National Instruments DAQ PCI E, PCI-MIO-16E-1, PCI-MIO-16E-4, PCI-MIO-16XE-10, PCI-MIO-16XE-50 User Manual

PCI E Series

User Manual

Multifunction I/O Boards for

PCI Bus Computers

January 1999 Edition

Part Number 320945D-01

© Copyright 1995, 1999 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved.

Internet Support

[e-mail]

E-mail: [e-mail]
FTP Site: ftp.natinst.com
Web Address: http://www.natinst.com

Bulletin Board Support

BBS United States: [phone]
BBS United Kingdom: 01635 551422
BBS France: 01 48 65 15 59

Fax-on-Demand Support

[phone]

Telephone Support (U.S.)

Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

International Offices

Australia 03 9879 5166, Austria 0662 45 79 90 0, Belgium 02 757 00 20,
Canada (Ontario) 905 785 0085, Canada (Québec) 514 694 8521, Denmark 45 76 26 00,
Finland 09 725 725 11, France 01 48 14 24 24, Germany 089 741 31 30,
Hong Kong 2645 3186, Israel 03 5734815, Italy 02 413091, Japan 03 5472 2970,
Korea 02 596 7456, Mexico 5 520 2635, Netherlands 0348 433466, Norway 32 84 84 00,
Singapore 2265886, Spain 91 640 0085, Sweden 08 730 49 70, Switzerland 056 200 51 51,
Taiwan 02 377 1200, United Kingdom 01635 523545

National Instruments Corporate Headquarters

6504 Bridge Point Parkway Austin, TX 78730-5039 Tel: [phone]

Important Information

Warranty

The PCI 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 workm anship, f or a period of 90 days fr om date of ship ment, as evid enced
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 p arts whic h are co vered by w arran 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 Instrum ents 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

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

C

NSTRUMENTS SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT THERETOFORE PAID BY THE CUSTOMER

I

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.

ATIONAL INSTRUMENTS MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND

, N

.

ATIONAL INSTRUMENTS

. N

. This limitation of the liability of National

Copyright

Under the copyright laws, this publ ication may not be r eproduced or tr ansmitted in any form, electron ic 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.

Trademarks

ComponentWorks™, CVI™, DAQ-STC™, LabVIEW™, NI-DAQ™, Measure™, MITE™, NI-PGIA™, RTSI™,
SCXI™, and VirtualBench™ are trademarks of National Instruments Corporation.

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 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 al l 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 esta blishe d process, proced ure, or equipm ent 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........................................................................................... .xv

Chapter 1
Introduction

About the PCI E Series.................................................................................................1-1

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

Software Programming Choices...................................................................................1-2

National Instruments 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

Chapter 3
Hardware Overview

Analog Input .................................................................................................................3-4

Input Mode .....................................................................................................3-4

Input Polarity and Input Range.......................................................................3-5

Considerations for Selecting Input Ranges......................................3-8

Dither..............................................................................................................3-9

Multichannel Scanning Considerations..........................................................3-10

©

National Instruments Corporation v PCI E Series User Manual

Table of Contents

Analog Output.............................................................................................................. 3-12

Analog Output Reference Selection...............................................................3-12

Analog Output Polarity Selection..................................................................3-12

Analog Output Reglitch Selection .................................................................3-13

Analog Trigger .............................................................................................................3-14

Digital I/O............................................... .................................. ....................................3-17

Timing Signal Routing................................................................................................. 3-17

Programmable Function Inputs...................................................................... 3-19

Board and RTSI Clocks .................................................................................3-19

RTSI Triggers ...................................................... .......................................... 3-19

Chapter 4
Signal Connections

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

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

Analog Input Signal Connections................................................................................. 4-12

Types of Signal Sources............................................................................................... 4-14

Floating Signal Sources .................................................................................4-14

Ground-Referenced Signal Sources............................................................... 4-14

Input Configurations.....................................................................................................4-14

Differential Connection Considerations (DIFF Input Configuration) ........... 4-16

Single-Ended Connection Considerations ..................................................... 4-20

Common-Mode Signal Rejection Considerations..........................................4-22

Analog Output Signal Connections.............................................................................. 4-23

Digital I/O Signal Connections ....................................................................................4-24

Power Connections....................................................................................................... 4-26

