National Instruments 6034E, 6035E User Manual

DAQ

6034E/6035E User Manual

Multifunction I/O Boards for
PCI, PXI, and CompactPCI Bus Computers

6034E/6035E User Manual

July 1999 Edition

Part Number 322339A-01

Worldwide Technical Support and Product Information

www.natinst.com

National Instruments Corporate Headquarters

11500 North Mopac Expressway Austin, Texas 78759-3504 USA Tel: [phone]

Worldwide Offices

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For further support information, see the Technical Support Resources appendix. To comment on the
documentation, send e-mail to [e-mail].

© Copyright 1999 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved.

Important Information

Warranty

The 6034E and 6035E 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 durin g the warranty p eriod . T his w arran ty i nclu des part s an d labo r.

The media on which you receive National Instruments software are warranted not to fail to execute programming
instructions, due to defects in materials and work man ship, for a peri od of 90 d ays from da te o f sh ipm ent, as evi denced
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 noti ce of su ch defect s d uring th e warranty perio d.
National Instruments does not warrant that the op eration of t he soft ware shall b e uni nterrup ted or erro r free.

A Return Material Authorization (RMA) number must b e ob tain ed fro m th e facto ry an d clearl y mark ed on t he outsi de
of the package before any equipment wil l be accepted for warranty work. National Instruments will pay the shippi ng costs
of returning to the owner parts which are covered by warran ty.

National Instruments believes that the information in this document 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 th is d ocum ent o r th e in form ation con tained in i t.

XCEPT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN

E

ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
BY FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT THERETOFORE PAID BY THE
CUSTOMER
OR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF

National Instruments will apply regardless of the form of action, wh ether in con tract or tort , incl udin g n egli gen ce.
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, malfuncti ons, or s ervice failur es caused by own er’s fai lure to fol low
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.

ATIONAL INSTRUMENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM LOSS OF DATA, PROFITS, USE OF PRODUCTS

. N

ATIONAL INSTRUMENTS MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS

, N

Copyright

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.

USTOMER’S RIGHT TO RECOVER DAMAGES CAUSED

. C

. This limitation of the liability of

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Trademarks

ComponentWorks™, CVI™, DAQ-STC™, LabVIEW™, Measure™, MITE™, natinst.com™, NI-DAQ™, RTSI™,

™

, and VirtualBench™ are trademarks of National Instruments Corporation.

SCXI
Product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.

WARNING REGARDING MEDICAL AND CLINICAL USE OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS

National Instruments products are not designed with com ponent s and tes ting for a level o f reli ability suit abl e for use in
or in connection with surgical implants o r as cri tical co m ponent s i n any li fe su pp ort sy stem s wh ose fail ure t o pe rform
can reasonably be expected to cause s ignifi cant in ju ry to a hu m an. A ppli cations of Nation al In st rument s prod ucts
involving medical or clinical treatment can create a pot enti al for d eath or bod ily i njury caused b y p rodu ct fail ure, o r by
errors on the part of the user or application designer. Because each end-user system is customized and differs from
National Instruments testing platforms and because a user or application designer may use National Instruments products
in combination with other products in a m ann er no t ev alu ated or co ntem p lated b y N ati onal Ins trum ents , the user or
application designer is ultimately responsible for verifying and validating the suitability of National Instruments products
whenever National Instruments products are incorporated in a system or application, including, without limitation,
the appropriate design , pr ocess and safet y level of such syst em or ap plicat io n.

Contents

About This Manual

Conventions Used in This Manual.................................................................................xi

Related Documentation........................................... .......................................................xii

Chapter 1
Introduction

Features of the 6034E and 6035E..................................................................................1-1

Using PXI with CompactPCI.........................................................................................1-2

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

Unpacking...................................................................................................................... 1-3

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

National Instruments Application Software....................................................1-3

NI-DAQ Driver Software................................................................................1-4

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

Optional Equipment................................................ .......................................................1-6

Chapter 2
Installation and Configuration

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

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

Hardware Configuration ................................................................................................2-3

Chapter 3
Hardware Overview

Analog Input ..................................................................................................................3-2

Input Mode ......................................................................................................3-2

Input Range .....................................................................................................3-2

Multichannel Scanning Considerations...........................................................3-3

Analog Output................................................................................................................3-4

Analog Output Glitch......................................................................................3-4

Digital I/O......................................................................................................................3-4

Timing Signal Routing...................................................................................................3-5

Programmable Function Inputs .......................................................................3-6

Device and RTSI Clocks.................................................................................3-6

RTSI Triggers..................................................................................................3-7

© National Instruments Corporation v 6034E/6035E User Manual

Contents

Chapter 4
Signal Connections

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

Analog Input Signal Overview......................................................................................4-7

Types of Signal Sources..................................................................................4-7

Analog Input Modes........................................................................................4-8

Analog Input Signal Connections..................................................................................4-9

Differential Connection Considerations (DIFF Input Configuration) ............ 4-11

Single-Ended Connection Considerations ......................................................4-15

