3-14

Analog Output Reference Selection ............................................................... 3-14

Analog Output Polarity Selection ..................................................................3-14

Analog Output Reglitch Selection .................................................................3-15

Analog Trigger .............................................................................................................3-15

Digital I/O ..................................................................................................................... 3-19

Timing Signal Routing .................................................................................................3-19

Programmable Function Inputs ...................................................................... 3-20

Board and RTSI Clocks .................................................................................3-21

RTSI Triggers ................................................................................................. 3-21

Chapter 4
Signal Connections

I/O Connector ............................................................................................................... 4-1

I/O Connector Signal Descriptions ................................................................4-5

Analog Input Signal Connections ................................................................................. 4-16

Types of Signal Sources ............................................................................................... 4-18

Floating Signal Sources .................................................................................. 4-18

Ground-Referenced Signal Sources ............................................................... 4-18

Input Configurations ..................................................................................................... 4-18

Differential Connection Considerations (DIFF Input Configuration) ........... 4-20

Single-Ended Connection Considerations ...................................................... 4-24

Common-Mode Signal Rejection Considerations .......................................... 4-26

Analog Output Signal Connections .............................................................................. 4-27

Digital I/O Signal Connections .................................................................................... 4-28

Considerations for Selecting Input Ranges ...................................... 3-10

Differential Connections for Ground-Referenced

Signal Sources ................................................................................4-21

Differential Connections for Nonreferenced or Floating

Signal Sources ................................................................................4-22

Single-Ended Connections for Floating Signal Sources

(RSE Configuration) ...................................................................... 4-25

Single-Ended Connections for Grounded Signal Sources

(NRSE Configuration) ...................................................................4-25

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Table of Contents

Power Connections ........................................................................................................4-30

Timing Connections ......................................................................................................4-30

Programmable Function Input Connections ...................................................4-31

Data Acquisition Timing Connections ...........................................................4-32

SCANCLK Signal ............................................................................4-33

EXTSTROBE* Signal ......................................................................4-33

TRIG1 Signal ...................................................................................4-34

TRIG2 Signal ...................................................................................4-36

STARTSCAN Signal .......................................................................4-37

CONVERT* Signal ..........................................................................4-39

AIGATE Signal ................................................................................4-41

SISOURCE Signal ...........................................................................4-41

Waveform Generation Timing Connections ...................................................4-42

WFTRIG Signal ...............................................................................4-42

UPDATE* Signal .............................................................................4-43

UISOURCE Signal ...........................................................................4-45

General-Purpose Timing Signal Connections ................................................4-46

GPCTR0_SOURCE Signal ..............................................................4-46

GPCTR0_GATE Signal ...................................................................4-47

GPCTR0_OUT Signal ......................................................................4-47

GPCTR0_UP_DOWN Signal ..........................................................4-48

GPCTR1_SOURCE Signal ..............................................................4-48

GPCTR1_GATE Signal ...................................................................4-49

GPCTR1_OUT Signal ......................................................................4-50

GPCTR1_UP_DOWN Signal ..........................................................4-51

FREQ_OUT Signal ..........................................................................4-52

Timing Specifications for Digital I/O Ports A, B, and C ................................4-53

Mode 1 Input Timing .......................................................................4-55

Mode 1 Output Timing .....................................................................4-56

Mode 2 Bidirectional Timing ...........................................................4-57

Field Wiring Considerations .........................................................................................4-58

Chapter 5
Calibration

Loading Calibration Constants ......................................................................................5-1

Self-Calibration .............................................................................................................5-2

External Calibration ......................................................................................................5-2

Other Considerations .....................................................................................................5-3

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Table of Contents

Appendix A
Specifications

AT-MIO-16E-1, AT-MIO-16E-2 and AT-MIO-64E-3 ................................................ A-1

AT-MIO-16E-10 and AT-MIO-16DE-10 ....................................................................A-11

AT-MIO-16XE-10 and AT-AI-16XE-10 ..................................................................... A-19

AT-MIO-16XE-50 ........................................................................................................ A-26

Appendix B
Optional Cable Connector Descriptions

Appendix C
Common Questions

Appendix D
Customer Communication

Glossary

Index

Figures

Figure 1-1. The Relationship between the Programming Environment,

NI-DAQ, and Your Hardware ............................................................... 1-4

Figure 3-1. AT-MIO-16E-1 and AT-MIO-16E-2 Block Diagram ............................. 3-1

Figure 3-2. AT-MIO-64E-3 Block Diagram ..............................................................3-2

Figure 3-3. AT-MIO-16E-10 and AT-MIO-16DE-10 Block Diagram ...................... 3-3

Figure 3-4. AT-MIO-16XE-10 Block Diagram ......................................................... 3-4

Figure 3-5. AT-AI-16XE-10 Block Diagram ............................................................. 3-5

Figure 3-6. AT-MIO-16XE-50 Block Diagram ......................................................... 3-6