Timing Connections .....................................................................................................4-26

Programmable Function Input Connections ..................................................4-27

DAQ Timing Connections............................................................................. 4-28

Differential Connections for Ground-Referenced

Signal Sources ........................................................... ...................4-17

Differential Connections for Nonreferenced or Floating

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

Single-Ended Connections for Floating Signal Sources

(RSE Configuration).....................................................................4-21

Single-Ended Connections for Grounded Signal Sources

(NRSE Configuration).................................................................. 4-21

SCANCLK Signal ...........................................................................4-29

EXTSTROBE* Signal.....................................................................4-29

TRIG1 Signal...................................................................................4-30

TRIG2 Signal...................................................................................4-31

STARTSCAN Signal.................................................... ...................4-33

PCI E Series User Manual vi

©

National Instruments Corporation

Field Wiring Considerations.........................................................................................4-46

Chapter 5
Calibration

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

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

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

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

Table of Contents

CONVERT* Signal.................................. .................................. ......4-34

AIGATE Signal....................................................................... .........4-36

SISOURCE Signal...........................................................................4-36

Waveform Generation Timing Connections ..................................................4-37

WFTRIG Signal...............................................................................4-37

UPDATE* Signal.............................................................................4-38

UISOURCE Signal .............................................................. ............4-39

General-Purpose Timing Signal Connections................................................4-40

GPCTR0_SOURCE Signal..............................................................4-40

GPCTR0_GATE Signal...................................................................4-41

GPCTR0_OUT Signal ................................................. ....................4-42

GPCTR0_UP_DOWN Signal.............................................. ............4-42

GPCTR1_SOURCE Signal..............................................................4-43

GPCTR1_GATE Signal...................................................................4-43

GPCTR1_OUT Signal ................................................. ....................4-44

GPCTR1_UP_DOWN Signal.............................................. ............4-45

FREQ_OUT Signal..........................................................................4-46

Appendix A
Specifications

Appendix B
Optional Cable Connector Descriptions

Appendix C
Common Questions

Appendix D
Customer Communication

©

National Instruments Corporation vii PCI E Series User Manual

Table of Contents

Glossary

Index

Figures

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

Figure 3-1. PCI-MIO-16E-1, PCI-MIO-16E-4 and PCI-6071E Block Diagram..... 3-1

Figure 3-2. PCI-MIO-16XE-10 and PCI-6031E Block Diagram ............................ 3-2

Figure 3-3. PCI-6032E and PCI-6033E Block Diagram.......................................... 3-3

Figure 3-4. PCI-MIO-16XE-50 Block Diagram......................................................3-4

Figure 3-5. Dither............................ .................................. ....................................... 3-10

Figure 3-6. Analog Trigger Block Diagram.............................................................3-14

Figure 3-7. Below-Low-Level Analog Triggering Mode ........................................3-15

Figure 3-8. Above-High-Level Analog Triggering Mode ....................................... 3-15

Figure 3-9. Inside-Region Analog Triggering Mode............................................... 3-16

Figure 3-10. High-Hysteresis Analog Triggering Mode............................................ 3-16

Figure 3-11. Low-Hysteresis Analog Triggering Mode ....................................... ... ..3-17

Figure 3-12. CONVERT* Signal Routing.................................................................3-18

Figure 3-13. RTSI Bus Signal Connection ................................................................ 3-20

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

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

PCI-MIO-16E-4, PCI-MIO-16XE-50, PCI-MIO-16XE-10,

and PCI-6032E ...................................................................................... 4-2

Figure 4-2. I/O Connector Pin assignment for the PCI-6071E, 6031E,

and 6033E.............................................................................................. 4-3

Figure 4-3. PCI E Series PGIA................................................................................ 4-13

Figure 4-4. Summary of Analog Input Connections................................................ 4-15

Figure 4-5. Differential Input Connections for Ground-Referenced Signals........... 4-17

Figure 4-6. Differential Input Connections for Nonreferenced Signals................... 4-18

Figure 4-7. Single-Ended Input Connections for Nonreferenced

or Floating Signals................................................................................. 4-21

Figure 4-8. Single-Ended Input Connections for Ground-Referenced Signals........ 4-22

Figure 4-9. Analog Output Connections..................................................................4-24