Common-Mode Signal Rejection Considerations...........................................4-17

Analog Output Signal Connections...............................................................................4-18

Digital I/O Signal Connections .....................................................................................4-19

Power Connections........................................................................................................4-20

Timing Connections ......................................................................................................4-20

Programmable Function Input Connections ...................................................4-21

DAQ Timing Connections..............................................................................4-22

Waveform Generation Timing Connections...................................................4-30

General-Purpose Timing Signal Connections .................................................4-33

Floating Signal Sources....................................................................4-7

Ground-Referenced Signal Sources.................................................. 4-8

Differential Connections for Ground-Referenced Signal Sources ... 4-12
Differential Connections for Nonreferenced or

Floating Signal Sources.................................................................4-13

Single-Ended Connections for Floating Signal Sources

(RSE Configuration)......................................................................4-16

Single-Ended Connections for Grounded Signal Sources

(NRSE Configuration)...................................................................4-16

SCANCLK Signal ............................................................................4-23

EXTSTROBE* Signal......................................................................4-23

TRIG1 Signal....................................................................................4-23

TRIG2 Signal....................................................................................4-25

STARTSCAN Signal.................................................... ....................4-26

CONVERT* Signal........................................ ..................................4-27

AIGATE Signal................................................................................4-29

SISOURCE Signal............................................................................4-29

WFTRIG Signal................................................................................4-30

UPDATE* Signal .............................................................................4-31

UISOURCE Signal............................................................. ..............4-32

GPCTR0_SOURCE Signal ..............................................................4-33

GPCTR0_GATE Signal ...................................................................4-34

GPCTR0_OUT Signal............................................... .......................4-35

GPCTR0_UP_DOWN Signal...........................................................4-35

6034E/6035E User Manual vi © National Instruments Corporation

GPCTR1_SOURCE Signal...............................................................4-36

GPCTR1_GATE Signal....................................................................4-37

GPCTR1_OUT Signal ......................................................................4-38

GPCTR1_UP_DOWN Signal....................................................... ....4-38

FREQ_OUT Signal...........................................................................4-40

Field Wiring Considerations..........................................................................................4-40

Chapter 5
Calibration

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

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

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

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

Appendix A
Specifications

Appendix B
Custom Cabling and Optional Connectors

Contents

Appendix C
Common Questions

Appendix D
Technical Support Resources

Glossary

Index

Figures

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

NI-DAQ, and Your Hardware...............................................................1-5

Figure 3-1. 6034E and 6035E Block Diagram.........................................................3-1

Figure 3-2. CONVERT* Signal Routing.................................................................3-5

Figure 3-3. PCI RTSI Bus Signal Connection.........................................................3-7

Figure 3-4. PXI RTSI Bus Signal Connection.........................................................3-8

© National Instruments Corporation vii 6034E/6035E User Manual

Contents

Figure 4-1. I/O Connector Pin Assignment for the 6034E/6035E...........................4-2

Figure 4-2. Programmable Gain Instrumentation Amplifier (PGIA)......................4-8

Figure 4-3. Summary of Analog Input Connections ...............................................4-10

Figure 4-4. Differential Input Connections for Ground-Referenced Signals .......... 4-12

Figure 4-5. Differential Input Connections for Nonreferenced Signals .................. 4-13

Figure 4-6. Single-Ended Input Connections for Nonreferenced

or Floating Signals..................................... ...........................................4-16

Figure 4-7. Single-Ended Input Connections for Ground-Referenced Signals ....... 4-17

Figure 4-8. Analog Output Connections..................................................................4-18

Figure 4-9. Digital I/O Connections........................................................................4-19

Figure 4-10. Timing I/O Connections .......................................................................4-21

Figure 4-11. Typical Posttriggered Acquisition ........................................................4-22

Figure 4-12. Typical Pretriggered Acquisition............................................ .. ............4-22

Figure 4-13. SCANCLK Signal Timing....................................................................4-23

Figure 4-14. EXTSTROBE* Signal Timing .............................................................4-23

Figure 4-15. TRIG1 Input Signal Timing..................................................................4-24

Figure 4-16. TRIG1 Output Signal Timing...............................................................4-24

Figure 4-17. TRIG2 Input Signal Timing..................................................................4-25

Figure 4-18. TRIG2 Output Signal Timing...............................................................4-26

Figure 4-19. STARTSCAN Input Signal Timing......................................................4-26

Figure 4-20. STARTSCAN Output Signal Timing...................................................4-27

Figure 4-21. CONVERT* Input Signal Timing........................................................4-28

Figure 4-22. CONVERT* Output Signal Timing......................................................4-28

Figure 4-23. SISOURCE Signal Timing...................................................................4-30

Figure 4-24. WFTRIG Input Signal Timing..............................................................4-31

Figure 4-25. WFTRIG Output Signal Timing...........................................................4-31

Figure 4-26. UPDATE* Input Signal Timing ...........................................................4-32

Figure 4-27. UPDATE* Output Signal Timing.........................................................4-32