Figure 3-7. Dither ....................................................................................................... 3-12

Figure 3-8. Analog Trigger Block Diagram ............................................................... 3-16

Figure 3-9. Below-Low-Level Analog Triggering Mode .......................................... 3-17

Figure 3-10. Above-High-Level Analog Triggering Mode .........................................3-17

Figure 3-11. Inside-Region Analog Triggering Mode ................................................. 3-17

Figure 3-12. High-Hysteresis Analog Triggering Mode .............................................. 3-18

Figure 3-13. Low-Hysteresis Analog Triggering Mode ..............................................3-18

Figure 3-14. CONVERT* Signal Routing ...................................................................3-20

Figure 3-15. RTSI Bus Signal Connection ..................................................................3-22

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Table of Contents

Figure 4-1. I/O Connector Pin Assignment for the AT-MIO-16E-1,

AT-MIO-16E-2, AT-MIO-16E-10, AT-MIO-16XE-10,

AT-AI-16XE-10, and AT-MIO-16XE-50 ..............................................4-2

Figure 4-2. I/O Connector Pin Assignment for the AT-MIO-64E-3 ..........................4-3

Figure 4-3. I/O Connector Pin Assignment for the AT-MIO-16DE-10 .....................4-4

Figure 4-4. AT E Series PGIA ....................................................................................4-17

Figure 4-5. Summary of Analog Input Connections ..................................................4-19

Figure 4-6. Differential Input Connections for Ground-Referenced Signals .............4-21

Figure 4-7. Differential Input Connections for Nonreferenced Signals .....................4-22

Figure 4-8. Single-Ended Input Connections for Nonreferenced or

Floating Signals ......................................................................................4-25

Figure 4-9. Single-Ended Input Connections for Ground-Referenced Signal ............4-26

Figure 4-10. Analog Output Connections .....................................................................4-28

Figure 4-11. Digital I/O Connections ...........................................................................4-29

Figure 4-12. Timing I/O Connections ..........................................................................4-31

Figure 4-13. Typical Posttriggered Acquisition ...........................................................4-32

Figure 4-14. Typical Pretriggered Acquisition .............................................................4-33

Figure 4-15. SCANCLK Signal Timing .......................................................................4-33

Figure 4-16. EXTSTROBE* Signal Timing ................................................................4-34

Figure 4-17. TRIG1 Input Signal Timing .....................................................................4-35

Figure 4-18. TRIG1 Output Signal Timing ..................................................................4-35

Figure 4-19. TRIG2 Input Signal Timing .....................................................................4-36

Figure 4-20. TRIG2 Output Signal Timing ..................................................................4-37

Figure 4-21. STARTSCAN Input Signal Timing .........................................................4-38

Figure 4-22. STARTSCAN Output Signal Timing ......................................................4-38

Figure 4-23. CONVERT* Input Signal Timing ...........................................................4-40

Figure 4-24. CONVERT* Output Signal Timing .........................................................4-40

Figure 4-25. SISOURCE Signal Timing ......................................................................4-42

Figure 4-26. WFTRIG Input Signal Timing .................................................................4-43

Figure 4-27. WFTRIG Output Signal Timing ..............................................................4-43

Figure 4-28. UPDATE* Input Signal Timing ..............................................................4-44

Figure 4-29. UPDATE* Output Signal Timing ............................................................4-44

Figure 4-30. UISOURCE Signal Timing ......................................................................4-45

Figure 4-31. GPCTR0_SOURCE Signal Timing .........................................................4-46

Figure 4-32. GPCTR0_GATE Signal Timing in Edge-Detection Mode .....................4-47

Figure 4-33. GPCTR0_OUT Signal Timing ................................................................4-48

Figure 4-34. GPCTR1_SOURCE Signal Timing .........................................................4-49

Figure 4-35. GPCTR1_GATE Signal Timing in Edge-Detection Mode .....................4-50

Figure 4-36. GPCTR1_OUT Signal Timing ................................................................4-50

Figure 4-37. GPCTR Timing Summary .......................................................................4-51

Figure 4-38. Mode 1 Input Timing ...............................................................................4-55

Figure 4-39. Mode 1 Output Timing ............................................................................4-56

Figure 4-40. Mode 2 Bidirectional Timing ...................................................................4-57

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National Instruments Corporation ix AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual

Table of Contents

Figure B-1. 68-Pin MIO Connector Pin Assignments ................................................ B-2

Figure B-2. 68-Pin DIO Connector Pin Assignments ................................................B-3

Figure B-3. 68-Pin Extended Analog Input Connector Pin Assignments .................. B-4

Figure B-4. 50-Pin MIO Connector Pin Assignments ................................................ B-5

Figure B-5. 50-Pin DIO Connector Pin Assignments ................................................B-6

Figure B-6. 50-Pin Extended Analog Input Connector Pin Assignments .................. B-7