Figure 4-10. Digital I/O Connections......................................................................... 4-25

Figure 4-11. Timing I/O Connections........................................................................4-27

Figure 4-12. Typical Posttriggered Acquisition.........................................................4-28

Figure 4-13. Typical Pretriggered Acquisition .................................................. ... ..... 4-29

Figure 4-14. SCANCLK Signal Timing ....................................................................4-29

Figure 4-15. EXTSTROBE* Signal Timing..............................................................4-30

Figure 4-16. TRIG1 Input Signal Timing .................................................................. 4-31

Figure 4-17. TRIG1 Output Signal Timing................................................................4-31

PCI E Series User Manual viii

©

National Instruments Corporation

Table of Contents

Figure 4-18. TRIG2 Input Signal Timing...................................................................4-32

Figure 4-19. TRIG2 Output Signal Timing................................................................4-32

Figure 4-20. STARTSCAN Input Signal Timing.......................................................4-33

Figure 4-21. STARTSCAN Output Signal Timing....................................................4-34

Figure 4-22. CONVERT* Input Signal Timing.........................................................4-35

Figure 4-23. CONVERT* Output Signal Timing ......................................................4-35

Figure 4-24. SISOURCE Signal Timing....................................................................4-37

Figure 4-25. WFTRIG Input Signal Timing...............................................................4-38

Figure 4-26. WFTRIG Output Signal Timing............................................................4-38

Figure 4-27. UPDATE* Input Signal Timing............................................................4-39

Figure 4-28. UPDATE* Output Signal Timing..........................................................4-39

Figure 4-29. UISOURCE Signal Timing ...................................................................4-40

Figure 4-30. GPCTR0_SOURCE Signal Timing.......................................................4-41

Figure 4-31. GPCTR0_GATE Signal Timing in Edge-Detection Mode ...................4-42

Figure 4-32. GPCTR0_OUT Signal Timing ..............................................................4-42

Figure 4-33. GPCTR1_SOURCE Signal Timing.......................................................4-43

Figure 4-34. GPCTR1_GATE Signal Timing in Edge-Detection Mode ...................4-44

Figure 4-35. GPCTR1_OUT Signal Timing ..............................................................4-44

Figure 4-36. GPCTR Timing Summary.....................................................................4-45

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

Figure B-2. 68-Pin Extended Analog Input Connector Pin Assignments.................B-3

Figure B-3. 50-Pin E Series Connector Pin Assignments........................................B-4

Figure B-4. 50-Pin Extended Analog Input Connector Pin Assignments.................B-5

Tables

Table 3-1. Available Input Configurations for the PCI E Series ............................3-5

Table 3-2. Actual Range and Measurement Precision, PCI-MIO-16E-1,

PCI-MIO-16E-4, and PCI-6071E...................................... ....................3-6

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

PCI-MIO-16XE-50, PCI-6031E, PCI-6032E, and PCI-6 033E .............3-8

Table 4-1. I/O Signal Summary, PCI-MIO-16E-1, PCI-MIO-16E-4,

and PCI-6071E.......................................................................................4-7

Table 4-2. I/O Signal Summary, PCI-MIO-16XE-10, PCI-6031E,

PCI-6032E, and PCI-6033E...................................................................4-8

Table 4-3. I/O Signal Summary, PCI-MIO-16XE-50.............................................4-10

©

National Instruments Corporation ix PCI E Series User Manual

About

This

Manual

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

The PCI E Series includes the following boards:

• PCI-MIO-16E-1

• PCI-MIO-16E-4

• PCI-MIO-16XE-10

• PCI-MIO-16XE-50

• PCI-6031E (MIO-64XE-10)

• PCI-6032E (AI-16XE-10)

• PCI-6033E (AI-64XE-10)

• PCI-6071E (MIO-64E-1)
The PCI E Series boards are high-performance multifunction analog,

digital, and timing I/O boards for PCI bus computers. Supported
functions include analog input, analog output, digital I/O, and
timing I/O.

Organization of This Manual

PCI E Series User Manual

The

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

• Chapter 2,
and configure your PCI E Series board.

• Chapter 3,
hardware functions on your PCI E Series board.