Figure 4-28. UISOURCE Signal Timing...................................................................4-33

Figure 4-29. GPCTR0_SOURCE Signal Timing......................................................4-34

Figure 4-30. GPCTR0_GATE Signal Timing in Edge-Detection Mode ..................4-35

Figure 4-31. GPCTR0_OUT Signal Timing .............................................................4-35

Figure 4-32. GPCTR1_SOURCE Signal Timing......................................................4-36

Figure 4-33. GPCTR1_GATE Signal Timing in Edge-Detection Mode ..................4-37

Figure 4-34. GPCTR1_OUT Signal Timing .............................................................4-38

Figure 4-35. GPCTR Timing Summary ....................................................................4-39

Figure B-1. 68-Pin E Series Connector Pin Assignments........................................B-2

Figure B-2. 50-Pin E Series Connector Pin Assignments........................................B-3

6034E/6035E User Manual viii © National Instruments Corporation

Tables

Contents

Table 3-1. Available Input Configurations.............................................................3-2

Table 3-2. Measurement Precision .........................................................................3-3

Table 3-3. Pins Used by PXI E Series Device........................................................3-8

Table 4-1. I/O Connector Signal Descriptions........................................................4-3

Table 4-2. I/O Signal Summary..............................................................................4-6

© National Instruments Corporation ix 6034E/6035E User Manual

About This Manual

The 6034 and 6035 E Series devices are high-performance multifunction
analog, digital, and timing I/O devices for PCI, PXI, and CompactPCI bus
computers. Supported functions include analog input, analog output,
digital I/O, and timing I/O.

This manual describes the electrical and mechanical aspects of the
PCI-6034E, PCI-6035E, and PXI-6035E devices from the E Series product
line and contains information concerning their operation and programming.

Conventions Used in This Manual

The following conventions are used in this manual:

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

range of values associated with a bit or signal name—for example,
DBIO<3..0>.

♦ The ♦ symbol indicates that the text following it applies only to a specif i c

product, a specific operating system, or a specific software version.
This icon denotes a note, which alerts you to important information.
This icon to the left of bold italicized text denotes a caution, which advises

you of precautions to take to avoid injury, data loss, or a system crash.

bold Bold text denotes items that you must select or click on in the software,

such as menu items and dialog box options. Bold text also denotes
parameter names.

italic Italic text denotes variables, emphasis, a cross reference, or an introduction

to a key concept. This font also denotes text that is a placeholder for a word
or value that you must supply.

monospace Text in this font denotes text or characters that you should enter from the

keyboard, sections of code, programming examples, and syntax examples.
This font is also used for the proper names of disk drives, paths, directories,
programs, subprograms, subroutines, device names, functions, operations,
variables, filenames and extensions, and code excerpts.

CompactPCI Refers to the core specification defined by the PCI Industrial Computer

Manufacturer’s Group (PICMG)

© National Instruments Corporation xi 6034E/6035E User Manual

About This Manual

NI-DA Q Refers to the NI-DA Q dri v er software for PC compatible computers unless

otherwise noted.

PC Refers to all PC AT series computers with PCI or PXI bus unless otherwise

noted.

PXI Stands for PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation. PXI is an open specification

that builds off the CompactPCI specification by adding
instrumentation-specific features.

Related Documentation

The following documents contain information you may find helpful:

• DAQ-STC Technical Reference Manual

• National Instruments Application Note 025, Field Wiring and Noise
Considerations for Analog Signals

• PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.1

• PICMG CompactPCI 2.0 Revision 2.1

• PXI Bus Specification Revision 1.0

The following National Instruments manual contains detailed information
for the register-level programmer:

• PCI E Series Register-Level Programmer Manual

This manual is available from National Instruments by request. You
should not need the register-level programmer manual if you are using
National Instruments driver or application software. Using NI-DAQ,
ComponentWorks, LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, Measure, or
VirtualBench software is easier than the low-level programming
described in the register-level programmer manual.

6034E/6035E User Manual xii www.natinst.com

Introduction

This chapter describes the 6034E and 6035E devices, lists what you need
to get started, gives unpacking instructions, and describes the optional
software and equipment.

Features of the 6034E and 6035E

Thank you for buying a National Instruments 6034E or 6035E device. The
6035E features 16 channels (eight differential) of 16-bit analog input,
two channels of 12-bit analog output, a 68-pin connector, and eight lines of
digital I/O. The 6034E is identical to the 6035E, except that it does not have
analog output channels.

These devices 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. The
DAQ-STC makes possible such applications as buffered pulse generation,
equivalent time sampling, and seamless changing of the sampling rate.

1

With other DAQ devices, you cannot easily synchronize several
measurement functions to a common trigger or timing event. These devices
have the Real-Time System Integration (RTSI) bus to solve this problem.
In a PCI system, the RTSI bus consists of the National Instruments RTSI
bus interface and a ribbon cable to route timing and trigger signals between
several functions on as many as five DAQ devices in your computer. In a
PXI system, the RTSI bus consists of the National Instruments RTSI bus
interface and the PXI trigger signals on the PXI backplane to route timing
and trigger signals between several functions on as many as seven DAQ
devices in your system.