Tables

Table 2-1. PC AT I/O Address Map .........................................................................2-4

Table 2-2. PC AT Interrupt Assignment Map ..........................................................2-6

Table 2-3. PC AT 16-bit DMA Channel Assignment Map ...................................... 2-7

Table 3-1. Available Input Configurations for the AT E Series ...............................3-7

Table 3-2. Actual Range and Measurement Precision .............................................. 3-8

Table 3-3. Actual Range and Measurement Precision, AT-MIO-16XE-10,

Table 4-1. I/O Signal Summary, AT-MIO-16E-1, AT-MIO-16E-2, and

Table 4-2. I/O Signal Summary, AT-MIO-16E-10 and AT-MIO-16DE-10 ............ 4-10

Table 4-3. I/O Signal Summary, AT-MIO-16XE-10 and AT-AI-16XE-10 ............. 4-12

Table 4-4. I/O Signal Summary, AT-MIO-16XE-50 ...............................................4-14

Table 4-5. Port C Signal Assignments ...................................................................... 4-53

AT-AI-16XE-10, and AT-MIO-16XE-50 ............................................. 3-10

AT-MIO-64E-3 ..................................................................................... 4-8

AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual x

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National Instruments Corporation

About

About

This

This

Manual

Manual

This manual describes the electrical and mechanical aspects of each
board in the AT E Series product line and contains information
concerning their operation and programming. Unless otherwise noted,
text applies to all boards in the AT E Series.

The AT E Series includes the following boards:

• AT-MIO-16E-1

• AT-MIO-16E-2

• AT-MIO-64E-3

• AT-MIO-16E-10

• AT-MIO-16DE-10

• AT-MIO-16XE-10

• AT-AI-16XE-10

• AT-MIO-16XE-50
The AT E Series boards are high-performance multifunction analog,

digital, and timing I/O boards for the PC AT series computers.
Supported functions include analog input, analog output, digital I/O,
and timing I/O.

Organization of This Manual

The AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual is organized as follows:

• Chapter 1, Introduction, describes the AT E Series boards, lists
what you need to get started, describes the optional software and
optional equipment, and explains how to unpack your AT E Series
board.

• Chapter 2, Installation and Configuration, explains how to install
and configure your AT E Series board.

• Chapter 3, Hardware Overview, presents an overview of the
hardware functions on your AT E Series board.

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National Instruments Corporation xi AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual

About This Manual

• Chapter 4, Signal Connections, describes how to make input and
output signal connections to your AT E Series board via the board
I/O connector.

• Chapter 5, Calibration, discusses the calibration procedures for
your AT E Series board.

• Appendix A, Specifications, lists the specifications of each board in
the AT E Series.

• Appendix B, Optional Cable Connector Descriptions, describes the
connectors on the optional cables for the AT E Series boards.

• Appendix C, Common Questions, contains a list of commonly asked
questions and their answers relating to usage and special features
of your AT E Series board.

• Appendix D, Customer Communication, contains forms you can use
to request help from National Instruments or to comment on our
products.

• The Glossary contains an alphabetical list and description of terms
used in this manual, including acronyms, abbreviations, metric
prefixes, mnemonics, and symbols.

• The Index alphabetically lists topics covered in this manual,
including the page where you can find the topic.

Conventions Used in This Manual

The following conventions are used in this manual.

bold Bold text denotes parameters.
bold italic Bold italic text denotes a note, caution, or warning.
italic Italic text denotes emphasis on a specific board in the AT E Series or on

other important information, a cross reference, or an introduction to a
key concept.

NI-DAQ NI-DAQ refers to the NI-DAQ software for PC compatibles unless

otherwise noted.
PC PC refers to the PC AT series computers.
SCXI SCXI stands for Signal Conditioning eXtensions for Instrumentation

and is a National Instruments product line designed to perform

front-end signal conditioning for National Instruments plug-in DAQ

boards.

AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual xii

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National Instruments Corporation

♦ The ♦ indicates that the text following it applies only to specific

AT E Series boards.

<> Angle brackets containing numbers separated by an ellipsis represent a

range of values associated with a bit, port, or signal name (for example,
ACH<0..7> stands for ACH0 through ACH7).

Abbreviations, acronyms, metric prefixes, mnemonics, symbols, and
terms are listed in the Glossary at the end of this manual.

National Instruments Documentation

The AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual is one piece of the documentation
set for your DAQ system. You could have any of several types of
manuals depending on the hardware and software in your system. Use
the manuals you have as follows:

• Getting Started with SCXI—If you are using SCXI, this is the first
manual you should read. It gives an overview of the SCXI system
and contains the most commonly needed information for the
modules, chassis, and software.

• Your SCXI hardware user manuals—If you are using SCXI, read
these manuals next for detailed information about signal
connections and module configuration. They also explain in
greater detail how the module works and contain application hints.