©

National Instruments Corporation xi PCI E Series User Manual

Introduction

Installation and Configuration

Hardware Overview

is organized as follows:

, describes the PCI E Series boards, lists

, explains how to install

, presents an overview of the

About This Manual

Signal Connections

• Chapter 4,
output signal connections to your PCI E Series board via the board
I/O connector.

• Chapter 5,
your PCI E Series board.

• Appendix A,
Series board.

• Appendix B,
the connectors on the optional cables for the PCI E Series boards.

• Appendix C,
asked questions and their answers relating to usage and special
features of your PCI E Series board.

• Appendix D,
use to request help from National Instruments or to comment on
our products.

•The
used in this manual, including acronyms, abbreviations, defini tions
metric prefixes, mnemonics, and symbols.

•The
including the page where you can find the topic.

Calibration

Specifications

Optional Cable Connector Descriptions

Common Questions

Customer Communication

Glossary

Index

contains an alphabetical list and description of terms

alphabetically lists topics covered in this manual,

, discusses the

, describes how to make input and

calibration procedures for

, lists the specifications of each PCI E

, contains a list of commonly

, contains forms you can

, describes

Conventions Used in This Manual

The following conventions are used in this manual.

<> Angle brackets enclose the name of a key on the keyboard (for example,

<option>). Angle brackets containing numbers separated by an ellipsis
represent a range of values associated with a bit or signal name (for
example, DIO<3..0>).

♦ The ♦ symbol indicates that the text following i t applies only to specific

PCI E Series boards.
This icon to the left of bold italiciz ed text de notes a n ote, which alerts

you to important information.

!

PCI E Series User Manual xii

This icon to the left of bold italiciz ed text de notes a ca ution, wh ich
advises you of precautions to take to avoid injury, data los s, or a
system crash.

This icon to the left of bold italiciz ed text de notes a w arning, wh ich
advises you of precautions to take to avoid being elec trically shocked.

©

National Instruments Corporation

About This Manual

bold Bold text denotes the names of menus, menu items, parameters, dialog

boxes, dialog box buttons or options, icons, windows, Windows 95 tabs,
or LEDs.

bold italic Bold italic text denotes a note, caution, or warning.

italic

Macintosh Macintosh refers to all Macintosh computers with PCI bus, unless

monospace Text in this font denotes text or characters that should literally enter

NI-DAQ NI-DAQ refers to the NI-DAQ driver software for Macintosh or

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

SCXI SCXI stands for Signal Conditioning eXtensions for Instrumentation

Italic text denotes emphasis, a cross reference, or an introduction to a
key concept. This font also denotes text from which you supply the
appropriate word or value, as in Windows 3.x.

otherwise noted.

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, file names and extensions, and
for statements and comments taken from programs.

PC compatible computers unless otherwise noted.

noted.

and is a National Instruments product line designed to perform
front-end signal conditioning for National Instruments plug-in DAQ
boards.

Glossary

The
mnemonics, symbols, and terms.

lists abbreviations, acronyms, metric prefixes,

National Instruments Documentation

PCI E Series User Manual

The
your DAQ system. You could have any of several types of manuals
depending on the hardware and software in your s ystem. Use the
manuals you have as follows:

Getting Started with SCXI

•
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

©

National Instruments Corporation xiii PCI E Series User Manual

is one piece of the documentation set for

—If you are using SCXI, this is the first

About This Manual

connections and module configuration. They also expl ain in greater
detail how the module works and contain application hints.

• Your DAQ hardware documentation—This documentation has
detailed information about the DAQ h ardware that plugs in to or is
connected to your computer. Use this documentation for hardware
installation and configuration instructions, specification
information about your DAQ hardware, and application hints.

• Software documentation—You may have both application software
and NI-DAQ software documentation. National Instruments
application software includes ComponentWorks, LabVIEW,

®

LabWindows

/CVI, Measure, and VirtualBench. After you set up
your hardware system, use either your application software
documentation or the NI-DAQ documentation to help you write
your application. If you have a large, 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
relevant pieces of the system. Consult these guides when you are
making your connections.

SCXI Chassis Manual

•

—If you are using SCXI, read this manual for
maintenance information on the chassis and installation
instructions.