These devices can interface to an SCXI system—the instrumentation front
end for plug-in DA Q de vices—so that you can acquire analog signals from
thermocouples, RT Ds, strain g auges, v oltage sources, and current sources.
You can also acquire or generate digital signals for communication and
control.

© National Instruments Corporation 1-1 6034E/6035E User Manual

Chapter 1 Introduction

Using PXI with CompactPCI

Using PXI compatible products with standard CompactPCI products is an
important feature provided by PXI Specification, Revision 1.0. If you use a
PXI compatible plug-in card in a standard CompactPCI chassis, you will be
unable to use PXI-specific functions, but you can still use the basic plug-in
card functions. For example, the RTSI bus on your PXI E Series device is
available in a PXI chassis, but not in a CompactPCI chassis.

The CompactPCI specification permits vendors to develop sub-buses that
coexist with the basic PCI interface on the CompactPCI bus. Compatible
operation is not guaranteed between CompactPCI devices with different
sub-buses nor between CompactPCI devices with sub-buses and PXI.
The standard implementation for CompactPCI does not include these
sub-buses. Your PXI E Series device will work in any standard
CompactPCI chassis adhering to PICMG CompactPCI 2.0 R2.1 core
specification.

PXI specific features are implemented on the J2 connector of the
CompactPCI bus. Table 3-3 lists the J2 pins used by your PXI E Series
device. Your PXI device is compatible with any Compact PCI chassis with
a sub-bus that does not drive these lines. Even if the sub-bus is capable of
driving these lines, the PXI device is still compatible as long as those pins
on the sub-bus are disabled by default and not ever enabled. Damage may
result if these lines are driven by the sub-bus.

What You Need to Get Started

To set up and use your device, you will need the following:

❑ One of the following devices:

• PCI-6034E

• PCI-6035E

• PXI-6035E

❑ 6034E/6035E User Manual
❑ One of the following software packages and documentation:

• ComponentWorks

• LabVIEW for Windows

• LabWindows/CVI for Windows

6034E/6035E User Manual 1-2 www.natinst.com

Note Read Chapter 2, Installation and Configuration, before installing your device.

Always install your software before installing your device.

Unpacking

Chapter 1 Introduction

• Measure

• NI-DAQ for PC Compatibles

• VirtualBench

❑ Your computer equipped with one of the following:

• PCI bus for a PCI device

• PXI or CompactPCI chassis and controller for a PXI device

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

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

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

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

• Never touch the exposed pins of connectors.

Software Programming Choices

You have several options to choose from when programming your National
Instruments DAQ and SCXI hardware. You can use National Instruments
application software, NI-DAQ, or register-level programming.

National Instruments Application Software

ComponentWorks contains tools for data acquisition and instrument
control built on NI-DAQ driver software. ComponentWorks provides
a higher-level programming interface for building virtual instruments
through standard OLE controls and DLLs. With ComponentWorks, you
can use all of the configuration tools, resource management utilities, and
interactive control utilities included with NI-DAQ.

© National Instruments Corporation 1-3 6034E/6035E User Manual

Chapter 1 Introduction

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 NI-DAQ
software.

LabWindows/CVI features interactive graphics, 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 soft ware kit. The LabWindows/CVI Data Acquisition
Library is functionally equivalent to the NI-DAQ software.

VirtualBench features virtual instruments that combine DAQ products,
software, and your computer to create a stand-alone instrument with the
added benefit of the processing, display, and storage cap a bilities of your
computer. VirtualBench instruments load and save waveform data to disk
in the same forms that can be used in popular spreadsheet programs and
word processors.

Using ComponentWorks, LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, or VirtualBench
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 SCXI or
accessory products, except for the SCXI-1200. 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,
self-calibration, messaging, and acquiring data to extended memory.

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.

6034E/6035E User Manual 1-4 www.natinst.com

Chapter 1 Introduction

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 or National Instruments application software, your
application uses the NI-DAQ driver software, as illustrated in Figure 1-1.

Programming Environment

SCXI Hardware

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

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.

Conventional

DAQ or

ComponentWorks,

LabVIEW,

LabWindows/CVI, or

VirtualBench

NI-DAQ

Driver Software

Personal

Computer or

Workstation

NI-DAQ, and Your Hardware

Even if you are an experienced register-level programmer, using NI-DAQ
or application software to program your National Instruments DAQ
hardware is easier than, and as flexible as, register-level programming,
and can save weeks of development time.

© National Instruments Corporation 1-5 6034E/6035E User Manual

Chapter 1 Introduction

Optional Equipment

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

• Cables and cable assemblies, shielded and ribbon

• Connector blocks, shielded and unshielded screw terminals

• RTSI bus cables

• SCXI modules and accessories for isolating, amplifying, e xciting, and
multiplexing signals for relays and analog output. With SCXI you can
condition and acquire up to 3,072 channels.