• Your DAQ hardware user manuals—These manuals have detailed
information about the DAQ hardware that plugs into or is
connected to your computer. Use these manuals for hardware
installation and configuration instructions, specification
information about your DAQ hardware, and application hints.

• Software documentation—Examples of software documentation
you may have are the LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI
documentation sets and the NI-DAQ documentation. After you set
up your hardware system, use either the application software
(LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI) or the NI-DAQ documentation to
help you write your application. If you have a large and
complicated system, it is worthwhile to look through the software
documentation before you configure your hardware.

• Accessory installation guides or manuals—If you are using
accessory products, read the terminal block and cable assembly
installation guides. They explain how to physically connect the

About This Manual

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National Instruments Corporation xiii AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual

About This Manual

relevant pieces of the system. Consult these guides when you are
making your connections.

• SCXI chassis manuals—If you are using SCXI, read these manuals
for maintenance information on the chassis and installation
instructions.

Related Documentation

The following National Instruments document contains information
you may find helpful:

• Application Note 025, Field Wiring and Noise Considerations for

Analog Signals

Customer Communication

National Instruments wants to receive your comments on our products
and manuals. We are interested in the applications you develop with
our products, and we want to help if you have problems with them. To
make it easy for you to contact us, this manual contains comment and
configuration forms for you to complete. These forms are in
Appendix D, Customer Communication, at the end of this manual.

AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual xiv

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National Instruments Corporation

Introduction

This chapter describes the AT E Series boards, lists what you need to
get started, describes the optional software and optional equipment, and
explains how to unpack your AT E Series board.

About the AT E Series

Thank you for buying a National Instruments AT E Series board. The
AT E Series boards are the first completely Plug and Play-compatible
multifunction analog, digital, and timing I/O boards for the PC AT and
compatible computers. This family of boards features 12-bit and 16-bit
ADCs with 16 and 64 analog inputs, 12-bit and 16-bit DACs with
voltage outputs, eight and 32 lines of TTL-compatible digital I/O, and
two 24-bit counter/timers for timing I/O. Because the AT E Series
boards have no DIP switches, jumpers, or potentiometers, they are
easily configured and calibrated using software.

Chapter

1

The AT E Series boards are the first completely switchless and
jumperless data acquisition boards. This feature is made possible by the
National Instruments DAQ-PnP bus interface chip that connects the
board to the AT I/O bus. The DAQ-PnP implements the Plug and Play
ISA Specification so that the DMA, interrupts, and base I/O addresses
are all software configurable. This allows you to easily change the
AT E Series board configuration without having to remove the board
from your computer. The DAQ-STC makes possible such applications
as buffered pulse generation, equivalent time sampling, and seamlessly
changing the sampling rate.

The AT E Series boards use the National Instruments DAQ-STC
system timing controller for time-related functions. The DAQ-STC
consists of three timing groups that control analog input, analog output,
and general-purpose counter/timer functions. These groups include a
total of seven 24-bit and three 16-bit counters and a maximum timing
resolution of 50 ns.

A common problem with DAQ boards is that you cannot easily
synchronize several measurement functions to a common trigger or

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National Instruments Corporation 1-1 AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual

Chapter 1 Introduction

timing event. The AT E Series boards have the Real-Time System
Integration (RTSI) bus to solve this problem. The RTSI bus consists of
our RTSI bus interface and a ribbon cable to route timing and trigger
signals between several functions on as many as five DAQ boards in
your PC.

The AT E Series boards can interface to an SCXI system so that you can
acquire over 3,000 analog signals from thermocouples, RTDs, strain
gauges, voltage sources, and current sources. You can also acquire or
generate digital signals for communication and control. SCXI is the
instrumentation front end for plug-in DAQ boards.

Detailed specifications of the AT E Series boards are in Appendix A,
Specifications.

What You Need to Get Started

To set up and use your AT E Series board, you will need the following:
❏ One of the following boards:

AT-MIO-16E-1
AT-MIO-16E-2
AT-MIO-64E-3
AT-MIO-16E-10
AT-MIO-16DE-10
AT-MIO-16XE-10
AT-AI-16XE-10
AT-MIO-16XE-50

❏ AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual
❏ One of the following software packages and documentation

NI-DAQ for PC compatibles
LabVIEW
LabWindows/CVI

❏ Your computer

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National Instruments Corporation

Software Programming Choices

There are several options to choose from when programming your
National Instruments DAQ and SCXI hardware. You can use
LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, NI-DAQ, or register-level
programming.

LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI Application Software

LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI are innovative program development
software packages for data acquisition and control applications.
LabVIEW uses graphical programming, whereas LabWindows/CVI
enhances traditional programming languages. Both packages include
extensive libraries for data acquisition, instrument control, data
analysis, and graphical data presentation.