Related Documentation

The following documents contain information you may find helpful:

• DAQ-STC Technical Reference Manual

• National Instruments Application Note 025,

Considerations for Analog Signals

• PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.0

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,

PCI E Series User Manual xiv

Field Wiring and Noise

©

National Instruments Corporation

Measure, or VirtualBench software is easier than the low-level
programming described in the register-level programmer manual.

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 prob lems 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

About This Manual

, at the end of this manual.

©

National Instruments Corporation xv PCI E Series User Manual

Chapter

Introduction

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

About the PCI E Series

Thank you for buying a National Instruments PCI E Series board. The
PCI E Series boards are completely Plug and Play, multifunction
analog, digital, and timing I/O boards for PCI bus 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 lines of
TTL-compatible digital I/O, and two 24-bit counter/timers for timing
I/O. Because the PCI E Series boards have no DIP switches, jumpers,
or potentiometers, they are easily software-configured and calibrated.

The PCI E Series boards are completely switchless and jumperless data
acquisition (DAQ) boards for the PCI bus. This feature is made possible
by the National Instruments MITE bus interface chip that connects the
board to the PCI I/O bus. The MITE implements the PCI Local Bus
Specification so that the interrupts and base memory addresses are all
software configured.

1

The PCI 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. The DAQ-STC makes possible such applications as
buffered pulse generation, equivalent time sampling, and seamlessly
changing the sampling rate.

Often with DAQ boards, you cannot easily synchronize several
measurement functions to a common trigger or timing event. The PCI 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

©

National Instruments Corporation 1-1 PCI E Series User Manual

Chapter 1 Introduction

a ribbon cable to route timing and trigger signals between several
functions on as many as five DAQ boards in your computer.

The PCI 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 PCI E Series boards are in Appendix A,

Specifications

.

What You Need to Get Started

To set up and use your PCI E Series board, you will need the following:

❑ One of the following boards:

PCI-MIO-16E-1 PCI-6031E
PCI-MIO-16E-4 PCI-6032E
PCI-MIO-16XE-10 PCI-6033E
PCI-MIO-16XE-50 PCI-6071E

PCI E Series User Manual

❑
❑ One of the following software packages and documentation:

ComponentWorks
LabVIEW for Macintosh
LabVIEW for Windows
LabWindows/CVI for Windows
Measure
NI-DAQ for Macintosh
NI-DAQ for PC Compatibles
VirtualBench

❑ Your computer

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.

PCI E Series User Manual 1-2

©

National Instruments Corporation

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 Componen tWorks, you
can use all of the configuration tools, resource management utilities,
and interactive control utilities included with NI-DAQ.

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 software kit. The LabWindows/CVI Data
Acquisition Library is functionally equivalent to the NI-DAQ softwar e.

Chapter 1 Introduction

VirtualBench features virtual instruments that combine DAQ pr oduct s,
software, and your computer to create a stand-alone instrument with the
added benefit of the processing, display, and storage cap abilities 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 routi nes 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,

©

National Instruments Corporation 1-3 PCI E Series User Manual

Chapter 1 Introduction

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.

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 platfor ms
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.

Conventional

Programming Environment

NI-DAQ

Driver Software

DAQ or

SCXI Hardware

ComponentWorks,

LabVIEW,

LabWindows/CVI, or

VirtualBench

Personal

Computer or

Workstation

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

NI-DAQ, and Your Hardware

PCI E Series User Manual 1-4

©

National Instruments Corporation

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 an d inefficient, and
is not recommended for most users.

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.

Optional Equipment

National Instruments offers a variety of products to use with your PCI 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 and 68-pin screw
terminals

• Real Time System Integration (RTSI) bus cables

• 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 3,072 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.

©

National Instruments Corporation 1-5 PCI 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
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.

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

• When using a cable shield, use separate shields for the analog and
digital halves of the cable. Failure to do so results in noise coupling
into the analog signals from transient digital signals.

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

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

♦ PCI-MIO-16E-1, PCI-MIO-16E-4, PCI-MIO-16XE-10, PCI-6032E, and

the PCI-MIO-16XE-50
Honda 68-position, solder cup, female connector (part number

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

♦ PCI-6031E, PCI-6033E, and the PCI-6071E

AMP 100-position IDC male connector (part number 1-750913-9)
AMP backshell, 0.50 max O.D. cable (part number 749081-1)
AMP backshell, 0.55 max O.D. cable, (part number 749854-1)

PCI E Series User Manual 1-6

©

National Instruments Corporation

Unpacking

Chapter 1 Introduction

Your PCI 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 t he
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
install a damaged board into your computer.