• Low channel count signal conditioning modules, devices, and
accessories, including conditioning for strain gauges and R TDs,
simultaneous sample and hold, and relays

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

6034E/6035E User Manual 1-6 www.natinst.com

Installation and Configuration

This chapter explains how to install and configure your 6034E or 6035E.

Software Installation

2

Caution

You should install your software before you install your device.

If you are using LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, other National Instruments
application software packages, or the NI-DAQ driver software, refer to the
appropriate release notes. After you have installed your application
software, refer to your NI-DAQ release notes and follow the instructions
given there for your operating system and application software package.

If you are a register-level programmer, refer to the PCI E Series

Register-Level Programmer Manual and the DAQ-STC Technical
Reference Manual for software configuration information.

Hardware Installation

Note

Install your software before you install your device.

After installing your software, you are ready to install your hardware. Your
device will fit in any 5 V expansion slot in your computer. However, to
achieve best noise performance, leave as much room as possible between
your device and other devices. The following are general installation
instructions. Consult your computer user manual or technical reference
manual for specific instructions and warnings.

♦ PCI Installation

1. Turn off and unplug your computer.

2. Remove the top cover of your computer.

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

© National Instruments Corporation 2-1 6034E/6035E User Manual

Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration

4. Touch any metal part of your computer chassis to discharge any static
electricity that might be on your clothes or body.

5. Insert the device into a 5 V PCI slot. Gently rock the device to ease it
into place. It may be a tight fit, but do not force the device into place.

6. Screw the mounting bracket of the device to the back panel rail of the
computer.

7. Visually verify the installation.

8. Replace the top cover of your computer.

9. Plug in and turn on your computer.

♦ PXI Installation

1. Turn off and unplug your computer.

2. Choose an unused PXI slot in your system. For maximum
performance, the device has an onboard DMA controller that can only
be used if the device is installed in a slot that supports bus arbitration,
or bus master cards. National Instruments recommends installing the
device in such a slot. The PXI specification requires all slots to support
bus master cards, but the CompactPCI specification does not. If you
install in a CompactPCI non-master slot, you must disable the device
onboard DMA controller using software.

3. Remove the filler panel for the slot you have chosen.

4. Touch any metal part of your computer chassis to discharge any static
electricity that might be on your clothes or body.

5. Insert the device into a 5 V PXI slot. Use the injector/ejector handle to
fully insert the device into the chassis.

6. Screw the front panel of the device to the front panel mounting rail of
the system.

7. Visually verify the installation.

8. Plug in and turn on your computer.

The device is installed. You are now ready to configure your hardware and
software.

6034E/6035E User Manual 2-2 www.natinst.com

Hardware Configuration

Due to the National Instruments standard architecture for data acquisition
and standard bus specifications, these devices are completely
software-configurable. You must perform two types of configuration on the
devices—bus-related and data acquisition-related configuration.

The PCI devices are fully compatible with the industry-standard PCI Local

Bus Specification Revision 2.1. The PXI device is fully compatible with the
PXI Specification Revision 1.0. These specifications let your computer

automatically set the device base memory address and interrupt channel
with no user interaction.

You can modify data acquisition-related configuration settings, such as
analog input range and mode, through application-level software. Refer to
Chapter 3, Hardware Overview, for more information about the various
settings available for your device. These settings are changed and
configured through software after you install your device. Refer to your
software documentation for configuration instructions.

Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration

© National Instruments Corporation 2-3 6034E/6035E User Manual

Hardware Overview

This chapter presents an overview of the hardware functions on your
device.

Figure 3-1 shows a block diagram for the 6034E and 6035E.

3

Voltage

REF

(8)

Analog
Input
Muxes

(8)

Calibration

Mux

PFI / Trigger

Timing

I/O Connector

Digital I/O

NOT ON 6034E
Analog Output

DAC0

DAC1

Analog Mode
Multiplexer

AO Control

Calibration

DACs

PGIA

Calibration DACs

Trigger
Interface

Counter/

Timing I/O

Digital I/O

Converter

Configuration

Memory

Analog Input

Timing/Control

DAQ - STC

Analog Output
Timing/Control

A/D

ADC

FIFO

AI Control

DMA/
Interrupt
Request

Bus

Interface

RTSI Bus

Interface

RTSI Connector

IRQ
DMA

EEPROM

Data

Analog

Input

Control

DAQ-STC

Bus

Interface
Analog

Output
Control

Generic

Bus

Interface

EEPROM

EEPROM

Control

Interface

DAQ­APE

Bus

MINI­MITE

Interface

DMA

Interface

Plug
and
Play

82C55

DIO

Control

PCI
Bus

Control

Address/Data

Address

PCI Connector for PCI-603X, PXI Connector for PXI-6035E

Figure 3-1.

6034E and 6035E Block Diagram

© National Instruments Corporation 3-1 6034E/6035E User Manual

Chapter 3 Hardware Overview

Analog Input

Input Mode

The analog input section of each device is software configurable. The
following sections describe in detail each of the analog input settings.