LabVIEW features interactive graphics, a state-of-the-art user
interface, and a powerful graphical programming language. The
LabVIEW Data Acquisition VI Library, a series of VIs for using
LabVIEW with National Instruments DAQ hardware, is included with
LabVIEW. The LabVIEW Data Acquisition VI Library is functionally
equivalent to the NI-DAQ software.

Chapter 1 Introduction

LabWindows/CVI features interactive graphics, a state-of-the-art user
interface, and uses the ANSI standard C programming language. The
LabWindows/CVI Data Acquisition Library, a series of functions for
using LabWindows/CVI with National Instruments DAQ hardware, is
included with the NI-DAQ software kit. The LabWindows/CVI Data
Acquisition library is functionally equivalent to the NI-DAQ software.

Using LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI software will greatly reduce the
development time for your data acquisition and control application.

NI-DAQ Driver Software

The NI-DAQ driver software is included at no charge with all National
Instruments DAQ hardware. NI-DAQ is not packaged with signal
conditioning or accessory products. NI-DAQ has an extensive library of
functions that you can call from your application programming
environment. These functions include routines for analog input (A/D
conversion), buffered data acquisition (high-speed A/D conversion),
analog output (D/A conversion), waveform generation (timed D/A
conversion), digital I/O, counter/timer operations, SCXI, RTSI,
calibration, messaging, and acquiring data to extended memory.

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National Instruments Corporation 1-3 AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual

Chapter 1 Introduction

NI-DAQ has both high-level DAQ I/O functions for maximum ease of
use and low-level DAQ I/O functions for maximum flexibility and
performance. Examples of high-level functions are streaming data to
disk or acquiring a certain number of data points. An example of a
low-level function is writing directly to registers on the DAQ device.
NI-DAQ does not sacrifice the performance of National Instruments
DAQ devices because it lets multiple devices operate at their peak
performance.

NI-DAQ also internally addresses many of the complex issues between
the computer and the DAQ hardware such as programming interrupts
and DMA controllers. NI-DAQ maintains a consistent software
interface among its different versions so that you can change platforms
with minimal modifications to your code. Whether you are using
conventional programming languages, LabVIEW, or
LabWindows/CVI, your application uses the NI-DAQ driver software,
as illustrated in Figure 1-1.

Conventional

Programming

Environment

(PC, Macintosh, or

Sun SPARCstation)

DAQ or

SCXI Hardware

LabVIEW
(PC, Macintosh, or
Sun SPARCstation)

NI-DAQ

Driver Software

LabWindows/CVI

(PC or

Sun SPARCstation)

Personal

Computer

or

Workstation

Figure 1-1. The Relationship between the Programming Environment, NI-DAQ, and

Your Hardware

AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual 1-4

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National Instruments Corporation

You can use your AT E Series board, together with other PC, AT,
EISA, DAQCard, and DAQPad Series DAQ and SCXI hardware, with
NI-DAQ software for PC compatibles.

Register-Level Programming

The final option for programming any National Instruments DAQ
hardware is to write register-level software. Writing register-level
programming software can be very time-consuming and inefficient and
is not recommended for most users.

Even if you are an experienced register-level programmer, consider
using NI-DAQ, LabVIEW, or LabWindows/CVI to program your
National Instruments DAQ hardware. Using the NI-DAQ, LabVIEW, or
LabWindows/CVI software is as easy and as flexible as register-level
programming and can save weeks of development time.

Optional Equipment

National Instruments offers a variety of products to use with your
AT E Series board, including cables, connector blocks, and other
accessories, as follows:

• Cables and cable assemblies, shielded and ribbon

• Connector blocks, shielded and unshielded 50, 68, and 100-pin
screw terminals

• Real Time System Integration (RTSI) bus cables

• Signal condition eXtension for instrumentation (SCXI) modules
and accessories for isolating, amplifying, exciting, and
multiplexing signals for relays and analog output. With SCXI you
can condition and acquire up to 3072 channels.

• Low channel count signal conditioning modules, boards, and
accessories, including conditioning for strain gauges and RTDs,
simultaneous sample and hold, and relays

Chapter 1 Introduction

For more specific information about these products, refer to your
National Instruments catalogue or call the office nearest you.

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National Instruments Corporation 1-5 AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual

Chapter 1 Introduction

Custom Cabling

National Instruments offers cables and accessories for you to prototype
your application or to use if you frequently change board
interconnections.

If you want to develop your own cable, however, the following
guidelines may be useful:

• For the analog input signals, shielded twisted-pair wires for each

• You should route the analog lines separately from the digital lines.

• When using a cable shield, use separate shields for the analog and

The following list gives recommended part numbers for connectors that
mate to the I/O connector on your AT E Series board.

♦ AT-MIO-16E-1, AT-MIO-16E-2, AT-MIO-16E-10,

♦ AT-MIO-64E-3 and AT-MIO-16DE-10

analog input pair yield the best results, assuming that you use
differential inputs. Tie the shield for each signal pair to the ground
reference at the source.

digital halves of the cable. Failure to do so results in noise coupling
into the analog signals from transient digital signals.