Never

•

touch the exposed pins of connectors.

not

©

National Instruments Corporation 1-7 PCI E Series User Manual

Installation and

Chapter

Configuration

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

Software Installation

Install your software before you install your PCI 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 your NI-DAQ release notes. Find
the installation section for your operating system and follow the
instructions given there.

If you are using LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, or other National
Instruments application software packages, 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.

2

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

Register-Level Programmer Manual
Reference Manual

for software configuration information.

and the

DAQ-STC Technical

PCI E Series

Hardware Installation

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

1. Write down the PCI E Series board serial number in the

Series Hardware and Software Configuration Form

Appendix D,

2. Turn off and unplug your computer.

©

National Instruments Corporation 2-1 PCI E Series User Manual

Customer Communication

, of this manual.

PCI E

in

Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration

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 PCI E Series board into a 5 V PCI slot. Gently rock the
board to ease it into place. It may be a tight fit, but
board into place.

6. If required, screw the mounting bracket of the PCI E Series board
to the back panel rail of the computer.

7. Replace the cover.

8. Plug in and turn on your computer.

The PCI E Series board is installed. You are now ready to configure
your software. Refer to your software documentation for configuration
instructions.

Board Configuration

Due to the National Instruments standard architecture for data
acquisition and the PCI bus specification, the PCI E Series boards
are completely software configurable. You must perform two types
of configuration on the PCI E Series boards—bus-related and data
acquisition-related configuration.

do not force

the

The PCI E Series boards are fully compatible with the industry standard

PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.0

automatically perform all bus-related configurations and requires no
user interaction. Bus-related configuration includes setting the board
base memory address and interrupt channel.

Data-acquisition-related configuration includes such settings as analog
input polarity and range, analog input mode, and others. You can
modify these settings through application level software, such as
NI-DAQ, ComponentWorks, LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, and
VirtualBench.

PCI E Series User Manual 2-2

. This allows the PCI system to

©

National Instruments Corporation

Chapter

Hardware Overview

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

Figure 3-1 shows a block diagram for the PCI-MIO-16E-1,
PCI-MIO-16E-4, and the PCI-6071E.

Dither

Circuitry

Calibration

DACs

+

NI-PGIA
Gain
Amplifier
–

3

Trigger

Counter/

Timing I/O

Digital I/O

Configuration

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

12-Bit

Sampling

A/D

Converter

Memory

Analog Input

Timing/Control

DAQ - STC

Analog Output
Timing/Control

AI Control

DMA/
Interrupt
Request

Bus

Interface

RTSI Bus

Interface

ADC
FIFO

IRQ
DMA

Data (16)

Analog

Input

Control

DAQ-STC

Bus

Interface

Analog

Output

Control

Generic

Bus

Interface

EEPROM

EEPROM

Control

Interface

3

Control

PCI

MITE

Bus

Interface

Address/Data

DMA

Interface

MIO

I/O
Bus

Interface

Address (5)

PCI Bus

AO Control

Calibration

DACs

DAC
FIFO

Data (16)

RTSI Bus

DAC0

DAC1

6

* (32) for the PCI-6071E

Figure 3-1.

©

National Instruments Corporation 3-1 PCI E Series User Manual

PCI-MIO-16E-1, PCI-MIO-16E-4 and PCI-6071E Block Diagram

Chapter 3 Hardware Overview

Voltage

REF

(8)*

Analog
Muxes

(8)*

Trigger Level

DACs

Trigger

PFI / Trigger

Digital I/O (8)

I/O Connector

Timing

Calibration

Mux

2

Mux Mode
Selection
Switches

Analog
Trigger

Circuitry

Figure 3-2 shows a block diagram for the PCI-MIO-16XE-10 and
PCI-6031E.