The devices have three different input modes—nonreferenced single-ended
(NRSE) input, referenced single-ended (RSE) input, and differential
(DIFF) input. The single-ended input configurations provide up to
16 channels. The DIFF input configuration provides up to eight channels.
Input modes are programmed on a per channel basis for multimode
scanning. For example, you can configure the circuitry to scan
12 channels—four differentially-configured channels and eight
single-ended channels. Table 3-1 describes the three input configurations.

Input Range

Table 3-1.

Configuration Description

DIFF A channel configured in DIFF mode uses two analog

input lines. One line connects to the positive input of
the device’s programmable gain instrumentation
amplifier (PGIA), and the other connects to the
negative input of the PGIA.

RSE A channel conf igured in RSE mode uses one analog

input line, which connects to the positive input of the
PGIA. The negative input of the PGIA is internally
tied to analog input ground (AIGND).

NRSE A channel configured in NRSE mode uses one

analog input line, which connects to the positive
input of the PGIA. The negative input of the PGIA
connects to analog input sense (AISENSE).

For diagrams showing the signal paths of the three conf igurations, refer to
the Analog Input Signal Overview section in Chapter 4, Signal

Connections.

The devices have a bipolar input range that changes with the programmed
gain. Each channel may be programmed with a unique gain of 0.5, 1.0, 10,
or 100 to maximize the 16-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC)

Available Input Configurations

6034E/6035E User Manual 3-2 www.natinst.com

Chapter 3 Hardware Overview

resolution. With the proper gain setting, you can use the full resolution of
the ADC to measure the input signal. Table 3-2 shows the input range and
precision according to the gain used.

Table 3-2.

Gain Input Range Precision

0.5

1.0

10.0

100.0

*The value of 1 LSB of the 16-bit ADC; that is, the voltage increment corresponding to a
change of one count in the ADC 16-bit count.

Note:

See Appendix A,

–

10 to +10 V

–

–

500 to +500 mV

–

50 to +50 mV

Specifications

Multichannel Scanning Considerations

The devices can scan multiple channels at the same maximum rate as their
single-channel rate; however, pay careful attention to the settling times for
each of the devices. No extra settling time is necessary between channels
as long as the gain is constant and source impedances are low. Refer to
Appendix A, Specifications, for a complete listing of settling times for each
of the devices.

When scanning among channels at various gains, the settling times may
increase. When the PGIA switches to a higher gain, the signal on the
previous channel may be well outside the new, smaller range. For instance,
suppose a 4 V signal is connected to channel 0 and a 1 mV signal is
connected to channel 1, and suppose the PGIA is programmed to apply a
gain of one to channel 0 and a gain of 100 to channel 1. When the
multiplexer switches to channel 1 and the PGIA switches to a gain of 100,
the new full-scale range is ±50 mV.

Measurement Precision

5 to +5 V

, for absolute maximum ratings.

*

305.2 µV

152.6 µV

15.3 µV

1.53 µV

The approximately 4 V step from 4 V to 1 mV is 4,000% of the new
full-scale range. It may take as long as 100 µs for the circuitry to settle to
1 LSB after such a large transition. In general, this extra settling time is not
needed when the PGIA is switching to a lower gain.

Settling times can also increase when scanning high-impedance signals
due to a phenomenon called charge injection, where the analog input
multiplexer injects a small amount of charge into each signal source when
that source is selected. If the impedance of the source is not low enough,

© National Instruments Corporation 3-3 6034E/6035E User Manual

Chapter 3 Hardware Overview

Analog Output

♦ 6035E only

the effect of the charge—a v oltage error—will not have decayed by the time
the ADC samples the signal. For this reason, keep source impedances under
1kΩ to perform high-speed scanning.

Due to the previously described limitations of settling times resulting from
these conditions, multiple-channel scanning is not recommended unless
sampling rates are low enough or it is necessary to sample several signals
as nearly simultaneously as possible. The data is much more accurate and
channel-to-channel independent if you acquire data from each channel
independently (for example, 100 points from channel 0, then 100 points
from channel 1, then 100 points from channel 2, and so on.)

These devices supply two channels of 12-bit analog output voltage at the
I/O connector. The bipolar range is fixed at ±10 V. Data written to the
digital-to-analog converter (D A C) will be interpreted as two’ s complement
format.

Analog Output Glitch

In normal operation, a DAC output will glitch whenever it is updated with
a new value. The glitch energy differs from code to code and appears as
distortion in the frequency spectrum.

Digital I/O

The devices contain eight lines of digital I/O (DIO<0..7>) for
general-purpose use. You can individually software-configure each line for
either input or output. At system startup and reset, the digital I/O ports are
all high impedance.

The hardware up/down control for general-purpose counters 0 and 1 are
connected onboard to DIO6 and DIO7, respectively. Thus, you can use
DIO6 and DIO7 to control the general-purpose counters. The up/down
control signals are input only and do not affect the operation of the DIO
lines.