Mating connectors and a backshell kit for making custom 68-pin
cables are available from National Instruments (part number
776832-01)

AT-MIO-16XE-10, AT-AI-16XE-10, and the AT-MIO-16XE-50
Honda 68-position, solder cup, female connector (part number

PCS-E68FS)
Honda backshell (part number PCS-E68LKPA)

AMP 100-position IDC male connector (part number 1-750913-9)
AMP backshell, .50 max O.D. cable (part number 749081-1)
AMP backshell, .55 max O.D. cable, (part number 749854-1)

AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual 1-6

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National Instruments Corporation

Unpacking

Chapter 1 Introduction

Your AT E Series board is shipped in an antistatic package to prevent
electrostatic damage to the board. Electrostatic discharge can damage
several components on the board. To avoid such damage in handling
the board, take the following precautions:

• Ground yourself via a grounding strap or by holding a grounded
object.

• Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of your computer
chassis before removing the board from the package.

• Remove the board from the package and inspect the board for loose
components or any other sign of damage. Notify National
Instruments if the board appears damaged in any way. Do not
install a damaged board into your computer.

• Never touch the exposed pins of connectors.

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National Instruments Corporation 1-7 AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual

Installation and

Chapter

Configuration

This chapter explains how to install and configure your AT E Series
board.

Software Installation

You may need to install your software before you install your
AT E Series board. Refer to the appropriate release notes indicated
below for specific instructions on the software installation sequence.

If you are using NI-DAQ, refer to the NI-DAQ User Manual for PC
Compatibles Version 4.9.0 Release Notes. Find the installation section
for your operating system and follow the instructions given there.

If you are using LabVIEW, refer to your LabVIEW release notes. After
you have installed LabVIEW, refer to the NI-DAQ release notes and
follow the instructions given there for your operating system and
LabVIEW.

If you are using LabWindows/CVI, refer to your LabWindows/CVI
release notes. After you have installed LabWindows/CVI, refer to your
NI-DAQ release notes and follow the instructions given there for your
operating system and LabWindows/CVI.

2

If you are a register-level programmer, refer to the AT-MIO E Series
Register-Level Programmer Manual and the DAQ-STC Technical
Reference Manual for software configuration information.

Hardware Installation

You can install an AT E Series board in any available expansion slot
in your PC. However, to achieve best noise performance, you should
leave as much room as possible between the AT E Series board and
other boards and hardware. The following are general installation
instructions, but consult your PC user manual or technical reference
manual for specific instructions and warnings.

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National Instruments Corporation 2-1 AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual

Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration

1. Write down the AT E Series board serial number in the AT E Series
Hardware and Software Configuration Form in Appendix D at the
back of this manual. You will need this serial number when you
install and configure your software.

2. Turn off and unplug your computer.

3. Remove the top cover or access port to the I/O channel.

4. Remove the expansion slot cover on the back panel of the
computer.

5. Insert the AT E Series board into an EISA or 16-bit ISA slot. It
may be a tight fit, but do not force the board into place.

6. Screw the mounting bracket of the AT E Series board to the back
panel rail of the computer.

7. Check the installation.

8. Replace the cover.

9. Plug in and turn on your computer.

The AT E Series board is installed. You are now ready to install and
configure your software.

Board Configuration

Due to the DAQ-PnP features, the AT E Series boards are completely
software configurable. Two types of configuration must be performed
on the AT E Series boards—bus-related configuration and data
acquisition-related configuration. Bus-related configuration includes
setting the base I/O address, DMA channels, and interrupt channels.
Data acquisition-related configuration, explained in the next chapter,
includes such settings as analog input polarity and range, analog output
reference source, and other settings. For more information about data
acquisition-related configuration, refer to your NI-DAQ user manual.

Bus Interface

The AT E Series boards work in either a Plug and Play mode or a
switchless mode. These modes dictate how the base I/O address, DMA
channels, and interrupt channels are determined and assigned to the
board.

AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual 2-2

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National Instruments Corporation

Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration

Plug and Play

The AT E Series boards are fully compatible with the industry-standard
Plug and Play ISA specification. A Plug and Play system arbitrates and
assigns resources through software, freeing you from manually setting
switches and jumpers. These resources include the board base I/O
address, DMA channels, and interrupt channels. Each AT E Series
board is configured at the factory to request these resources from the
Plug and Play Configuration Manager.

The Configuration Manager receives all of the resource requests at start
up, compares the available resources to those requested, and assigns the
available resources as efficiently as possible to the Plug and Play
boards. Application software can query the Configuration Manager to
determine the resources assigned to each board without your
involvement. The Plug and Play software is installed as a device driver
or as an integral component of the computer BIOS.