REF

Calibration

DACs

+

Programmable
Gain
Amplifier
–

3

Trigger

Counter/

Timing I/O

Digital I/O

2

Configuration

Memory

Analog Input

Timing/Control

DAQ - STC

Analog Output
Timing/Control

AO Control

Buffer

16-Bit

Sampling

A/D

Converter

AI Control

DMA/
Interrupt
Request

Bus

Interface

RTSI Bus

Interface

ADC

FIFO

Data (16)

Data (16)

IRQ
DMA

Analog

Input

Control

DAQ-STC

Bus

Interface

Analog
Output
Control

Generic

Bus

Interface

EEPROM

EEPROM

Control

MIO

Interface

MITE

Interface

Interface

DMA

I/O

Bus

PCI
Bus

Interface

Control

Address/Data

Address (5)

PCI Bus

DAC0

DAC1

4

* (32) for the PCI-6031E

Calibration

DACs

DAC
FIFO

Data (16)

RTSI Bus

Figure 3-2. PCI-MIO-16XE-10 and PCI-6031E Block Diagram

PCI E Series User Manual 3-2

©

National Instruments Corporation

Chapter 3 Hardware Overview

Figure 3-3 shows a block diagram for the PCI-6032E and PCI-6033E.

Voltage

REF

(8)*

Analog
Muxes

(8)*

Calibration

Mux

DACs

2

Trigger

PFI / Trigger

Timing

Digital I/O (8)

Trigger Level

I/O Connector

* (32) for the PCI-6033E

Mux Mode
Selection
Switches

Analog
Trigger

Circuitry

Calibration

DACs

+

NI-PGIA
Gain
Amplifier
–

2

3

Trigger

Counter/

Timing I/O

Digital I/O

Configuration

Memory

Analog Input

Timing/Control

DAQ - STC

Analog Output
Timing/Control

16-Bit

Sampling

A/D

Converter

AI Control

IRQ

DMA/
Interrupt
Request

Bus

Interface

RTSI Bus

Interface

ADC

FIFO

DMA

Data (16)

Analog

Input

Control

DAQ-STC

Bus

Interface
Analog

Output
Control

Generic

Bus

Interface

EEPROM

EEPROM

Control

MIO

Interface

Interface

RTSI Bus

Figure 3-3. PCI-6032E and PCI-6033E Block Diagram

MITE

DMA

Interface

I/O
Bus

PCI
Bus

Interface

Control

Address/Data

Address (5)

PCI Bus

©

National Instruments Corporation 3-3 PCI E Series User Manual

Chapter 3 Hardware Overview

Figure 3-4 shows a block diagram for the PCI-MIO-16XE-50.

Voltage

REF

(8)

Analog
Muxes

(8)

Calibration

Mux

PFI / Trigger

Timing

I/O Connector

Digital I/O (8)

DAC0

DAC1

Mux Mode
Selection
Switches

4

Calibration

DACs

+

Programmable
Gain
Amplifier
–

Calibration

DACs

2

2

16-Bit

Configuration

Memory

Sampling

A/D

Converter

ADC

FIFO

AI Control

IRQ

Data (16)

DMA

Trigger

Counter/

Timing I/O

Digital I/O

Analog Input

Timing/Control

DAQ - STC

Analog Output
Timing/Control

AO Control

Data (16)

DMA/
Interrupt
Request

Bus

Interface

RTSI Bus

Interface

RTSI Bus

Figure 3-4. PCI-MIO-16XE-50 Block Diagram

Analog

Input

Control

DAQ-STC

Bus

Interface

Analog
Output
Control

Generic

Bus

Interface

EEPROM

EEPROM

Control

Interface

MIO

MITE

Interface

DMA

Interface

I/O

Bus

Interface

PCI
Bus

Control

Address/Data

Address (5)

PCI Bus

Analog Input

The analog input section of each PCI E Series board is software
configurable. You can select different analog input configurations
through application software designed to control the PCI E Series
boards. The following sections describe in detail each of the analog
input categories.

Input Mode

The PCI E Series boards 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 (64 channels on the
PCI-6031E, PCI-6033E, and PCI-6071E). The DIFF input

PCI E Series User Manual 3-4

©

National Instruments Corporation

Chapter 3 Hardware Overview

configuration provides up to 8 channels (32 channels on the PCI-6031E,
PCI-6033E, and the PCI-6071E). Input modes are programmed on a per
channel basis for multimode scanning. For exampl e, you can configu re
the circuitry to scan 12 channels—four differentially-configured
channels and eight single-ended channels. Table 3-1 describes the three
input configurations.