6034E/6035E User Manual 3-4 www.natinst.com

Timing Signal Routing

The DAQ-STC chip provides a flexible interface for connecting timing
signals to other devices or external circuitry. Your device uses the RTSI
bus to interconnect timing signals between devices, and the Programmable
Function Input (PFI) pins on the I/O connector to connect the device to
external circuitry. These connections are designed to enable the device to
both control and be controlled by other devices and circuits.

There are a total of 13 timing signals internal to the DAQ-STC that can be
controlled by an external source. These timing signals can also be
controlled by signals generated internally to the DAQ-STC, and these
selections are fully software-configurable. Figure 3-2 shows an example of
the signal routing multiplexer controlling the CONVERT* signal.

RTSI Trigger <0..6>

Chapter 3 Hardware Overview

CONVERT*

PFI<0..9>

Sample Interval Counter TC

GPCTR0_OUT

Figure 3-2.

CONVERT* Signal Routing

This figure shows that CONVERT* can be generated from a number of
sources, including the external signals RTSI<0..6> and PFI<0..9> and the
internal signals Sample Interval Counter TC and GPCTR0_OUT.

© National Instruments Corporation 3-5 6034E/6035E User Manual

Chapter 3 Hardware Overview

Many of these timing signals are also available as outputs on the R TSI pins,
as indicated in the RTSI Triggers section in this chapter, and on the PFI
pins, as indicated in Chapter 4, Signal Connections.

Programmable Function Inputs

Ten PFI pins are available on the device connector as PFI<0..9> and are
connected to the device’s internal signal routing multiplexer for each
timing signal. Software can select any one of the PFI pins as the external
source for a given timing signal. It is important to note that any of the PFI
pins can be used as an input by any of the timing signals and that multiple
timing signals can use the same PFI simultaneously. This flexible routing
scheme reduces the need to change physical connections to the I/O
connector for different applications.

You can also individually enable each of the PFI pins to output a specific
internal timing signal. For example, if you need the UPD ATE* signal as an
output on the I/O connector, software can turn on the output driver for the
PFI5/UPDATE* pin.

Device and RTSI Clocks

Many device functions require a frequency timebase to generate the
necessary timing signals for controlling A/D conversions, DAC updates, or
general-purpose signals at the I/O connector.

These devices can use either its internal 20 MHz timebase or a timebase
received over the RTSI bus. In addition, if you configure the device to use
the internal timebase, you can also program the device to drive its internal
timebase over the R TSI b us to another device that is programmed to recei ve
this timebase signal. This clock source, whether local or from the R TSI bus,
is used directly by the device as the primary frequency source. The default
configuration at startup is to use the internal timebase without driving the
RTSI bus timebase signal. This timebase is software selectable.

♦ PXI-6035E

The RTSI clock connects to other devices through the PXI trigger bus on
the PXI backplane. The R TSI clock signal uses the PXI trigger <7> line for
this connection.

6034E/6035E User Manual 3-6 www.natinst.com

RTSI Triggers

Chapter 3 Hardware Overview

The seven RTSI trigger lines on the RTSI bus provide a very flexible
interconnection scheme for any device sharing the RTSI bus. These
bidirectional lines can drive any of eight timing signals onto the RTSI bus
and can receive any of these timing signals. This signal connection scheme
is shown in Figure 3-3 for PCI devices and Figure 3-4 for PXI devices.

DAQ-STC
TRIG1
TRIG2
CONVERT*
UPDATE*
WFTRIG
GPCTR0_SOURCE

Trigger

7

RTSI Bus Connector

Clock

RTSI Switch

switch

GPCTR0_GATE
GPCTR0_OUT
STARTSCAN
AIGATE
SISOURCE
UISOURCE
GPCTR1_SOURCE
GPCTR1_GATE
RTSI_OSC (20 MHz)

Figure 3-3.

© National Instruments Corporation 3-7 6034E/6035E User Manual

PCI RTSI Bus Signal Connection

Chapter 3 Hardware Overview

PXI Star (6)

PXI Trigger (0..5)

PXI Bus Connector

PXI Trigger (7)

Figure 3-4. PXI RTSI Bus Signal Connection

RTSI Switch

switch

DAQ-STC
TRIG1
TRIG2
CONVERT*
UPDATE*
WFTRIG
GPCTR0_SOURCE
GPCTR0_GATE
GPCTR0_OUT
STARTSCAN
AIGATE
SISOURCE
UISOURCE
GPCTR1_SOURCE
GPCTR1_GATE
RTSI_OSC (20 MHz)

Table 3-3 lists the name and number of pins used by the PXI-6035E.