Switchless Data Acquisition

You can use an AT E Series board in a non-Plug and Play system as a
switchless DAQ board. A non-Plug and Play system is a system in
which the Configuration Manager has not been installed and which does
not contain any non-National Instruments Plug and Play products. You
use a configuration utility to enter the base address, DMA, and interrupt
selections, and the application software assigns them to the board.

Note: Avoid resource conflicts with non-National Instruments boards. For

example, do not configure two boards for the same base address.

Base I/O Address Selection

The AT E Series boards can be configured to use base addresses in the
range of 20 to FFE0 hex. Each AT E Series board occupies 32 bytes of
address space and must be located on a 32-byte boundary. Therefore,
valid addresses include 100, 120, 140, ..., 3C0, 3E0 hex. This selection
is software configured and does not require you to manually change any
settings on the board.

DMA Channel Selection

The AT E Series boards can achieve high transfer rates by using up to
three 16-bit DMA channels. You can use these DMA channels for data
transfers with the analog input, analog output, and general-purpose
counter sections of the board. The AT E Series boards can use only



National Instruments Corporation 2-3 AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual

Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration

16-bit DMA channels, which correspond to channels 5, 6, and 7 in an
ISA computer and channels 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 in an EISA computer.
These selections are all software configured and do not require you to
manually change any settings on the board.

Interrupt Channel Selection

The AT E Series boards can increase bus efficiency by using an
interrupt channel. You can use an interrupt channel for event
notification without the use of polling techniques. AT E Series boards
can use interrupt channels 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, and 15. These selections
are all software configured and do not require you to manually change
any settings on the board. The following tables provide information
concerning possible conflicts when configuring your AT E Series
board.

Table 2-1. PC AT I/O Address Map

I/O Address Range (Hex)

100 to 1EF

1F0 to 1F8 IBM PC AT Fixed Disk

200 to 20F PC and PC AT Game Controller, reserved

210 to 213 PC-DIO-24 – default

218 to 21F —

220 to 23F Previous generation of AT-MIO boards – default

240 to 25F AT-DIO-32F – default

260 to 27F Lab-PC/PC+ – default

278 to 28F AT Parallel Printer Port 2 (LPT2)

279 Reserved for Plug and Play operation

280 to 29F WD EtherCard+ – default

2A0 to 2BF —

2E2 to 2F7 —

2F8 to 2FF PC, AT Serial Port 2 (COM2)

—

Device

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National Instruments Corporation

Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration

Table 2-1. PC AT I/O Address Map (Continued)

I/O Address Range (Hex)

300 to 30F

310 to 31F —

320 to 32F ICM PC/XT Fixed Disk Controller

330 to 35F —

360 to 363 PC Network (low address)

364 to 367 Reserved

368 to 36B PC Network (high address)

36C to 36F Reserved

370 to 366 PC, AT Parallel Printer Port 1 (LPT1)

380 to 38C SDLC Communications

380 to 389 Bisynchronous (BSC) Communications (alternate)

390 to 393 Cluster Adapter 0

394 to 39F —

3A0 to 3A9 BSC Communications (primary)

3Com EtherLink – default

Device

3AA to 3AF —

3B0 to 3BF Monochrome Display/Parallel Printer Adapter 0

3C0 to 3CF Enhanced Graphics Adapter, VGA

3D0 to 3DF Color/Graphics Monitor Adapter, VGA

3E0 to 3EF —

3F0 to 3F7 Diskette Controller

3F8 to 3FF Serial Port 1 (COM1)

A79 Reserved for Plug and Play operation

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National Instruments Corporation 2-5 AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual

Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration

Table 2-2. PC AT Interrupt Assignment Map

IRQ

15

14 Fixed Disk Controller

13 Coprocessor

12 AT-DIO-32F – default

11 AT-DIO-32F – default

10 AT-MIO-16 – default

9 PC Network – default

8 Real Time Clock

7 Parallel Port 1 (LPT1)

6 Diskette Drive Controller

5 Parallel Port 2 (LPT2)

4 Serial Port 1 (COM1)

Available

PC Network Alternate – default

Fixed Disk and Diskette Drive Controller

PC-DIO-24 – default
Lab-PC/PC+ – default

BSC, BSC Alternate

Device

3 Serial Port 2 (COM2)

2 IRQ 8-15 Chain (from interrupt controller 2)

1 Keyboard Controller Output Buffer Full

0 Timer Channel 0 Output

AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual 2-6

BSC, BSC Alternate
Cluster (primary)
PC Network, PC Network Alternate
WD EtherCard+ – default
3Com EtherLink – default



National Instruments Corporation

Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration

Table 2-3. PC AT 16-bit DMA Channel Assignment Map

Channel

7

6 AT-MIO-16 series – default

5 AT-DIO-32F – default

4 Cascade for DMA Controller #1 (channels 0 through 3)

AT-MIO-16 series – default

AT-DIO-32F – default

Device

Note: EISA computers also have channels 0–3 available as 16-bit DMA

channels.