Table 3-1.

Available Input Configurations for the PCI E Series

Configuration Description

DIFF A channel configured in DIFF mode uses two analog

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

RSE A channel configured in RSE mode uses one analog

channel 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

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

For more information about the three types o f input configur ation, refer

Analog Input Signal Connections

to the

Connections

, which contains diagrams showing the signal paths for the

section in Chapter 4,

Signal

three configurations.

Input Polarity and Input Range

♦ PCI-MIO-16E-1, PCI-MIO-16E-4, and PCI-6071E

These boards have two input polarities—unipolar and bipolar. Unipolar
input means that the input voltage range is between 0 and V

is a positive reference voltage. Bipolar input means that the input

V

ref

voltage range is between –V

ref

and + V

/2

/2. So, these boards have a

ref

unipolar input range of 10 V (0 to 10 V) and a bipolar input range of
10 V (±5 V).

©

National Instruments Corporation 3-5 PCI E Series User Manual

, where

ref

Chapter 3 Hardware Overview

You can program polarity and range settings on a per channel basis so
that you can configure each input channel uniquely.

The software-programmable gain on these boards increases their
overall flexibility by matching the input signal ranges to those that the
ADC can accommodate. They have gains of 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50,
and 100 and are suited for a wide variety of signal levels. With the
proper gain setting, you can use the full resolution of the ADC to
measure the input signal. Table 3-2 shows the overall input range and
precision according to the input range configuration and gain used.

Table 3-2. Actual Range and Measurement Precision, PCI-MIO-16E-1,

PCI-MIO-16E-4, and PCI-6071E

Range

Gain Actual Input Range Precision

Configuration

0 to +10 V 1.0

2.0

5.0

10.0

20.0

50.0

100.0

-5 to +5 V 0.5

1.0

2.0

5.0

10.0

20.0

50.0

100.0

1

The value of 1 LSB of the 12-bit ADC; that is, the voltage increment

0 to +10 V

0 to +5 V
0 to +2 V

0 to +1 V
0 to +500 mV
0 to +200 mV
0 to +100 mV

–10 to +10 V

–5 to +5 V

–2.5 to +2.5 V

–1 to +1 V
–500 to +500 mV
–250 to +250 mV
–100 to +100 mV

–50 to +50 mV

2.44 mV

1.22 mV

488.28 µV

244.14 µV

122.07 µV

48.83 µV

24.41 µV

4.88 mV

2.44 mV

1.22 mV

488.28 µV

244.14 µV

122.07 µV

48.83 µV

24.41 µV

corresponding to a change of one count in the ADC 12-bit count.

Note: See Appendix A

.

ratings

, Specifications,

for absolute maximum

1

PCI E Series User Manual 3-6

©

National Instruments Corporation

Chapter 3 Hardware Overview

♦ PCI-MIO-16XE-10, PCI-MIO-16XE-50, PCI-6031E, PCI-6032E, and

PCI-6033E
These boards have two input polarities—unipolar and bipolar. Unipolar

input means that the input voltage range is between 0 and V

is a positive reference voltage. Bipolar input means that the input

V

ref

voltage range is between –V

ref

and +V

. So, these boards have a

ref

unipolar input range of 10 V (0 to 10 V) and a bipolar input range of
20 V (±10 V). You can program polarity an d range settings on a per
channel basis so that you can configure each input channel uniquely.

Note: You can calibrate your PCI-MIO-16XE-10, PCI-MIO-16XE-50,

PCI-6031E, PCI-6032E, and PCI-6033E analog input circuitry for either
a unipolar or bipolar polarity. If you mix unipolar and bipolar channels in
your scan list and you are using NI-DAQ, then NI-DAQ will load the
calibration constants appropriate to the polarity for which analog input
channel 0 is configured.

The software-programmable gain on these boards increases their
overall flexibility by matching the input signal ranges to those that the
ADC can accommodate. The PCI-MIO-16XE-50 has gains of 1, 2, 10,
and 100 and the other boards have gains of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100.
These gains are suited for a wide variety of signal levels. With the
proper gain setting, you can use the full resolution of the ADC to
measure the input signal.

, where

ref

©

National Instruments Corporation 3-7 PCI E Series User Manual