Table 3-3. Pins Used by PXI E Series Device

PXI E Series

Signal

PXI Pin Name PXI J2 Pin Number

RTSI<0..5> PXI Trigger<0..5> B16, A16, A17, A18, B18, C18
RT SI 6 PXI Star D17
RTSI Clock PXI Trigger 7 E16
Reserved LBL<0..3> C20, E20, A19, C19
Reserved LBR<0..12> A21, C21, D21, E21, A20,

B20, E15, A3, C3, D3, E3,
A2, B2

Refer to the Timing Connections section of Chapter 4, Signal Connections,
for a description of the signals shown in Figures 3-3 and 3-4.

6034E/6035E User Manual 3-8 www.natinst.com

Signal Connections

This chapter describes how to make input and output signal connections to
your device via the I/O connector.

The I/O connector for the devices has 68 pins that you can connect to
68-pin accessories with the SH6868 shielded cable or the R6868 ribbon
cable. You can connect your device to 50-pin signal accessories with the
SH6850 shielded cable or R6850 ribbon cable.

4

Caution

on the devices can damage the device and the computer. Maximum input ratings for each
signal are given in the Protection column of Table 4-2. National Instruments is not liable
for any damages resulting from such signal connections.

Connections that exceed any of the maximum ratings of input or output signals

I/O Connector

Figure 4-1 shows the pin assignments for the 68-pin I/O connector. Refer
to Appendix B, Custom Cabling and Optional Connectors, for pin
assignments of the optional 50- and 68-pin connectors. A signal description
follows the figures.

© National Instruments Corporation 4-1 6034E/6035E User Manual

Chapter 4 Signal Connections

ACH8

ACH1
AIGND
ACH10

ACH3
AIGND

ACH4
AIGND
ACH13

ACH6
AIGND

ACH15

DAC0OUT

DAC1OUT

RESERVED

DIO4
DGND
DIO1

DIO6
DGND

+5 V
DGND
DGND

PFI0/TRIG1
PFI1/TRIG2

DGND

+5 V
DGND

PFI5/UPDATE*

PFI6/WFTRIG

DGND

PFI9/GPCTR0_GATE

GPCTR0_OUT

FREQ_OUT

1
1

34 68
33 67
32 66
31 65
30 64
29 63
28 62
27 61
26 60
25 59
24 58
23 57
22 56
21 55
20 54
19 53
18 52
17 51
16 50
15 49
14 48
13 47
12 46
11 45
10 44

943
842
741
640
539
438
337
236
135

ACH0
AIGND
ACH9
ACH2
AIGND
ACH11
AISENSE
ACH12
ACH5
AIGND
ACH14
ACH7
AIGND
AOGND
AOGND
DGND
DIO0

DIO5
DGND

DIO2
DIO7
DIO3
SCANCLK
EXTSTROBE*
DGND
PFI2/CONVERT*
PFI3/GPCTR1_SOURCE
PFI4/GPCTR1_GATE
GPCTR1_OUT
DGND
PFI7/STARTSCAN
PFI8/GPCTR0_SOURCE
DGND
DGND

1

Not available on the 6034E

Figure 4-1. I/O Connector Pin Assignment for the 6034E/6035E

6034E/6035E User Manual 4-2 www.natinst.com

Chapter 4 Signal Connections

Table 4-1 shows the I/O connector signal descriptions for the 6034E and
6035E.

Table 4-1. I/O Connector Signal Descriptions

Signal Name Reference Direction Description

AIGND — — Analog Input Ground—These pins are the reference point

for single-ended measurements in RSE configuration and

the bias current return point for differential measurements.

All three ground references—AIGND, AOGND, and

DGND—are connected together on your device.

ACH<0..15> AIGND Input Analog Input Channels 0 through 15—Each channel pair,

ACH<i, i+8> (i = 0..7), can be configured as either one

differential input or two single-ended inputs.

AISENSE AIGND Input Analog Input Sense—This pin serves as the reference node

DAC0OUT

DAC1OUT

AOGND — — Analog Output Ground—The analog output voltages are

DGND — — Digital Ground—This pin supplies the reference for the

DIO<0..7> DGND Input or

+5 V DGND Output +5 VDC Source—These pins are fused for up to 1 A of

SCANCLK DGND Output Scan Clock—This pin pulses once for each A/D conversion

EXTSTROBE* DGND Output External Strobe—This output can be toggled under software

1

1

AOGND Output Analog Channel 0 Output—This pin supplies the voltage

AOGND Output Analog Channel 1 Output—This pin supplies the voltage

Output

for any of channels ACH <0..15> in NRSE configuration.

output of analog output channel 0.

output of analog output channel 1.

referenced to this node. All three ground

references—AIGND, AOGND, and DGND—are connected

together on your device.

digital signals at the I/O connector as well as the +5 VDC

supply. All three ground references—AIGND, AOGND,

and DGND—are connected together on your device.

Digital I/O signals—DIO6 and 7 can control the up/down

signal of general-purpose counters 0 and 1, respectively.

+5 V supply. The fuse is self-resetting.

in scanning mode when enabled. The low-to-high edge

indicates when the input signal can be removed from the

input or switched to another signal.

control to latch signals or trigger events on external devices.

© National Instruments Corporation 4-3 6034E/6035E User Manual