National Instruments Corporation 2-7 AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual

Chapter

Hardware Overview

This chapter presents an overview of the hardware functions on your
AT E Series board.

Figure 3-1 shows the block diagram for the AT-MIO-16E-1 and
AT-MIO-16E-2

Dither

Circuitry

Calibration

DACs

+

NI-PGIA
Gain
Amplifier
–

3

Trigger

Counter/

Timing I/O

Digital I/O

Voltage

REF

(8)

Analog
Muxes

(8)

Calibration

Mux

DACs

2

Trigger

PFI / Trigger

Timing

Digital I/O (8)

Trigger Level

I/O Connector

Mux Mode
Selection
Switches

Analog
Trigger

Circuitry

Sampling
Converter

Configuration

Memory

Analog Input

Timing/Control

DAQ - STC

Analog Output
Timing/Control

AO Control

12-Bit

A/D

AI Control

DMA/
Interrupt
Request

Bus

Interface

RTSI Bus

Interface

ADC
FIFO

Data (16)

IRQ
DMA

Analog

Input

Control

DAQ-STC

Bus

Interface

Analog
Output
Control

Transceivers

EEPROM

EEPROM

Control

DAQ-PnP

8255

DIO

Control

Data

3

DMA

Interface

Plug

and

Play

Bus

Interface

8

3

AT – I/O Channel

DAC0

DAC1

6

DAC

FIFO

Calibration

DACs

Data (16)

RTSI Bus

Figure 3-1. AT-MIO-16E-1 and AT-MIO-16E-2 Block Diagram



National Instruments Corporation 3-1 AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual

Chapter 3 Hardware Overview

Figure 3-2 shows the block diagram for the AT-MIO-64E-3.

Voltage

REF

(32)

Analog
Muxes

(32)

Calibration

Mux

DACs

2

Trigger

PFI / Trigger

Timing

Digital I/O (8)

DAC0

DAC1

Trigger Level

I/O Connector

Mux Mode
Selection
Switches

Analog
Trigger

Circuitry

6

Dither

Circuitry

Calibration

DACs

+

NI-PGIA
Gain
Amplifier
–

DAC
FIFO

Calibration

DACs

3

12-Bit

Trigger

Counter/

Timing I/O

Digital I/O

Sampling
Converter

Configuration

Memory

Analog Input

Timing/Control

DAQ - STC

Analog Output
Timing/Control

AO Control

Data (16)

A/D

AI Control

DMA/
Interrupt
Request

Bus

Interface

RTSI Bus

Interface

ADC
FIFO

RTSI Bus

Figure 3-2. AT-MIO-64E-3 Block Diagram

Data (16)

IRQ
DMA

Analog

Input

Control

DAQ-STC

Bus

Interface

Analog
Output
Control

Data

Transceivers

EEPROM

EEPROM

Control

DAQ-PnP

8255

DIO

Control

DMA

Interface

Plug
and
Play

Bus

Interface

8

3

AT – I/O Channel

AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual 3-2

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National Instruments Corporation

Chapter 3 Hardware Overview

Figure 3-3 shows the block diagram for the AT-MIO-16E-10 and
AT-MIO-16DE-10.

Voltage

REF

(8)

Analog
Muxes

(8)

Calibration

Mux

PFI / Trigger

PA (8)
PB (8)
PC (8)

Timing

Digital I/O (8)

8255

DIO
Port

DAC0

DAC1

I/O Connector

Mux Mode
Selection
Switches

Dither

Circuitry

AT-MIO-16DE-10 ONLY

Data (8)

6

Calibration

DACs

4

+

NI-PGIA
Gain
Amplifier
–

Calibration

DACs

Trigger

Counter/

Timing I/O

Digital I/O

Sampling

Converter

Configuration

Memory

Analog Input

Timing/Control

DAQ - STC

Analog Output

Timing/Control

AO Control

Data (16)

12-Bit

A/D

ADC
FIFO

AI Control

DMA/
Interrupt
Request

Bus

Interface

RTSI Bus

Interface

RTSI Bus

Data (16)

IRQ
DMA

Analog

Input

Control

DAQ-STC

Bus

Interface

Analog
Output
Control

Data

Transceivers

EEPROM

EEPROM

Control

DAQ-PnP

8255

DIO

Control

DMA

Interface

Plug

and

Play

Bus

Interface

Figure 3-3. AT-MIO-16E-10 and AT-MIO-16DE-10 Block Diagram

8

3

AT – I/O Channel

The primary differences between the AT-MIO-16E-10 and the
AT-MIO-16DE-10 are in the 8255 DIO port, which is not present on the
AT-MIO-16E-10, and the I/O connector.



National Instruments Corporation 3-3 AT-MIO/AI E Series User Manual